Seriously Though Podcast

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Alisa shares about her virtual wine tasting adventures and how to think about your week. Michael talks about investments and the elements of building wealth.

If you have questions for Michael or Alisa (or both of us), please submit them for “Serious Fam Q&A” at seriouslythoughpodcast@gmail.com or @seriouslythoughpod.

More from Alisa: Happy Cactus Club | @thehappycactusclub

More from Alisa:

The Happy Cactus
@thehappycactusclub

More from Michael:

@michaeldm

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We are all unique beings with unique skills and talents. At some point in your journey through life, someone might have urged you to “find your spark.” But what does this truly mean? Some discover their path early in their lives, while others continue to search in vain. We even doubt ourselves without realizing only we steer our lives. So create what you want to create — and that goes the same with our life journey.

In this episode, Alisa talks about her journey toward becoming a Vision Producer. She delves into the story behind finding her spark and eliminating her “shoulds.” She also shares the meaning behind her company's name, The Happy Cactus, and what entrepreneurs can take away from it.

If you want to know how you can find your spark, then this episode is for you.

Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode 1. Discover what being a vision producer is all about. 2. Find out how getting stuck in the land of shoulds hinders your journey as an entrepreneur. 3. Learn the idea behind being a happy cactus.

Resources * Beenspiration by Geraldina * More from Alisa: Happy Cactus Club | @thehappycactusclub * More from Michael: @michaeldm

Episode Highlights [00:52] The Impact of the Pandemic * The pandemic has highlighted what is important to people. * The important answers Alisa got in her conversations are spending time with family, making their home nice, and making sure their time is well-spent. * People who have gotten the "entrepreneurship itch" have realized this is an excellent time to start a business.

[01:35] Beenspiration * It's a podcast all about entrepreneurship by Alisa's friend, Geraldina. Geraldina has a photo booth business in Florida and has an educational background. * Geraldina asked the question, “What’s your spark?” to prepare for her interview.

[02:13] Find Your Spark Alisa: “When I think about the word ‘spark,’ I think about what lights me up.”

As a Vision Producer, Alisa’s job is all about helping people find their spark and do something with it.
More than the discovery process, her job is action-based.
If you want to eliminate your "shoulds", then you need to get super clear on what you want and what's important to you.
What’s important to you? Find your spark!

[03:41] Her Job as a Vision Producer Alisa: “If your brain feels like spaghetti, I'm the person that's gonna come and help you take all of your ideas noodle by noodle, and help either separate them or bring them all together.”

Alisa is a vision producer at The Happy Cactus, helping women untangle ideas they have in their heads.
People who have big visions often think they have too many, and nothing connects. However, many times, everything connects because of who we are.

[04:26] Alisa’s Background * About a year ago, she was in the corporate world and had been working in executive coaching for almost ten years.

She knew she wanted to be in that world and move up the ranks and eventually become an executive herself. But then, she started getting bored.
She didn't want to become a full-time executive coach because there are a lot more things she wanted to do.
Working with her coach, she started rediscovering things she loved doing in her career. She discovered it was working with visionary people.

[05:26] Alisa’s Journey Toward Becoming a Visionary Producer * Tune in to the full episode to find out about Alisa’s first visionary jobs! * Throughout her career, she realized that she could help put pieces together for visionary people to make things happen. * Her coach compared this to being a producer, which birthed the title, Vision Producer. * Here, she brings back her marketing savvy from her corporate experience and thinks above the surface for visionary women. She helps them see the bigger picture. * She uses all of her skills in her job to create her path and career. * In the future, she would like to have her vision production agency and create other vision producers.

[07:24] The Land of Shoulds Alisa: “There are a lot of shoulds that have stopped me along the way.”

She always had identity crises because she realized her identity is not about following a specific path.
Once she realized that she creates her journey, it gave her permission to continue to create as an entrepreneur.
For her, entrepreneurship was not a big vision or choice. It was a realization of who she is.
After getting laid off from her corporate job, she got to the point where she had to make it happen for herself.

[08:32] The Happy Cactus * Her company's name is The Happy Cactus because when she was stuck in her "shoulds," she thought about her cute bunny ear cactus. * She owns one that she adored and wanted to post on Instagram. But as months went by, it started growing weird and sometimes ugly ears. * One day, while looking outside her patio window, she saw the cactus out there taking all the sun. It’s growing weird ears whenever and however it wants. * She realized that the cactus was happy doing what it wanted. And she wanted to be like that happy cactus, growing where she wants to grow and doing things her way. * She named her company Happy Cactus as a reminder that there is no path she’s following as an entrepreneur. She’s creating her path as she goes.

Alisa: “I was looking outside my patio window and I saw it (Alisa’s bunny cactus) out there in the sun taking it all and growing weird ears whenever it wanted, however it wanted and I thought, you know what? That cactus is so happy. I want to be like that happy cactus.”

[10:02] Her Spark * The idea of The Happy Cactus: you can be you, and being you is okay. * Her spark is knowing that she can create what she wants to create. * Everyone can be a happy cactus. * Whenever you feel like the weight of the world is on you, remember that if you find your spark, you can create your own life and be happy.

Enjoyed this Episode? If you did, make sure to subscribe and share it with your friends!

Leave a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning in to the show, then don't forget to leave us a review. You can also share this with your friends. Find your spark, and help others create the life of their dreams and find their own spark!

Have any questions? If you have questions for Michael or Alisa (or both of us), please submit them for “Serious Fam Q&A” at seriouslythoughpodcast@gmail.com or @seriouslythoughpod.

For more episode updates, visit our website. You may also tune in on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or Spotify.

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And being yourself! When you focus on your natural gifts instead of what you think you should be doing, you’ll run into a wall every time. Alisa and Michael talk about strengths and weaknesses and financial assets and liabilities to help you find balance in your life and in your pocketbook.

Serious Talking Points:

PSA: Vermouth is only good for three months
Focus on working from your strengths, not your weaknesses
Keep a balance sheet! Know your Net Worth
Total Assets (own) - Total Liabilities (owe) = Net Worth
Review your balance sheet regularly to know where you stand (pulse check)
Ask yourself the tough questions. What areas of your balance sheet need your attention? Do some research, retrace your steps
Your balance sheet, spending plan, and financial goals should all be in alignment
Self-reflection will help you understand your strengths/assets and deficits/liabilities
Be your awesome self by living in your strengths/assets

Bee’s Knees cocktail recipe

Social Media Picks:

Michael: Carl Richard's IG post
Alisa: @thehappycactusclub's IG post

If you have questions for Michael or Alisa (or both of us), please submit them for “Serious Fam Q&A” at seriouslythoughpodcast@gmail.com or @seriouslythoughpod.

More from Alisa:

The Happy Cactus
@thehappycactusclub

More from Michael:

@michaeldm

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Summary:
In today’s episode, Michael and Alisa get right down to business! Michael discusses the importance of creating and using a spending plan to reach your financial goals. Alisa shares other powerful benefits of going for a walk to beat work-from-home burnout. Serious Talking Points: * Spending Plan vs. Budget * With a spending plan, you get to decide and direct where your money goes and how it is spent * Give your money a “job” and make it work for you * Do the more important things more and the less important things less! * 5 reasons why you should seriously consider going for a purposeful walk * Want your strengths to work for you? Sign up to join Alisa’s 3-month group experience for modern professionals to learn, grow, and live in your strengths starting March 11.

Social Media Picks:
Alisa: @beenspirationbg’s IG post
Michael: @thegrowinginvestor’s IG post If you have questions for Michael or Alisa (or both of us), please submit them for “Serious Fam Q&A” at seriouslythoughpodcast@gmail.com or @seriouslythoughpod. More from Alisa: * The Happy Cactus * @thehappycactusclub

More from Alisa:

The Happy Cactus
@thehappycactusclub

More from Michael:

@michaeldm

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Alisa and Michael welcome 2021 by ditching the old intro that included Le Croix (sorry, not sorry) and announcing they’re streaming live in their new Facebook group: Seriously Though | Facebook. The celebratory mood continues as they share how they spent their New Year’s. (Michael donned a suit and had some French champagne while Alisa and their mom bonded over Gilmore Girls and a bottle of Prosecco)

Seriously though, this episode is all about how to create the life of your dreams and the wealth to go with it.

Serious Talking Points:

Alisa takes a wealth assessment (join Seriously Though | Facebook for the link) to help her learn how to build wealth as an entrepreneur and she learned what type of team she needs to for her business
Alisa talks about using the Wheel of Life Exercise to begin creating the life of your dreams with Michael gladly participating in the activity and revealing which areas of his life he feels most and least satisfied
Michael talks about the six areas of wealth you need to know to go along with the life of your dreams (Seriously Though Financial docs)

If you have questions for Michael or Alisa (or both of us), you can reach us at seriouslythoughpodcast@gmail.com or @seriouslythoughpod.

Join Seriously Though | Facebook to watch us when we livestream and participate in our discussions and gain access to exclusive content.

Follow Alisa @thehappycactusclub and Michael @michaeldm, too!

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Summary: In today’s episode, Michael and Alisa discuss the importance of taking breaks, giving your brain a break, and stepping back to look at what’s crucial to move forward. With that comes a break for this podcast, too. The plan is to come back stronger than ever in 2021. Thank you for listening, Serious Fam!

Social Media Picks:

Take a Break...Never Give Up by Beyond Endo
Your Spending Habits Make You Rich, Not Your Salary by Clever Girl Finance

Serious Talking Points:

Zero-Sugar Gatorade - yay or nay?
Register for Gearing Up for 2021 and Beyond Nov 18 by The Happy Cactus Club!
Alisa takes magnesium taurate for better sleep each night...ask your dr if this is right for you
How Do Work Breaks Help Your Brain? Article from Psychology Today
Recharging your brain with creativity when you’re doing left-sided activities
Minute Mindfulness Exercise by The Happy Cactus Club
Want a Seriously Though sticker? Send us your address!

If you have questions for Michael or Alisa (or both of us), you can reach us at seriouslythoughpodcast@gmail.com or @seriouslythoughpod.

More from Alisa:

The Happy Cactus Club
@thehappycactusclub

More from Michael:

Bolt Wealth Management
@michaeldm

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Do you say “taco” or “thaco”? “Queso” or “Kay-so”? As 4th generation Mexican-Americans, we connect to our culture in different ways than our first generation relatives and friends. Today we talk about what it means for us to be Latino and how we express our own cultural identities as siblings, in honor of Latino Heritage Month.

Spoiler alert: music is a huge part of our cultural identities. Here are the songs and playlists we mention, specifically:

Las Mañanitas - origin and lyrics
Sobre Las Olas - a Mexican Waltz, info at Journal of the Society of American Music
El Rey by Vicente Fernandez
Michael’s Spotify playlist of Mexican composers
Apple Music’s Somos: Voces playlist
The full Somos music collection representing Latinx heritage

Michael’s new cookbooks:

Oaxaca: Home Cooking from the Heart of Mexico
Mexican Ice Cream: Beloved Recipes and Stories

Alisa’s cultural exploration questions:

How do you define your cultural identity?
In what ways do you live out your cultural heritage?
What's important for you to keep, treasure, preserve for yourself as you get older?
What's your favorite part about your cultural identity?

If you have questions for Michael or Alisa (or both of us), please submit them for “Serious Fam Q&A” at seriouslythoughpodcast@gmail.com or @seriouslythoughpod.

More from Alisa:

The Happy Cactus
@thehappycactusclub

More from Michael:

Bolt Wealth Management
@michaeldm

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What day is it again? Seems like every day is a blur, but our wine game is staying strong and we hope you are, too. Michael and Alisa talk about wine bargain buys, movies to watch and our COVID lives. We also talk about Robo-Advisors (aka investment apps on your phone) and how to find a mentor to show you the ropes and make your life a little easier.

Social media picks:10 Movies for Investors
“Service Can often lighten your burdens and make your challenges seem less hard.”

Serious Talking points:

Wine Bargain Buys: Kirkland Pinot Grigio, Joel Gott Sauvignon Blanc, Corvelia Cabernet Sauvignon
How we’re doing (how are you???)
What’s a Vision Producer and The Happy Cactus launch party
The Pros and Cons of Robo-Advisors like Betterment, Acorns & Wealthfront
How to Find a Mentor
5 Steps to Building Successful Mentor Relationships

If you have questions for Michael or Alisa (or both of us), please submit them for “Serious Fam Q&A” at seriouslythoughpodcast@gmail.com or @seriouslythoughpod.

More from Alisa:

The Happy Cactus
@thehappycactusclub

More from Michael:

Bolt Wealth Management
@michaeldm

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They say life is what you make of it, so why not make it? Why not create the life you want? In this episode, we share our experiences learning to carve our own paths, and ignoring the haters along the way. Oh, and we talk a bit about Angry Birds, too!

Social media picks:How Angry Birds Got Started
Decide What You Stand For

Serious Talking points:

Figure out what you value and what’s important to you (Michael talks about his experiences not wanting to work for a bank anymore)
Ask yourself what you want. Do you do this enough?
Alisa talks about how her new company, The Happy Cactus is all about carving your own path (and the story behind the name)
Get creative on making it happen - when you have limited resources, your ability to innovate increases
Don’t listen to the haters - sometimes people who are more experienced than you won’t be your biggest cheerleaders. Share your goals and vision wisely. Keep moving forward!

If you have questions for Michael or Alisa (or both of us), please submit them for “Serious Fam Q&A” at seriouslythoughpodcast@gmail.com or @seriouslythoughpod.

More from Alisa:

The Happy Cactus
@thehappycactusclub

More from Michael:

Bolt Wealth Management
@michaeldm

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Having debt doesn’t make you a failure. Failing doesn’t make you a failure. In this episode, we talk about getting comfortable with our shortcomings so we can learn from them and continue to move forward with our goals.

First, what we’re watching on Netflix: Fastest Cars, The Single Wives, Indian Matchmaking, Love on the Spectrum, The Last Dance, The Office (still).

Shoutouts: @debtfreesis, @touristyaf & @natnatpena from @thehappycactusclub!

3 Ways to Get Comfortable with Failure

Serious Talking points:

Michael says educational debt is worth the investment. Do you agree?
How your friends and family view your debt and your failures
Alisa’s biggest failure in college and how it affected her
The importance of “balcony” people in your life to cheer you on
How to move forward with failure by acknowledging your fear
Embracing your inner child when it comes to debt and failure
If you want to give generously, you can’t give what you don’t have
Keeping your goals and purpose in mind
How to pay off debt
Snowball method: pay your smallest balance off first
Avalanche method: pay your highest interest rate off first
Saving money by staying home!

Social media picks:

Michael Jordan’s failures

Becoming financially secure

If you have questions for Michael or Alisa (or both of us), please submit them for “Serious Fam Q&A” at seriouslythoughpodcast@gmail.com or @seriouslythoughpod.

More from Alisa:

The Happy Cactus
@thehappycactusclub
@alisa.coach

More from Michael:

Bolt Wealth Management
@michaeldm

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Remember your 2020 goals? Us, neither. Well, half of us (ahem, Alisa). But that’s what this episode is all about; a quick financial check-in & tips on how to be a better listener and be more present with others.

Michael always has ingredients for negroni cocktails on hand, so Alisa encourages him to up his vermouth game and try her twist on an Americano. Try it!

Americano (w/ Cynar):

1.5 oz sweet vermouth
1.5 oz cynar
3 oz. club soda
Orange peel
Serve over ice

Seriously though, anyone can invest, anyone can lead, anyone can coach, anyone can serve. Presence is an act of service. Being truly “there” for someone means putting their needs above yours. Learn four ways to practice presence in your daily life.

Your mid-year financial review should include re-evaluating your plan, including: goals, spending plan, and strategy. It’s also a good time to make sure you have 3-6 months of expenses saved up as an emergency fund.

If you have questions for Michael or Alisa (or both of us), please submit them for “Serious Fam Q&A” at seriouslythoughpodcast@gmail.com.

To schedule an introductory coaching session, visit Alisa.Coach. For more information on financial planning, visit Bolt Wealth Management.

Links:

Michael’s social media pick: 2020 Bear Market Chart
Alisa’s social media pick: Boundaries During a Pandemic
Alisa.Coach
Bolt Wealth Management
@michaeldm
@alisa.coach
@Seriouslythoughpod

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Join us as we follow our taste buds around the world to learn about incredible foods from Pakistan, The Netherlands, France, Germany, Singapore, New York, and Puerto Rico. Our friends tell us what they're eating during COVID and share their tips on how to persevere through this pandemic.

Severine Chaari, Beenish Saaed, Jantien Tap, Niiamah Ashong, Merary Simeon, and Jessica Labesehr talk to us about what’s going on in their countries and remind us that it really is a small world, after all!

Our Serious Fam has incredible wisdom and insights to share regarding how to stay sane when the world is falling apart. Plus, they introduce us to some delicious eats from their cultures in this very special guest-filled episode!

If you have questions for Michael or Alisa (or both of us), please submit them for “Serious Fam Q&A” at seriouslythoughpodcast@gmail.com.

To schedule an introductory coaching session, visit Alisa.Coach. For more information on financial planning, visit Bolt Wealth Management.

Links:

@Seriouslythoughpod
Bolt Wealth Management
@michaeldm
Alisa.Coach
@alisa.coach
The Happy Cactus

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From elderflower cocktails to managing uncertainty in the stock market, we’ve got you covered! What’s that, you say? You also need help managing your weekly schedule? We got you, Serious Fam!

In this episode, we share what we’re drinking during quarantine (see links below). Warren Buffet is famous for saying, “be fearful when the market is greedy and be greedy when the market is fearful.” Michael shares how to deal with fear and greed when the stock market swings (like, now).

Then Alisa shows you how to take control over your week. You own your schedule; your schedule doesn’t own you. Learn a time blocking technique that you can start applying today.

If you have questions for Michael or Alisa (or both of us), please submit them for “Serious Fam Q&A” at seriouslythoughpodcast@gmail.com.

To schedule an introductory coaching session, visit Alisa.Coach. For more information on financial planning, visit Bolt Wealth Management.

Links:

White Linen Cocktail Recipe
Cucumber Mint Vodka
Michael’s social media pick: Neurohacker Collective
Alisa’s social media pick: Emma Gannon Dreams
Fear & Greed Index
How to Manage Your Weekly Planner
Bolt Wealth Management
@michaeldm
Alisa.Coach
@alisa.coach
@Seriouslythoughpod

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Are you feeling lonely during this worldwide pandemic? Come to Alisa’s Grilled Cheese Sandwich Shop, where comfort food melts away isolation. Just by being there, you’ll have a deeper knowledge of the stock market, too!

Have you ever wished you understood more of what they’re talking about on Shark Tank? In today’s episode, Michael makes you smart enough to be dangerous to your friends. Hint: grilled cheese is a necessary part of the equation. After that, Alisa opens up about her feelings of loneliness living by herself right now. She shares new realizations about friendship and ways for anyone dealing with these feelings to cope during this COVID-19 crisis.

We appreciate you, Serious Fam! #seriousfamporvida

If you have questions for Michael or Alisa (or both of us), please submit them for “Serious Fam Q&A” at seriouslythoughpodcast@gmail.com.

To schedule an introductory coaching session, visit Alisa.Coach. For more information on financial planning, visit Bolt Wealth Management.

Links:

Michael’s social media pick: https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/g5xaj7/the-only-theater-screening-new-movies-is-a-drive-in-in-ocala-florida
Alisa’s social media pick: https://twitter.com/manwhohasitall/status/903713613550153729
Bolt Wealth Management
@michaeldm
Alisa.Coach
@alisa.coach
@Seriouslythoughpod

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Happy Quarantine, y’all! If you’re single, this is the time to mingle! If you want to invest in the market, listen to Michael explaining the emotional cycle of investing. And, since we’re all in transition, decide which stage you think you’re in after hearing from Alisa.

Today we’re talking about keeping your head straight when making money decisions. The stock market is a volatile place, especially now with the COVID-19 crisis, so if you make choices based on how you feel, it could hurt you in the long run. The same goes for when you’re in a roller coaster of emotions during any type of transition. Alisa advises that the most important thing to do in these situations is to make yourself aware of how you feel, and where you’re at internally vs. externally, in your particular stage of life.

If you have questions for Michael or Alisa (or both of us), please submit them for our new “Serious Fam Q&A” at seriouslythoughpodcast@gmail.com.

To schedule an introductory coaching session, visit Alisa.Coach. For more information on financial planning, visit Bolt Wealth Management.

Links:

Michael’s IG pick: Behavior Gap Diagram
Transitions: Making Sense of Life’s Changes
Bolt Wealth Management
Alisa.Coach
Michael on Instagram
Alisa on Instagram
@Seriouslythoughpod

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Today we’re talking about Tiger King, how television has pivoted during COVID-19, what wines to look for right now and Lisa Frank. Seriously though, we’re also discussing risk when it comes to investing and exploring what it means to have a finite vs. infinite mindset when it comes to running your business.

In 2008-2009, we saw the Lipstick Effect take place; cheaper lipstick and nailpolish sales increased, while luxury purchases decreased. What will come out of this worldwide pandemic that’s causing businesses to pause, close and reinvent themselves? And is it time to reinvent your dreams and visions, too?

If you have questions for Michael or Alisa (or both), please submit them for our new “Serious Fam Q&A” at seriouslythoughpodcast@gmail.com.

To schedule an introductory coaching session, visit Alisa.Coach. For more information on financial planning, visit Bolt Wealth Management.

Links:

Alisa’s IG pick: Joe Exotic, Lisa Frank style
Bolt Wealth Management
Alisa.Coach
Michael on Instagram
Alisa on Instagram

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Alisa catches Michael up on the number one Netflix show Love is Blind. Michael explains Bear Market vs. Bull Market in light of COVID-19. Then, Alisa explains the second practice of exemplary leadership: Inspire a Shared Vision & Michael gives us the 411 on 401(k) plans.

Continuing with part two of The Leadership Challenge series, Alisa and Michael discuss Apple Retail’s vision to enrich people’s lives. Having a shared vision increases productivity, efficiency and brings employees together.

Then, Michael breaks down the basics of 401(k) plans. Over the course of your lifetime, it grows tax free. Start contributions to your 401(k) plan as early as possible. Figure out how much you want to contribute, set it up, and don’t touch it until retirement. Take advantage of employer matching!

If you have questions for Michael or Alisa (or both), please submit them for our new “Serious Fam Q&A” at seriouslythoughpodcast@gmail.com.

To schedule an introductory coaching session, visit Alisa.Coach. For more information on financial planning, visit Bolt Wealth Management.

Links:

Michael’s IG pick: Market Correction vs. Bear Market Stats
Alisa’s IG pick: Fulton Street Coffee in Fresno
The Leadership Challenge on Amazon
Bolt Wealth Management
Alisa.Coach
Michael on Instagram
Alisa on Instagram

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Coronavirus got you down? Does the stock market have you in a tizzy? In today’s episode, Michael gives a short history lesson on economic swings to help us make informed decisions on our investments. He also explains fiduciary responsibility and what it means to be a financial adviser working for an RIA. Then, Alisa asks us to ask ourselves, “what do I really want?” and gives some tips on how to get out of a never ending conversation. She also gives a full breakdown on the first practice of exemplary leadership from The Leadership Challenge: Model the Way. Do your actions match up to your values? Lots of good stuff, Serious Fam! #seriousfamporvida

If you have questions for Michael or Alisa (or both), please submit them for our new “Serious Fam Q&A” at seriouslythoughpodcast@gmail.com.

To schedule an introductory coaching session, visit Alisa.Coach. For more information on financial planning, visit Bolt Wealth Management.

Links:

Alisa’s IG pick: Soulbbatical
JP Morgan | Guide to the Markets 2019Q4 - Michael references pages 15 & 64
21 Polite Ways to Leave a Never-Ending Conversation Without Being Rude
The Leadership Challenge on Amazon
Bolt Wealth Management
Alisa.Coach
Michael on Instagram
Alisa on Instagram

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Do you consider yourself a leader? In 4th grade, Michael was officially a leader, but Alisa wasn’t into it until later in life. Leadership isn’t about age, it’s about behavior. And so is saving and investing. Anyone (that means you!) can learn the best practices in leadership and the best practices in investing and saving. We’re laying down the basics for you in this episode!

Today Alisa kicks off a leadership series, outlining The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership® Model from The Leadership Challenge book. These practices include: Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act, and Encourage the Heart.

Michael outlines what you should be considering in order to save, make, and invest your money. The name of the game is to get in the game!

If you have questions for Michael or Alisa (or both), please submit them for our new “Serious Fam Q&A.” In this episode, we answered questions on setting boundaries at work and “Is it okay that I don’t know about investing stuff in my 30s? Am I the only one?”.

To schedule an introductory coaching session, visit Alisa.Coach. For more information on financial planning, visit Bolt Wealth Management.

Links:

Michael’s IG pick: Radix Financial quote
Alisa’s IG pick: Cyrielle for KURE
How Successful People Manage Boundaries at Work
The Leadership Challenge on Amazon
Bolt Wealth Management
Alisa.Coach
Michael on Instagram
Alisa on Instagram

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Hey, Serious Fam! We’re continuing the discussion on making friends and taking extra steps to get vulnerable with the friends you already have. Plus, Michael gives some concrete numbers on how much to save and how to make your money work best for you by paying yourself first. #seriousfamporvida

Michael talks about the brands behind the Super Bowl LIV commercials (the cost of a 30-sec commercial? $5.6M) and how much investing in some of them would have paid off, even in only a year’s time.

Alisa recommends that you subscribe to Harvard Business Review’s “Women at Work” and “Management Tip of the Day” to get free daily doses of valuable information in your inbox.

If you have questions for Michael or Alisa (or both), please submit them for our new “Serious Fam Q&A.” In this episode, we answered questions on setting the pricing for your business and overcoming social blocks in selling.

To schedule an introductory coaching session, visit Alisa.Coach. For more information on financial planning, visit Bolt Wealth Management.

Links:

HBR Newsletter
Saving vs. Investing
Bolt Wealth Management
Alisa.Coach
Michael on Instagram
Alisa on Instagram

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In today’s episode, Michael answers Alisa’s money questions on saving vs. investing. He says, “the name of the game is to get in the game. Stop overthinking it and just start investing now to have the opportunity for future market gains.” Then Alisa shares tips on how to make friends as adults and reminds everyone that “people like you more than you know”! All you need to do is show up. The name of the friendship game is to go be a friend to someone and show up in places where you might make new ones. They also share recipes from the cocktails they’re drinking this year and a new segment: Listener Q&A.

Cocktail Recipes:

Alisa’s Welcome Drink:

Ingredients: 2 oz Gin or Vodka, 4 oz. Elderflower Tonic Water, 2 raspberries

Directions: Stir ingredients directly into cocktail glass over ice, garnish with raspberries

Michael’s Greenpoint:

Ingredients: 2 oz Rye Whiskey, ½ oz Yellow Chartreuse, ½ oz Sweet Vermouth, 1 dash angostura bitters, 1 dash orange bitters

Directions: Stir in a mixing glass, strain into a cocktail glass, garnish with lemon peel

Links:

IG: CNBC: S&P 500 returned 28.8% in 2019
IG: Dr. Marisa Franco: People Like You More Than You Know
Shoutout - Carrion Designs: https://www.instagram.com/peter_david_carrion/
Saving vs. Investing
5 Skills for Making Friends as Adults
Bolt Wealth Management
Alisa.Coach
Michael on Instagram
Alisa on Instagram

To schedule an introductory coaching session, visit Alisa.Coach. For more information on financial planning, visit Bolt Wealth Management.

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What Alisa’s liking on social: @bossladiesmindset, “When they tell you not to be eye candy, but to be soul food. Except you’re a multifaceted being. So you’re eye candy, soul food, & a spiritual warrior princess.”

What Michael’s liking on social: @clarkfinancialsolutions, “Personal finance is 80% behavior and only 20% head knowledge.”

Have you ever gone to the movies by yourself? Alisa recently saw Queen & Slim at the theaters and loved the film and the experience.

Thinking about hosting a Vision Board Party? Read Alisa’s blog to get the scoop on how to focus on leading the experience. Aside from a handful of magazines, craft supplies, and your own vision for your future, she provides other tips on what you need to know to lead the event.

Finally, Michael discusses three must-haves for your financial goals:

Goal Sheet: Short-term (1-3 yrs), mid-term (5-7 yrs), and long-term goals (7 yrs+)
Spending Plan: list of expenses and income
Strategy: how is it going to happen (think of ways to reduce your expenses or increase your income)

Download Michael’s spreadsheet with the three must-haves.

All links:

@bossladiesmindset
@clarkfinancialsolutions
Queen & Slim
Master of None
Blog: Why You Should Lead, Not Throw, a Vision Board Party
Brix + Barrel Wine
Spreadsheet download: Michael’s Three Financial Must-Haves
Bolt Wealth Management
Alisa.Coach
Michael on Instagram
Alisa on Instagram

To schedule an introductory coaching session, visit Alisa.Coach. For more information on financial planning, visit Bolt Wealth Management.

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Michael kicks us off on a serious note by discussing opportunity cost, how to create a spending plan, and various tools like eMoney, Quicken and Mint to help you track your expenses. It’s time to take the word “budget” out of your vocabulary and replace it with “spending plan” to help you focus on what’s important to you and spend accordingly. It allows you to be aware of your financial health and keep you on track with your goals.

From there, Alisa shares that she’s been loving on Food and Wine's Instagram (How to Cut an Onion).

Additionally, Alisa’s new guilty pleasure on Netflix is Virgin River, which has a very slow start but gets good at the end (and is renewing for season 2 in 2020!). Very different from Michael’s affinity for Cheers and Frasier.

Seriously though, Michael dives a little deeper into the financial planning process and the importance of setting multiple financial goals and aligning them. He’s often asked, “Should I pay down debt or save for the future?” Spoiler alert: the answer is BOTH. Your financial plan should be the direction you take to achieve your short- and long term goals.

Speaking of goals, Alisa discusses the importance of having a yearly theme. This is the time to reflect on the past year by asking yourself what worked, what didn’t, what do you want to leave behind in 2020, and what do you want to take with you. You use your yearly theme as a guidepost to keep your actions aligned with your goals and desires.

She’s a huge fan of Ink & Volt’s Yearly Planning Sheets. These take hours to complete, but they are worth the time, reflection and effort! One of the exercises included is determining your “yearly theme”. Her 2019 theme was “Foundation.” She’ll share here 2020 theme in a future episode. She will walk you through everything if you’d like, so DM her on IG!

At the end of the day, planning is a crucial step to creating a future full of financial and emotional direction and freedom.

All links:

Seriously Though Podcast on Instagram
Food and Wine on Instagram
How to Cut an Onion
Virgin River
Ink & Volt’s Planner (Alisa’s fave!)
Ink & Volt’s Yearly Planning Worksheets
Bolt Wealth Management
Alisa.Coach
Michael on Instagram
Alisa on Instagram (see “?s for Reflection” on her Stories)

To schedule an introductory coaching session, visit Alisa.Coach. For more information on financial planning, visit Bolt Wealth Management.

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Welcome to our first episode! Michael Manjarrez and Alisa Manjarrez are brother and sister who are always sharing ideas ranging from whatever they’re obsessed with on tv to smart tips they give to their coaching and financial advising clients. As a financial adviser, Michael helps his clients plan for the future by strategically saving and investing their funds. As an executive coach, Alisa works with a range of high-performing leaders to coach their teams to success while staying on top of their game.

In this episode, Michael gives a coffee shoutout to their dad, Tony Manjarrez, and Alisa gives a coffee shoutout to her favorite San Pedro roaster, Trinity CBC.

Alisa mentions A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby movie on Netflix.

Michael shares this quote from his financial planning hero Ric Edleman: “The number one mistake people make is procrastination. They simply don't begin to save as early as they should.”

Alisa shares this from Atomic Habits author James Clear’s Instagram: “Challenge yourself when life is easy so you can handle it when life gets hard.”

All links:

Bolt Wealth Management for more information on financial planning
Alisa.Coach to learn more about the coaching process
Michael on Instagram
Alisa on Instagram
Seriously Though Podcast on Instagram
Trinity CBC
A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby
Ric Edleman
Atomic Habits
James Clear on Instagram

Seriously Though Podcast: Recent Episodes

Michael D Manjarrez & Alisa Manjarrez