Success Stories
JEFF OPDYKE THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
I must also thank Denise Hughes, a financial counselor in San Carlos, Ca, who befriended me and who spent untold hours sharing with me her knowledge of the psychology of money, both for the Love and Money column I write and in particular this book.
Her generosity, humor, and ability to describe how our noggins operate has greatly benefited this book and allowed me to better understand how money flows through all our lives directly and unconsciously.
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MALCOLM GREENHILL, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER
“I have known Denise for many years. She has helped and continues to help a number of my clients work through complex issues relating to money and values as well as helping them produce meaningful spending plans that are an integral part of their overall financial plan. This enables me to leverage my time as a financial planner and focus on what I do best. I recommend her work wholeheartedly.”
Malcolm is a CFP professional with offices in San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara. Visit us at www.sterling-futures.com.
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MARCEE YAGER, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER
“I have had the privilege of having Denise help me with numerous clients over the years. She is a consummate professional and completely trustworthy, providing a safe environment for clients to work out their most difficult money issues.”
Marcee is a nationally recognized expert in integral financial planning. She is also a certified mediator and a practicing spiritual director. You can learn more about her at www.fvwest.com.
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LARRY and JOAN DAHLSTROM
“WE ARE ABLE TO REALIZE OUR HEART-FELT DREAMS”
Larry and I are ordinary people. Larry is in banking and I work part-time at my church. We have three sons and one dog. We own our home. Our combined income affords us a good living.
In order to make things work in managing our household I began charging on the credit card for needful things like clothes for the kids, household supplies and gas to name a few. Even though our income was good, it never seemed like we had enough money.
Very quietly we were going deeper and deeper into debt with no plan or way to pay it back. Our finances were in dire straights. Our dreams of retiring or living a more simple life seemed impossible. We were stressed out about our finances.
Part of the stress was because the subject of our finances was a topic my husband and I avoided like the plaque. For most of married life (over 27 years), we danced around this issue. There were a few occasions that we truly got serious and went “head on” with this sensitive subject. We tried marriage counseling, new methods of discipline accounting, endless meetings and none of this worked for us. It was very frustrating.
We were referred to Denise by a financial planner. Let me just say here I was scared that once we began this process it would seem like a huge weight around our neck, restricting and depriving us of many things in our lives. Our finances were already a huge burden, but fear that it was going to be harder to bear with a financial counselor grew.
Well, I was wrong. It will be almost two years since we began working with Denise and we marvel at where we are today. Today, we are debt free, have not used our credit cards in two years, have a nice savings account and are on a cash basis.
So what changed since we started meeting with Denise? Today, I have never felt better in my life about our finances and am at peace about everything we do regarding our finances. What made this possible? Denise helped us look at our personal philosophy regarding money and how that affected our use of it in our family.
I come from a background where we didn’t have a lot of money and my husband came from a background where his family had money but was always worrying about it. How we perceived money impacted how we managed money in our family. We took time to talk about thinking patterns that translated into spending patterns that were unhealthy and destructive. We diffuse those “hot “ buttons in our financial life that caused us to be wasteful and destructive. We began putting a sensible and logical structure into place that would help us account for our money but more importantly plan for all our needs. Through this process we learned to distinguish between “a need” and “a want or desire”.
We have discovered amazingly that through this process, not one need was overlooked and we never felt deprived. The discipline of tracking our money was not easy. It takes time and commitment, and I have to say that we did not arrive at this very easily.
Through Denise’s counsel and guidance, we have dismantled destructive and unhealthy thinking and spending patterns. We are more disciplined and consider ourselves much better stewards of what has been given to us. The most hopeful result from this process of working with Denise is that we are able to realize some of our heartfelt dreams. We can now actually plan and see these once lofty dreams become a reality in our lives.
This is truly amazing. Many people have asked me about this process that we have gone through and are still going through – there is one thing that I always share with them and that’s it really not about the “money”. It’s about what you bring to your finances and how it manifests itself in the spending or your money. We have never felt more “unburdened” about our finances until now. Bottom-line, we have reached a quiet abiding peace within our family. Thank you Denise for all your help.
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JUDY AND PETER
“THE END RESULT IS MORE HARMONY and LESS STRESS“
My husband and I first met Denise Hughes a year ago through a referral via a friend. We had great credit, but difficulty communicating with one another regarding our finances and achieving successful goals.
Denise worked with us to set up a plan to help guide us together toward a more effective direction. Working with her was very “Eye Opening.” My husband and I learned how our spending habits differed, as well as how to hone them to achieve goals.
Today, my husband and I pay our bills together. We are focused. We talk instead of argue. The additional end result is harmony between my husband and me, less stress and arguing.
Denise possesses expertise in financial counseling encompassed with compassion for the clients that she is working. She is worth every hour, and every dollar you spend with her; it is an investment in your financial future with yourself and your spouse.
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GRETTA WAGNER
“YOU HELPED ME FIND FINANCIAL PEACE“
I am grateful to Denise who coached me with patience, care and insights. She gently showed me how to find peace with money. It was hard work and I got off track many times but Denise stood by me and helped me pick myself up and start over. A few years ago, I was a single mom with $70k+ debt making $30k a year and now I am down to $14k debt and made over $75k last year. I would not be where I am now without her help. Thank you Denise. You are a god send.
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YOMI
“YOU HELPED ME CREATE AN ABUNDANT LIFE“
“I was in a pretty fragile state when I met Denise. I had a large amount of unaccomplished dreams and an uncertain future. The first thing that Denise did with me was to help me pinpoint where my financial habits came from. The second thing she helped me with was, disappearing the guilt I felt around my situation and finding a strategy to move forward. Within a matter of weeks, my life started to open up in an extremely positive and magical way. I went from doing a side job that I detested to doing more of my dream work. I really could not have done all this without the support that Denise provided for me. Her way of working is gentle, tender and loving. She has incredible strength and power without using force. She really has been an angel and blessing for me.”
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ANN S.
“THE WORK IS NOT JUST ABOUT NUMBERS“
One of the best things about Denise is that she saw me as a whole person, not just someone who was in a financial mess. Working with her helped me put my whole life back on track. She asks good questions, helped me to think differently and supported me in practicing new money behaviors. She stayed with me through tough spots. The work with her is not just about numbers. She speaks into the emotional and spiritual sides of money. It’s some of the most life changing and fascinating personal growth work I’ve done!
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GRATEFUL CFP
“EARNING TO MY POTENTIAL“
I’m a Certified Financial Planner and was totally embarrassed to call Denise. Being a financial professional, I felt I should have it all together. Her caring and kind approach didn’t make me feel judged. I discovered the emotional blocks and unconscious beliefs that were ruling my finances. We’ve done some wonderful work together and now I’m earning to my potential and have both my personal and business finances in order thanks to her.
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GABRIEL R.
“A FUTURE OF HOPE AND FREEDOM“
I grew up in a middle class family where there was never enough money. I worked to buy what I wanted. I married someone who spent money easily and freely – a dream come true. After successes in business there was a business bankruptcy that was devastating. Ultimately I divorced my husband and then he passed away. I was left without life insurance to raise two children and figure out my money situation myself. I struggled: accumulating credit card debt, getting out of debt only to get back into debt.
I needed more than a financial planner, some one who could help me move through the fear and emotions I had around money. Then I started working with Denise. I now spend time planning my expenditures. I have not gone into any unplanned debt in the year that I have been working with her – a record for me. I’ve learned the importance of spending time keeping current with my expenditures so I know exactly where I am financially at all times, that is a powerful place to live. It is not always easy. Yet, like any new behavior it takes time to learn and appreciate the benefits of the changes we make.
For the first time in my life, I have hope that I will no longer be imprisoned by my financial past and that I can create a future worth looking forward to. Denise’s work is life changing. I wish I had learned these lessons earlier in my life.
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SCOTT BREWSTER CFP®, MBA, EA
I am so grateful to have found Denise through a client who had impressive success working with her. Creating a solid cash flow foundation is such a complex area of personal finance, having a specialist to go to is extremely valuable. Denise quickly is able to work through cash flow issues and see the underlying reasons behind money conflicts. She helps clients step into a life of financial integrity.
Scott at www.brewsterfp.com
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BARB AND PHIL
“PEACE, CONTROL, FULFILLMENT“
When we first started coaching sessions with Denise, she helped us with a structure to manage our cash flow. We were really resistant to tracking expenses and holding ourselves accountable to a monthly plan. We told her we were just too busy with work, kids and life!
One of the most important things she told us that motivated us was this: “Money is already taking up space and time in your marriage. The avoidance behaviors you bring to it create arguments and sleepless nights. Worrying about money consumes your brain space. Why not create positive space for money in your life by managing it, talking about it and free up space in your brain for relaxation and creativity. When you create time and space for money in your life, you will experience peace, control and fulfillment.” How right she was!
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“ONE LINE – 5 STAR TESTIMONIALS”
“Working with you has put me in alignment with my intentions and integrity in ways I never could have imagined.”
~ Colleen
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“Thank you for your expertise, precision and energy.” ~Brian and Steph
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“Working with you has been a dramatic breakthrough for our marriage and finances. We thank you so much.”
~Krissy and Rob
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“Thank you for your positive and helpful spirit. Your guidance is a gift from the Universe.”
~Sally and Bill
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“Our only regret is that you did not come into our lives 10 years ago! Thanks for your gentle love and non judgement attitude. You are a gentle giant.”
~Steph and Bob
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“Your generosity of spirit and flow and energy around money are so natural and easy. You remind me of a dancer who moves naturally with the music, as is there is no separation of form or spirit.”
~Helga Hayse
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“Your hard work with us continues to pay off, all these years later.”
~Nic and Evan
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“Your wisdom has been priceless in helping us create a solid financial life. Steve and I have a saying around our house when we need to make money decisions and that is WWDS (what would Denise say?). Thanks for always being the voice of wisdom we pull up when we problem solve.”
~Deena and Steve
