A Native Lakota man, whose ancestral home is there, taught us that, in their tradition, spirituality means “the ability to feel connected.”  Because this area has served as an inspiration and renewal place for many people for many years, we will return there for this very special program.

This workshop is offered to men and women who are seeking greater connection–with themselves, loved ones, nature’s wonders, and/or whatever else is personally important.  No particular religion or spiritual practice will be promoted, although some Native American customs and philosophies will be introduced.  Because of the special nature of this program the number of participants will be limited to no more than seven participants.

Please note:  the typical experiential therapy group work done at Onsite will not be a part of this program. Each busy day will begin with a meditation exercise.  The rest of the day will involve a mix of travel, exercises, sharing, food and, hopefully, fun.  We will visit historically and spiritually important sites in the Hills.  At these sites, you will be offered the opportunity to take part in a number of activities designed to allow time to focus and connect more fully with themselves, others and their world.   Some moderate walking and hiking will be a part of this program.

The cost for this program is $1,900/person.   This includes mountain cabin lodging www.cabinsoftheblackhills.com , nestled in the middle of the Black Hills National Forest. (We will have exclusive use of the entire complex.  You may note that some of the rooms are more upscale than others.  We will fill those rooms on a first come, first served basis).  Each participant will have, at least, their own room.  This fee also includes all fees and supplies for the workshop.

Except transportation to and from Rapid City, South Dakota AND meals.

All cabins come equipped with apartment type kitchens, so we will be fixing our own breakfasts, packing our own lunches, and deciding as a group what to do about dinner.

This 4½ – day program is designed to help you:

-Meet and connect with other people looking to deepen their sense of connection to

themselves, others and the world around them

-Witness and use the gifts of the natural world to help provide

meaning to your life.

-Participate in activities designed to help increase your sense of connectedness.

For further information or to register contact Ted @ Ted@KlontzConsulting.com.  Please do not contact Onsite Workshops.

When I was 22, I’d yet to conquer “needs versus wants” and was living beyond my means. My monthly credit card statement was often a source of anxiety and regret.

But young adults today don’t quite harbor the same emotions when it comes to debt. A new study suggests the more credit card debt and college loans a young person carries, the more proud and confident they feel. They actually believe they have more control over their lives.

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It’s easier to cling to old jalopy beliefs than change and start driving a Porsche.

I admire Roger Kerr, the giant-brained, pixie-faced policy wonk who’s been the Business Roundtable’s long-time executive director. Kerr not only has a formidable intellect, but also great personal courage.

Even wets who don’t share his devotion to the market must surely admire his unfaltering commitment year in and year out, like a mad Pink Floyd fan going to see The Wall every Sunday night.

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A while back, I got to interview Dr. Brad Klontz about H&R Block’s new Dollars & Sense program for teaching kids about money. While not everyone agreed with him, most readers did agree that we need to be doing something, whether it’s through the schools or at home, to educate our children about smart money practices. (See also: 6 Random Things I Have Taught My Kids About Money)

Beth Kobliner, author of “Get a Financial Life” and a member of the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability, is taking another tactic. She’s the brains behind Sesame Street’s latest efforts to help parents teach even their very young children basic financial principles. I got a chance to talk to her about the importance of financial education, how to start early, and what it was like working with Elmo.

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A new study finds that what you believe about money may hamper your wealth. Brad Klontz, financial psychologist and co-author of “Mind Over Money,” and three other researchers examined the “money scripts” of 422 people, and identified three categories of money beliefs that are associated with lower income and lower net worth. The study was published last month in the Journal of Financial Therapy. If you want to boost your net worth, banish these attitudes:

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Have you heard of money scripts? Before I go on to that, let’s first talk about things you’ve heard about money. I know this is cliché, but some of you might have heard that money is the root of all evil. Some of you might have been told that wealthy people rigged others hence, the rich’s material affluence. Some feel that all else will fall in its rightful place once a financial windfall moves to their direction.

Others feel extremely bad – to the point of depression – when they see friends travel around the world and they don’t; or when their friends sport the latest luxury items that they don’t have. I had a friend who views money as a status conferring necessity and would rant about things she couldn’t have because of lack of money. I tried to bear with her at one point, but it dragged on and on that every time we talk her depressing tirade was non-stop. Her speech involved lines like “I wish I could do this or do that; have this or have that only if I have the money.” I stopped talking to her.

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Most financial planners say it’s a good idea to talk to your kids regularly about money. But you can go too far. If you’re sharing too much information, or if you’re getting your kids directly involved your financial problems, you’re probably causing more harm than good.

“When children are inappropriately exposed to adult financial problems and conflicts, they are left feeling anxious and insecure,” says financial psychologist Brad Klontz, who wrote “Mind Over Money: Overcoming the Money Disorders That Threaten Our Financial Health.” “It can be very damaging.”

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By Allie Johnson

Turning your finances around is never easy — but mental money traps can keep you mired in money woes.

Whether you’re trying to get out of debt, improve your credit score or build your savings, experts highlight five common money mindsets that can hinder your progress.

Mental money trap No. 1 — All-or-nothing thinking

“All-or-nothing thinking is an absolute — either I do everything perfectly, or I’m just going to give up,” says Mary Gresham, an Atlanta-based psychologist who specializes in financial issues. All-or-nothing thinking is especially common when it comes to creating — and sticking to — a spending plan, according to Gresham. “People can get pretty perfectionistic about this,” Gresham says.

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Our money beliefs help to determine our net worth and our net income, according to a new study published in The Journal of Financial Therapy. The study, conducted by financial psychologist and author Dr. Brad Klontz, identifies patterns of beliefs that are associated with wealth. He examined the money scripts of more than 400 people and identified three categories of money beliefs that are associated with lower income and lower-net-worth individuals.

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By John Sullivan

“Ever had a conversation with a client about money and logic got up and left the room?” Ted Klontz, Ph.D, asked the audience at the annual National Association of Personal Financial Advisors conference in Salt Lake City Wednesday afternoon.

Klontz, an author and behavioral psychologist, delivered his presentation entitled “When Logic Leaves the Room, and What We Can Do About It” to the roughly 700 fee-only advisors in attendance. He began with attention-grabbing statistics, including:

• When using cash as opposed to credit, people will typically spend 30% less.
• One in five older workers said they contribute to a 401(k) or some other type of retirement plan when in fact they do not.

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