Young adults in their 20s and 30s face unique pressures as they establish independence, build careers, and manage relationships, all while living with hemophilia B. Adulting Unlocked offers resources, mentorship, and community to help navigate insurance, employment, and mental health. By addressing the realities of adulthood head-on, building confidence and tools to thrive in their personal and professional lives.

Speaker Shari Carlson will join us for the second session in our Adulting Unlocked virtual meeting, Managing Your Money in Tough Times. Financial stress can feel overwhelming, but avoiding the numbers only makes things harder. This practical session breaks down the basics of everyday money management in a clear and approachable way. We’ll look at how to understand a paycheck, build a realistic budget, navigate credit cards and debt, and think about emergency savings. Participants will leave with simple tools, greater confidence, and a clearer sense of where their money is going.

Shari Carlson entered the financial industry in 2010 and became a financial advisor in 2019. Over time, she developed a deep passion for financial education and supporting clients in a way that aligns with their individual goals and dreams. As the owner of Unity Wealth Strategies, Shari takes pride in offering personalized financial guidance, focusing on advocating for her clients’ best interests by meeting them where they are and guiding them to create strategies tailored to their needs.

Shari holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Regis University, which she leverages not only to understand the emotional aspects of her clients’ financial decisions but also to lead with empathy and insight. Her psychology background allows her to approach leadership with a deeper understanding of human behavior, motivation, and decisionmaking. This enables her to create a more supportive and collaborative environment, both for her clients and her team, recognizing that trust and confidence are at the core of successful financial planning.

Raised in Divide, Colorado, Shari now lives in Colorado Springs, where she is the primary caregiver for her son. Balancing her professional life with caregiving has further strengthened her commitment to creating flexible financial strategies that adapt to the evolving needs of her clients. Shari's ability to combine financial expertise with psychological insight allows her to provide well-rounded support that considers both the numbers and the person behind them