December 2025: December 2025: Diary of a CFP® Pro — We end the year with peace (and some great ideas for 2026)
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Episode 78 — Don’t miss this week’s episode of Margaritas with Marguerita Cheng, CFP® Pro: Meet our guest — Jeannie Dougherty, money expert and mental fitness strategist
When it's time to call in a coach: Jeannie Dougherty explains the biggest money mistakes individuals and couples make, and how money coaching money boot camp can help. Don't miss this interview!
A Note from Marguerita Cheng, CFP® Pro, CEO Blue Ocean Global Wealth — As we wind down the eventful year that has been 2025, I end the year with wishes for peace and prosperity for all. I was especially happy to be part of the CNBC event in Seattle, entitled, “What Every Journalist Needs to Know About Personal Finance.”
As a speaker at the event, our topic fleshed out the idea that when you’re chasing deadlines or covering the latest market moves, your own finances can end up on the back burner. Knowing how to manage your money is just as important as knowing how to cover the story.
I joined Sharon Epperson, CNBC’s Senior Personal Finance Correspondent, and Ali Velshi, MSNBC Chief Correspondent and Host of “Velshi,” for a candid and practical conversation about what every journalist—no matter your beat or career stage—should know about personal finance. Whether you’re just starting out or leveling up in your career, this is your opportunity to gain the tools and confidence to take charge of your financial future. Learn more here.
Jeannie Dougherty
Also in this issue of my magazine: I invite you to watch the presentation I gave at Jeannie Dougherty’s 3rd Annual Caregiver Conference, entitled: “How to Set Up a Low-Stress, Long-Term, Flexible Financial Plan for You and Your Child.” Watch that video, above.
Margaritas with Marguerita: I am also excited to share the interview I did with Jeannie (pictured, right) on my podcast show. A money expert and mental fitness strategist, we discuss, “When it’s time to call in a coach!”
My questions include:
- Why did you become a money coach?
- What are some of the biggest money mistakes individuals and couples make?
- What do you say that money is “sage power”?
- When is a good time to hire a money coach?
- What’s your money coaching money boot camp about?
About Jeannie: As a determined woman ready to make a positive impact on the world, Jeannie Dougherty continues to help people from all walks of life. She is a coveted counselor, certified money coach, mental fitness coach, and speaker. Moreover, she works with businesses, individuals, and couples to help them find better ways to reach their goals. Over the years, her efforts have earned her a reputation among clients who are ever eager to vouch for her holistic services.
Ever since the beginning, Jeannie has immersed herself in a myriad of meaningful activities. She graduated with a Master’s degree in Counseling from Ottawa University. She also graduated from the prestigious Money Coaching Institute as a Certified Money Coach for Individuals, Couples, and Businesses. She’s passionate about her area of expertise, Jeannie set forth on her quest to do great things. Evidently, her perspective on life is simple and she’s wholly gentle in her approach with the clients. That’s exactly why her customer base continues to grow today. Learn more: jeanniedougherty.com
Click here to listen to more podcasts: MargueritaChengRadio.com • Watch the video version of our interviews on MargueritaCheng.tv.
DECEMBER NEWS YOU CAN USEThe launch of ChatGPT led to a wave of democratization that’s made artificial intelligence (AI) useful in everyday life.
It’s no longer an esoteric technology that interests only nerds. Now, people use the technology to write, create images, edit videos, analyze data and write code.
As AI continues to impact every industry, the personal finance industry hasn’t been left behind. The AI-powered personal finance management market was valued at $1.48 billion in 2024, according to Research and Markets.
It’s projected to be a $1.63 billion market by the end of 2025, at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.1%, and a $2.37 billion market in 2029, at a CAGR of 9.8%.
From budgeting, saving and investing to robo-advising, financial coaching, credit scoring and debt management, AI continues to shape personal finance management, providing value across the globe.
Let’s look at some of the applications of AI in personal finance, the challenges with adopting AI and tips for wise usage of AI.
Click here to learn about AI and budgeting, AI investing and financial planning, AI and financial education, AI credit scoring and debt management, and perhaps most imporatantly — navigating the risks of AI in personal finance. Click here to read all about it on Kiplinger.com.
And there’s more:
Check out the media interviews and articles that I am quoted in or have have penned for publications including Kiplinger, USNews, and CNBC: Marguerita In the News.
The “Top 100 Money Expert List is live!” Congratulations to Marguerita Cheng!
Money’s Best: Marguerita Cheng is one of the Top Women Financial Planners 2025 — Marguerita Cheng CFP® Pro is one of Money’s choices for the top 30 women planners this year. The editors explain: “All highly qualified, customer-centric financial advisors who serve clients of all backgrounds. Whether you need comprehensive financial planning or niche expertise for a life transition, these financial experts are well-equipped to help you live a richer life. This list of the best financial planners is a collaboration between Money and the Financial Planning Association (FPA), a trade association and membership organization that represents more than 17,000 financial planners across the United States.” Click here to see the other CFPs who made the list.
Investment News named Marguerita Cheng one of its 2025 “Best Certified Financial Planners in the USA | 5-Star Financial Planners,”The news outlet reports “Americans are facing a growing need for guidance and support in their financial affairs and that trend doesn’t look like it’s going to end anytime soon. Not only are people wealthier, but their financial situations are more complex relative to previous generations due to more retirees relying on savings, an increase in the range of products available, and the explosion in alternative investments.
“Consulting giant McKinsey & Company estimates that “by 2034, at current advisor productivity levels, the advisor workforce will decline to the point where the industry faces a shortage of roughly 100,000 advisors.” The sharp demand for CFP services has pushed InvestmentNews’ 5-Star Financial Planners to stand out in a dynamic market by exemplifying excellence, integrity, and dedication in helping their clients. Marguerita was nominated and then benchmarked against others to determine the country’s best.
“While the winners have varying skill sets, a commonality is that the most successful financial planners specialize. They are serving a particular niche and have leveraged it to obtain a competitive edge,” the editors explain.