Dollars and Sense

Life can change in a single moment, leaving you to face roles and decisions you never expected. How do you move forward when grief collides with leadership, parenting, and identity? In this episode, Nicole Romito sits down with Jody LaVoie, Founder and CEO of The Grief Company, and CEO and Coach at Widows In The Workplace, to share how a sudden tragedy reshaped her life. She recounts becoming a so...

Managing money can feel manageable at first. But what happens when life gets more complex, and the stakes get higher? In this replay episode, Nicole Romito revisits a powerful conversation with Greg Bogdan, CFP®, Senior Advisor at Private Vista, LLC, about building the right financial team. They explore when a “team of one” stops being enough, how advisors, CPAs, and estate attorneys work together...

Retirement planning often focuses on finances, but the emotional and personal side can be just as impactful. What happens when work slows down, routines change, and relationships shift at home? In this episode, Nicole Romito and Mike McCabe, CFP®, CPC, Partner & Senior Advisor at Private Vista, continue their discussion by shifting from money to mindset. They explore the emotional side of reti...

Retirement often feels close long before the details are clear, and timing can shape how smooth the transition feels. Decisions around income, health coverage, and benefits tend to overlap more than expected. In this episode, Nicole Romito sits down with Mike McCabe, CFP®, CPC, Partner & Senior Advisor at Private Vista, to walk through what to think about in the final year before retirement. T...

Divorce brings emotional upheaval, but the financial uncertainty can feel paralyzing. Where do you even start? How do you protect yourself when you haven’t managed the finances? What team do you need, and how do you begin planning for a future you never imagined? In this replay episode, Nicole Romito revisits her conversation with Senior Advisor Delaney Orozco, CFP®, breaking down the financial si...

What happens after you reach financial independence? Many assume retirement means endless relaxation, but the reality is often more complex. How do you find meaning when career obligations no longer drive your daily routine? What brings fulfillment in this new chapter of life? In this episode, Nicole Romito revisits a conversation with Jeff Toner, CHFC®, RICP®, Partner at Private Vista, about movi...

Most women carry the weight of financial decisions while juggling careers, caregiving, and the pressure to simply “figure it out.”  In this conversation, Nicole sits down with nationally recognized money expert Terry Savage for a grounded, candid look at what women need to know at every stage of life. They unpack why time is one of your most powerful financial tools, the real impact of credit...

How does a kid from Louisiana with a 30-inch vertical jump become a leader in finance and coaching?  Senior Advisor Delaney Orozco joins Nicole Romito for a candid, energizing conversation about the surprising ways competitive volleyball has shaped her personal and professional path. From the sweltering heat of Southern softball fields to Virginia Tech’s Division I courts, Delaney shares how...

When aging parents or loved ones need more care, families often face overwhelming choices. How do you balance emotions with practical decisions? What resources exist to guide families through health, financial, and housing challenges? In this episode of Dollar$ And $ense, Nicole Romito speaks with Jennifer Beach, Advanced Aging Life Care Professional™ at Advocate For Elders, LLC. She shares her ex...

When aging parents can no longer live on their own, emotions and logistics collide.  In this powerful 75th episode of  Dollar$ and $ense , Nicole Romito is joined again by her Private Vista partners, Jeff Toner and Steve Merdinger, to share deeply personal and professional experiences navigating late-in-life transitions for aging parents. From legal blind spots to Medicare rules that no...

Starting the conversation about a parent’s care isn’t easy, but it might be the most important discussion you ever have. In this deeply personal episode, Nicole Romito is joined by her Private Vista partners Jeff Toner and Steve Merdinger for part one of a two-part series on navigating the emotional and practical challenges of aging parents who can no longer live independently. Together, they refl...

The college admissions journey can feel overwhelming for both students and parents. Between changing requirements, testing debates, and growing pressure to “stand out,” families are often left stressed and uncertain about what truly matters. In this episode of  Dollar$ and $ense , Nicole Romito sits down with Mary O’Malley, co-founder of Union Hall Admissions Advising, to bring clarity to thi...

What happens when a family business faces the question of “what’s next”?  In this conversation, Nicole Romito sits down with Justin Albertson, Vice President of Client Services at The Family Business Consulting Group, to unpack the delicate balance of transitioning a business while preserving family relationships. Together, they explore why the  family  side of succession is often m...

What happens when a strategy manager steps off the spreadsheet and into the spotlight? In this uplifting episode, Nicole Romito sits down with Private Vista’s own Michael Im, whose surprising love for performance arts like improv, acting, and choir has quietly shaped his approach to leadership, communication, and empathy in finance. Michael shares how growing up in a creative Korean American house...

What started as a simple hobby has grown into a source of joy, peace, and connection for one of Private Vista’s Client Service Associates, Sue Bolt.  In this special lifestyle episode, Sue joins host Nicole Romito to share how birdwatching has become a grounding force in her life, from childhood memories with her father to creating new experiences with her grandchildren. Sue opens up about ho...

Most people spend years preparing for retirement, but few feel fully prepared for what happens the day the paycheck stops. In this special roundtable episode, host Nicole Romito sits down with Private Vista advisors Greg Williams, Miles Johnson, and Julian Bell to answer the real questions clients ask as they move through accumulation and into decumulation. From how much to save, where to save, ho...

Some of life’s most meaningful moments aren’t about money—they’re about shared experiences.  In part two of this special series, host Nicole Romito welcomes back luxury travel expert Byrd Bergeron to explore how intentional travel can create lasting family memories that become part of your legacy. Whether it’s grandparents bringing multiple generations together or parents planning once-in-a-l...

Most people love to travel, but not everyone knows how to do it well.  In this vibrant, story-filled episode, host Nicole Romito is joined by luxury travel expert Byrd Bergeron to reveal the five travel mistakes people are making and how to avoid them. Byrd, the CEO of a thriving $13 million travel agency, shares eye-opening stories (including a pink penguin poop fact you won’t forget) and ta...

Ever wondered how the bond market could be your secret weapon in times of economic uncertainty? Strap in as Nicole Romito hosts Bill Campbell from DoubleLine in an eye-opening discussion on the oft-overlooked bond market and its role during turbulent times. Bill dives into the complexities of the current economic landscape, unpacking the ripple effects of tariffs, debt management, and U.S. domesti...

If you could buy a luxury car at half price overseas, would you hesitate? That’s how some investors view global markets right now. Nicole Romito chats with Matthew McLaughlin, CFA, CAIA, from Diamond Hill on this all-new episode of Dollar$ and $ense. Listen as they explore the dynamics of international investing, shedding light on the overlooked value opportunities outside the U.S. Learn why inter...

What role do emotions play in navigating divorce, especially when children are involved? Nicole Romito from Private Vista is back with Dr. Lydia Richardson for part two of their series on dealing with divorce. While part one focused on self-care for adults, this installment dives into supporting children through the emotional ups and downs of their parents’ separation.  Dr. Richardson, a seas...

What if divorce didn’t have to mean devastation, but instead, became a path to healing, clarity, and even joy? In this episode, Nicole Romito sits down with Dr. Lydia Richardson, a clinical psychologist and divorce mediator, to talk about what a  “good divorce”  really looks like. Together, they explore the emotional weight of this life-altering decision and how you can honor both your p...

What do the latest Medicare changes mean for your future?  Join Nicole Romito and special guest Carly Rosswurm, Director of Medicare Solutions at Ash Brokerage, as they unravel recent updates to Medicare, the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act, and more. Carly brings 19 years of expertise in Medicare solutions and breaks down the essentials you need to know, whether you’re approaching 65 o...

How Economic Data Shapes Our Financial Outlook with Ben Audley

What’s the biggest issue in a divorce? Hint: It’s not the relationship. Nicole Romito welcomes her colleague Delaney Orozco, CFP®, back to the show to dive into the complex world of managing finances during a divorce. With a focus on empathy and practical advice, Nicole and Delaney outline a three-phase approach to help listeners navigate this challenging life event.  Nicole and Delaney discu...