In the corporate world, there are countless written rules, policies, and procedures to guide employees and executives. However, what is often left unspoken are the unwritten rules—those implicit expectations and standards that women in leadership positions must navigate. These invisible standards can create immense pressure and challenge, adding a layer of complexity to the already demanding role of an executive.

Women in executive positions are often held to different standards than their male counterparts, facing a unique set of expectations that aren’t always clearly defined but are constantly felt. These unwritten rules can hinder progress, foster stress, and even lead to burnout. Understanding these expectations—and how to confront them—is crucial for women who aspire to lead with authenticity and confidence.

1. The Need for Perfection: The Impossible Standard

One of the most pervasive unwritten rules for women in executive roles is the expectation of perfection. Women are often expected to not only meet but exceed the professional standards of their male counterparts, without showing any signs of weakness or mistake. In a way, their every move is scrutinized, with a heightened emphasis on their competence, demeanor, and decision-making.

Unlike men, who may be allowed more leeway in making errors or showing vulnerability, women often feel that a single misstep could be used against them. The pressure to meet an ideal of perfection can be overwhelming and contribute to stress and burnout. Women are expected to perform at the highest level while maintaining an immaculate personal appearance, balancing family and career, and being emotionally resilient—all at the same time.

2. The “Likeability” Trap: Balancing Authority and Warmth

Another invisible standard women executives face is the expectation to be both authoritative and warm simultaneously. While men in leadership positions are often seen as strong, assertive, and direct, women are frequently held to a different standard. If they exhibit the same behaviors, they are perceived as bossy, abrasive, or unlikeable. Women leaders are expected to maintain a fine balance between being assertive and approachable.

This “likeability” trap is one of the most insidious unwritten rules that women face. In an attempt to assert themselves, women risk being labeled negatively, while showing too much warmth or vulnerability can result in being perceived as weak or indecisive. The challenge is to navigate these contradictory expectations without compromising one’s true leadership style.

3. The “Invisible” Leader: Having to Prove Worth Constantly

For women executives, the bar for proving their worth is often set much higher than for their male counterparts. While men may be given the benefit of the doubt, women are frequently required to demonstrate their abilities and worth repeatedly. Despite their accomplishments and qualifications, women in leadership positions may find themselves overlooked or doubted, particularly in male-dominated industries.

This constant need to prove themselves can be exhausting. Whether it’s having to constantly reaffirm their expertise in meetings, being interrupted more frequently, or having their ideas taken less seriously, women executives are often in a perpetual state of proving their competence. This dynamic not only undermines their authority but also limits their ability to focus on higher-level strategic work.

4. The Overachiever Phenomenon: Always Going Above and Beyond

Many women executives feel the pressure to “do it all”—to be the overachiever who excels in all areas of life. This includes being an exceptional leader at work, a nurturing caregiver at home, and a perfect friend and colleague. While this expectation is often internalized, it is also a societal standard that women feel they must live up to in order to be seen as successful.

This overachiever mentality can lead to burnout, as it becomes nearly impossible to meet every expectation placed upon them. Women are often expected to take on more than their fair share of responsibilities, both at work and at home, and there’s a fear of letting anyone down. However, this constant push to go above and beyond can leave women feeling exhausted and unfulfilled, as they struggle to meet standards that are unrealistic and unsustainable.

5. The Fear of Being “Too Ambitious”: The Double-Edged Sword

Another invisible rule that women executives often encounter is the fear of being labeled “too ambitious.” In the corporate world, ambition is generally seen as a positive trait, but for women, expressing strong ambition can sometimes come with negative connotations. Women who are outspoken about their career aspirations or who push hard to climb the corporate ladder may be labeled as aggressive, power-hungry, or even “unfeminine.”

On the other hand, if women aren’t assertive enough in expressing their ambition or advancing their careers, they may be seen as lacking drive or leadership potential. This balancing act creates a situation where women executives are continuously walking a fine line, unsure of how their ambition will be perceived by their peers and subordinates.

Breaking the Silence: Moving Beyond Unwritten Rules

The unwritten rules that women executives are expected to follow are deeply ingrained in corporate cultures, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be challenged. Recognizing these invisible standards is the first step in dismantling them. Women in leadership positions must become advocates for themselves, setting boundaries and redefining what leadership looks like for them, without succumbing to the pressure of fitting into someone else’s mold.

Organizational change is also necessary. Companies must foster inclusive environments that allow women to lead authentically and without fear of judgment. Encouraging mentorship, promoting diversity in leadership roles, and addressing gender biases are essential steps in breaking down the invisible standards that limit women’s potential.

For women executives, breaking free from these unwritten rules may not happen overnight, but by acknowledging their existence and confronting them head-on, women can begin to lead in a way that is true to themselves, paving the way for future generations of women leaders.

#WomenInLeadership #MasculineAndFeminine #TROTF #DennisRoberts

Helping Executive Women Reduce Stress, Prevent Fatigue & Avoid Burnout

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Financial stress is a silent yet powerful force that affects more than just our bank accounts. It seeps into our decision-making, mental well-being, relationships, and even our physical health. For leaders, professionals, and entrepreneurs—especially women navigating high-stakes roles—financial stress can be an invisible weight that hinders confidence, clarity, and career progression.

But here’s the real question: How much of your stress is actually coming from financial pressure? And more importantly, what can you do to break free from it?

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The Hidden Costs of Financial Stress

We often think of financial stress as simply the worry about paying bills or making ends meet. But the impact runs much deeper:

1. Cognitive Overload & Decision Fatigue Financial worries take up valuable mental space, leaving less energy for critical thinking, creativity, and strategic decision-making. Studies have shown that financial stress can lower cognitive function, making it harder to solve problems effectively.
2. Physical & Emotional Burnout Chronic financial stress triggers the body’s stress response, leading to increased cortisol levels, anxiety, and even physical symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and insomnia. Over time, this can result in burnout, affecting both work performance and personal well-being.
3. Strained Relationships & Leadership Presence Whether in personal or professional settings, financial worries can create tension, impact communication, and erode confidence. Leaders experiencing financial stress may struggle with imposter syndrome, risk-aversion, or difficulty making bold decisions.
4. The Feminine-Masculine Energy Imbalance For women in executive roles, financial stress often exacerbates the tension between masculine (control, strategy, numbers) and feminine (flow, sustainability, emotional intelligence) energies. Many feel pressured to take an aggressive, numbers-driven approach to finances, sidelining intuitive and holistic decision-making.

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The Root Causes of Financial Stress

Understanding the sources of financial stress is the first step to overcoming it:

1. Lack of Financial Visibility Not knowing where your money is going creates anxiety. If you don’t have a clear picture of your income, expenses, debt, and investments, your mind fills in the gaps with worst-case scenarios.
2. Unaligned Money Mindset Many professionals unknowingly operate from a scarcity mindset, believing that money is hard to earn, difficult to keep, or that they are “not good with numbers.” These beliefs can lead to self-sabotaging financial behaviors.
3. Income vs. Lifestyle Mismatch Living beyond one’s means—or even just at the edge—creates constant pressure. Many professionals increase spending as their income grows, failing to build a financial buffer for future security.
4. High Debt & Financial Commitments Loans, credit cards, mortgages, and business expenses can create a cycle of dependence that feels impossible to escape. The emotional burden of debt is often heavier than the actual numbers suggest.
5. Economic Uncertainty & External Pressures Inflation, job instability, and societal expectations (especially for women to manage both household and business finances) add layers of stress beyond personal control.

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Breaking Free: Practical Steps to Reduce Financial Stress

The good news? Financial stress is not permanent. Here are actionable strategies to shift from financial anxiety to empowerment:

1. Get Clear on Your Financial Reality

• Create a financial snapshot of all your assets, income sources, expenses, and debts.
• Use budgeting tools or work with a financial planner to gain visibility and control.

2. Shift from Scarcity to an Abundance Mindset

• Reframe financial success as a balance of both security (masculine) and flow (feminine) energies.
• Challenge limiting beliefs around money by replacing them with empowering ones (e.g., “I am in control of my finances and my future”).

3. Build a Financial Safety Net

• Start with small, consistent savings—even if it’s just 5% of your income.
• Create an emergency fund that covers at least three months of expenses.

4. Reduce Debt & Prioritize Smart Financial Decisions

• Make a debt repayment plan focusing on high-interest loans first.
• Avoid emotional spending by aligning purchases with long-term goals.

5. Align Finances with Personal & Professional Goals

• Ensure financial decisions support your values, career path, and lifestyle.
• If entrepreneurship is the goal, create a sustainable revenue strategy to reduce financial pressure.

6. Lean Into Financial Education & Support

• Read books, take courses, or hire a financial coach.
• Engage in money conversations with mentors and peers to shift perspectives and reduce stigma.

7. Embrace Feminine & Masculine Energy in Wealth Building

• Use masculine energy for structured financial planning, investing, and risk assessment.
• Use feminine energy for intuition-based decision-making, sustainability, and conscious investing.

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Final Thoughts: Financial Freedom is Leadership Freedom

Financial stress isn’t just about money—it’s about power, confidence, and choice. Leaders who master their financial well-being can lead with greater clarity, authenticity, and resilience. By taking control of financial stress, you’re not just improving your bank account—you’re reclaiming your energy, your leadership presence, and your peace of mind.

Remember: True wealth isn’t just measured in numbers. It’s measured in freedom, alignment, and the ability to lead without fear.

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Call to Action

What’s one financial habit you’ll commit to this week to reduce stress? Share in the comments or tag me in your post!

#TROTF #FinancialFreedom #Leadership #FinancialStress

Helping Executive Women Reduce Stress, Prevent Fatigue & Avoid Burnout

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If you’re constantly drained, struggling to focus, and unable to bounce back, it’s tempting to power through. But what if your body is signaling a deeper issue?

Chronic stress depletes energy levels over time. When left unchecked, it can lead to mental fog, emotional exhaustion, and long-term burnout. Many executive women unknowingly push past the warning signs—until their body forces them to stop.

How Stress Drains Your Energy

Many high-performing professionals experience:

• Morning fatigue—Even after a full night’s sleep, you wake up tired.
• Midday crashes—Your energy plummets, leaving you reaching for caffeine or sugar.
• Brain fog and difficulty focusing—Simple tasks feel harder than they should.
• Irritability or anxiety—Your patience wears thin, and stress feels unmanageable.

Why does this happen? Stress triggers a physiological response that, over time, disrupts sleep, metabolism, and hormone regulation. This makes it harder to recover, leading to chronic exhaustion.

The Mistake of Masking Symptoms

Many professionals try to “fix” the problem by:

• Drinking more coffee to push through.
• Powering through exhaustion instead of taking breaks.
• Ignoring the early signs—until burnout is unavoidable.

But stress is cumulative. Masking symptoms doesn’t resolve the issue—it only delays the crash.

How to Break the Stress-Fatigue Cycle

• Recognize the warning signs early—Don’t wait for exhaustion to force you to stop.
• Manage energy, not just time—Protecting your energy is just as important as managing your schedule.
• Set boundaries to prevent fatigue—Sustainable success means knowing when to pause.
• Optimize sleep, nutrition, and recovery—Small adjustments can have a huge impact on performance.

Your body is always giving you signals—are you listening?

Follow me for more insights on stress, fatigue & burnout prevention or send me a message to connect!

#TROTF #FinancialFreedom #Leadership #FinancialStress

Helping Executive Women Reduce Stress, Prevent Fatigue & Avoid Burnout

Follow me for more insights or send me a message to connect!

We don’t often question how intelligence is measured—but maybe we should.

Think about it: Reading, writing, counting, and measuring are all rooted in structure, logic, order, and linear thinking. These are hallmarks of masculine energy.

Meanwhile, the feminine thrives in fluidity, intuition, storytelling, relational knowledge, and embodied wisdom. It’s the way people have passed down traditions, insights, and cultural teachings for centuries—long before written language even existed.

But in today’s world, literacy and numeracy are the gold standard of intelligence. They determine academic success, job opportunities, and even self-worth. If you don’t excel in these areas, you’re often labeled as struggling, behind, or less intelligent.

But is that really true? Or is it just a reflection of the bias in how we measure intelligence?

The Masculine Bias in Education

We’ve built entire education systems around masculine principles:

Standardized tests

Rigid curriculums

Memorization and logic-based assessments

A focus on measurable outcomes over experiential learning

None of these are bad in themselves, but they don’t capture the full spectrum of human intelligence. They favor skills associated with masculine energy—while undervaluing the feminine ways of knowing.

Ever noticed how some of the most successful people weren’t great students?

• Some struggle with reading but have brilliant spatial awareness and can design, build, or innovate without ever putting pen to paper.
• Others can’t sit through a lecture but can negotiate, influence, and build relationships in a way that no textbook could teach.
• Some fail at math but intuitively understand human behavior, making them phenomenal leaders.

None of this is rewarded in traditional education. And yet, these abilities are just as valuable—sometimes even more so—than literacy and numeracy.

Time to Expand the Definition of Intelligence

Maybe the real issue isn’t how do we get more people reading?—but how do we redefine intelligence?

Because intelligence is so much more than being able to read quickly or solve equations.

You can be brilliant without being a strong reader.

You can be wise without crunching numbers.

You can lead, innovate, and create without fitting into the masculine framework of intelligence.

It’s time we stop making people feel like they’re less than just because their intelligence doesn’t show up in ways that are easy to measure.

So, What Now?

Imagine a world where:

Emotional intelligence, intuition, and storytelling were valued as much as reading comprehension.

Leadership, creativity, and relational skills were seen as just as critical as numeracy.

We didn’t force everyone into the same box—but instead expanded the definition of success.

This isn’t about saying literacy and numeracy don’t matter—they do. But they’re not the full picture.

So let’s start questioning how we measure intelligence. Because when we do, we’ll stop labeling people as “behind” or “struggling”—and start recognizing the full range of human potential.

What do you think? Have you ever felt like intelligence was measured too narrowly? Let’s discuss.

Stress is one of the most commonly discussed challenges in professional life, yet it remains one of the least understood. It’s often framed as an inevitable part of success—a byproduct of ambition, responsibility, and high performance. But stress is not just about working hard or managing heavy workloads. It is deeply relational, situational, and environmental.

Understanding these three dimensions of stress is the first step toward managing it effectively. When you recognize where your stress originates, you can begin to see patterns, take control, and shift how you respond. More importantly, you can address the root causes instead of just managing symptoms.

Let’s break it down.

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Stress is Relational

At its core, stress is often about people. You don’t operate in isolation. You interact with teams, peers, subordinates, and leaders—each with their own expectations, behaviors, and ways of working.

Some of the most intense workplace stress stems from relationships. Think about these scenarios:

• A demanding boss with unrealistic expectations
• Team conflicts that drain your energy
• Unspoken tensions with colleagues
• Lack of support or recognition for your contributions

These are all relational stressors. When you work in a high-pressure environment where relationships are strained, the stress compounds. It’s not just about the tasks you have to complete but about the people you have to navigate in the process.

This is why leadership, communication, and emotional intelligence play such a critical role in stress management. How you interact with others—how you set boundaries, manage conflict, and assert your needs—determines whether stress escalates or is diffused.

If relational stress is high, no amount of productivity hacks will save you. You need better conversations, clearer expectations, and healthier boundaries to create a work environment where stress doesn’t dominate.

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Stress is Situational

The second truth about stress is that it is situational. It arises from specific circumstances—meeting deadlines, completing tasks, or fulfilling responsibilities.

Common situational stressors include:

• Tight deadlines that make it feel like you’re always behind
• High-stakes decisions where the pressure to get it right is immense
• Competing priorities that stretch you in multiple directions
• Unpredictable workloads that leave you constantly firefighting

Situational stress is often mistaken for personal failure. If you’re overwhelmed by deadlines or struggling to juggle multiple projects, it’s easy to believe that you’re not organized enough or not working hard enough.

But situational stress isn’t just about you. It’s about the conditions you’re operating in. Some workplace cultures thrive on last-minute deadlines and constant urgency. Others fail to provide adequate resources, leaving employees to pick up the slack.

The key to managing situational stress is recognizing what is within your control and what isn’t. If the workload is unrealistic, no amount of time management will fix it. You may need to push back, negotiate priorities, or set clearer expectations with your team.

And if situational stress is persistent, it’s worth asking: Is this just a bad week, or is this the way things always are? Because if it’s the latter, then the problem isn’t you—it’s the environment.

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Stress is Environmental

Beyond relationships and specific situations, stress is also shaped by your workplace environment—the broader culture, expectations, and unspoken rules that dictate how things get done.

Every workplace has a unique culture of performance—some prioritize well-being and sustainable success, while others operate on burnout and overwork.

Environmental stress often stems from:

• Unrealistic performance expectations—where success is measured by exhaustion, not effectiveness
• A toxic culture of competition—where employees are pitted against each other
• Lack of psychological safety—where speaking up feels risky
• An “always-on” expectation—where boundaries between work and life don’t exist

The truth is, you can be highly skilled, resilient, and capable—but if you’re in an environment that glorifies stress, you will struggle. Many professionals internalize the stress of their environment, believing that if they can just “handle it better,” things will improve.

But stress isn’t always a personal problem. Sometimes, it’s a systemic one.

If you’re constantly exhausted despite your best efforts, it’s time to step back and assess: Is the stress I’m feeling a reflection of me, or a reflection of the culture I’m in?

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The Root of Stress: Time vs. Energy

Another critical truth about stress is that it always comes back to two things: time or energy.

Time-Based Stress: This is the pressure of having too much to do and not enough time to do it. It’s about deadlines, schedules, and the feeling of never having enough hours in the day.

Energy-Based Stress: This is the depletion that comes from constantly giving, solving, managing, and adapting. It’s about emotional exhaustion, mental fatigue, and the sense of having nothing left to give.

Most people try to solve stress by managing time better—working longer hours, prioritizing tasks, or optimizing their schedule. But the bigger problem is often energy depletion.

You can have all the time in the world, but if you’re mentally, emotionally, and physically drained, you won’t be effective. This is why stress management isn’t just about time management—it’s about energy management.

How do you restore energy? By setting boundaries, taking real breaks, and recognizing when to say no. The solution isn’t to keep pushing through—it’s to find ways to recharge so that stress doesn’t become chronic.

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Final Thoughts: Recognizing Stress for What It Is

Stress is not just about workload. It’s about relationships, situations, and environments—and how they interact with your energy levels.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, ask yourself:

Is this stress relational, situational, or environmental?

Am I struggling with time, or am I depleted of energy?

Is this stress within my control, or do I need to change my environment?

By answering these questions, you can shift from reacting to stress to understanding it—and from understanding it to managing it effectively.

Because the truth is, stress doesn’t have to be an inevitable part of success. It’s a signal—telling you what needs to change. And once you listen, you can start making the shifts that truly matter.

CoachPRO Tips: Two Ways to Reduce Stress

Masculine Approach:

Prioritize & Take Action – Identify top stressors and tackle them methodically.

Set Clear Boundaries – Define when you’re available and when you’re off-limits.

Measure & Optimize – Track energy levels and adjust your workload accordingly.

Feminine Approach:

Pause & Reflect – Notice how stress manifests and listen to your body’s cues.

Allow Space for Recovery – Rest isn’t a reward—it’s a requirement.

Flow with Change – Adapt and move with circumstances instead of resisting.

It’s time to reduce stress, avoid fatigue, and prevent burnout—are you ready? Take The Test.

As an aspiring non-executive director, one of the most crucial concepts to understand is the balance between being deeply involved in the governance of a company while trusting the management team to execute the day-to-day operations. The idea of “noses in, fingers out” is the guiding principle that sets effective directors apart. It’s about engaging strategically without micromanaging—especially when it comes to financials.

What Does “Noses In, Fingers Out” Really Mean?

The phrase “noses in, fingers out” might sound simple, but it encapsulates the fundamental role of a director in corporate governance. Directors are responsible for oversight, strategy, and risk management, but they are not there to run the business. The management team, led by the CEO, is responsible for day-to-day operations and execution.

The essence of this principle lies in strategic involvement—directors should be deeply informed and engaged with the company’s financials and broader strategy. However, they should never cross the line into micromanagement of operations. Directors must ask the right questions, challenge assumptions, and guide the company’s direction while allowing the management team to lead.

Why Financial Fluency Is Key for Directors

While this approach may seem intuitive, many non-financial directors struggle with the financial side of things. A lack of financial literacy can lead to uninformed decision-making or, worse, a passive approach where directors fail to challenge critical decisions.

As an aspiring director, having a basic understanding of financial statements and key performance indicators (KPIs) is non-negotiable. But you don’t need to be an accountant to be effective. What you need is the ability to ask the right questions and understand the strategic implications of financial data.

Here are just a few reasons why financial fluency is crucial for directors:

1. Informed Decision Making: Directors need to understand the numbers behind business strategies. Whether it’s capital allocation, cost management, or investment decisions, financial knowledge enables directors to steer the company in the right direction without getting bogged down in the details.
2. Governance and Risk Management: Financial literacy is also essential for understanding risks—whether they be operational, market-based, or financial. A well-informed director can spot financial red flags, such as declining profitability or cash flow issues, early on and help mitigate them.
3. Communication with the CFO and Executive Team: A strong relationship with the CFO relies on mutual understanding. A financially literate director will be able to ask insightful questions during board meetings and have more meaningful discussions with the finance team. This communication helps ensure the company stays on track and avoids costly missteps.

How to Balance the Two: “Noses In, Fingers Out”

Mastering the “noses in, fingers out” approach doesn’t mean directors need to be finance experts, but it does mean they should be strategic and inquisitive. Here are a few key ways to stay “noses in” without “fingers out”:

• Ask the Right Questions: When reviewing financial statements, a director shouldn’t just accept the numbers at face value. Question assumptions—are the projections realistic? What are the potential risks? What’s the cash flow position? A solid understanding of the key metrics will help you ask better questions.
• Focus on Strategy, Not Operations: Directors must always remember their role is strategic, not operational. While it’s important to understand the financial health of the organization, leave the tactical decisions to the executive team. Guide the overall strategy based on your financial insights.
• Use Financial Data to Drive Governance: Good governance isn’t just about compliance; it’s about using financial insights to make better decisions for the long-term success of the organization. Directors should ensure financial data supports the company’s overall strategy and risk management framework.

Conclusion: Financial Fluency for Effective Governance

Becoming a director is about leadership, strategy, and governance. It’s about knowing when to engage deeply and when to step back and let the management team lead. Financial literacy plays a central role in ensuring that directors can be effective stewards of the company’s future, spotting risks, asking the right questions, and making decisions with confidence.

So, aspiring directors—master your financials, stay “noses in”, and trust your team to handle the rest. After all, the best leaders empower others to do what they do best, while steering the ship in the right direction.

Students at the University of Maryland are fighting to get to the top of Michael McMillan’s class waitlists. No, he’s not lecturing on a flashy new topic like artificial intelligence or Taylor Swift, he’s teaching personal finance—and students are more interested in the subject than ever.

More than half of all Gen Zers are entering adulthood without any formal financial education, and it’s causing real generational financial trauma, according to a recent study. McMillan, who is an associate clinical professor at the University of Maryland’s Smith School of Business, says parents are in part to blame.

“Parents are either unwilling, not knowledgeable, or uncomfortable about talking about sex with their children,” McMillan says. “This happens in the same case when it comes to money and managing money.”

However, adults may not be teaching their kids about finances in part due to their own lack of financial know-how. Over 75% of parents report not being completely confident in their ability to teach their children about investing, according to a survey by the SIFMA Foundation. A similar percentage said they would enroll their child in a different school if it had financial education and investment courses. 

The benefits of teaching personal finance

Students’ finances are a leading cause of stress for most college students. In fact, close to three out of every 5 college students have considered dropping out of college due to financial stress, according to a recent Ellucian report, and nearly 80% of students say financial stress has harmed their mental health

When paired with the fact that college debt has ballooned to over $2.1 trillion, not many will argue against a need for personal finance education.

“Money causes stress, and money takes your attention away from your studies,” McMillan says. “So by helping them with finances and providing mentoring and counseling, we’re in fact, improving at least some aspect of students’ mental health, which is so important nowadays.”

Dorothy Kelly, lecturer of personal finance at the University of Virginia adds that having financial wellness can positively affect one’s entire life, including emotions, relationships, work productivity, and sleep.

“My ultimate goal for everyone, for all my students, is to make financial choices to enjoy life that allows you to enjoy life,” Kelly tells Fortune.

But, both professors say that despite the benefits, personal finance should not be required at the college level. Instead, students should want to take the course.

“Everybody needs to learn this, but we learn when we’re motivated to learn,” Kelly says. “And I encourage anybody—it’s never too late to learn. The sooner people start learning about financial literacy, the better; the sooner their life is improved.”

Does personal finance education work?

McMillan has taught college students about insurance, wages, and credit cards for decades but says he is constantly surprised that young adults are not familiar with basic financial information. However, a lack of personal finance know-how is not exclusive to undergraduates; McMillan says that even some MBA students lack foundational financial knowledge.

Today, he has two courses: one for first-years, sophomores, and transfer students and another for seniors. This division is not tied to basic versus advanced finance: it’s about focusing on what topics are most pressing for young adults. 

“If you’re trying to figure out how to make a budget, you don’t care about investing in bonds, all of these other important but in some ways esoteric topics based upon what your current needs are,” he says.

More than half of all states mandate high school students to take financial education courses to graduate, and the National Endowment for Financial Education says it can be largely beneficial. Its research has found that students in states with the requirement are 21% less likely to carry a credit card balance and take on average $1,300 less in private loans.

However, Kelly says that doesn’t always work. Despite Virginia being one of the states with the mandate, her students largely say they didn’t remember what they were taught—despite it just being four years ago.

And while there’s no guarantee a college course will revolutionize one’s budget either, Kelly says students have reported being much more equipped at things like signing up for insurance at their first job or using a budget to make their dream job work out financially.

Andrea Pellegrini, assistant director of the University of Illinois System’s University Bursar Student Money Management Center, notes that education can only go so far. 

“We also have to be advocates for change in a system that is not equitable in a lot of ways across the board,” Pellegrini tells Fortune. “And so advocating for marginalized groups, be them in college or out of college, is really important.”

She encourages individuals—no matter their age—to be aware of their finances, be skeptical of opportunities that sound too good to be true, and above all, be willing to forgive themselves.

“Don’t beat yourself up if something happens, recognize that it’s a learning opportunity, and identify where you want to make changes,” she says.

BY Preston Fore

Fortune 23-Jan-25

Your credit score is a critical piece of your financial health, yet many of its intricacies are shrouded in mystery. Beyond just making timely payments, there are lesser-known strategies that can have a big impact. Here are five secrets about credit scores that could help you boost yours effectively.

1. Utilization Timing Matters Credit utilization—the amount of credit you use relative to your limit—plays a major role in your score. But did you know timing matters too? Your balance is often reported on the statement closing date, so paying down your balance before this date can improve your utilization rate and potentially give your score a lift. Aim to keep your credit usage below 30% of your limit for optimal results.

2. Credit Mix Counts Diversity in your credit types can positively impact your score. A mix of credit cards, mortgages, and installment loans demonstrates to lenders that you can handle a range of financial responsibilities. If you’ve only ever had credit cards, consider adding another type of credit, like a small installment loan, if it makes sense for your finances.

3. Old Accounts Can Help, Not Hurt While it may seem logical to close unused accounts, keeping them open can actually be beneficial. The average age of your accounts factors into your score, so keeping older accounts open can help improve it. If these accounts don’t have annual fees, consider making occasional small purchases to keep them active.

4. Checking Your Own Score is Safe Many people avoid checking their credit report out of fear it will lower their score. In reality, only “hard inquiries” (from applying for credit) affect your score. Checking your own report, known as a “soft inquiry,” is harmless and a smart habit for monitoring your financial health.

5. Small Errors Can Hurt Big Time Inaccuracies on your credit report—like an incorrect balance or a mistakenly reported late payment—can drag down your score. Regularly reviewing your credit report can help you catch and dispute errors, potentially giving your score a quick boost if issues are corrected.

These lesser-known tips can make a meaningful difference in your credit score, giving you a better foundation for financial success.

Halloween is a holiday celebrated each year on October 31, combining ancient traditions and modern festivities.

It originated with the Celtic festival of Samhain, a harvest celebration marking the end of summer and the beginning of winter. Ancient Celts believed that on this night, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead was thin, allowing spirits to visit the earth. People wore costumes and lit bonfires to ward off wandering spirits, hoping to protect themselves and their homes.

As Christianity spread, the festival blended with All Hallows’ Eve, the night before All Saints’ Day on November 1, dedicated to honoring saints and martyrs. Over time, Halloween evolved, especially in the United States, where immigrants brought their autumn traditions, like carving pumpkins and telling ghost stories. By the 20th century, it had become the holiday of costumes, trick-or-treating, and community festivities that we know today.

Today, Halloween is celebrated with a mix of traditions, from costume parties and haunted houses to storytelling, decorations, and honoring those who have passed. While often seen as a playful holiday, Halloween also offers a chance to connect with themes of remembrance, the cycle of life, and the mysteries of the unknown.

Halloween can be celebrated in many ways, from traditional activities like dressing up, trick-or-treating, and decorating with spooky themes to more personal or meaningful practices that honor the holiday’s roots. Here are some ideas for acknowledging and celebrating Halloween, along with insights into how other cultures observe similar traditions:

Ways to Celebrate Halloween

1. Host a Costume Party: Invite friends and family to dress up as their favorite characters or spooky figures. You could even add themes or costume contests to add a creative twist.
2. Create a Haunted House: Transform your home or yard with eerie decorations, dim lighting, and sound effects for an authentic haunted experience.
3. Engage in Storytelling: Share ghost stories, legends, or folklore with family and friends. This can include traditional ghost tales or personal spooky experiences.
4. Carve Pumpkins or Make Lanterns: In keeping with the Irish and Scottish tradition, carve jack-o’-lanterns or make lanterns to place outside your home to ward off spirits.
5. Set Up a Memorial for Loved Ones: Since Halloween has roots in honoring the dead, setting up a small memorial or lighting candles can be a meaningful way to remember those who have passed.
6. Watch Classic Halloween Movies: Spend the evening watching horror films or family-friendly Halloween movies, depending on your preference.

How Other Cultures Celebrate Similar Traditions

1. Día de los Muertos (Mexico): This Mexican holiday, or “Day of the Dead,” takes place on November 1 and 2. Families create altars (ofrendas) to honor deceased loved ones, decorated with photos, favorite foods, marigold flowers, and sugar skulls. Parades, face painting, and traditional music are also part of the vibrant celebration, as it is believed that the souls of the deceased return to be with their families.
2. Samhain (Ireland and Scotland): Samhain, the Celtic festival that Halloween evolved from, is still celebrated by some in Ireland and Scotland. People light bonfires, dress up in costumes, and set up food offerings. In modern times, it has blended with Halloween, but traditional Samhain gatherings emphasize spirituality, honoring ancestors, and reflecting on the cycle of life and death.
3. Pchum Ben (Cambodia): This Buddhist festival, also known as the “Festival of the Ancestors,” takes place in September or October. It involves visiting temples, making food offerings, and praying for the spirits of deceased family members. It is a time for families to reconnect and honor their ancestors’ spirits, which are believed to return to the earth during this period.
4. Qingming (China): The Qingming Festival, or “Tomb-Sweeping Day,” is celebrated in early April. Families visit ancestors’ graves to clean and maintain them, offer food, burn incense, and make other symbolic gestures to honor and show respect to their ancestors.
5. Obon (Japan): In August, the Japanese celebrate Obon, a festival honoring deceased family members. Families prepare food, dance, and light paper lanterns, which are often floated on rivers or in the ocean as a symbolic farewell to the spirits of the dead.

Celebrating Halloween in a way that is personally meaningful can be enhanced by learning from these global traditions that also honor life, death, and the connections that continue beyond.