profile

Catherine Agopcan | Financial Educator, Sustainability Advocate

Manage your money better so that you can give a life of impact. Money is a tool for change. Make that change count. Find money lessons at sistersforfi.com

Featured Post

Christmas in this Economy?

The holidays are only a few weeks away, but I want to send out this reminder to you, Reader. YOU have the power this Christmas season! YOU have the right to say NO to situations that cause stress, anxiety, and financial hardship. YOU have the opportunity to create new traditions. YOU decide how you want to feel after the holidays are over. And I want you to think about something: if you couldn't post anything about your holidays on social media, would you do things differently? It seems that...

Hands typing on a laptop keyboard with a watch.

Hello Reader! Open Enrollment 2026 is here — and it’s your chance to set yourself up for peace of mind and bigger savings next year. I get it; we all get busy, and it can be easy to ignore all those emails from HR and opt for the default benefits choices. However, if you want to achieve more savings and less stress in the new year, you must sit down and review how to maximize your benefits. In the latest video, we cover: ✔️ How to choose the right health plan for your family’s needs ✔️ Why...

shop now pay later neon signage

Hey Reader! I need to talk to you about something that looks innocent but is secretly impacting the financial health of millions of women: Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL). You see the button everywhere—"Pay in 4 easy installments." It’s slick, it’s easy, and honestly, the marketing is cute (think pastel colors and "you deserve this" vibes). But as the data shows, BNPL companies are specifically targeting female shoppers with emotional tactics, turning small, frequent loans into what is being called...

Hello hello Reader! If you’re feeling stuck with your student loans, you’re not alone. But here’s the good news: refinancing can help you lower your interest rate, shrink your payments, and save thousands over time — if you do it the right way. In this week’s new video, I break it all down in plain English 👇 🎥 Watch now: Student Loan Refinancing: The ULTIMATE 2025 Step by Step Guide You'll learn: ✓ What is student loan refinancing, and how does it work? ✓ Who should refinance student loans...

woman riding on back of man

Reader - Would you enter into a committed relationship with: Partner A: whose salary is $75k, makes good financial decisions, and is generally financially responsible OR Partner B: who makes $150k, has poor financial intelligence, and is not willing to change any of their financial habits? Money is a tricky subject in relationships, but it is an important one. Settling down with a partner might feel like something for way later—but the truth is, who you choose to build a life with can...

Hi Reader! Ever feel stuck in that “can’t get credit because you don’t have credit” loop? You’re not alone. It’s one of the most common challenges young adults face—and the good news is, there are ways to build credit history from scratch without going into debt. In this week’s new video, I break down: ✅ Why credit even matters (yes, even if you hate debt) ✅ How to build credit when you don’t qualify for a card yet ✅ The best beginner-friendly cards for 2025 ✅ And how to avoid the credit card...

Hey Reader! You downloaded the mini eBook. You read the sample pages. So here’s a little reminder from your future self: “Please don’t wing it.” I wrote Smart Start: Your First Money Moves After Graduation because no one handed me a playbook when I entered adulthood. I learned about money the hard way—with late fees, lifestyle creep, and credit card debt that lasted way too long. You don’t have to do that. This book is your shortcut. Your real-world money crash course. The things they...

Hey Reader! This week's money lesson is all about the High Yield Savings Account or HYSA for short. A high yield savings account is a savings account that offers higher yields for your hard-earned money. Traditional and regular savings accounts normally offer .01% while high yield savings accounts offer 3.5% - 5% in interest. Here's what that looks like if you have $1,000 in your bank. *Assumes annual compounding for simplicity Is it worth moving your money to a high yield savings account? I...

Hey Reader - If you've been quietly asking the same question, don't worry, you are not alone The world does feel chaotic — climate change, inequality, wars, rising prices, political unrest—it can seem almost pointless or even selfish to care about money. But here’s the thing: caring about money isn’t about greed or blind optimism. It’s about agency. Here’s why money still matters—even when everything feels like it’s falling apart: 1. Money Gives You Options In a crisis—natural disaster, job...

a white sign sitting on top of a puddle of water

Hello Reader! Yesterday, the Federal Reserve decided to leave the interest rate unchanged. What does that mean for you and your money? It means many things. → When the Fed raises rates, borrowing gets more expensive. Higher credit card APRs Higher interest rates on student loans and mortgages Slower growth in the economy But saving can pay off more! Banks often raise interest on savings accounts, so your High-Yield Savings Account might start earning more. → When the Fed cuts rates, it can...