Hi! My name is Chris Elle Dove. I enjoy hiking, running, biking, exploring, and cooking. My ideal day begins while watching the sunrise over the mountains with coffee in hand and ends curled up in front of a fire with a book.
I have a Master of Sociology and another Master of Financial Planning and Financial Psychology. Having experienced stress and uncertainty—if I’m being honest, there was a time when just hearing the word “money” made me a little queasy—I’ve learned firsthand the extent to which not handling finances effectively can wreak havoc in your life.
Now that I’m in a completely different position, I realize how much calmer things become once you’ve achieved financial stability and security. Today, money is a tool that works in my favor, leaving me free to spend time on what truly matters, to focus on those things that money can’t buy. It’s nearly impossible to explain how releived I feel without constant financial stress weighing me down. Don’t get me wrong, I still have problems. I struggle, for instance, to maintain balance between my various roles. But money, which used to exacerbate nearly every other issue I had, is no longer a concern.
My unique combination of education and personal experience has led to a desire to help others with financial lifestyle design—to convey ways to use wealth to expand opportunities and possibilities, both personally and professionally. Pennies & Passion was formed to further those efforts.
What I Do (and Why)
I’ve worn many hats over the years. Much of my early professional life was spent sharing sociological insights with community college students. Regardless of the position I’m in, one of my top goals is to help couples and individuals alter their perception of and relationship with money.
I strive to provide information and insights that will help you:
- Cultivate a more secure, stable (low-stress) future
- Implement sound money management and investing strategies
- Align spending habits with your core values and desired lifestyle
Although the content may apply more broadly, my blog is written for those who want to carve a path to financial independence, learn to invest their own money, find financial harmony in their relationships, and pass both wealth and wisdom to their children.
Health & Happiness
My husband and I are far enough along in our FI journey that I’m able to dedicate a large chunk of my time to fitness, cooking, spending time in nature, and nurturing my relationships. In fact, this year we’re officially moving into the “Coast” phase of our journey, with plans to stop working for pay, entirely, within the next five to six years.
I feel incredibly lucky—and pleased by the results of our sacrifices, discipline, and years of planning—to have time to travel, chase my passions, read more, continue to learn, and cultivate new skills.
Investing
Many years ago, per my husband’s suggestion, I (hesitantly) looked into investing. It wasn’t something I ever saw myself doing, let alone enjoying. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
After six months of reading every book I could get my hands on, I bought my first stock for ~$400. It wasn’t long before I was sinking every dime we could free up into that brokerage account. I still love to read about the strategies of famous investors, listen to earnings reports, and discover new connections between macro factors and market movements.
A few years in, I was tracking our cash flow, had taken over our entire investment portfolio, and was managing a luxury vacation rental. What started as a way to bring in some extra cash to support the writing of children’s picture books had become a core part of my identity. Since then, it has transformed and enriched our lives in more ways than I can count.
I hope this site opens your eyes in ways that illuminates new possibilities and provides a wealth of information that can be used on your own path to financial independence!
penniesandpassion.com 