Sheryl was first recommended to me by my therapist after I vented about my anxieties over money.  I was a restaurant server at the time, which comes with a lot of uncertainty and a certain kind of lifestyle, since you are paid in cash and only when you work.  In our first meeting, Sheryl had me set up a budget based on my expected income, debts, and desired savings, which I had actually never really done in my life.  She also had me forecast periodic expenses and by putting the year in perspective, I was able to anticipate my needs and formulate a more realistic concept of my spending.  At first, I felt very nervous adding up all of my expenses, feeling like I couldn’t possibly manage on what I was making, but Sheryl’s calm confidence helped to put me at ease and shift my priorities.  She made it clear that it is good to have fun money and that if eating out is a priority, then I could do that, but I just had to manipulate my cash in and out to be able to factor it into the budget.  She made me ask myself the questions “do I want this thing now? Or do I want to put this towards my future?” and gave me strategies for such decision-making.  With her guidance, I have shaved $1,000 off my credit card debt, put 2 months of rent in my savings account, maintain my monthly budget, and still feel there is some wiggle room for the lifestyle I enjoy.

Not only did Sheryl help me with numbers and planning, but she also helped my self-esteem by encouraging me to seek more for myself by believing in my spirit.  Sheryl had me get creative and map out a visual representation of what I want my future to look like, which helped me to focus on my goals and get back in touch with my core creative self.  After looking at that project, we got onto a discussion about realistic entrepreneurial starting points that could get me on a similar path that inspired me.  It’s been really great talking to someone with an entrepreneurial and creative background, as she makes the numbers accessible by humanizing them.  Her optimism paired with her practical knowledge is an equation I can understand and that I work very well with.  She’s super caring and wants the best for her clients so they can reach their highest potential.  

I highly recommend Sheryl.  She is a fantastic resource and a warm soul that will set you up with skills for financial success.  She seriously rocks!  

Jenna Kellett, Creative Entrepreneur 

“I met Sheryl quite a few years ago, somewhere between 55 and 60 years old. Sheryl offered financial literacy—a new concept to me. We moved through obstacles and highs as well as lows (unemployment).  It has been a journey and Sheryl provided a guiding light, a steady force, and a compassionate heart. Sheryl offers insights and provides resources.  She encourages self-discovery while constantly making available concrete tools such as a “budget-like” website to use and books that tend to empower, rather than shame.

With Sheryl’s shepherding, a road to financial health was my choice—only I could do the work, while she often cheered from the sidelines.  Backward steps were validated and encouragement offered to gain more solid footing.  Over time, the mysteries of money became less cloudy and more realistic and impulsive shopping lessened over time.  I greet my finances a minimum of twice monthly, not with dread nor fear, but eager to see that numbers match.  A bigger picture to consider often presents and choices I make are mine—only I can answer and be accountable.

It is with thanks and gratitude that I recommend working with Sheryl—at any level, beginners all the way to experienced.  She has a fun and sensible spirit, is caring and offers direct feedback.  It was an honor to work with her during both trying and prosperous times—I always feel welcome to check in with her should the need arise.”

Marla Goldberg, Volunteer Services Coordinator

“I have been working with Sheryl for over 3 years now. Prior to working with her, I did not understand the value of financial planning and monthly budgeting. The software program she typically uses Money Minder is very user friendly. Sheryl is very compassionate and understanding of one’s needs. She has gone above and
beyond in helping me get my finances in check. I highly recommend her to anyone looking to improve their financial health!”

Connie Izquierdo M.A.CCC-SLP,COM., Certified Speech Pathologist

At the ripe old, but healthy ages of 85 & 88, we suddenly realized we were outliving our Money. As we were well into our retirement years, my wife and I were getting increasingly concerned about whether our savings and investments would see us through the rest of our lives and our grown children were becoming very concerned about us as well. We had no idea how to measure our current spending against our long-term needs. 

Sheryl helped us focus on the problem and gave us tools to budget and monitor our expenses.  I can honestly say that this is the first time that either of us has learned to Budget. She is teaching us to live within our boundaries.  Sheryl is easy to work with and has substantially lifted our burden of uncertainty.

Bobbe Wolf, Photographer

Hugh Brodkey, Retired Attorney

I had the pleasure of attending the financial class offered to staff members by my company this past spring offered by Sheryl Kosovski.  I found Sheryl’s class to be an invaluable support in becoming more aware of my finances, planning for my future, and improving my financial health. I feel very grateful that my agency gave me the opportunity to take this course and highly recommend it to anyone looking to better understand and manage their finances.

Prior to the class beginning, I would often avoid thinking about or looking at my finances because it was anxiety-provoking for me. This was not simply a budgeting and tracking course, but so much more. I now have a budget and realistically plan for my future. I am much more aware of my finances and where my money is going, which has greatly decreased my anxiety surrounding my finances. I have also learned a great deal about myself, my relationship with money, my sense of value, and how I would like to be living my future. I appreciate the opportunity to have been able to take this course and work directly with Sheryl. I think this course, and her other services, are vital resources for anyone, particularly those who are working with limited financial resources.

Shira Glogower, LCSW, MS.

We worked with Sheryl during a time of many transitions: Dane was finishing grad school and getting ready to launch his career as a teacher, and we were planning to get married in a few months. We had been living together for several years but we had not combined our finances, and we needed to figure out how to do so. Sheryl helped us in a number of important ways: we figured out how to create one budget for the two of us, how to manage our debt and keep out of trouble with borrowing, and, perhaps most importantly, what each of us was bringing to the marriage when it comes to history with money and feelings about getting, spending, and saving it.

A year and a half later, we are collaborating beautifully on our budget, have no credit card debt, and have been able to start saving toward the mutual goals we identified with Sheryl. We are so grateful we had the opportunity to learn from her!

Nora Frazin, LCSW

Dane Haiken, Teacher