Money Matters 2025: How to Take Control of Your Finances in Uncertain Times
Hawaii Business Magazine
Locally Owned, Locally Committed since 1955. A Respected, Relevant & Innovative Resource for Hawaii and its People.
Saturday, November 22
When it comes to the things that matter most — your home, your 401(k), your debt, your student loans, your savings — everyone is asking the same question: how do I stay in control when the economy feels anything but?
With the federal government shutdown adding new uncertainty to an already fragile financial landscape, many Americans are bracing for a challenging holiday season. Now is the time to reset, refocus, and rethink your financial game plan.
At Money Matters 2025, we’re diving into the issues that touch every household — from the basics of budgeting and saving to more sophisticated strategies for investing and retirement planning. The event will feature financial journalist and best-selling author Jean Chatzky, along with expert-led sessions designed to help you make smarter money decisions, no matter where you are on your financial journey.
Jean Chatzky is the founder and CEO of HerMoney, and the creator of the FinanceFixx and InvestingFixx coaching programs. She hosts the award-winning podcast HerMoney with Jean Chatzky, appears on the PBS show Opportunity Knock$, and serves as an education fellow for The Alliance for Lifetime Income. A fierce advocate for financial literacy, Jean spent 25 years as the Financial Editor of NBC’s Today Show and is a New York Times and Wall Street Journal best-selling author. Her books — including Money Rules, Women with Money, and How To Money — have helped millions build financial confidence and independence.
Beyond Jean’s keynote, Money Matters will hold several powerful sessions aimed at helping attendees reset their relationship with money, including:
Getting Started: Mind Over Money — The Psychology Behind Financial Success: Money decisions aren’t just about numbers — they’re driven by mindset and behavior. This session explores how emotions shape financial choices and offers practical tools to shift your money mindset, overcome roadblocks, and create habits that support lasting success. Speaker: Nancy Tengler, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer, Laffer Tengler Investments
Getting Back on Track: The 10 Brutal Habits Keeping You Broke: Sometimes, it’s the little things that do the most damage. This interactive session uncovers the 10 most common (and costly) habits that drain your wallet — and how to break free from them. From that daily $6 coffee to forgotten subscriptions, small changes can lead to big wins. Speaker: Peter Inoue, Executive Director, Hawaii Life and Disability Insurance Guaranty Association
From Smart Apps to Smart Aging: Financial Plans for Today and Tomorrow: The cost of age-related care has skyrocketed to the point that most people don’t know where to begin. Social worker and co-founder of CareSift, Nicole Coglietta will present ways to prepare for a long life without sacrificing in the present. You’ll also learn the various options that you’ll be working toward in establishing your long-term care plan.
Thank you for reading and see you next week!
Jennifer Ablan , Editor-in-Chief of Hawaii Business Magazine