Linda Lingo’s path to becoming a financial coach is grounded in her years of experience as a CPA and financial advisor. During her own financial planning, she noticed that the advice she was receiving didn’t seem right, even though she had a strong background in finance. This realization pushed her to take control, get licensed, and work as a financial advisor for 10 years. At 60, she decided to transition into financial coaching, which gave her more flexibility and allowed her to help clients build clear financial plans. Unlike financial advisors who make money through investments, Linda focuses on planning and intentional money management using her VIIP framework—Values, Intentional spending and saving, Investments, and Planning.
Linda shifted from being a financial advisor to a coach because she wanted more freedom to travel and work collaboratively with clients. Her coaching mainly supports women going through major life changes, like divorce, widowhood, career shifts, or preparing for retirement. Linda’s work is highly personal and customized to each client’s needs.
Her time in the financial industry taught her a lot about investments, communication, and working with people. As a coach, Linda takes a hands-on, collaborative approach. She works closely with clients to make sure their financial goals match their values and guides them step by step toward success.
Women face unique financial struggles. On average, they earn only 80 cents for every dollar earned by men. Many also take career breaks to raise children, which affects their retirement savings and social security benefits. Additionally, women often face higher mortgage interest rates due to lower credit scores. Linda helps her clients tackle these issues by teaching them to understand the long-term effects of their financial choices and prioritize their financial security.
Linda’s coaching starts with identifying her clients’ values, such as family, freedom, or generosity. These values form the base of her VIIP framework. She helps clients manage debt, save for retirement, and build financial security. Regular check-ins ensure they stay on track and motivated.
A common fear among her clients is running out of money, especially for women who are divorced or widowed. Linda’s empathetic approach helps these women feel more confident about their financial future.
Unlike companies that focus solely on credit score improvement, Linda’s work is about creating long-term financial stability. She balances her work and personal life by taking on only a small number of clients and sticking to a set schedule that leaves time for health, family, and travel.
Linda’s advice for those working long hours is to focus on what they love and live without regrets. She stresses the importance of building a balanced life and meaningful relationships. For young people, Linda encourages starting retirement savings early, even if it’s just a small amount. She advises making saving automatic and aligning financial priorities with personal values to avoid unnecessary spending.
Starting her business came with challenges. As someone not familiar with technology, Linda had to learn how to build a website and use platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn. Now, she’s focused on reaching more women through her Youtube videos and blogs, as well as offering women 1:1 VIP sessions.
Linda’s advice for women starting businesses is to ask for help when needed, understand their strengths and weaknesses, and collaborate with experts. Reflecting on her own journey, she says she wishes she had trusted herself more and not let fear hold her back. Overcoming self-doubt and believing in her abilities were key lessons in her career.
To learn more about Linda’s journey, visit her website at https://lindalingo.com/meet-linda/. She has also contributed a chapter in the book, “Grit and Tenacity,” which focuses on believing in yourself, not giving up, persevering in tough times, and helping others. You can explore the book here:https://a.co/d/0T7XKaW