36: Strategies to Move Toward True Values-Alignment with Your Money

Today, Stephanie and Kevin sit down with Janine Firpo, a seasoned values-aligned investor and social innovator. She has been working at the intersection of women and money for a long time, having held positions in Apple Computer, Hewlett Packard, The World Bank, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.   In 2017, she left her successful career to focus on how women can create a more just and equitable society using their money. In May 2021, she released the book Activate Your Money: Invest to Grow Your Wealth and Build a Better World.   Janine makes sure to walk the walk as well, having moved all of her money into investments that she feels good about. Last year, she joined forces with Ellen Remmer to found a nonprofit called Invest for Better where women come together to learn about values-aligned investing.   Key Topics: Releasing Activate Your Money and teaching women via Invest for Better. (2:20) How articles on financial issues traditionally differ when written for men versus women. (7:02) Making investing fun. (8:35) Why asset allocation is critical to your wealth-building goals. (13:45) The ESG philosophy and evaluating how well companies align with it. (15:34) "My goal is to invest every single dollar I have in ways that align with my values… and that includes my cash." (17:41) The problem with "two-pocket thinking." (23:01) "When you invest sustainably, you not only don't give up financial return, but you can actually outperform." (25:29) Why Janine decided to commit to values-aligned investing. (28:20) How to find better funds. (30:48) Knowing when to break up with your financial advisor and finding the right advisor. (34:18) "This is a marathon, not a sprint." (40:45) Stephanie and Kevin's closing thoughts. (43:57)     Resources Mentioned: Activate Your Money: Invest to Grow Your Wealth and Build a Better World (book) activateyourmoney.net investforbetter.org asyousow.org Activate Your Money on YouTube Janine Firpo on LinkedIn Janine Firpo on Twitter   If you like what you've been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. [email protected]    You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.   Follow Stephanie on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.  Follow Kevin on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.