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Zina Kumok has been a freelance personal finance writer for about 10 years and joined C.H. Douglas & Gray Wealth Management as Associate Advisor and Marketing Manager in April. She has written for outlets such as Forbes, Business Insider, and US News, as well brands like TurboTax, Mint, and Prudential. She is also launching a speaking and workshop business focusing on financial literacy – ranging from high school students to adults.
My Maven Superpower is…Explaining complex financial topics in basic terms.
Best book I’ve read lately is…Fever in the Heartland by Timothy Egan. It’s a brilliant read and feels especially relevant as an Indiana (and Irvington) resident.
Self-care habit I swear by…Working out. Whether it’s running or powerlifting, I try to work out every day. It keeps me sane and provides a nice dopamine hit in the middle of the workday.
My first job was…Cataloging orchids in an Excel spreadsheet for an orchid collector.
The best career advice I can offer is…Don’t discount the small jobs or gigs – they might lead to something bigger.
A purchase I’ve been loving lately is…My Garmin 245 running watch. Ironically, I find that having a smart watch helps me be on my phone less.
I feel most confident when…I’m being active – being in touch with my body makes me feel like I can take on the world.
My favorite local restaurant dish is…The bourbon creamed corn from His Place Eatery.
The thing I’ve been binging lately is …Reruns of “Designing Women.” I watched it as a kid with my mom, but it still holds up today!
A fun fact about me is…I used to be a sportswriter in college and have interviewed famous athletes like Alex Rodriguez, Tim Duncan, and Chipper Jones.
The skill I most want to learn is…Dance – I’ve been taking classes at Danceworks downtown for a few weeks.
A Maven you should know is…Jessica Lowery – one of my best friends and also a new Maven!
My favorite nonprofit to support is…FORCE (Facing Hereditary Cancer Empowered) – It’s the non-profit I volunteer with as a peer support guide. It’s a national non-profit designed to help those with a genetic predisposition to cancer.
What have you achieved recently that you’d like to celebrate with our community?…I recently got to interview the screenwriter of “Die Hard” for a personal finance/pop culture article. I’ve seen “Die Hard” more than 15 times, so it was definitely a pinch-me moment!
What’s next for you? What can we expect to see over the next few years?…I hope to continue to grow my speaking and financial literacy workshop business.
I feel most myself when…When I’m helping someone understand finance one-on-one. We don’t learn about money at home or in school, and everyone feels ashamed for not knowing more about money. I love breaking down those walls and helping someone understand finance in a way that could change their life.
My “must-have” product is…Aerie offline bike shorts – they’re the best for running.
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