Man, I love f-words. And as you may or may not know, here at Love & Loathing LA, I have a special place in my heart for three f-words in particular: food, fashion and fun. Lately though, there’s been another word on my mind; something I’m pretty sure we all feel some type of way about… and that my friends, is finances.

Is talking about money as enjoyable as talking about food, fashion or fun? No, but it turns out it can actually be a lot more pleasant, informative and even comforting than you might think you just have to know where to go and know who to talk to! If I told you it all goes down in a Café with a hot cup of coffee and a free and friendly Money Coach, would you believe me?

 

 

I can’t say I’d believe it either. My first time visiting a Capital One Café, I kept thinking, “There has to be a catch.” But here’s what I have come to understand: Capital One isn’t your average company and they’re not your average bank. How many banks do you know offer free WiFi, serve coffee and pastries from your local bakery??? The Cafes are open to EVERYONE. Capital One does things differently, and that includes their approach to banking and finances. 

 

 

When you visit a Capital One Café (there are locations around the country, including two here in LA in Glendale and Santa Monica!), you’ll find that it feels more like an approachable, friendly neighborhood-type establishment than a bank. With a coffee bar, free conference rooms for non-profits to use, free Wi-Fi, comfortable seating AND Capital One Ambassadors on hand to help  , it’s the perfect place to get work done, grab a coffee or pastry, learn about the latest digital and financial tools or just sit back and relax. Plus. They have in-house Money Coaching services, which, might I add, are completely free for everyone and anyone. (Note: Money Coaches are not financial advisors, or accountants, or tax specialists.)

 

 

I feel like we’ve more or less been trained to believe that talking about money can be scary, stressful and confusing. I’ve certainly felt that way. Adulting is hard, and I’ll be honest — my introduction to Capital One and their Cafés and services could not have come at a better time. I’m entering a new phase in my life where I actually have to start doing big girl things: like moisturizing day AND night, taking the garbage cans in and out and saving for down payments – even retirement. Crazy, I know.

I went through Money Coaching myself and I can hardly put into words just how valuable of an experience it has been for me. I went to my first appointment hoping to glean some insights on establishing my own financial plan and I left with what felt like so much more. The whole process was casual, fun, and even relaxing. Similar to my thoughts on therapy, I think everyone should experience Money Coaching.

 

 

Regardless of where you stand financially, money plays a huge role in all of our lives. When I asked my Money Coach why people seek their services, her response blew my mind! People visit Capital One Cafés to discuss! They’ve discussed topics such as but not limited to:

• Pursuing my dream is making me broke, what are my options to make a living while keeping the dream alive?
• Feeling stuck in secure, but low-paying and/or under-challenging jobs
• Feeling a loss of passion/drive in work
• Finding meaning and purpose in life
• Creating strategies for retirement 
• Not earning enough
• Spending my money mindlessly
• Needing general clarity about my future
• Doing work that is socially responsible and pays well
• Advice on post-divorce recovery and getting financially and emotionally back on track
• Couples making different salaries, one resentful of paying more for joint expenses
• Couples with very different values and money goals
• Buying a home
• Getting out of debt without sacrificing my whole life
• My parents are tired of supporting me, but I lack confidence to make it on my own
• Anxiety about spending money
• Anxiety about not having enough savings for emergencies
• Fear of being like my parents with money
• I don’t know how to value myself and my contribution
• I give away my time and money and don’t take care of my financial needs
• I have a Masters’ degree and I am making minimum wage
• Want to learn for first time how to handle money smartly
• I want to start a business but fear plagues me
• Finding a sustainable way to live without compromising all my values
• How can I become a good steward of my money?
• Feeling guilty about having money and the things it can afford me
• I under value my worth and charge too little or not at all
• Fear of taking bold action
• Fear of being alone and making financial decisions alone
• I am living someone else’s values

 

 

Needless to say, we can all identify with at least one of these situations! And if you take the time to take care of yourself, I guarantee you will leave these sessions a little less stressed and a lot more confident.

Freelancing in an expensive city like LA has its ups and downs and I’m grateful to Capital One for helping me come up with a financial plan with realistic goals. Capital One just gets it, and it’s incredible what has blossomed out of a simple cup of coffee at my local cafe — that also just happens to be the world’s coolest bank.

 

Disclosure: this post was created in partnership with Capital One, but as always these are genuine opinions and belong only to me. Thank you for supporting the wonderful brands/companies who support and allow me to bring you fresh and community driven content on the reg!