Don’t Plan It for Them: Helping Clients Decide What to Do With a Tax Refund | EP 231

Tax refund season brings opportunity. And for financial coaches, it also brings temptation. When a client receives a large windfall — $3,000, $7,000, even $20,000 — it’s easy to get excited about the progress they could make. Debt payoff. Emergency funds. Investments. Big wins. But sometimes in that excitement, we forget to pause and ask: What do they want? In this episode, Cody and Maria unpack a subtle but important coaching lesson — one that often surfaces during tax season: Why coaches can unintentionally overstep when windfalls arrive How goal-chasing can override client ownership The importance of asking before advising Why splitting a refund may increase long-term engagement How mature coaches measure success differently This conversation isn’t really about tax refunds. It’s about leadership. It’s about restraint. It’s about remembering that great coaching helps clients make confident decisions — not just efficient ones. Because it’s not about what’s mathematically optimal. It’s about what they’re ready to own. 🎧 Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode Ready to grow your coaching practice with the right support and community? 🚨 Join The Financial Coaches Network Connect with other Financial Coaches inside our private Patreon community: 👉 www.patreon.com/NewMoneyHabitsFinancialCoaches 🔥 Launch or Level Up Your Coaching Practice Learn more about our signature course, Getting Started as a Financial Coach, from New Money Habits: 👉 www.newmoneyhabits.com/coaches/webinar/gsfc-registration ✅ Join Our Free Facebook Community Find support, encouragement, collaboration, and real conversations with aspiring and established coaches: 👉 www.facebook.com/groups/nmhcoaches ✅ Get Connected Inside Financial Coaches+ Whether you’re just getting started or already serving clients, you don’t have to do this alone. Join Financial Coaches+ and get your first month FREE: 👉 www.newmoneyhabits.com/coaches/memberships/trial 🙋‍♂️ Have a Question for the Hosts? Email us at: [email protected] 📞 Want to Talk With Maria or Cody? Schedule a call here: 👉 www.newmoneyhabits.com/coaches/fcpodcast_contact 🎵 Music by Summer School Follow us on social: @newmoneyhabits | @sizemorefinancialcoaching