Widow, Wisdom & Wealth™: Thriving in Career and Parenthood After Loss

We're back to wrap up our discussion on easy personal finance wins. While crafting a comprehensive financial plan is crucial, sometimes making minor adjustments in your portfolio can yield significant benefits. Listen in as we share some more powerful strategies to help get your financial house in order.   Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: Analyzing the tax efficiency of your investm...

It's important to eventually get a comprehensive financial plan for yourself, but sometimes even just a few minor adjustments in your portfolio can make a big difference. Let's discuss a few easy places to start…   Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: Establishing the right amount of yield cash as a financial safety net Cleaning up some old life insurance policies Consolidating retireme...

Welcome back to Widow, Wisdom & Wealth! In this episode, we tackle the common complaints that arise during the financial planning process. Whether you feel like your advisor is taking too much risk, your account isn't growing the way you'd like, or you don't understand your financial plan, we'll discuss which concerns are well-founded, which are based on misconceptions, and offer insight on how re...

Are you over 55 and pondering retirement? Dive into the world of Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) with us. RMDs are a way for the government to collect taxes on your tax-deferred savings, such as traditional IRAs and 401(k)s. In this episode, Donna and Marc break down the basics of RMDs and explain how they are calculated based on your age and account balance. Listen in as we share strategies...

Losing a spouse is an unimaginably tough life event, but the financial implications can add another layer of stress to the grieving process. In this episode, we delve deep into the most common financial issues faced by widows and widowers, from dealing with income gaps to navigating tax changes as a single filer.   This is a topic that's close to Donna, having lost her husband in 2013 and facing m...

In this episode, we're back to discuss the complex and often emotionally charged process of changing financial advisors. We'll share the telltale signs that it's time to consider a switch, the questions to ask your current advisor, and what to look for in a new one. In part one, we focused on making sure that your financial advisor aligns with your needs and goals. In this episode, we talk through...

In this episode, we delve into the complex and often emotionally charged process of changing financial advisors. We'll discuss the telltale signs that it's time to consider a switch, the questions to ask your current advisor, and what to look for in a new one. Join us as we demystify the transition process and equip you with the knowledge you need to make informed decisions about who is best suite...

Welcome back to part two of our discussion on resolving financial tension between couples. In this episode, we'll explore five more common areas of financial tensions:   emergency fund size, charitable contributions, handling inheritances, insurance needs, and   financial management style. Stay tuned to   learn how advisors like Donna work to resolve   conflicts in these areas as they arise.     H...

Money can't buy love, but it can certainly start some spicy debates between you and your better half. In this episode, we're digging into the financial face-offs that make Monopoly fights look like child's play and exploring some money minefields that can test even the most solid relationships. Listen in as we explore how to resolve some of the most common financial sources of tension between coup...

Don't get us wrong. In many cases, your 401(k) can be your best investment vehicle, offering numerous benefits and tax advantages and many times a 100% return on some of your contributions (also known as an employer match). However, it's important to recognize that it might not always be the optimal choice for everyone. Join us in this thought-provoking episode as we dissect the reasons why someon...

Celebrate the spirit of July 4 th with our latest episode as we tackle the concept of Financial Independence. While the American colonists fought for freedom from British rule, we're here to discuss what you're striving to be independent from in your retirement. We'll unveil the common foes you'll face on the journey. And good news, no muskets required for these battles!   Here's some of what we'l...

Picture this: You're at your retirement party, finally ready to enjoy your golden years, but worries caused by some bad money habits have robbed you of fully enjoying the sweetness of the day. It happens to more people than you think, which is unfortunate because with just a little bit of modification, you can rid some of the worst money habits from your life and set yourself up for retirement suc...

Today, we're diving into a topic that affects everyone, regardless of age or financial status: how age and wisdom impact financial planning. No matter where you are in life, your financial goals and priorities will change over time, and it's important to have a plan that reflects your unique needs. In this episode, we'll explore the ways in which age and wisdom impact financial planning strategies...

We are excited to have Kyle Tevlin, the founder, and creator of  I Want a Fun Funeral , join us today. Kyle was inspired to create this unique funeral planning service after attending several funerals that left her feeling underwhelmed and disheartened. She noticed that many of these events felt somber and lacked the personal touch that she believed would better honor the lives of those being reme...

Are you aware that not all retirement accounts are created equal? In this episode, we'll delve into the different types of retirement accounts, including 401(k)s, IRAs, Roths, and more. We'll help you weigh the pros and cons of each and give you insights into the purposes they serve so that you can make informed decisions for your retirement plan.   Here's some of what we'll discuss in this episod...

Do you ever feel like your retirement planning goals are always moving? You're not alone. We've found that people often move the goalposts in their own retirement planning and most of the time to their detriment. In this episode, we're diving deep into the psychology of retirement planning and the dangers of moving the goalposts.    Here's some of what we'll discuss in this episode: The risk of wa...

Welcome to part two of our discussion about personality types and how your financial advisor should work with you. Last time we covered four different personality types, and we'll be continuing that theme today with the remainder of our financial personalities. Most people fit into one of 8 personality categories. Find out which one best describes you and what that means when it comes to financial...

Are you tired of one-size-fits-all financial advice that doesn't quite fit your unique needs and goals?  In this episode, we'll tackle the question of whether an advisor should tailor a plan to fit your personality. We'll discuss the pros and cons of different approaches and explore how understanding your financial personality can help you make more informed decisions.   Here's some of what we'll...

Are you confident that your financial plan is complete? Many people believe they have a solid plan in place, only to realize later that they've missed important areas. From not accounting for long-term care expenses to overlooking the impact of taxes on retirement income, there are many ways a financial plan can be incomplete. On this episode, we'll be pointing out the most common areas people ove...

In this episode, we'll discuss five of the most common financial fears that come up in our conversations with retirees and pre-retirees. When you have one of these fears, what can you do to address them? Donna will tell you what approach we take with clients and how proper planning can alleviate much of the worry. Here's some of what we'll discuss in this episode: How we help someone address the f...

Today's guest is Mark Davis. Mark is an estate lawyer with the law office, Connor Elder Law in Lafayette Hill. He has over 20 years of experience in the field of aging and disability services as a legal and public policy advocate. In this episode, we will discuss important aspects of estate planning. Mark shares his wisdom with us, from how to choose a lawyer to navigating establishing a will. On...

Sometimes it might seem like talking to your financial advisor feels like talking to a therapist, and that's ok. Let's discuss some scenarios where it's almost inevitable that a talk with your advisor seems like a counseling session. On this episode, we'll share: Discussing career difficulties with your advisor. (5:27) Does money stress you out? (7:30) Sometimes you just need a sounding board, and...

You need to make smart decisions during major life events, and we are here to help guide you. Whether it's a job change or divorce, we recommend taking three months to work everything out.  Most people like to think that they always make decisions based on logic and facts, but the truth is that emotions usually play a role for all of us in the decision-making process. We'll explain how to handle b...

Getting through retirement can be a lot like running a marathon. From planning and preparation to a proper diet, a lot of these skills work in both worlds. With marathons, you don't want to start to fast and tire yourself out before the finish. The same can be said for spending your retirement money. Today we'll share some of the similarities of getting to the finish line in racing and retirement....

Just like the lights on your dashboard can indicate if something is wrong with your car (like low tire pressure or leaking oil), there are indicators in your financial life that might point out that you have a problem that needs to be addressed. You might have watched your parents retire in their early 60s and think that's how it should still be for everyone. Have you considered that you'll likely...