Ever find yourself awake at 3 a.m., wondering what your finances really look like? Many of us carry the weight of financial stress in our heads, without ever putting the full picture on paper. In part one of this two-part episode, Dr. Michael Liersch, Chief Planning Officer at Edelman Financial Engines, sits down with EFE financial planner Laela Erickson to explore how to break the cycle of “mental accounting” to give yourself better peace of mind. They discuss why understanding your real spending, planning for changing expenses over time and aligning your money with your values can help replace uncertainty with confidence – and turn financial planning into a tool for a more fulfilling life.