Financial Tips from SELF Experts
SELF experts Sharon Carr and Annette Landesman help people build better money habits and plan for the future. Their advice is simple, clear, and made for real life.
Getting ahead starts with knowing where you are right now. Sharon encourages you to take a financial health check—look at how much money comes in, what you spend each month, and where you might be spending too much. “Getting ahead financially actually starts with knowing where you stand right now with your finances,” she says.
It’s not just about the numbers. Sharon also helps you look at your mindset—how you feel and think about money. She uses simple tools to help you understand your habits and where they come from. She’ll even ask, “What’s the first thing you remember learning about money?” That can help you see what you’ve picked up over the years—and how to make better choices now.
Annette helps you think about what you really want and what’s getting in your way. Maybe you’re spending on things out of habit, like drive-thru coffee or shopping during the holidays. You might not even notice it until someone helps you take a closer look. And if your friends or family have the same habits, it’s hard to break them. That’s why working with SELF makes a difference. Annette says, “When they sit down with Miss Sharon… it’s like, ‘You do what?’” You’ll have someone in your corner who’s honest and helpful—not judgmental.
“You have to take a look at where you are, what you want to do, and what you think you might want to have,” Annette says. SELF is here to help you plan small, realistic steps that can lead to big changes.
Budgeting is another key part. Sharon will help you pick a method that works for you—maybe an app, a notebook, or even a poster on the wall. “One of the number one mistakes I see is people not budgeting at all,” she says. You’ll learn how to keep track of what’s coming in and what’s going out, so you can take control.
You’re not going to get there if you don’t try, With SELF, you don’t have to do it alone.
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