In the fall of 2008 I had just moved my small family across the country. We were 1,000 miles from anyone we knew, my wife was 8 months pregnant with our second daughter, I had no job and, after deciding not to go to medical school, no idea what I wanted to do professionally. Since we were in the midst of a major recession, I spent a lot of time researching things and trying to position my family so we could endure another financial shock if it came. A discussion with a coworker at the time led me to explore options for working with people and their money.
In the movie A Knight’s Tale the main character believes that he can “change his stars.” He believed that though he was a commoner he could become a knight, and though most would say it was impossible he achieved it. What interested me in this field was a belief that anyone can improve their financial situation, regardless of how dire their circumstances seem. I have experienced the hopelessness that can accompany prolonged financial struggles and seen how it can affect family relationships. Often people feel trapped with no way out. I’ve also seen that despair turn to excitement and determination when someone realizes their reach is longer than they thought.
My why is an opportunity to help others change their stars. For some that may mean finding an exit from generations of living at or near poverty. To others it may be ending a personal debt cycle or changing behaviors to stop living paycheck to paycheck and begin saving and building wealth. We’re each on our own road and whatever the application to our individual situations, I firmly believe that we can all change our stars.
Thomas Duffany, AFC®
Hi, Thomas
My favorite part about your transparency was your willingness to share openly, honestly and remain hopeful for the world to feel.
After you told my story, you shared similar experiences. I am truly more hopeful that I have been directed to your existence as I’m only existing within a world that shrinks my ability to live. I am truly grateful for your willingness to pour into my life for a better happier me, wife, mother, employer,
I am genuine, most in need of your knowledge and guidance to learn a whole new thought about how to think when I am clueless about making healthy reasonable, responsible, decisions as I think about ways a whole new way to keep savings and not just until I need it for anything other than savings. Operating from a mental wealthy mind to create more wealth. Coming from property feels like most of my 42 years of existence hoping to find an opportunity to evolve. Implementing and building financial wealth, health, life as a wife, and not just dreaming of existing as I live but to, dreaming more and living. Most importantly, very significant and dear to my whole life is to show my only son a different way of thinking, a new way to want to live and remain hopeful that one day after its said that it could not be reachable it is obtainable and its real to achieve and to live a better, beautiful, debt free sovereignty freedom to be free.
Hi, Thomas
My favorite part about your transparency was your willingness to share openly, and honestly and remain hopeful for the world to feel as so many people are going through the motions of learning a new way to live and a new way to think.
I never was taught how to create financial wealth or how to save money as it creates more than I started with.
Paying and spending all for the moment was what I saw growing up.
Having said that, I am exhausted from just wanting to be able to smile. Shrinking in this big world around me. I feel more comfortable with being hopeful because of your hope that everyone can change their present and their future.