Today marks the return of Your Monthly Aura Reading—your guide for navigating financial anxiety and reshaping your relationship with money. But this time, we’re shifting the conversation from managing money to understanding your money mindset.

From silently coping to building systems that support your nervous system.
Because in a world of constant uncertainty, financial wellbeing isn’t a personal problem—it’s a collective one. It shapes how we show up at home, at work, and with the people we love.

So let’s get into it…

Bye-bye Summer, hello Financial Freeze.

Every generation has its defining anxiety. For ours, it’s money.

Not just in the budgetary sense, but as a cognitive and emotional trigger. We avoid it, obsess over it, spiral beneath it. Money isn't just a metric, it’s also a mirror. And for millions of Americans, that mirror increasingly reflects paralysis.

We call this phenomenon the financial freeze: a psychological shutdown that prevents millions of people, particularly women, younger generations, and communities historically excluded from wealth systems, from meaningfully engaging with their finances. But this isn't about spreadsheets. It's about the nervous system.

The Neuroscience of Avoidance

When we talk about financial stress, we're often really talking about dysregulation. The brain, confronted with uncertainty, reacts not with calculation but with defense. MRI studies have shown that financial instability activates the same regions of the brain as physical pain and social exclusion. In other words, debt isn't just stressful, it’s traumatic.

This explains why, even in moments of relative stability, people avoid looking at their account balances, delay decision-making, and postpone seeking help. It’s not laziness. It’s self-preservation. When the amygdala is activated, executive function (the brain's rational planning center) gets sidelined. What we call “bad financial behavior” is often a rational response to an irrational system.

Financial Literacy Alone Won’t Save Us

The dominant response to this crisis has been to throw information at it: budgeting tools, explainer videos, financial literacy campaigns. But financial literacy is not the same as financial empowerment. If information alone could solve this problem, Google would have cured money anxiety by now.

What’s needed is not more input—but better integration. We need systems that start not with what people should know, but with how people actually feel. Until financial products are designed around the emotional and cognitive realities of the people using them, they will continue to underdeliver.

What Waking Up Looks Like

At Aura, we’ve spent the last two years rethinking financial wellness from the inside out. What we’ve learned is simple: financial change doesn’t begin with action. It begins with safety.

Waking up from a financial freeze means first recognizing you’re frozen and then building systems of support that make movement feel possible. Here’s what we’ve found works:

• Emotional Check-Ins Before Calculators: When you open our app, you’re not met with numbers, you’re met with a mindset check-in. What’s your money personality and how do you relate to money? Naming stress or fear immediately lowers the emotional temperature, making space for clarity.
  

• Micro-Decisions Over Grand Plans: The myth of the “financial overhaul” paralyzes people before they begin. We offer bite-sized behavioral prompts: “Move $5 into savings,” “Pause one subscription,” “Reflect on one money win.” Momentum—not mastery—is the goal.
  

• Repetition, Not Reinvention: Behavioral change isn’t a breakthrough, it’s a practice. We’re not asking you to become a person. We’re asking you to do familiar things slightly differently, consistently, and build better habits.

Behavior change is simple, but it’s not easy.

From Shame to Strategy

This final piece is cultural. We must work to decouple financial wellbeing from moral worth.

You are not your credit score. 

You are not your student debt. 

You are not your salary.

Financial systems have long profited from this shame spiral, and it’s time we disrupt it.

The future of financial wellness isn’t technical. It’s relational.

It’s about building products that can hold the weight of our emotion, not just our data.

That’s what Aura is here to do. Not to fix you. But to see you.

Because waking up to your finances doesn’t start with a plan.

It starts with a pause.

Welcome to the 71st edition of Your Weekly Aura, a newsletter featuring must-read money and mindfulness tips and tricks from Courtney & Kelsey. This week, we’re talking about getting back into it. If you like the content in this newsletter, please share it with friends.

Back to… school, work, working out.

Living in The Bahamas definitely has its perks, but the summer heat and hurricanes are no joke. So, most summers, I find myself on the road - a lot. I know it’s getting bad when I start stumbling into the walls because I can’t remember how to get to the bathroom.

Last year, I was having a particularly tough time. I was in California visiting a friend between business trips venting about my chaotic travel life when she hit me with some unexpected advice - she suggested I work with a nutritionist.

My first reaction was like, “okay, I get it, you’re vegan.” But then she told me this nutritionist was focused on hormonal health and even got her to eat meat by listening to her body. (Like so many of us, my friend craves meat when she’s on her period).

I wasn’t entirely convinced, but then last summer my travel stress peaked. I tested positive for COVID for 13 days and thought my body was rebelling.

So, for my birthday I decided to invest in myself and spent more than I care to admit for a six-month 1:1 nutrition coaching package, telling myself it would also be good research - what a bargain!

Within weeks, I was making smarter choices about my food, ditching those "healthy" protein bars, and sneaking in some movement and meditation into my jam-packed schedule.

But here's the kicker - it wasn't just about my diet. It was about my whole routine.

After months on the island, my FOMO goes into hyperdrive. When I finally get off the rock, I feel like I should be doing all the things. I often wind up in a near-constant reactive state making last-minute, unintentional (and often unhealthy) decisions about where to go, what to eat, and when to sleep (never enough).

Fast forward, and here I am, one year later, feeling like a whole new person.

It’s all about getting to know and working with your body, instead of pushing it to its limits and getting upset when it inevitably starts to give out on you.

Within weeks, I started building a morning routine with meditation and movement and said good-bye to my IUD. After a few months, I learned how, with a bit of advanced planning and someone to hold me accountable, I too could manage my stress and hormones with food and self-care.

Working with a nutritionist taught me way more than just what I should be putting on my plate. Tracking my food showed me how far off my protein/fat/carb balance was, and keeping tabs on my mood and hormones opened my eyes to when I'm at my most creative, feeling most fragile, and when I just need to cut myself some slack.

And while she didn’t necessarily teach me anything substantively, ground breaking or new about nutrition generally. She helped me figure out what I needed to do for me - and then she helped me do it.

We are constantly telling ourselves what we should know and what we should do, and then if we muster up the courage to try - and fail - we shame ourselves for falling short.

Why? We lack accountability.

Our brains don’t like change. They’ll sabotage our efforts and when our willpower collapses, they’ll flood us with shame to keep us in the status quo because for our brains status quo is known, and status quo is safe.

But, science says willpower is not the way to go - we need support. If you really want to change your habits, team up with someone who's got your back and keeps you in check.

Having someone there to hold me accountable and keep me on track with my nutrition journey was a game-changer. After 6 months of accountability, I was able to build a new routine that travels with me. I have more energy, I’m less stressed, and I have more control over my time and my decisions as a result.

Accountability is an invaluable life hack - and it goes way beyond just eating better or working out. It’s the secret sauce to achieving anything we set our minds to, including getting our financial lives in order.

Research backs this up - those with an accountability buddy are a whopping 65% more likely to achieve their goals. Having a solid action plan bumps up our chances of success by 70%. And a remarkable 92% of people actually achieve their goals when they have someone holding them accountable.

Of course, I still fall off the bandwagon every now and then (I’m a sucker for soft pretzels), but the important thing is that now I have the tools, the guidelines, and the muscle memory to get myself back on track.

So, if you’ve been thinking about making a change or looking for a way to get started. Remember, there’s no shame in asking for help. It’s not a sign of weakness; it’s a smart strategy for success. Whether it's getting your finances in check, budgeting like a pro, or planning for the future, having someone in your corner can make all the difference.

If you’ve been looking for a way to get started on your financial future, we’d love to be your accountability buddy.

 🚨 Special Offer 🚨 

Are you in SF on August 10th? Join Aura Co-Founder & CEO, Kelsey Willock, for an evening of great food, engaging conversation, and a Mindful Money Management community.

Who knows, you might even meet your new accountability buddy! RSVP here.

For Your Aura

Want to learn more about your money story and discover your Aura? Take our quiz to find out your money personality today.

The Star: Keeping a splurge fund can help you save money while living in the moment

The Thinker: 20 states are having “tax-free weekends” this summer for back to school, work, whatever shopping. Find out when you can save here. 

The Empath: How you can help support others facing money problems with financial empathy. 

The Activist: Women are returning to work in droves.

Ask the Expert

Who qualifies for the most recent student loan forgiveness?

Great question. After the Supreme Court struck down Uncle Joe’s student loan forgiveness program, The Biden Administration approved $130 million in student loan forgiveness - this time specifically for students who enrolled at a school that officials accused of making “widespread misrepresentations.” 

This covers around 7,400 students who enrolled at Colorado-based CollegeAmerica locations between January 2006 and July 2020 who will qualify for automatic forgiveness under Borrower Defense to Repayment.

The Education Department said in a press release that they “found that CollegeAmerica’s parent company, the Center for Excellence in Higher Education (CEHE), made widespread misrepresentations about the salaries and employment rates of its graduates, the programs it offered, and the terms of a private loan product it offered.”

This $130 million in relief is just one part of the administration's broader efforts to provide student debt relief, totaling over $14.7 billion for 1.1 million borrowers affected by college misconduct. The relief will be automatically granted, and new regulations make it easier for similarly-situated borrowers to receive discharges.

MARKET NEWS

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Let us know what you think of our newsletter and what additional content you would like to see! Reach out to info@aurafinance.io.

FORWARD TO A FRIEND

If you like the content in this newsletter, please share it with friends so they can receive our weekly newsletters and get early access to the Aura App!

_{This material has been distributed for informational and educational purposes only, represents an assessment of the market environment as of the date of publication, is subject to change without notice, and is not intended as investment, legal, accounting, or tax advice or opinion. Aura assumes no obligation to provide notifications of changes in any factors that could affect the information provided. This information should not be relied upon by the reader as research or investment advice regarding any issuer or security in particular. The strategies discussed are strictly for illustrative and educational purposes and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell, or an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. There is no guarantee that any strategies discussed will be effective. This information is not intended as a recommendation to invest in any particular asset class or strategy or as a promise of future performance. There is no guarantee that any investment strategy will work under all market conditions or is suitable for all investors. Before investing, please carefully consider your willingness to take on risk and your financial ability to afford investment losses when deciding how much individual security exposure to have in your investment portfolio. Past performance does not guarantee future results. There is a potential for loss as well as gain in investing. Aura does not represent in any manner that the circumstances described herein will result in any particular outcome.}

^{_{Aura provides some of the information in this newsletter under its Financial Counseling Service. The Financial Counseling Service is impersonal in nature, which means that the advice is not tailored to a Client’s, or group of Clients, individual needs and does not purport to meet the objectives or needs of specific Clients or accounts. Consequently, Aura does not rely on Suitability Questionnaire information that the Client inputs into the Platform to provide the Financial Counseling Service. The Financial Counseling Service is available to all Aura Clients. Consult with an accountant or financial advisor to find out if you're optimizing legal tax optimization strategies}}

Welcome to the 70th edition of Your Weekly Aura, a newsletter featuring must-read money and mindfulness tips and tricks from Courtney & Kelsey. This week we’re talking about prim(e)al urges, cognitive biases, and how to stay safe this summer on Prime Day. If you like this newsletter, please share it with your friends and subscribe below.

Going Prim(e)-al

Happy Prime Day, Fam!

On July 15, 2015, Amazon celebrated its 20th anniversary by doing what it does best - getting us to buy more sh*t.

It all started back in China in 2009 when Alibaba launched a 1-day shopping event called "Singles’ Day" or "Double 11.” The promotional event quickly grew to become the largest online shopping day in the world.

Not to be outdone, Mr. Bezos decided that we Americans deserved yet another summer holiday and he deserved not to be impacted by the seasonal summer slowdown in retail sales. So, in honor of Amazon’s 20th Birthday, Prime Day was born.

And while the Banks may still be open, Wall Street and Main Street observe this unofficial American holiday eagerly anticipating steep discounts and record-breaking sales.

But before you sacrifice your credit and cognitive reasoning skills, follow these steps to avoid a post-Prime Day shoppers’ remorse hangover.

1. Make a list of what you really need and prioritize it

At Aura, we divide your monthly expenses into wants, needs, and investment/savings goals. These three components make up the whole pie – all your monthly money moves. While we recommend a steady 50% on needs, 30% on wants, and 20% on savings and investing breakdown, this is just a guideline. Sometimes things fluctuate, sometimes it’s Prime Day, sometimes your needs, your wants, and even your investments take a bigger slice - that’s OK.

Prime Day can be an awesome time to stack up on the things you’ve been saving for like a new TV, but when you start impulse shopping for a third Ninja blender things can start to get dicey.

Ask yourself if you’re willing to borrow from tomorrow’s vacation fund to upgrade your kitchen knives today… that’s the thing about Pie, you buy it in one piece, no matter how you slice it - at the end of the day, it’s just one pie.

2. Avoid the “anchoring” trap

“Anchoring” is a cognitive bias that enables our brains to make comparisons. Price anchors are often used to encourage consumers to purchase products because they feel as if they are getting a good deal. But according to our very own, Dr. Simon Blanchard, sticker prices are not always what they seem.

Anchoring is when a person gives lots of weight to the first piece of information they receive. If a product listing says an item was $100 but is now discounted to $75, the “anchor” is $100.” But the “anchor” price doesn’t always reflect the market rate of a product.

In fact, the anchor price can often be misleading. Placing too much importance on the initial anchor price can prevent us from accurately assessing the true value of a product. To avoid falling into this trap, consider the market rate of the product and explore alternative options before making a purchase.

During Prime Day, take the time to check prices on other platforms and retailers to ensure that the discounted price is genuinely a good deal. By maintaining awareness of the anchoring bias, you can make more informed decisions and avoid being swayed solely by perceived discounts. Don’t let the anchor price cloud your judgment; instead, evaluate each offer based on its actual worth and your specific needs.

3. Try investing instead

Are you finding yourself overwhelmed and compelled to take advantage of the summer shopping spree mania? Consider replacing your challenging compulsive shopping habits with positive actions – instead of buying that new instant pot, consider investing. Why fill your cart when you can just diversify your investment portfolio? Aura users can do this by simply investing more into your personalized index fund.

Do Future You a solid this summer - skip the shiny distractions and invest in upgrading your lifestyle over the long-term, instead.

Download the Aura app and start investing with as little a $5!

*Android users request access here.

For Your Aura

Want to learn more about your money story and discover your Aura? Take our quiz to find out your money personality today.

The Star: 5 ways to score a really good deal on Prime Day (if you must).

The Empath: 4 ways anchoring bias can hurt you financially.

The Thinker: The complete history of Prime Day - the world’s largest shopping event.

The Activist: There’s no “green” way to do Prime Day.

Ask the Expert

How long will interest rates stay high?

Determining the exact duration of high interest rates is uncertain and depends on several factors, including economic indicators, inflation levels, and central bank policies. Historically, interest rates were kept low to stimulate the economy during the global financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, as the economy recovers and inflation becomes a concern, central banks may raise interest rates to control inflationary pressures. The Federal Reserve has been consistently raising interest rates for over a year, leading to higher yields on savings accounts. That’s why some high yield savings accounts are offering upwards of 4-5% annual percentage yield (APY) returns. This means that the banks are paying you close to 4-5% interest to you on your deposits.

While the duration of this high interest rate environment is influenced by economic conditions, it's crucial to stay informed and regularly assess available options to make informed investment decisions. If you’re not taking advantage of a high yield savings account, you might be missing out.

MARKET NEWS

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Let us know what you think of our newsletter and what additional content you would like to see! Reach out to info@aurafinance.io.

FORWARD TO A FRIEND

If you like the content in this newsletter, please share it with friends so they can receive our weekly newsletters and get early access to the Aura App!

_{This material has been distributed for informational and educational purposes only, represents an assessment of the market environment as of the date of publication, is subject to change without notice, and is not intended as investment, legal, accounting, or tax advice or opinion. Aura assumes no obligation to provide notifications of changes in any factors that could affect the information provided. This information should not be relied upon by the reader as research or investment advice regarding any issuer or security in particular. The strategies discussed are strictly for illustrative and educational purposes and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell, or an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. There is no guarantee that any strategies discussed will be effective. This information is not intended as a recommendation to invest in any particular asset class or strategy or as a promise of future performance. There is no guarantee that any investment strategy will work under all market conditions or is suitable for all investors. Before investing, please carefully consider your willingness to take on risk and your financial ability to afford investment losses when deciding how much individual security exposure to have in your investment portfolio. Past performance does not guarantee future results. There is a potential for loss as well as gain in investing. Aura does not represent in any manner that the circumstances described herein will result in any particular outcome.}

^{_{Aura provides some of the information in this newsletter under its Financial Counseling Service. The Financial Counseling Service is impersonal in nature, which means that the advice is not tailored to a Client’s, or group of Clients, individual needs and does not purport to meet the objectives or needs of specific Clients or accounts. Consequently, Aura does not rely on Suitability Questionnaire information that the Client inputs into the Platform to provide the Financial Counseling Service. The Financial Counseling Service is available to all Aura Clients. Consult with an accountant or financial advisor to find out if you're optimizing legal tax optimization strategies}}

Welcome to the 69th edition of Your Weekly Aura, a newsletter featuring must-read money and mindfulness tips and tricks from Courtney & Kelsey. This week we’re talking about the privilege of having a choice and the (multiple) paths to financial freedom. If you like this newsletter, please share it with your friends and subscribe below.

Free to choose.

Happy post-Independence Day to our friends in the U.S.

Today, we’re talking about self-deprivation and success. Checking up on the tots who successfully deprived themselves of sweets in the 1970s (where are they now?) and understanding how our environments impact our ability to trust in ourselves and our systems. So, let’s get to it.

The Marshmallow Experiment

The famous 1972 “marshmallow experiment” measured the impact of self-restraint on children’s future success. More than 600 children between the ages of four to six were put in an empty room and told they could eat one marshmallow now or wait 15 minutes and get a second marshmallow.

In an attempt to distract themselves, these Palo Alto tots started kicking the table, covering their eyes, even pulling their own hair, but in the end just one-third of the kids were able to wait the full 15 minutes.

After decades of following these kids, researchers found that the children who were able to delay gratification “tended to exhibit higher levels of self-control and were associated with better life outcomes such as improved academic performance and social skills.”

And this was the norm in psychology circles for decades, until now.

The Marshmallow Trust Test

In 2012, Dr. Celeste Kidd was working in a shelter for unhoused children when she saw a young girl unwrap a lollipop. Just before she put it in her mouth, it was snatched away by another child. When she didn’t cry, or flinch, Kidd was puzzled.

She organized an updated version of the marshmallow experiment.

Kidd divided the child subjects into two groups - reliable and unreliable.

In the “unreliable” group, the children were given bad art supplies and told that if they waited, they could get better materials. 2.5 minutes later the researcher would return without anything, apologize, and tell the child they made a mistake and they didn’t have any extra art supplies. In the “reliable” group, the researchers returned with the promised, better art supplies.

Then, both groups took the original marshmallow experiment.

The researchers were surprised when the kids from the “unreliable” group waited just 3 minutes and 2 seconds before eating the marshmallow. The kids in the “reliable” group who trusted the researcher held out for 12 minutes and two seconds. Just one kid in the unreliable group waited the entire 15 mins v. 9 kids in the reliable group who didn’t snack the entire time.

So what?

As it turns out, your environment plays a pretty big role in your ability to practice self-control and delay gratification. It’s also about the stability of your environment. If you are promised better art supplies, and you get it, it’s easier to believe that the second marshmallow will appear after 15 minutes.

It’s easier to trust the system.

On the other hand, if you’re promised better art supplies and no supplies come, why would you trust the promise of a second marshmallow? Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice… I’m eating the f*ing marshmallow.

Many of us were born to Boomer and GenX parents in a reliable economic environment. We were told that if we worked hard we could do what we loved and afford to live like our parents.

But we came of age in an unreliable environment marked by two recessions, record-high inflation, and stagnant wages. Owning your own home has become an American pipe dream, with millions more Americans looking for help getting out of debt and back to a net worth of Zero.

Talking to our parents (and their wealth advisors) about money is like talking to Palo Alto babies who are used to getting what they were promised. They kicked the table, pulled their hair, and covered their eyes, forcing themselves to be patient. Because patience was the key to realizing the gains from home ownership, corporate pensions, and social security benefits. Patience was the key to getting a second marshmallow realizing investment returns that they were pretty sure were going to come.

But when you grow up in a volatile environment where nothing is guaranteed, where you feel like you lose more often than you win, and the happiest 142 days of your life started with the cinematic release of Shrek and ended on September 11th, 2001, you might be more inclined to hoard what you have or spend it as it comes because your future is uncertain.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. You can’t solve systemic racism and sexism and you can’t wave a magic wand and come of age in the economic boom of the 90s. But you can choose to believe in, and invest for a better future for yourself.

The system wasn’t built for me. Aura was built with me in mind.

I’ll never be able to afford a house. If I invest ~$60 a week, in 35 years, I’ll have $1M+.

The people in charge don’t care about me. I can join a community of sustainable investors to invest for a better future, together.

You can survive in scarcity, or you can learn to thrive in abundance – the choice is yours.

*Android users request access here.

For Your Aura

Want to learn more about your money story and discover your Aura? Take our quiz to find out your money personality today.

The Star: Your brain on shopping: the psychology of fast-fashion.

The Empath: The Boomer Buffer: why the U.S. economy likely won’t crash in a recession.

The Thinker: 3 money management tips from the original Marshmallow Experiment.

The Activist: Financial psychology and how to avoid losing.

Ask the Expert

What does the Fed actually do?

The Federal Reserve is like a “bank for banks” in the United States.

It has a few important jobs:

1. Controlling money: The Fed controls the amount of money that's available in the country. It can make more money available or take it out of circulation. Think of it like the Fed has a magic money machine. When they make more money, it can help the economy grow. When they take money out, it can help slow down spending.

2. Setting interest rates: Interest rates are the extra money people and businesses have to pay when they borrow money. The Fed can raise or lower interest rates, which affects how much it costs to borrow money. When the Fed lowers interest rates, it encourages borrowing and spending, stimulating the economy. Conversely, when the Fed raises interest rates, borrowing becomes more expensive, which can help prevent the economy from overheating and control inflation.

3. Watching over banks: The Fed keeps an eye on banks to make sure they are doing things right and not taking unnecessary risks. It wants to make sure banks are stable and not going to fail. That protects our money and keeps the banking system strong. Last month, the largest banks in the U.S. all passed the Fed’s stress test showing that they are able to weather a recession.

4. Helping with payments: The Fed helps make sure that payments between banks and other financial institutions happen smoothly. When we pay bills or make purchases with our debit or credit cards, the Fed helps make sure the money gets moved securely between all the different banks and companies involved. (Bonus: this is called “fiat” currency as opposed to “cryptocurrency”)

5. Being a backup for banks: If banks are having a tough time and need extra money to keep going, the Fed can lend them money. It's like being a “lender of last resort” to make sure banks don’t collapse and cause bigger problems for the whole economy (i.e. 2008 Global Financial Crisis)

6. Researching and informing: The Fed keeps an eye on the economy and does research to understand how it's doing. They collect a lot of data and analyze it to figure out things like how many people have jobs, how much businesses are growing, and if prices are going up or down. This helps them make decisions about how to keep the economy stable and healthy.

MARKET NEWS

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Let us know what you think of our newsletter and what additional content you would like to see! Reach out to info@aurafinance.io.

FORWARD TO A FRIEND

If you like the content in this newsletter, please share it with friends so they can receive our weekly newsletters and get early access to the Aura App!

_{This material has been distributed for informational and educational purposes only, represents an assessment of the market environment as of the date of publication, is subject to change without notice, and is not intended as investment, legal, accounting, or tax advice or opinion. Aura assumes no obligation to provide notifications of changes in any factors that could affect the information provided. This information should not be relied upon by the reader as research or investment advice regarding any issuer or security in particular. The strategies discussed are strictly for illustrative and educational purposes and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell, or an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. There is no guarantee that any strategies discussed will be effective. This information is not intended as a recommendation to invest in any particular asset class or strategy or as a promise of future performance. There is no guarantee that any investment strategy will work under all market conditions or is suitable for all investors. Before investing, please carefully consider your willingness to take on risk and your financial ability to afford investment losses when deciding how much individual security exposure to have in your investment portfolio. Past performance does not guarantee future results. There is a potential for loss as well as gain in investing. Aura does not represent in any manner that the circumstances described herein will result in any particular outcome.}

^{_{Aura provides some of the information in this newsletter under its Financial Counseling Service. The Financial Counseling Service is impersonal in nature, which means that the advice is not tailored to a Client’s, or group of Clients, individual needs and does not purport to meet the objectives or needs of specific Clients or accounts. Consequently, Aura does not rely on Suitability Questionnaire information that the Client inputs into the Platform to provide the Financial Counseling Service. The Financial Counseling Service is available to all Aura Clients. Consult with an accountant or financial advisor to find out if you're optimizing legal tax optimization strategies}}

Welcome to the 68th edition of Your Weekly Aura, a newsletter featuring must-read money and mindfulness tips and tricks from Courtney & Kelsey. This week we’re talking about the mind-gut connection and getting curious about our family history. If you like this newsletter, please share it with your friends and subscribe below.

Let’s investigate.

Happy Wellness Wednesday, Fam!

A growth mindset is one of the most powerful tools to help you achieve your goals. When you believe in yourself, you're more likely to succeed. And yet, when it comes to our moods and our mindsets, many of us are self-sabotaging our mindfulness efforts with mindless eating.

Like our financial system, our food system in the U.S. wasn’t designed to nourish the masses. After years of corn, wheat, and other farming subsidies, it’s become more challenging and expensive to find accessible, nutrient-dense food. It’s no wonder so many of us are stressed out and malnourished today. When we don’t nourish our bodies, our mindset suffers.

That’s because of something called the brain-gut connection.

Just like we all have unique money stories, we all have a unique microbiome - and how we take care of that microbiome and our gut health has a direct impact on our mental health.

Fun fact, the gut and the brain actually develop from the same place in the embryo and remain connected in the human body by the vagus nerve (yes, that vagus nerve that is also responsible for mood regulation).

Around 90-95% of our serotonin is produced in our gut. Serotonin is often referred to as the "feel-good" neurotransmitter because it plays a crucial role in promoting feelings of happiness, well-being, and overall positive mood.

Have you ever noticed that in the days after a particularly wild weekend of late nights or boozy brunches, your body starts craving yummy whole foods? That’s your gut begging you for a reset.

While some guiding principles apply universally, like eating a balanced diet that includes probiotic-rich foods, when it comes to owning your own health journey or your money journey, we need to put on our investigative hats and get curious.

Where are your ancestors from? What did they eat there? Where do you live now? What’s getting added to your food that shouldn’t be there? What nutrients is our food missing today?

I’m Irish, Scottish, and English on my mother’s side and Eastern European/Ashkenazi Jewish on my father’s. Thanks to my mom’s side, I tolerate dairy better than most of my Jewish friends (JBS anyone?).

I also have ADHD and cutting out gluten and sugar has been a game changer for my productivity and overall health.

But I didn’t just wake up one day and know this - I had to go on a journey with medical professionals, nutritionists, and healthcare experts that helped me analyze my family history, document clues about my overall health and mood, form a hypothesis, and create a plan to test my theories about which foods are best for me.

Whether you’re struggling with gut health or financial anxiety - the first step is getting curious.

If we really want to build a better world for the future, we need to get comfortable with our past. So, consider this an invitation to put on your favorite Sherlock Holmes hat and houndstooth get-up and dive in.

Learning about our family history isn’t just a fun thing to do - it’s integral to unlocking secrets to our own health and happiness.

So let’s get digging!

For Your Aura

Want to learn more about your money story and discover your Aura? Take our quiz to find out your money personality today.

The Star: Are you suffering because of your parents’ beliefs about money?

The Empath: Even in the NFL, it’s better to enjoy your job and be underpaid.

The Thinker: If you want to be rich, you have to know your numbers.

The Activist: This company wants to pay you $10,000 to walk 10,000 steps.

Ask the Expert

How much do I need in my Emergency Savings?

Generally, experts recommend keeping a minimum of 3-6 months in Emergency savings. To determine the appropriate emergency savings amount, calculate your essential monthly expenses, including rent/mortgage payments, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and debt payments. Multiply that monthly amount by the number of months you want to cover (e.g. 3-6). That will give you a target savings goal.

If you’re a freelancer with less than steady income, you may want to opt for 9-12 months and figure out a way to save a larger percentage of your take-home pay, when you receive it. Remember to pay yourself first.

If you need help figuring out your number, you sign up for an Aura account by downloading Aura from the app store.* As soon as you create a log-in, you’ll be able to access our Spending and Investing Optimizer tool (you can check out a quick demo here). Not only will it help you prioritize building up your emergency savings, but you’ll also get personalized insights into your monthly spending, saving, and investing.

When it comes to mindful money management, the best plan is the one you can stick with so determining your emergency savings amount is all about what fits you and one you feel good about. And remember, it’s always a good idea to consult with financial advisors and money experts who can help you build a plan with personalized insights and recommendations based on your individual circumstances and goals.

*Android users request access here.

MARKET NEWS

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Let us know what you think of our newsletter and what additional content you would like to see! Reach out to info@aurafinance.io.

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If you like the content in this newsletter, please share it with friends so they can receive our weekly newsletters and get early access to the Aura App!

_{This material has been distributed for informational and educational purposes only, represents an assessment of the market environment as of the date of publication, is subject to change without notice, and is not intended as investment, legal, accounting, or tax advice or opinion. Aura assumes no obligation to provide notifications of changes in any factors that could affect the information provided. This information should not be relied upon by the reader as research or investment advice regarding any issuer or security in particular. The strategies discussed are strictly for illustrative and educational purposes and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell, or an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. There is no guarantee that any strategies discussed will be effective. This information is not intended as a recommendation to invest in any particular asset class or strategy or as a promise of future performance. There is no guarantee that any investment strategy will work under all market conditions or is suitable for all investors. Before investing, please carefully consider your willingness to take on risk and your financial ability to afford investment losses when deciding how much individual security exposure to have in your investment portfolio. Past performance does not guarantee future results. There is a potential for loss as well as gain in investing. Aura does not represent in any manner that the circumstances described herein will result in any particular outcome.}

^{_{Aura provides some of the information in this newsletter under its Financial Counseling Service. The Financial Counseling Service is impersonal in nature, which means that the advice is not tailored to a Client’s, or group of Clients, individual needs and does not purport to meet the objectives or needs of specific Clients or accounts. Consequently, Aura does not rely on Suitability Questionnaire information that the Client inputs into the Platform to provide the Financial Counseling Service. The Financial Counseling Service is available to all Aura Clients. Consult with an accountant or financial advisor to find out if you're optimizing legal tax optimization strategies}}

Welcome to the 67th edition of Your Weekly Aura, a newsletter featuring must-read money and mindfulness tips and tricks from Courtney & Kelsey. This week we’re talking about catalytic capital, sustainable investing, and how your tax dollars are being used to invest in a better future. If you like this newsletter, please share it with your friends and subscribe below.

It’s Friday afternoon, do you know where your tax dollars are?

Today we’re talking about the biggest investment you probably didn’t know that you’re already in.

Congratulations, taxpayers, you’re all investors in clean energy and sustainable growth!

The Department of Energy's loan grant program, which supports the development of innovative clean energy technologies, is funded by tax dollars. The goal of the program is to promote sustainable economic growth while reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.

Over the years, the DOE loan grant program has funded numerous clean energy projects that have resulted in significant energy savings and emissions reductions. For example, the program provided financing for the world’s largest solar power plant in California, which can power up to 255,000 homes.

But why are the taxpayers investing so much? Shouldn’t the private sector be investing in these projects?

Short answer: Yes.

I left working in government because I believe the private sector can scale faster and go farther without the bureaucratic constraints that come along with having government investors.

That being said, the DOE loan program steps in at a crucial step in a company’s life-cycle - at the earliest stage when the ideas are just barely more than ideas, when the vision is within reach, but the resources remain just beyond access.

As taxpayers and residents of Earth, we’re all responsible for offsetting the risk of early stage innovation and betting on the moonshots and earthshots that will keep our home planet spinning.

Please consider this a personal invitation from a former DOE employee, current start-up founder, and fellow earthling to dive deeper into your investment journey.

At Aura, we believe that investing should be a force for good in the world. Our platform allows investors to invest in companies that align with their environmental and social values, enabling them to make a positive impact while also achieving financial returns.

We help you invest in companies that are making a real difference in the world, from renewable energy to sustainable agriculture to zero-waste solutions. By investing with Aura, you can feel confident that your money is being used to build a better world.

Your investment as a taxpayer is just the beginning – with Aura, you can take your commitment to clean energy and sustainable growth to the next level. So why not explore Aura’s platform and see how you can make a positive impact through values-aligned investing?

P.S. Investing is better with friends. Know someone who could use a dose of Your Weekly Aura in their inbox? Please share us with your friends.

For Your Aura

Want to learn more about your money story and discover your Aura? Take our quiz to find out your money personality today.

The Star: A Hollywood writer living on food stamps while the studios are getting rich.

The Empath: Over half of millennials expect to inherit money - 3 steps to take to prepare.

The Thinker: Is it a Bull or Bear Market? Why it doesn’t really matter.

The Activist: More than half of Millennials and GenZ workers would post their salaries online – and they want more salary transparency overall.

Ask the Expert

Is now a good time to invest?

This is one of the most common questions I get asked and truth is, there isn’t a straight answer. While I could tell you “the best time to start investing was yesterday, the next best time is today,” that wouldn’t give you the full picture. And I like full pictures. Investing is not only about financial considerations but also about aligning your investments with your overall wellness and mindset.

First, it’s important to assess your financial situation, including factors such as your current savings, any outstanding debts, and your emergency fund. Investing should generally be considered after taking care of these foundational aspects. Building a strong financial foundation helps provide stability and mitigates potential risks.

Next, consider your investment goals and time horizon. What are you investing for? Are you saving for retirement, a down payment on a house, or other long-term goals? Your time horizon can influence the types of investments you consider and the level of risk you're comfortable with.

It’s crucial to understand that market timing, trying to predict the optimal moment to invest, is challenging and often unreliable. Markets can be volatile, and attempting to time them can lead to missed opportunities or making decisions based on short-term fluctuations. Instead, a disciplined approach known as dollar-cost averaging can be beneficial. This strategy involves investing a fixed amount at regular intervals, regardless of market conditions. Over time, this approach can help smooth out market fluctuations.

When evaluating whether it's a good time to invest, consider diversification. Diversifying your investments across different asset classes, industries, and regions can help spread risk and increase the potential for long-term growth.

Lastly, seek guidance from a qualified financial advisor who understands your unique situation and can provide personalized advice. They can help assess your financial goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon to develop an investment strategy tailored to your needs.

Remember, investing is a long-term endeavor, and it’s important to be patient, maintain a holistic perspective on your well-being, and make decisions based on careful consideration and professional advice.

Kelsey Willock, Aura CEO + Co-Founder

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WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Let us know what you think of our newsletter and what additional content you would like to see! Reach out to info@aurafinance.io.

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If you like the content in this newsletter, please share it with friends so they can receive our weekly newsletters and get early access to the Aura App!

_{This material has been distributed for informational and educational purposes only, represents an assessment of the market environment as of the date of publication, is subject to change without notice, and is not intended as investment, legal, accounting, or tax advice or opinion. Aura assumes no obligation to provide notifications of changes in any factors that could affect the information provided. This information should not be relied upon by the reader as research or investment advice regarding any issuer or security in particular. The strategies discussed are strictly for illustrative and educational purposes and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell, or an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. There is no guarantee that any strategies discussed will be effective. This information is not intended as a recommendation to invest in any particular asset class or strategy or as a promise of future performance. There is no guarantee that any investment strategy will work under all market conditions or is suitable for all investors. Before investing, please carefully consider your willingness to take on risk and your financial ability to afford investment losses when deciding how much individual security exposure to have in your investment portfolio. Past performance does not guarantee future results. There is a potential for loss as well as gain in investing. Aura does not represent in any manner that the circumstances described herein will result in any particular outcome.}

^{_{Aura provides some of the information in this newsletter under its Financial Counseling Service. The Financial Counseling Service is impersonal in nature, which means that the advice is not tailored to a Client’s, or group of Clients, individual needs and does not purport to meet the objectives or needs of specific Clients or accounts. Consequently, Aura does not rely on Suitability Questionnaire information that the Client inputs into the Platform to provide the Financial Counseling Service. The Financial Counseling Service is available to all Aura Clients. Consult with an accountant or financial advisor to find out if you're optimizing legal tax optimization strategies}}

Welcome to the 66th edition of Your Weekly Aura, a newsletter featuring must-read money and mindfulness tips and tricks from Courtney & Kelsey. This week we’re talking about taking action. If you like this newsletter, please share it with your friends and subscribe below.

I’m suffocating.

On Wednesday, New York set a new record with the worst air quality in history. Smoke-filled air from the Canadian wildfires blanked the city; air quality peaked at a 405 out of 500 on the Air Quality Index. Anything above 100 is considered unhealthy, while above 300 is “hazardous,” the index’s worst possible rating. The last record set in NYC was 279 in 1981.

In an ironic twist, Wednesday was also National Clean Air Day in Canada.

Climate change is here. It’s suffocating our families, drowning our neighbors, and threatening our children’s future.

But there is still some hope - if we all act together.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a body of experts convened by the United Nations, released a 2023 report indicating that we - humanity - have one last chance to shift course. 

But it would require industrialized nations to join together immediately to slash greenhouse gases roughly in half by 2030 and then stop adding carbon dioxide to the atmosphere altogether by the early 2050s.

If those two steps were taken, the world would have about a 50 percent chance of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Seems tough, nearly impossible. I know.

But you can take action, you can help us get back on course, you can vote and vote with your wallet.

Step One: Divest from fossil fuels. By divesting from fossil fuels, you can make a powerful statement and contribute to the urgent transition to a sustainable future. With Aura, you can screen out oil and gas companies, and invest proactively for a cleaner, greener future.

Step Two: Call your representative and tell them to end fossil fuel subsidies. U.S. Taxpayers are paying an estimated $20 billion per year to subsidize the fossil fuel industry. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), global fossil fuel subsidies amounted to a staggering $5.9 trillion in 2020, or 6.3% of global GDP. These subsidies undermine efforts to mitigate climate change and hinder the development of renewable energy sources.

It's crucial to hold our governments accountable and demand an end to these harmful subsidies. Contact your representatives today and urge them to redirect these funds towards clean energy initiatives that will help us build a sustainable and resilient future.

Together, we can create a healthier planet for ourselves and future generations.

For Your Aura

Want to learn more about your money story and discover your Aura? Take our quiz to find out your money personality today.

The Star: How climate activists are using moral persuasion to target Vanguard and work to shift trillions of dollars away from fossil fuels and into renewables.

The Thinker: On Wall Street, “socially responsible” investing is common sense, on Capitol Hill, it’s political.

The Empath: Mental health professionals are trying to find ways to talk about the climate.

The Activist: Climate activists protest the MOMA’s fossil fuel donors outside the museum’s biggest fundraising gala.

Ask the Expert

What is “divestment” and how does it help me fight the climate crisis?

Divestment refers to the process of removing investments from companies or industries that are involved in activities deemed harmful or unsustainable, such as fossil fuels. Divestment helps investors align their financial resources with their values and take action to fight climate change. Here's how it can help:

1. Aligning with Climate Goals: By divesting from fossil fuels, you can redirect your investments towards sectors that promote renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture, and other environmentally friendly initiatives.

2. Influencing Corporate Behavior: Divestment can encourage companies to reassess their business models, adopt sustainable practices, and invest in cleaner technologies. The collective divestment movement can put pressure on companies to transition away from fossil fuels and support the transition to a low-carbon economy.

3. Redirecting financial resources towards sustainability. By investing in renewable energy companies, green bonds, socially responsible funds, or impact investing options, you can contribute to the growth and development of industries that are actively working to address climate change.

4. Advocacy and Awareness: Divestment can serve as a catalyst for discussions about sustainable investing and the urgent need to address climate change.

While divestment is a powerful tool, fighting climate change requires a comprehensive approach. Supporting clean energy policies, reducing personal carbon footprints, and engaging in advocacy for systemic change are essential to address the climate crisis.

MARKET NEWS

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Let us know what you think of our newsletter and what additional content you would like to see! Reach out to info@aurafinance.io.

FORWARD TO A FRIEND

If you like the content in this newsletter, please share it with friends so they can receive our weekly newsletters and get early access to the Aura App!

_{This material has been distributed for informational and educational purposes only, represents an assessment of the market environment as of the date of publication, is subject to change without notice, and is not intended as investment, legal, accounting, or tax advice or opinion. Aura assumes no obligation to provide notifications of changes in any factors that could affect the information provided. This information should not be relied upon by the reader as research or investment advice regarding any issuer or security in particular. The strategies discussed are strictly for illustrative and educational purposes and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell, or an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. There is no guarantee that any strategies discussed will be effective. This information is not intended as a recommendation to invest in any particular asset class or strategy or as a promise of future performance. There is no guarantee that any investment strategy will work under all market conditions or is suitable for all investors. Before investing, please carefully consider your willingness to take on risk and your financial ability to afford investment losses when deciding how much individual security exposure to have in your investment portfolio. Past performance does not guarantee future results. There is a potential for loss as well as gain in investing. Aura does not represent in any manner that the circumstances described herein will result in any particular outcome.}

^{_{Aura provides some of the information in this newsletter under its Financial Counseling Service. The Financial Counseling Service is impersonal in nature, which means that the advice is not tailored to a Client’s, or group of Clients, individual needs and does not purport to meet the objectives or needs of specific Clients or accounts. Consequently, Aura does not rely on Suitability Questionnaire information that the Client inputs into the Platform to provide the Financial Counseling Service. The Financial Counseling Service is available to all Aura Clients. Consult with an accountant or financial advisor to find out if you're optimizing legal tax optimization strategies}}

Welcome to the 65th edition of Your Weekly Aura, a newsletter featuring must-read money and mindfulness tips and tricks from Courtney & Kelsey. This week we’re talking about making systems work for you. If you like this newsletter, please share it with your friends and subscribe below.

Window seat, please.

After my parents divorced, I racked up 1,000s of frequent flier miles traveling back and forth between Tulsa, Oklahoma and Baltimore, Maryland. Every take off, I’d peer out the window as we climbed higher and higher, watching the ground beneath me fall away.

I never get sick of coasting alongside white fluffy clouds. But when the turbulence picks up, part of me feels out of control and afraid.

I know I shouldn’t be up here - I’m not a bird, I’m not supposed to fly, and I’m definitely not supposed to be this high off the ground.

Flying wasn’t designed for me.

And yet another part of me is inspired. Human ingenuity made air travel, deep sea diving, and even space exploration possible. There is no limit to where we can go, when we dare to dream and build together.

Back in the day in the USA, you had to be a white man to have wealth, full stop. Back then you needed connections, property, and access to golf courses, country clubs, and back rooms at the bars. You had to be in the know to get onboard.

But then something changed: Wall Street was occupied, millions of people lost their homes, and an entire generation lost hope. Out of our collective despair, new technologies emerged to “democratize” access to the stock market.

15 years later, fintech innovation is making it easier than ever for anyone to start investing.

But instead of booking people on a smooth-sailing dreamliner with steady returns, we’re dropping them on tiny propeller planes, urging them to remain calm as the market bounces them around without any explanation about the turbulence surrounding them.

No wonder we’re afraid of crashing and burning.

When I first opened my brokerage account to start investing, I was greeted by a stark white background, a single blue square, and a litter of black, red, and green numbers.

I shouldn’t be here. I thought.

I’m not a numbers person.

This wasn’t designed for me.

I closed the page and did nothing.

Then I did my research. I talked to my dad, my wealth advisor ex-husband, and financially savvy friends. I watched tutorials, read books, and learned how to follow the market.

The next time I went back, I was prepared to take action. When I got scared, I reminded myself that buying any index fund was better than doing nothing.

And I made my first trade, and then another. One month later, I came back and did the same thing. Four years later, I’m still betting on myself and investing in my future, monthly.

I wish I could say I never look back, but I do.

Because turbulence is triggering.

Bouncing planes and bouncing markets have a way of reminding me, I’m not supposed to be here. This wasn’t designed for me.

But then I remind myself, just because the system wasn’t built for me doesn’t mean I can’t make it work for me.

Row 16 F - (window, exit seat). 

Maxing out my Roth IRA, every year.

Investing 15% of my paycheck, every month. 

It’s hard to fly without first taking a leap of faith and it’s still a good idea to pack a parachute. But, with a bit of ingenuity and careful planning, our dreams can soar.

For Your Aura

Want to learn more about your money story and discover your Aura? Take our quiz to find out your money personality today.

The Star: Emotional spender? Blame your brain. “Spending may give you a brief high, so you might overspend to feel better.”

The Thinker: Luxury in London: a case study on the wealthy, wealth disparity, and how the super rich shape cities to suit their tastes and needs.

The Empath: Despite their position as top earners, Asian-Americans are the least confident, hopeful, and optimistic minority group about their financial well-being.

The Activist: Why financial mindfulness must be part of your wellness routine.

Ask the Expert

What’s the debt ceiling?

The debt ceiling is a financial limit set by the US government on how much debt it can have. It's kind of like when you set a budget for yourself to control your spending. When the government hits that limit, it can't borrow any more money unless Congress steps in to raise or suspend it.

Now, why is everyone talking about it? Well, if the debt ceiling isn't increased, the government might not have enough money to pay its bills. It can cause a lot of problems, like delays in payments to people and businesses, and even a possible default on the government's debt obligations.

So what does that mean? The US has never defaulted on its debt; if it did, it could significantly impact the US credit rating. A credit rating is like your credit score, and right now the US has about a AAA rating (that’s like an 850 credit score). If it defaults, that could put the US at a much lower rating.

The whole debate around the debt ceiling is also tied to how the government manages its money. Some folks argue that it's an important check on government spending and debt, while others think it's risky and can lead to unnecessary political drama. Denmark is the only other country in the world with an absolute limit on its debt ceiling.

These days, with the national debt piling up, the debt ceiling issue has become even more significant. It has been raised or suspended in the past to accommodate the growing debt, but each time it becomes a hot topic of discussion among lawmakers.

What’s happening now? Late last night, The Senate passed a bipartisan bill to suspend the debt ceiling, which aims to cut federal spending by $1.5 Trillion over the next 10 years.

The bill, which Biden is expected to sign today, will defer the federal debt limit for two years. The government will be able borrow unlimited sums as necessary to pay it’s debt. In exchange for allowing the country to avoid defaulting on its obligations, the bill includes Republicans’ demands for two years of spending caps and a string of policy changes including imposing stricter work requirements for food stamp recipients.

From Biden, “The agreement represents a compromise, which means not everyone gets what they want. That’s the responsibility of governing.”

MARKET NEWS

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Let us know what you think of our newsletter and what additional content you would like to see! Reach out to info@aurafinance.io.

FORWARD TO A FRIEND

If you like the content in this newsletter, please share it with friends so they can receive our weekly newsletters and get early access to the Aura App!

_{This material has been distributed for informational and educational purposes only, represents an assessment of the market environment as of the date of publication, is subject to change without notice, and is not intended as investment, legal, accounting, or tax advice or opinion. Aura assumes no obligation to provide notifications of changes in any factors that could affect the information provided. This information should not be relied upon by the reader as research or investment advice regarding any issuer or security in particular. The strategies discussed are strictly for illustrative and educational purposes and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell, or an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. There is no guarantee that any strategies discussed will be effective. This information is not intended as a recommendation to invest in any particular asset class or strategy or as a promise of future performance. There is no guarantee that any investment strategy will work under all market conditions or is suitable for all investors. Before investing, please carefully consider your willingness to take on risk and your financial ability to afford investment losses when deciding how much individual security exposure to have in your investment portfolio. Past performance does not guarantee future results. There is a potential for loss as well as gain in investing. Aura does not represent in any manner that the circumstances described herein will result in any particular outcome.}

^{_{Aura provides some of the information in this newsletter under its Financial Counseling Service. The Financial Counseling Service is impersonal in nature, which means that the advice is not tailored to a Client’s, or group of Clients, individual needs and does not purport to meet the objectives or needs of specific Clients or accounts. Consequently, Aura does not rely on Suitability Questionnaire information that the Client inputs into the Platform to provide the Financial Counseling Service. The Financial Counseling Service is available to all Aura Clients. Consult with an accountant or financial advisor to find out if you're optimizing legal tax optimization strategies}}

Welcome to the 64th edition of Your Weekly Aura (formerly known as The Weekly Rundown), a newsletter featuring must-read money and mindfulness tips and tricks from Courtney & Kelsey. This week, we’re taking stock with this survey to better serve you. If you like the content in this newsletter, please share it with friends.

At Aura, we’re all about personalization and evolution.

Over a year ago, we started a newsletter to connect with you. Week after week, you opened, you read, and you clicked.

But now, you deserve better.

Your time is valuable. All the money in the world can’t help you when you run out of time.

In order to better serve you and make the most of your time, we need to know what you really want to read about.

Please invest ~2 mins today to answer our short survey, so we can pay dividends to you in the weeks to come with curated content that fits you.

Thank you!

Welcome to the 63rd edition of Your Weekly Aura (formerly known as The Weekly Rundown), a newsletter featuring must-read money and mindfulness tips and tricks from Courtney & Kelsey. This week, we’re talking about OUR BIRTHDAY and how we want to celebrate with our community. If you like the content in this newsletter, please share it with friends.

Happy Birthday, Aura!

Two years ago, we set out to do something radical.

We sought to build a transformative business with sound fundamentals that addressed both the emotional and practical components of personal finance.

When cash was flowing freely in Silicon Valley, pre-product founders could raise obscene amounts of money on absurd valuations.

Growth for the sake of growth was the name of the game. But not for us. As an ex-banker and lawyer operating in a highly regulated space, we doubled down on safety, security, and sound business practices.

It might not sound sexy, but we’ve built careers by betting on boring, and our bets are still paying off.

That’s because when it comes to investing, we want sound fundamentals, steady growth, and someone to hold our hand and tell us that everything is going to be okay.

It’s not just a coincidence that Financial Literacy Month (April) is followed by Mental Health Awareness Month. The two concepts are deeply entwined. That’s why we start with the basics of both: your relationship with money and your investing strategy.

Beliefs help us make sense of the world around us, they enable our brains to efficiently categorize and organize our ideas about how things can and should work. And when it comes to money, many of us have limiting beliefs that are holding us back.

I don’t deserve more money when others have so little.

I’ll never be able to afford to retire, I’m going to have to work until I die.

Money is the root of all evil.

Sound familiar?

You’re not going to change your relationship with money overnight, just like you’re not going to wake up a millionaire tomorrow.

Changing your beliefs is possible, but retraining your mind takes time - and so does growing wealth.

But you have time on your side.

As we go into our third year of being, we want to invite you to join us.

Do you feel called to explore your beliefs about money?

Are you tired of feeling like your bank account is a black hole where money disappears?

Can you imagine what it might feel like to wake up and be excited to check your bank account?

If you’re ready to take that first step - we’d love to support you.

Become a Founding Member and together, we’ll build the holistic, inclusive wealth management platform that we all deserve.

Sign up here to get early access to Aura.

Don’t want to wait? Sign up for our Free Mindful Money Management + Investing Workshop on Thursday at 12pm ET / 9am PT - we’d love to see you there.

For Your Aura

Want to learn more about your money story and discover your Aura? Take our quiz to find out your money personality today.

The Star: Americans are choosing lottery tickets and fortune tellers over financial planners.

The Thinker: Suffer from the Sunday Scaries? Try Bare Minimum Mondays. 

The Empath: The mental health costs of the non-stop scam economy.

The Activist: Millennials hitting middle age: this isn’t what we thought it would look like.

Ask the Expert

What’s the difference between a Roth IRA and a Traditional IRA?

A Roth IRA and a Traditional IRA are both retirement accounts, but they differ in how they are taxed.

A Traditional IRA allows you to contribute pre-tax dollars, which means you get a tax break now, but you will have to pay taxes on your withdrawals in retirement. On the other hand, a Roth IRA is funded with after-tax dollars, which means you won't get a tax break now, but your withdrawals in retirement will be tax-free.

Another key difference is when you pay taxes. With a Traditional IRA, you pay taxes when you withdraw money from the account in retirement. With a Roth IRA, you pay taxes up front, but then your withdrawals in retirement are tax-free.

In general, if you expect to be in a higher tax bracket in retirement, a Roth IRA might be a better choice. If you expect to be in a lower tax bracket in retirement, a Traditional IRA might be a better choice. It's also important to consider your current tax situation and your retirement goals before deciding which type of IRA is right for you.

And remember, IRAs are not just about retiring and your future self. They are about loving your future self today AND lowering your taxable income.

MARKET NEWS

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Let us know what you think of our newsletter and what additional content you would like to see! Reach out to info@aurafinance.io.

FORWARD TO A FRIEND

If you like the content in this newsletter, please share it with friends so they can receive our weekly newsletters and get early access to the Aura App!

_{This material has been distributed for informational and educational purposes only, represents an assessment of the market environment as of the date of publication, is subject to change without notice, and is not intended as investment, legal, accounting, or tax advice or opinion. Aura assumes no obligation to provide notifications of changes in any factors that could affect the information provided. This information should not be relied upon by the reader as research or investment advice regarding any issuer or security in particular. The strategies discussed are strictly for illustrative and educational purposes and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell, or an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. There is no guarantee that any strategies discussed will be effective. This information is not intended as a recommendation to invest in any particular asset class or strategy or as a promise of future performance. There is no guarantee that any investment strategy will work under all market conditions or is suitable for all investors. Before investing, please carefully consider your willingness to take on risk and your financial ability to afford investment losses when deciding how much individual security exposure to have in your investment portfolio. Past performance does not guarantee future results. There is a potential for loss as well as gain in investing. Aura does not represent in any manner that the circumstances described herein will result in any particular outcome.}

^{_{Aura provides some of the information in this newsletter under its Financial Counseling Service. The Financial Counseling Service is impersonal in nature, which means that the advice is not tailored to a Client’s, or group of Clients, individual needs and does not purport to meet the objectives or needs of specific Clients or accounts. Consequently, Aura does not rely on Suitability Questionnaire information that the Client inputs into the Platform to provide the Financial Counseling Service. The Financial Counseling Service is available to all Aura Clients. Consult with an accountant or financial advisor to find out if you're optimizing legal tax optimization strategies}}

Welcome to the 62nd edition of Your Weekly Aura (formerly known as The Weekly Rundown), a newsletter featuring must-read money and mindfulness tips and tricks from Courtney & Kelsey. This week, we’re talking about the benefits of being basic. If you like the content in this newsletter, please share it with friends.

Back to Basic

Back in the 1800s, “basic” was used in chemistry to describe substances that were not acidic, and also formed the foundation of all other chemical compounds.

In the late 20th century, the term “basic” represented an largely innocuous term used to describe something easy, lacking in complexity - an otherwise sufficient, widely-accessible option or approach.

Then in the early 2010s, everything changed.

First they came for the pumpkin spice lattes, then the Ugg boots, and finally, the yoga pants.

A media-fueled, intergenerational (often woman vs. woman) war raged as tasty became tasteless, easy became lazy, and widely-appealing became shamefully unoriginal.

This was consumerism at its best.

After feeding us the value of all the basic comforts (probably with a 7% pink tax) and saturating the market for basic goods, the market saw an opportunity to turn around and sell the value of non-basic, originals.

Everyone’s getting played, while the players get paid.

It’s time to break the excessive consumerism cycle and take back “basic.”

Living in The Bahamas, I don’t have much use for Uggs or PSLs, but yoga pants are a staple of my wardrobe and after Covid, I know I’m not alone.

They are comfortable, cozy, and a happy compromise when you work from home, but common courtesy requires you to put pants on.

As an entrepreneur, I’d love for people to find my product basic. “Easy, accessible, and widely-adopted” sounds like an ideal product review.

That’s why when it comes to personal finance, we always recommend starting with the basics:

Step 1: Build an emergency savings

Step 2: Prioritize debt (payoff high interest debt first)

Step 3: Max out tax-advantaged accounts

Step 4: Invest in a values-driven brokerage account to grow wealth and achieve your financial goals

You are a magical unicorn with your own unique money story, and when it comes to your relationship with money, it’s likely anything but basic.

But when it comes to financial freedom, it pays to invest in the basics.

For Your Aura

Want to learn more about your money story and discover your Aura? Take our quiz to find out your money personality today.

The Star: 4 expensive tricks retailers use to make you buy more.

The Thinker: Do these 3 things to be happy (according to a Finnish psychologist.)

The Empath: Forgot to file your Taxes in 2019? You still can if you want a refund.

The Activist: Money can buy happiness.

Ask the Expert

What happened with the FRB this weekend?

Over the weekend, First Republic Bank (FRB) became the latest victim in the ongoing disruption of the banking industry and went into receivership on Friday. That means FRB failed and the FDIC took over the bank. By Monday, it was announced that JPMorgan Chase would acquire FRB’s operations and assets in a deal worth around $15 billion. That’s a pretty big discount given the bank was worth 22B in 2022 and 37B in 2021.

FRB was known for serving high net worth clients and its white glove service.

The deal is seen as a strategic move for JPMorgan, as it allows the bank to expand its reach in wealth management and provide more comprehensive services to clients. It also positions JPMorgan as a stronger competitor to other wealth management firms, such as Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. JPM now controls over 10% of consumer deposits in the US - despite the 10 percent deposit cap (see Federal Reserve order).

JPMorgan has stated that it intends to maintain the First Republic brand and keep its existing management team. The acquisition is expected to be completed in the coming months, pending regulatory approvals.

Kelsey Willock, Aura Co-Founder & CEO

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_{This material has been distributed for informational and educational purposes only, represents an assessment of the market environment as of the date of publication, is subject to change without notice, and is not intended as investment, legal, accounting, or tax advice or opinion. Aura assumes no obligation to provide notifications of changes in any factors that could affect the information provided. This information should not be relied upon by the reader as research or investment advice regarding any issuer or security in particular. The strategies discussed are strictly for illustrative and educational purposes and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell, or an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. There is no guarantee that any strategies discussed will be effective. This information is not intended as a recommendation to invest in any particular asset class or strategy or as a promise of future performance. There is no guarantee that any investment strategy will work under all market conditions or is suitable for all investors. Before investing, please carefully consider your willingness to take on risk and your financial ability to afford investment losses when deciding how much individual security exposure to have in your investment portfolio. Past performance does not guarantee future results. There is a potential for loss as well as gain in investing. Aura does not represent in any manner that the circumstances described herein will result in any particular outcome.}

 

Welcome to the 61st edition of Your Weekly Aura, a newsletter featuring must-read money and mindfulness tips and tricks from Courtney & Kelsey. This week we’re talking about breaking the silence on society’s expectations around money and work.

Loud Silence

Money talk is all around us.

From finfluencers promising to help you get rich quick to political pundits talking about the health of the economy - even our friends at NASDAQ hosted us for Trade Talks.

Everywhere we turn, someone is telling us how to make money, how to spend it, and how happy more of it will make us. But who’s teaching us how to talk about money?

No one.

People talk about the $68 Trillion wealth transfer, but is anyone actually helping millennials navigate the transition from child to caregiver and decision-maker? Family members (mostly women) spend an average of 24 hours per week providing elder care to loved ones. That’s more than a part-time job and they rarely, if ever, receive any compensation.

In her book, "Fair Play," Eve Rodsky interviews dozens of homosexual couples about their household division of labor. Because they don’t have traditional gender norms to fall back on, the couples Rodsky spoke to had more open and honest conversations about partnership expectations and how to divide household responsibilities equitably.

We need new frameworks.

Caregiving is undervalued. Manliness is determined by your ability to provide. And Parents are expected to work like they don’t have kids and parent like they don’t have jobs.

The patriarchy hurts everyone.

It’s time to break the silence.

So tell me, how are you managing household responsibilities? Do you feel like it’s fair? Have you said anything? Why or why not? Don’t be shy, hit reply!

With gratitude,

Courtney

For Your Aura

Want to learn more about your money story and discover your Aura? Take our quiz to find out your money personality today.

The Star: The Sports Bra. Jenny Nguyen used her life savings to open a sports bar that plays only women’s sports and it brought in $1M in just eight months.

The Thinker: Banks are offering high rates on CDs now, but they might not last.

The Empath: After 3 years, student debt repayments are expected to resume soon.

The Activist: An open letter to buy no, pay later companies: “Your product is like cigarettes for our financial lives.”

What is an Index?

In finance, an index is like a report card for a group of securities, such as stocks or bonds.

Think of it this way: just like how a teacher uses a grading scale to evaluate the performance of their students, investors use an index to evaluate the performance of a specific market or sector.

For example, the S&P 500 is an index that tracks the performance of the 500 largest publicly traded companies in the United States. This index is a popular benchmark for investors to evaluate the performance of their own stock portfolios or to compare the performance of different mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track the index.

Indexes are usually weighted by market capitalization, meaning that larger companies have a greater impact on the index than smaller ones. Some indexes are also weighted differently, such as by equal weight or by fundamental factors like revenue or earnings.

You can’t invest directly into an index, but you can buy index funds and ETFs to “track” indexes like the S&P 500.

It's important to keep in mind that indexes are not a guarantee of investment success and past performance does not guarantee future returns. As always, it's important to do your research and consult with a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

MARKET NEWS

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Let us know what you think of our newsletter and what additional content you would like to see! Reach out to info@aurafinance.io.

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If you like the content in this newsletter, please share it with friends.

Want to receive early access to the Aura App? Make 5 referrals and you’ll jump to the front of the line for access to our Personal Finance 101 Workshop and get exclusive access to our best-in-class investing platform.

_{This material has been distributed for informational and educational purposes only, represents an assessment of the market environment as of the date of publication, is subject to change without notice, and is not intended as investment, legal, accounting, or tax advice or opinion. Aura assumes no obligation to provide notifications of changes in any factors that could affect the information provided. This information should not be relied upon by the reader as research or investment advice regarding any issuer or security in particular. The strategies discussed are strictly for illustrative and educational purposes and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell, or an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. There is no guarantee that any strategies discussed will be effective. This information is not intended as a recommendation to invest in any particular asset class or strategy or as a promise of future performance. There is no guarantee that any investment strategy will work under all market conditions or is suitable for all investors. Before investing, please carefully consider your willingness to take on risk and your financial ability to afford investment losses when deciding how much individual security exposure to have in your investment portfolio. Past performance does not guarantee future results. There is a potential for loss as well as gain in investing. Aura does not represent in any manner that the circumstances described herein will result in any particular outcome. Aura provides some of the information in this newsletter under its Financial Counseling Service. The Financial Counseling Service is impersonal in nature, which means that the advice is not tailored to a Client’s, or group of Clients, individual needs and does not purport to meet the objectives or needs of specific Clients or accounts. Consequently, Aura does not rely on Suitability Questionnaire information that the Client inputs into the Platform to provide the Financial Counseling Service. The Financial Counseling Service is available to all Aura Clients. Consult with an accountant or financial advisor to find out if you're optimizing legal tax optimization strategies}

 

Welcome to the 60th edition of Your Weekly Aura, a newsletter featuring must-read money and mindfulness tips and tricks from Courtney & Kelsey. This week we’re talking about what it means to be a whole person deserving of holistic financial care.

Sh*t Happens.

Happy Post-Tax Day and Financial Literacy Month.

I had a brilliant original piece for all of you that delved into the history of the Federal Tax Code and what it means to be financially mindful taxpayer.

It was one of my better emails, and then my newsletter editor BeeHiiv crashed.

As a consumer, I was outraged. As a start-up founder, I’m deeply empathetic. As a writer, I’m inspired. And as a small business owner, I’m completely exhausted.

And because I am not just one single person, I can hold these competing, conflicting feelings simultaneously. They can all be equally true at the same time. And while each of these pieces makes me relatable to others, it is the sum of my parts that makes me uniquely me.

None of us are just one thing and we shouldn’t invest like we are.

As a Thinker, I am focused on investing strategically to generate solid returns that will enable me to grow wealth and live comfortably in retirement. As an Activist, I want to ensure my investments are supporting the companies and causes I care about. As a child of divorce, I believe money is a paradox that simultaneously represents both power and weakness, security and conflict. And as a Millennial, I am committed to following a long-term strategy, because I know I cannot rely on our crumbling social safety net.

We are the product of our experiences, our communities, and our inherited beliefs. A truly holistic wealth management approach should serve us as the whole person we already are, and grow with us as we continue to evolve into the whole people we are meant to be.

For Your Aura

Want to learn more about your money story and discover your Aura? Take our quiz to find out your money personality today.

The Star: What should movie tickets cost?

The Thinker: Survey says Millennials are as likely to consult a fortune teller as a financial advisor & more familiar with Elon Musk’s net worth than their own family.

The Empath: How do single people navigate the “Single’s Tax”?

The Activist: Over 60% of people have taxes so simple, the IRS could do them automatically.

🚨UPCOMING EVENT: 🚨

Aura is going to the Big Apple. If you’re in New York City on Monday morning, please join us in Times Square to see Aura featured on the NASDAQ screen at 9:55 AM after the opening bell!

Ask The Experts

How can I use investing to help me pay down my student loans?

As someone who graduated with more than 14 student loans totaling over $150k in debt, I understand the stress and anxiety that can come with paying off such a significant amount of debt.

When it comes to managing your student loans, it's important to prioritize your debt based on interest rates. High-interest debt, such as credit card debt or loans with high-interest rates, should be prioritized to avoid accumulating more debt. Low-interest debt, such as student loans, comes next. It can also be managed while building up your savings. For me, I continued to pay off my student loans while investing which in essence helped me offset my student loan interest rate.

While this strategy might not work for everyone, I was comfortable taking on significant risk in my portfolio while I had a stable, high-earning job working for Goldman Sachs. I was also able to leverage the expertise of some of the world's best investors. If you are not comfortable with that level of risk, that's okay.

Overall, managing your student loans and finances can be overwhelming, but it's important to prioritize your high interest debt first and consider all of your options. Remember to seek professional advice if you're unsure about your financial strategy.

Kelsey Willock, Aura Co-Founder & CEO

MARKET NEWS

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Let us know what you think of our newsletter and what additional content you would like to see! Reach out to info@aurafinance.io.

FORWARD TO A FRIEND

If you like the content in this newsletter, please share it with friends.

Want to receive early access to the Aura App? Make 5 referrals and you’ll jump to the front of the line for access to our Personal Finance 101 Workshop and get exclusive access to our best-in-class investing platform.

_{This material has been distributed for informational and educational purposes only, represents an assessment of the market environment as of the date of publication, is subject to change without notice, and is not intended as investment, legal, accounting, or tax advice or opinion. Aura assumes no obligation to provide notifications of changes in any factors that could affect the information provided. This information should not be relied upon by the reader as research or investment advice regarding any issuer or security in particular. The strategies discussed are strictly for illustrative and educational purposes and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell, or an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. There is no guarantee that any strategies discussed will be effective. This information is not intended as a recommendation to invest in any particular asset class or strategy or as a promise of future performance. There is no guarantee that any investment strategy will work under all market conditions or is suitable for all investors. Before investing, please carefully consider your willingness to take on risk and your financial ability to afford investment losses when deciding how much individual security exposure to have in your investment portfolio. Past performance does not guarantee future results. There is a potential for loss as well as gain in investing. Aura does not represent in any manner that the circumstances described herein will result in any particular outcome.}

Welcome to the 59th edition of Your Weekly Aura, a newsletter featuring must-read money and mindfulness tips and tricks from Courtney & Kelsey. This week we’re talking about the value of dropping dead weight.

Addition by Subtraction

Spring cleaning is about making time and space for the things that serve you by identifying and eliminating the blockers that are holding you back.

We’ve all had that friend.

The one who that spent most of their time insulting us, manipulating us, or otherwise making us feel badly about ourselves.

We held on because of our history, until we hit our breaking point, until we realized, we deserve better.

And once she was gone, we started to feel better.

For more than a decade, the center of gravity for the hit TV series Grey’s Anatomy revolved around Dr. Meredith Grey’s (Ellen Pompeo) relationship with Dr. Derek “McDreamy” Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey).

But after 10 seasons, the chemistry was fading and ratings were declining. Insider reports suggest that Dempsey’s off-screen drama was an issue on-set for with Shonda Rhimes, Pompeo, and the rest of the cast and crew. So the writers decided to shepherd Dr. McDreamy to an early, dramatic demise via car accident.

And the bet paid off. A post-McDreamy Meredith was forced to face her grief and learn to move on and carry the show without her love interest and co-star of more than a decade. This led to some powerful character development and an opportunity for the steamy cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Nathan Riggs, to mend her broken heart.

Eight years later, Grey’s Anatomy is in it’s 19th season and remains one of the highest rating dramas on television.

This is an example of “Addition by Subtraction.”

The premise is simple. Sometimes, you need to drop that toxic friend or cast member that is holding you back so that you can rise to new heights.

The same is true in investing.

Direct-indexing is an investment strategy that lets you personalize your investments according to your risk profile, personal values, and financial goals.

Let’s look at an example:

Nancy decides to invest in an index fund that tracks the S&P 500 (500 of the biggest U.S. companies), but becomes concerned about the future of the tech industry and one particular social media company, ZETA. She decides to use a direct indexing approach to build her own index fund that also tracks the S&P 500, but does not include ZETA.

A few weeks later, the U.S. Government announces that ZETA will pay a significant fine for illegal practices. ZETA’s share price tumbles with the news and Nancy's original S&P 500 tracking index fund takes a hit. However, because Nancy no longer has ZETA in her portfolio, she is shielded from those losses, and her personalized portfolio remains strong.

Just like the writers of Grey’s Anatomy killed off McDreamy to make the show and cast stronger, Nancy dropped ZETA to strengthen her portfolio.

In life and on-screen, relationships evolve. We learn to let go of what is no longer serving us to make room for new opportunities.

So, whether it's toxic friendships, casting choices, or investments, remind yourself that learning to let go of what's holding you back can help is the first step to regaining your strength and moving forward.

For Your Aura

Want to learn more about your money story and discover your Aura? Take our quiz to find out your money personality today.

The Star: De-influencing for dollars.

The Thinker: If you’re getting a W2, you’re a sucker.

The Empath: Looking Back: How ’Blurred Lines’ predicted everything that went wrong with pop culture over the past decade.

The Activist: Influencers are embracing their roles as gig workers — and they’re starting to organize.

🚨UPCOMING EVENT: 🚨

Join us on April 18th for a live discussion with the Founder and CEO of Sequin Credit Card, Vrinda Gupta.

Free for Aura Members, $15 for non-members. RSVP Here.

Ask The Experts

What is a high-yield CD (Certificate of Deposit)

A high yield CD is a type of savings account that you can open at a bank or financial institution. It's called "high yield" because it typically offers a higher interest rate compared to regular savings accounts.

When you open a high yield CD, you deposit a certain amount of money for a set period of time ranging between three months and five years. Typically, the longer the term, the higher the interest rate you might receive. During that time, the bank pays you interest on your deposit. The interest rate is usually higher than what you would earn in a regular savings account, which means you can potentially earn more money on your savings.

However, it's important to keep in mind that high yield CDs may have some risks. For example, if you need to withdraw your money before the CD matures, you may be charged a penalty. Also, the interest rates on high yield CDs can change over time, so it's important to be aware of that. It's a good idea to carefully consider the risks and benefits before investing in a high yield CD, and you may want to talk to a financial expert for advice.

MARKET NEWS

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Let us know what you think of our newsletter and what additional content you would like to see! Reach out to info@aurafinance.io.

FORWARD TO A FRIEND

If you like the content in this newsletter, please share it with friends.

Want to receive early access to the Aura App? Make 5 referrals and you’ll jump to the front of the line for access to our Personal Finance 101 Workshop and get exclusive access to our best-in-class investing platform.

_{This material has been distributed for informational and educational purposes only, represents an assessment of the market environment as of the date of publication, is subject to change without notice, and is not intended as investment, legal, accounting, or tax advice or opinion. Aura assumes no obligation to provide notifications of changes in any factors that could affect the information provided. This information should not be relied upon by the reader as research or investment advice regarding any issuer or security in particular. The strategies discussed are strictly for illustrative and educational purposes and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell, or an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. There is no guarantee that any strategies discussed will be effective. This information is not intended as a recommendation to invest in any particular asset class or strategy or as a promise of future performance. There is no guarantee that any investment strategy will work under all market conditions or is suitable for all investors. Before investing, please carefully consider your willingness to take on risk and your financial ability to afford investment losses when deciding how much individual security exposure to have in your investment portfolio. Past performance does not guarantee future results. There is a potential for loss as well as gain in investing. Aura does not represent in any manner that the circumstances described herein will result in any particular outcome.}