Cristina Livadary’s journey from the Philippines to the US shaped her philosophy on money management, inspiring her to create ventures that reflect her personal experiences and values.
Now, as CEO and co-founder of Mana Financial Life Design and Mana Money School, she’s seeing those dreams come to life.
"I came from a home where money was not to be talked about," Livadary tells IN. “As soon as I graduated, I had to spend $1,000 a month on student loan payments.”
This experience pushed her into finance to pay off her debts quickly, despite her background in political science and Spanish. Livadary spent a decade as an investment wholesaler, learning from thousands of financial advisors.
"I knew I'd recommend only a handful to my parents," she adds. This realization motivated her to create a firm that stood for empathy and financial confidence. And, in 2018, she launched Mana with Stephanie Bucko, focusing on delivering advice that empowers clients to build wealth confidently.
Livadary’s approach integrates financial goals with broader life aspirations through four key tools and strategies:
Understanding money stories
"We ask, 'What brings you here?' and dig into stories from their youth," she says. This helps clients recognize and address deep-seated beliefs about money.
For clients with negative money narratives, Livadary works to transform these into empowering beliefs. "If your story is 'there's never enough,' we help turn that into something positive," she adds.
This meeting focuses on what’s most important in a client’s life, using methodologies like Kinder’s three questions. "We layer these findings into the financial plan," Livadary says.
In every annual update meeting, Livadary asks: "What are the three essential elements you need in your life to feel truly happy?" This simple question often leads to deep discussions that help shape their financial plans.
Adapting financial plans to changing economic conditions is also a crucial aspect of Mana's strategy. With the Federal Reserve's interest rate policies directly impacting financial planning, Livadary ensures clients are prepared for these fluctuations.
“Interest rates play a significant role in our financial planning strategies, especially for clients nearing retirement," Livadary explains. "Our clients can achieve their required return through a bond portfolio given the current interest rates. Inflation is particularly taxing on retirees with fixed incomes.”
As such, it is crucial to have strategies that can mitigate the impact of inflation on retirement savings. These strategies might include investing in assets that traditionally outpace inflation, such as certain types of bonds and equities.
To prepare clients for various economic scenarios, Mana offers financial literacy programs like Mana Money School, aimed at young adults.
"It's a tool for their first foray into financial education," Livadary said. Additionally, Mana provides corporate education, partnering with HR directors to deliver quarterly financial education sessions tailored to employee needs.
Mana’s corporate education programs cover a wide range of topics, from basic financial literacy to more advanced investment strategies.
“We talk simply about interest rates, asset class returns, and take-home pay," she adds. By integrating real numbers into their education, Mana helps clients clearly understand the financial landscape.
The company's financial literacy programs emphasize the importance of understanding and managing personal finances from an early age. "Financial education should start early to build a strong foundation," Livadary says.
Mana Money School provides young adults with the knowledge they need to make informed financial decisions, helping to prevent the mistakes that can lead to financial difficulties later in life. In addition to these programs, Mana Financial Life Design offers personalized financial planning services.
"We believe in a holistic approach to financial planning," Livadary says. This means considering all aspects of a client's life, including their values, goals, and personal circumstances. By taking a comprehensive view of a client’s financial situation, Mana can create tailored plans that help clients achieve their financial and life goals.
Livadary also stresses the importance of ongoing education and staying informed about macroeconomic trends.
“The financial world is constantly changing, and it's crucial to stay updated," she tells IN. "We are not just advisors; we are partners in our clients' financial journeys.”
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