MoneyTalks 50+

In the season 8 finale of Money Talks 50+, Retirement Reality Check, Jess will discuss a number of local, federal, national, and supportive resources that can make navigating your golden years a little easier.  NOTE: phone numbers and websites provided are accurate as of September 2026.  ElderWatch does not provide financial or legal advice.  For more information about ElderWatch, check us out onl...

One of ElderWatch's goals is to protect Coloradans 50+ from fraud and scams. Join Jess as she reviews some of the common tactics used by scammers, provides information related to which scams were most commonly reported to the ElderWatch helpline in 2025, and offers resources for what to do next if you've experienced a scam.  ElderWatch does not provide financial or legal advice.  For mor...

We've all heard of Social Security and Medicare, but do you know how benefits are calculated, what they cover, and how choices you make before it's even time to claim benefits can impact your benefits in retirement? Join Jess as she dives into these important, but often misunderstood, programs.  ElderWatch does not provide financial or legal advice.  For more information about ElderWatch...

You've hit your retirement savings goal, but what does that mean for your budget going forward? Join Jess as she discusses some of the considerations and changes that go into creating a successful retirement budget, compared to a budget in your working life. ElderWatch does not provide financial or legal advice.  For more information about ElderWatch, check us out online: https://www.aarp.org...

After years of saving for retirement, when it finally comes time to enjoy your nest egg, will you be able to? Today Jess is talking about a retirement spending paradox: why do retirees with more than enough saved for retirement sometimes struggle to enjoy the fruits of their labor? ElderWatch does not provide financial or legal advice.  For more information about ElderWatch, check us out online: h...

As more Americans work beyond traditional retirement age, the question is no longer whether people can work after 65, but why they do. In this episode, we explore how current workers can build greater retirement flexibility, things to consider when returning to the workforce if savings fall short, and how work can provide purpose, connection, and fulfillment during "retirement." Whether...

The impact of inflation isn't something that's only felt by retirees, but because it reduces our spending power, it can be scarier and more confusing once you've exited the workforce. Curious about ideas for minimizing the impact of inflation on your life in retirement? Join Jess as she discusses ideas from experts on the impact of inflation in retirement.  ElderWatch does not provi...

The order of market returns matters more than most retirees realize. Join Jess as she discusses practical strategies to help protect your retirement savings from Sequence of Return Risk, whether you're preparing for retirement, nearing retirement, or already retired. ElderWatch does not offer financial or legal advice.  For more information about ElderWatch, check us out online: https://www.a...

Could a market downturn in your first years of retirement derail your financial plans? In this episode of MoneyTalks 50+, Jess explores the often-debated concept of sequence of return risk—the idea that market losses early in retirement may have a lasting impact on your portfolio’s ability to sustain you in retirement. Tune in to better understand one of retirement's biggest financial fears—a...

Welcome to the first episode of Retirement Reality Check, the newest season of Money Talks 50+! Today, Jess is talking about two different models that experts use to explain phases of retirement. Whether you're about to retire, just retired, or have been retired for some time, this episode is for you!  ElderWatch does not provide financial or legal advice.   For more information about ElderWa...

Welcome to another season of MoneyTalks 50+! For Season 8, we're discussing the realities of retirement when it comes to life and finances. We'll be talking about big concepts like the different phases of retirement that you might expect, and some of the concepts that might keep you up at night - like how inflation impacts your retirement portfolio. Join us as we discuss these concepts a...

On the season finale of Hidden Chapters, Season 7 of MoneyTalks 50+, Jess is giving you three financial tools that are helpful regardless of your retirement goals. Today, Jess will teach you about credit reports, credit freezes, and consumer reports.  Resources mentioned in this episode:  Credit Report Resources Annualcreditreport.com  Order your free credit report by phone: 1-877-322-8228 Credit...

Today’s minisode discusses a different kind of hidden chapter – cognitive biases and marketing techniques. Join Jess as she helps you spot different psychological techniques and traps that may lead you to spend and buy more than you need, or lead you to purchase things you didn’t need in the first place!    ElderWatch does not provide financial or legal advice.    Our music was created by OfShane....

Long Term Care is a hidden chapter that many people don't want to discuss, whether for themselves or for a loved one, but a bit of planning can make all the difference when it comes to this hidden chapter. Join Jess as she discusses some of the considerations that will help you evaluate a location, and provides some ideas on how to finance long term care.  In this episode, you'll hear Je...

Retiring outside of the United States is a dream for many, and may be a great way to reduce your cost of living; however, without proper planning and consideration of logistics and finances, this hidden chapter may be more difficult that you realize.  Join Jess as she discusses some of the common reasons that retiring abroad may be unsuccessful, provides some tips on choosing a location to move to...

75% of older adults want to stay in their homes, and 73% want to stay in their communities; however, 44% feel that a move is inevitable. When it comes to aging in place, there are many hurdles that must be overcome to make this Hidden Chapter successful. Join Jess for part 2 of her discussion on aging in place, where she will speak with experts on the subject to help your money make more sense whe...

Finances can be one of the first arenas where we begin to see the presence of cognitive decline, but do you know what some of the signs are?  In today’s mini episode, Jess will provide a high level overview of some of the financial indicators that might tip you off about the potential presence of cognitive decline.  Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Free Financial Tools (YouTube series) Nationa...

75% of older adults want to stay in their homes, and 73% want to stay in their communities; however, 44% feel that a move is inevitable. When it comes to aging in place, there are many hurdles that must be overcome to make this Hidden Chapter successful. Join Jess for part 1 of a 2-part discussion on aging in place, where she will speak with experts on the subject to help your money make more sens...

Topics that make us consider our mortality – such as estate planning and healthcare proxies – are things that many people don’t want to talk or think about. Unfortunately, leaving these things to chance – especially if you’re a solo ager – may result in situations that do not reflect our desires.  Join Jess as she explores what happens when someone passes away without a will in Colorado, and what...

Solo Agers are individuals who live alone, and who do not have children – or, whose children are unwilling or unable to provide additional support.  According to the US Census Bureau, there are approximately 22 million adults age 55+ who live alone, and an estimated 28% of them are childless. When we factor in adults 55+ who have children, but whose children are unwilling or unable to provide supp...

Buy Now Pay Later programs, also known as Point of Sale Loans, are increasing in their availability. In some ways, they are similar to traditional layaway with one huge twist, and many more possible financial consequences.  Join Jess to learn more about how Buy Now Pay Later programs work, as well as some of the contractual consequences and psychological pitfalls that can make this appealing payme...

Welcome to another season of MoneyTalks 50+! This season is called "Hidden Chapters."  Living the life you want in retirement takes planning, but there are some chapters that we hear about more than others when it comes to building the life we want. In Season 7 of MoneyTalks 50+, we'll be covering some of the chapters that people tend to know little about planning for, don't wa...

It’s the season 6 finale of Money Talks 50+! In today’s mini episode, Jess will be finishing out the season by giving you some tangible, practical ideas for stretching your retirement income. She’ll be talking a little bit about insurance brokers and senior living placement agencies, targeted advertisements and cookies, ideas to limit impulse buys in person and online, and some ideas for saving mo...

For our last long form episode of the season, we are rounding out our Investment 101 exploration with friend of the podcast, Brian McKinney! Brian is a Founding Partner and Senior Wealth Advisor at Collective Wealth Partners. He is a CFP, RICP, holds an MBA, and has worked in the field for over 15 years.  Following our investment chats with Gerri Walsh, Jess and Brian will help you better understa...

It's Wednesday, which means it's time for another mini episode! Today Jess is digging into simple, practical strategies to stretch a dollar, including tips for discounted summer activities! For more information about ElderWatch, check us out online: https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/elderwatch/