Keep It Simple, Sweetheart

Nothing is simple anymore. Disbelief, fear, and hope around Covid-19 have become our companions and these emotions are anything but simple. However, I’ve also come to appreciate a new-found simplicity.  

After two months of diligent quarantine, my husband Ray and I drove from our South Shore Long Island home to a public beach in Montauk, the End!, as the natives (or tourist bureaus) call it because it’s the final elbow that juts into the Atlantic. Arriving at the beach, we settled into our red stadium chairs left of the entrance, on a flat sandy spot, to enjoy the cool sunny brisk early May afternoon. 

The wind lapped at the fine-raked sand, causing it to skid and tumble. It was as if the golden grains had been sifted, no lumps, garbage, or tire marks. No seagulls, no terns, no plovers, no boats, no driftwood, no planes, few people. Two boys joked at the water’s edge, the older one feign-pulling the younger into the foamy gentle spray. Arms akimbo, laughing. 

The turquoise sea pushed and pulled an Etch-a-Sketch of waves beneath the unerring horizon that curved, like a wide-angle lens, around the cove. The sound of waves like wind slapping a backyard laundry line of white sheets. Such certainty. The sky gave us a Crayola blue that grew deeper away from the horizon towards the sun.

At home, my eyes have adjusted to the short stare—the bathroom mirror, the iPhone, the dinner plate, the tops of my chapped, salmon-colored hands, a Zoom face. So when I took in the expanse, the pleasure held my eyes, like jewels, behind my sunglasses.  Something so stunning still existed.

I imagine there’s an open palate to broad brush a new vision. 

Life is made up of tiny moments. Begging to be appreciated.

“We Inherit Our Money Anxiety,” Says Mellody Hobson

Botanic GardenAs one of today’s most senior black women in finance, Mellody Hobson had a burning need to understand money. It stemmed from her childhood when she saw the phone get shut off and the car dispossessed. She didn’t want to live like that as an adult.

“I was desperate to understand money…because I always felt like the rug could be pulled.”

So Hobson educated herself. Read how in this New York Times profile (July 18, 2019).

It’s Your Money, Right?

Excited that my article “It’s Your Money: Don’t Leave It Up to Anyone” is in the spring issue of P.O.W.E.R. published by the Professional Organization of Women of Excellence Recognized, a organization that unites women entrepreneurs and inspires them to achieve!  Janet Power

Do you take charge of your money?

If you’re a woman, do you head up your own investment strategy? According to a 2017 Fidelity survey, when asked who they believed made the better investor that year, a mere nine percent (9%) of women thought they would outperform men.

Yet women actually tend to outperform men when it comes to generating a return on their investments. In fact:

  • Women earn higher returns
  • Women save more from their paychecks
  • Women contribute more to their retirement accounts
  • When it comes to approach, women tend to build plans while men are watching returns.

Get Started

When you take responsibility around finances, you hold the power to make decisions, whether it’s to invest in education, buy a home, or get married. When you stay vigilant, you can execute your goals and make informed decisions. Also, statistically, females outlive males so you may take charge at some point.

Financial awareness is key, so kick off your financial awareness by:

  • Knowing what you own and owe.
  • Creating a spending plan.
  • Monitoring your spending plan.
  • Setting goals for how you want your money to work. Create three buckets: retirement; long-term savings such as for a home; short-term savings such as for a new laptop.
  • Educating yourself about money and investments. I listen to podcasts: one I love is Jean Chatzky’s Her Money.
  • Working as a team with your partner.
  • Asking for help: sit down with a trusted friend, financial planner, or join a 12-step program (like Debtors’ Anonymous) or an affiliate group.
  • Above all, review your financial picture once a month.

It’s your hard-earned dough. Own it!

Putting the Thanks Back in Giving

Gratitude on paper

I don’t hear enough thank you’s these days. I’m not talking about a formal written thank-you note though I’m delighted when I get one. And I don’t even care about the note. It could be a text or a call, even a FB or Instagram message, but it’s rare. My gift checks get cashed pronto, but I don’t always get an acknowledgement. Now why is that?

My children didn’t like when I placed those thank-you cards in front of them to complete. They procrastinated. But I didn’t let up until they were done. They weren’t always perfect and as they got older they might’ve missed the formal thank you when they were too old for my insistence. I wasn’t always perfect either; maybe I missed some too.

But it sure was easy for my kids (or any of us) to stand with their hands open expecting a gift. Expecting someone to bestow something on them they hadn’t earned.

So I’ve said to myself: if that’s how you feel, don’t give gifts. Is it really a gift of the heart if I expect a thank you in return? Aren’t gifts something I give because I want to give. Period.

Do I say enough thank you’s? To family members that host me at gatherings? To Mother Nature for the magnificent colors of November trees? To the overworked representatives who take on the job of serving community, state, and country? To my husband for his patience?

Someone told me about a grandmother who got fed up with not hearing back when she sent her grandson a birthday gift. Instead of putting a check in the birthday card, she omitted one. Her grandson called. “Hey grandma. What happened? I didn’t get the gift.” Oh, you know how to call when you don’t get a gift but not when you do. Hmmm.”

Tis the season to remember the thank you!
#Thanksgiving #thanks #giving #family #gifts

Financial Love Letter to Yourself!

Valentine’s Day is about love, right?

But do you love yourself? Love your money life?

Dear Valentine,

Happy Valentine’s Day! I’m loving you all over today with a promise to indulge in the most luscious self-care. Not an aromatherapy oiled bath. Not a deep-tissue Swedish massage. But a promise to take to pen and paper or Excel to review this month’s inflows and outflows. Exercise the best self-care! Give time and attention to your own financial needs.

Then, dear valentine because YOU ARE MINE (kiss, kiss!), I’m going to commit my short- medium-, and long-term financial goals to paper.

What do I want Cupid’s arrow to bring me? A medium-term weekend in the mountains with my honey? And long-term retirement goal. I hear you need $1 million to retire, ha! Is that even possible? Yes, it can even be painless if you start when you graduate college.

Be mine! You amaze me every day. What with your generosity, kind spirit, and patience. Your sense of humor, lust for life, and playfulness. You deserve the best self-care in the world!

Self-care = Healthy money habits

Only you can give it to you.

Love, Me

Being Vulnerable – Risk or Reward?

“Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change.” —  Brené Brown


In the second grade, I wrote a composition. My choice of what to write led to the discovery of my own vulnerability. Seven years old. I took a risk and learned about myself. Maybe I didn’t understand the concept but I felt its power. It launched my life as a writer. It gave me the confidence to write from a deep place within myself. I wrote about this experience as a guest blogger last fall on Kathy Pooler’s awesome web site, Memoir Writer’s Journey.  Take a read of “As Writers, We are Daredevils.”

Think of yourself. When did you, in your life, take a risk that turned to good? Making yourself vulnerable may have its rewards but comes with fear and can lead to hurt. Yet it can change your life as your heart, sense of who you are, and capacity to give breaks wide open. Like a walnut. I have learned that being willing to be vulnerable is the essence of living. As they say, growth happens right outside your comfort zone. It may not always feel good or safe but vulnerability in relationships can bring unexpected riches. Please share a story about a time you made yourself vulnerable. How did it work out?  I’d love to hear from you.

Best,

Janet

What’s bankruptcy got to do with love? 

Find out in my memoir, Bankruptcy: A Love Story, launched June 2017 by Heliotrope Books! Available on Amazon.

The Iron Gate

Last week, I got stuck behind an iron gate in a car for an hour. I was driving a Toyota Rav 4 rental car in Los Angeles. My brother-in-law Joe sat in the front passenger seat and my sisters Lucille and MaryAnn were in the back. We’d just driven from the airport. We’d come from New York to surprise my son, Michael, for his 30th birthday.

The Air BnB owners had given clear instructions about where to park the car (get lockbox key, go to apartment, get remote garage opener and drive to lower level). Only I hadn’t read the instructions through and when a car pulled out behind the first level gate, I scooted in before the gate closed, thinking I was a slick New Yorker, taking advantage of an opportunity to expedIMG_0130ite my end, which was to park quickly and make it to the surprise party on time.

So, I retrieved the garage opener from the apartment fully confident it would open the gate and we’d zoom to the lower level, go back upstairs, shower, change, and make the party on time. Only the garage opener didn’t work. No matter which part of the iron gate I pointed to, that gate was secure and not going anywhere. We soon realized you needed a first level remote opener to come and go through the gate. We had the lower level opener.

What now? Well, first we all laughed. A lot. Then every time a resident came I’d flag him or her down, begging for help! One person gave me the phone number of the management. Then I texted the Air B n B owners. Then we sat and waited. An hour. We waited an hour for a driver, in a Chevy truck, who had remote access to the gate to pull in. At this point, Joe was behind the wheel and pulled out so quickly that the driver looked at us incredulously. He had no idea we had waited an hour for an opportunity to escape and we weren’t squandering it!

What does this all have to do with anything? Well, what do you do when you’re powerless? When your best thinking doesn’t amount to anything? When you want to cry or scream but it does no good. Sometimes you just have to wait. Quietly. At some point, something will change. Sometimes you just have to wait.

My memoir, Bankruptcy: A Love Story, launches June 6th. It took five years to write; one year to rewrite; and three years to publish. I’ve waited a long time.

Featured

  • Ragdale’s By and For Artists Series – Readings on a theme: Obsession, hosted by best-selling author Jacquelyn Mitchard.
    August 27, 2020
    Selected to read from my memoir, Bankruptcy: A Love Story, as a participant in this literary program featuring Jacquelyn and other Ragdale artist alumni.
  • “It’s Your Money: Don’t Leave It Up to Anyone”– P.O.W.E.R. Magazine
    Spring 2019 -Scroll to page 21
    Money and power! Taking charge of your own finances is essential for everyone.  Some women lack confidence, however, in investing even though they get better returns, save more, and approach money with a long-term plan.
  • Talk With Francesca
    July 9th, 2018
    “Provocative Conversation & Intriguing Stories that Inspire” says Francesca’s website. And that’s what we had. On Francesca’s Massachusetts-based radio show, we talked frankly about marital finances and how they can go awry. We also discussed the silver lining. Loved speaking with Francesca and hope you enjoy it too!
  • Boston Globe Magazine
    June 5th, 2018
    “Stop Giving So Much Money to Your Kids, and 8 More Ways to Save for Retirement. I was interviewed for this terrific article written by Susan Moeller.
  • Profit Boss Radio with Hilary Hendershott
    February 20th, 2018
    There can never be any secrets in money, says Hilary. Had an awesome, passion-filled talk with Hilary, a California-based financial planner. Worth a listen!
  • Huffington Post: How to Rebuild Your Finances after a Relationship Bankrupts You
    January 15th, 2018
    I had the pleasure of being interviewed by reporter Jakki Kerubo, writer, entrepreneur, advocate of time as currency, for this insightful look at navigating money in your relationship. Thanks, Jakki!
  • Saturday Night with Esme Murphy
    August 5th, 2017
    Super host Esme Murphy on WCCO News Radio 830 (Minneapolis) and I enjoy bold conversation about marriage, money, and what happens when the finances fall apart. How does a family get back on its feet?  Tips and talk!
  • Bob Brooks Prudent Money Podcast
    August 1, 2017
    How to Reclaim Your Life after a Financial Fallout. Prudent Money says: Bob interviews Janet Lombardi on her comeback story in her book Bankruptcy: A Love Story. Bob calls this a must read book. It is very relatable to today’s marriage problems when it comes to money.
  • The Donna Seebo Show
    June 12th, 2017
    Deep conversation with long-time host Donna Seebo about money, love, and choices. Scroll down to Episode #850 (Janet Lombardi, July 12th) and click on checkbox above. Then, scroll down to the bottom of the page for Play Files. It will open in your iTunes.
  • Bloomberg Radio
    Bloomberg
    June 29th, 2017
    Gloria Gaynor’s song “I Will Survive” was the lead-in to an awesome  interview about Bankruptcy: A Love Story and overcoming financial disaster, one similar to the country’s 2008 financial fall from grace. Thanks, Carol Massur and Oliver Renick, awesome hosts, for an engaging conversation.
  • ASH SAID IT
    June 7th, 2017
    Fab interview with producer Ash Brown discussing my personal story, financial struggles, and the bounce back. Listen to the interview.
  • CNN Money
    June 2nd, 2017
    Awesome interview with CNN reporter Anna Bahney for CNN Money on “How to Put Your Financial and Emotional Life Together After a Money Catastrophe.”
  • Catskill Review of Books
    June 1st, 2017
    Host Ian Williams, of the Catskill Review of Books calls Bankruptcy: A Love Story a tale of modern times, sex drugs, bankruptcy, 9-11 and 2008. Listen to the interview.
  • Life & Health Advisor
    May 31st, 2017
    A cautionary tale from the dark side of marriage highlights the need for financial-wedding-vows and the wisdom of expressed family-finances.
  • Fox News Radio
    May 27th, 2017
    Excited to share that Fox News Radio will be airing Avoiding Financial Disasters: Tips for Women, based on my interview with Carole Zimmer, awesome podcaster and journalist.
    Two one-minute features will air throughout the weekend and on Memorial Day on Sirius XM Channel 115. Additionally, they will air on Fox News Radio Affiliates on Memorial Day.
  • DollarStretcher.com
    May 22nd, 2017
    What baby boomer women need to know about their finances. Misconceptions women may have and steps you can take to get a clear picture.
  • CreditCards.com
    May 5th, 2017
    Six steps to make amends for financial misdeeds.
    http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/6-steps-making-amends-financial-misdeeds.php#.WRBUjcAkj0k.facebook.
  • Your Money Q&A
    April 27th, 2017
    Answering one question at a time on the way to financial freedom.
  • Book Marketing Buzz Blog Feature
    April 12th, 2017
    A unique blog dedicated to covering the worlds of book publishing and the news media, revealing creative ideas, practical strategies, interesting stories, and provocative opinions.
  • Magnify Money Interview 
    January 16th, 2017
    Read about me and and three other courageous women who got out of substantial debt.
  • Money Matters – Radio Interview
    December 1st, 2016
    Listen to great tips on personal finance management and rebounding from a financial mess! Chris Hensley hosts Houston-based radio show.

IMG_1690

Thanks Susan Shapiro and New School students for hosting me and Naomi Rosenblatt, publisher, Heliotrope Books, at author/editor presentation on April 3! Awesome class! Thank you for your support for my memoir Bankruptcy: A Love Story.

“A fast-paced story about love, sexual identity and the power of money. Bankruptcy: A Love Story tells the tale of how our lives careen around unexpected corners and the courage it takes to go along for the ride. You won’t want to put it down.
– Carole Zimmer, award-winning journalist and host of the podcast “Now What?”

What’s Bankruptcy Got to Do with Love? Find Out June 6th!

I’m excited to announce that Bankruptcy: A Love Story, my memoir, will launch June 6th!

JPGlombardi front low-res RGB (for PROOF only)

Kindle pre-order is now available on Amazon.

You can also pre-order a print book through my website.

Writing a book, and publishing it, is quite a road – from the afternoons being glued to my laptop so I could finish a chapter – (while all my friends were at the beach, hey!) – to finishing it, yes, typing the words The End – to editing it -yes, cutting manuscript from 600 pages to 400 pages (thanks Elaine Silver!) to pitching publishers and agents and having the good fortune to be picked up by the awesome boutique publisher Heliotrope Books, to learning how to work with a publicist – I’ve a great one, Mallory Campoli at Smith Publicity, Inc., to planning 2 (yes, 2!) book parties, to which all of you are invited – hold Saturday June 10th open for LI book party in Garden City, NY! I’ll let you know when I have a date for the NYC party.

Phew! It’s a lot.

Here’s how the press release begins:

“Like every marriage, Janet Lombardi and her husband had some issues. From drug addiction to infidelities and lies, their relationship was far from perfect—but they still loved each other and had two children. After 25 years, it all came to a screeching halt. Janet was blindsided…”

You’ll just have to read the book.

Please be my ambassadors and spread the word. I can’t do it without you! If you know any groups, book clubs, or venues that would welcome the book or me personally, please let me know.

Thanks and I appreciate your support!

Stay tuned!

With love,

Janet

Got a Money Goal? Try a Financial Support Group

January 16, 2017    Magnifymoney.com Interview

THESE WOMEN PAID OFF $262,000 WORTH OF DEBT USING ACCOUNTABILITY GROUPS

Know someone who wants to get out of debt? Accountability groups are a great support. They can help you stick to a plan and offer lots of ways to get there. Read about me and and three other women puppetleaningondollarwho got out of substantial debt on the Magnify Money site! It was a pleasure to be interviewed and share my story.

Read my whole story–of finding myself in a tough financial situation and emerging with compassion and love — in Bankruptcy: A Love Story, coming spring 2017.