New Contributor Alert: She Gets Money, and She Gets You

📣 Big News: Summit City Scoop Welcomes Maddison Knafel, Holistic Financial Planner and New Financial Content Contributor

Let’s talk about money for a second. Not the “retire-at-40-and-buy-a-yacht” kind of money, just the “can I breathe a little easier” kind.

We’re excited to announce that Maddison Knafel, a holistic financial planner with Northwestern Mutual, is officially joining the Summit City Scoop as our Financial Content Contributor. What does that mean for you? It means you’re about to get real, useful tips on how to make your money work smarter, not harder, for the life you’re actually living.

“Small, consistent steps lead to big results.” That’s Maddison’s motto, and it fits perfectly with everything we’re about here.

Think about it: Getting in shape doesn’t start with running a marathon. It starts with walking around the block without cussing out your sneakers. Pulling off a nice dinner for the family doesn’t just Uber itself to your table. You make a plan, buy groceries, chop things up, and try not to burn the garlic bread.

And yet, when it comes to money, most of us are told we should just “figure it out,” maybe after skipping the Starbucks and cutting Netflix. Cool. So now we’re tired, broke, and caffeine-deprived. That’s not a plan. That’s punishment.

Maddison doesn’t believe in that. And neither do we.

We asked her why she does what she does, and her answer hit home:

“I grew up in a split home due to financial stress. That impacted my life so greatly that I’ve always had a very different relationship with money. I was inspired by seeing how overwhelming life can feel without a plan. I wanted to empower women, families, and business owners to feel in control of their money and confident about their future.”

That’s not a pitch. That’s someone who gets it.

Maddison takes a holistic approach, looking at your budget, lifestyle, goals, habits, and yes, even your emotional relationship with money. No one’s judging your Amazon order history here. This is about progress, not perfection.

Every newsletter issue now includes Maddison’s Financial Hacks:  quick, simple tips you can actually use. No jargon, no lectures. Just smart moves that help you feel a little more in control.

She’ll also share a monthly case study, showing how people just like you, who were doing fine, got on track to do great by taking a few intentional steps. From building an emergency fund to starting a business, or even planning that “someday” retirement, you’ll see how far small actions can take you.

Let’s be honest. Money can’t buy happiness, but it can sure reduce stress and resentment when life throws curveballs.

Because whether it’s a blown transmission, a surprise medical bill, or your friend yelling, “Who’s up for a last-minute trip to Saint Lucia?” money won’t grow on trees when every life event is trying to chop it down.

You don’t need to be rich to feel more secure. You just need a plan that fits your life.

If you’ve ever thought, “I know I should be doing something with my money… but I don’t even know where to start,” you’re not alone.

Maddison is offering a free, no-pressure financial and lifestyle check-in to Summit City Scoop readers. It’s a simple, helpful conversation to see what’s possible, without taking away the avocado toast.

Whether you want to save $25 a week, start a college fund, or explore buying a business, this is the first small step that sets big things in motion.

You’ll be glad you did. And yes, you can keep the Netflix.

“Maddison is a paid contributor/sponsor of Summit City Scoop. Content is for informational purposes and is not financial advice. Always consult a licensed advisor. Summit City Scoop may receive compensation for qualified leads.”