Money Matters: Financial Health as a Pillar of Personal Health

The New Year is a great time to think about improving personal well-being. Did you know that financial health is one of the eight pillars of personal health? Join the Student Navigation Center and Maria Connell, CPA, for a conversation about financial wellness as part of overall personal health. 

Pizza will be served!

Register.

Building Confidence With Money

Guest Speaker: Maria Connell, CPA
Founder, 360 Finance LLC

Money touches nearly every life decision — yet most of us are never taught how it works.

This interactive session introduces a Financial Wellness Pillars framework designed to help students build confidence with money before they feel like they have everything figured out. The focus isn’t wealth or perfection — it’s clarity, stability, and informed choice.

Financial Wellness Pillars

1. Cash Flow Awareness
Understand where your money comes from and where it goes — paychecks, taxes, rent, and everyday spending — so there are fewer surprises.

2. Stability and Safety Nets
Learn how emergency savings and credit work together to protect you when life is unpredictable.

3. Planning for the Future
An approachable introduction to saving, investing, and retirement — starting small and letting time do the heavy lifting.

4. Informed Decision-Making
Build confidence evaluating financial choices like student loans, credit cards, benefits, and job offers.

5. Values and Well-Being
Explore how money decisions connect to personal values, stress levels, and long-term quality of life.

What You’ll Leave With

• A simple framework for thinking about money
• Practical tools you can use right away
• Greater confidence asking financial questions
• Reassurance that financial wellness is a process, not a destination

Who This Session Is For

Students at any stage — no prior financial knowledge required.

About the Speaker

Maria Connell, CPA, is the Founder of 360 Finance LLC and a financial educator who views finance as a form of stewardship. She works with individuals, nonprofits, and small businesses across Massachusetts to build financial clarity and long-term resilience.