Women's Retirement Radio: Recent Episodes
Russ Thornton
Retirement planning discussion and education for women (and their families) in their 50s and 60s who want to retire on their own terms. We'll cover Social Security, Medicare, tax planning, lifestyle considerations, financial planning, investing, and much more. I invite you to listen and subscribe.
Thank you for all your support and encouragement, but this is my final episode of the podcast.
I'm signing off.
That's right... I've enjoyed this experience and am glad I started it, but it's time to wrap things up here and move on to other projects.
You can find and follow me on any of the following:
- Website
- Blog
- Weekly Email Newsletter
Thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
And you can also check out this episode on on my YouTube channel.
Disclosures
In this episode of Women's Retirement Radio, I want to cover how much cash (liquid savings) you should keep and where you should keep it.
Should you use a big brick & mortar bank with a branch on every corner or an online bank? What are the pros and cons of each?
And how much liquid savings should you hold on to in the face of rising inflation?
I address these questions and much more in this short episode.
Get in touch and let me know what you think or if you have any questions.
And thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
And you can also check out this episode on on my YouTube channel.
Disclosures
In this episode of Women's Retirement Radio, I want to cover a topic that comes up regularly in my conversations with clients. And it's also a topic where there seems to be a lot of confusion.
It's Gift Taxes.
- How much can you give?
- Who pays the taxes?
- How many people can you give to?
I address these questions and much more in this short episode.
Get in touch and let me know what you think or if you have any questions.
And thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
And you can also check out this episode on on my YouTube channel.
Disclosures
In this episode of Women's Retirement Radio, I'm joined by Joe Casey.
Joe is an Executive Coach and Retirement Coach who brings extensive experience navigating transitions from his coaching work with clients and from his own life and career. He's also the founder of Retirement Wisdom and the Retirement Wisdom podcast.
Joe brings an interesting background and perspective to the topic of retirement, and I really enjoyed our conversation. I think you will too.
For more on Joe, please check out these resources:
- Joe Casey on Linkedin
- Retirement Wisdom website
- Retirement Wisdom podcast
Get in touch and let me know what you think or if you have any questions.
And thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
In this episode of Women's Retirement Radio, I'm joined by Brenna Baucum.
Brenna is the Director of Education and Communications at Money Quotient.
And Money Quotient is one of the leading financial life planning organizations in the financial services industry, training financial planners and advisors to develop financial planning engagements that transform lives.
I've had the pleasure of getting to know and work with Brenna through my training with Money Quotient, and I'm excited to have her join me and talk about the important work that she and Money Quotient are doing to help other advisors and their clients.
For more on Brenna, please check out these resources:
- Brenna Baucum on Linkedin
- Money Quotient website
- Money Quotient Partner Directory
Get in touch and let me know what you think or if you have any questions.
And thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
In this episode of Women's Retirement Radio, I'm joined by Perry Chesney.
Perry is a Wealth Management Consultant at HC Advisors in Atlanta. He's also a consultant with Red Rock Strategic Partners.
Perry serves a small, select group of high net worth clients in his Wealth Management Consultant role. And through Red Rock Strategic Partners, Perry consults with financial advisors and financial advice firms to help them deliver more client-focused advice and better outcomes for their clients.
I've know Perry for many, many years and I'm happy we could share this conversation with you.
For more on Perry, please check out these resources:
- Perry Chesney on Linkedin
- HC Advisors website
- Red Rock Strategic Partners website
- Perry Chesney on Twitter
Get in touch and let me know what you think or if you have any questions.
And thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
In this episode of Women's Retirement Radio, I'm joined by Laura Jalbert.
Laura is the owner of Mindful Transitions, an organization providing licensed clinical social work to seniors in the Atlanta area.
Laura and her team provide mental and emotional support for seniors who are dealing with changes related to aging, medical challenges, or living with a disability. And they provide these services at the senior's location.
Laura also recently joined me for a couple of episodes in my "caregiver series."
For more on Laura, please check out these resources:
- Laura Jalbert on Linkedin
- Mindful Transitions website
- Mindful Transitions Facebook page
Get in touch and let me know what you think or if you have any questions.
And thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
A few weeks ago, one of my listeners suggested a series of conversations on what it means for a woman to become a caregiver.
So I'm happy to share the 5th installment in "The Caregiver Series" with Paula Canaday-Daeke, owner of Fiscally Balanced, a daily money management provider.
In this conversation, we address when and how a daily money manager might be helpful, especially in a caregiving situation.
If you'd like to learn more about Paula and her work, please visit these links:
- Website
- Linkedin Profile
- Linkedin Company Page
- Facebook Page
Get in touch and let me know what you think or if you have any questions.
And thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
A few weeks ago, one of my listeners suggested a series of conversations on what it means for a woman to become a caregiver.
So I'm happy to share the 4th installment in "The Caregiver Series" with Corey Rieck, owner of The Long Term Care Planning Group, an insurance firm focused solely on long term care insurance solutions.
In this conversation, we address the pros and cons of utilizing long term care insurance to address a caregiving situation.
For more on Corey and his work, please go back and listen to our conversation in episode 25.
Get in touch and let me know what you think or if you have any questions.
And thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
A few weeks ago, one of my listeners suggested a series of conversations on what it means for a woman to become a caregiver.
So I'm happy to share the 3rd installment in "The Caregiver Series" with Lisa Kaufman, owner of SeniorCare Options in Atlanta, and Laura Jalbert, owner of Mindful Transitions, also in Atlanta.
In this conversation, we address the importance of self-care for the caregiver as well and thoughts on how to deal with a challenging and emotional situation that you almost certainly hadn't planned on...
Get in touch and let me know what you think or if you have any questions.
And thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
A few weeks ago, one of my listeners suggested a series of conversations on what it means for a woman to become a caregiver.
So I'm happy to share the 2nd installment in "The Caregiver Series" with Lisa Kaufman, owner of SeniorCare Options in Atlanta, and Laura Jalbert, owner of Mindful Transitions, also in Atlanta.
In this conversation, we cover some of the emotional challenges that go hand in hand with becoming a caregiver. These can include grief, sadness, anger, guilt, and even denial.
Get in touch and let me know what you think or if you have any questions.
And thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
A few weeks ago, one of my listeners suggested a series of conversations on what it means for a woman to become a caregiver.
So I'm happy to kick off "The Caregiver Series" with Lisa Kaufman, owner of SeniorCare Options in Atlanta. You may recall a conversation I had with Lisa in episode 19. back in June 2021.
In this conversation, Lisa and I set the stage for future episodes in the series and some of the topics we'll be exploring further.
Get in touch and let me know what you think or if you have any questions.
And thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
In this episode of Women's Retirement Radio, I'm joined by Jason Levoy.
Jason is a former divorce attorney who now works as a divorce coach.
He's based in New Jersey, but works with clients across the United States to help them navigate the divorce process and make more informed decisions. And as a former attorney, he provides coaching from a divorce attorney's point of view.
For more on Jason, please check out these resources:
- Jason Levoy on Linkedin
- Jason Levoy website
- The Divorce Resource Guy Podcast
- The Divorce Resource Facebook Group
Get in touch and let me know what you think or if you have any questions.
And thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
In this episode of Women's Retirement Radio, I'm joined by Dan Munster.
Dan is an Eldercare and Special Needs attorney in Atlanta.
He focuses exclusively on helping senior Georgia residents evaluate whether Medicaid (or other resources) can play a role in their care as they age.
A couple of key points we covered:
- Why Medicaid isn't sub-standard care.
- How you can often qualify for Medicaid even if you have assets and income.
- Why the best time to plan for your care is before you need it.
- And much more...
For more on Dan, please check out these resources:
- Dan Munster on Linkedin
- Dan Munster website
Get in touch and let me know what you think or if you have any questions.
And thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
In this episode of Women's Retirement Radio, I'm joined by Genie McGee.
Genie is an expert in all things Reverse Mortgage.
In the past I've been very critical of reverse mortgages. Any time I see a celebrity pitching a financial product on TV, I think it's a red flag to be extra skeptical. And I have been.
However, reverse mortgages - when done right - offer a lot of additional choice and flexibility to homeowners in the right circumstances. So listen to our conversation and see if you don't learn something.
I know I did...
For more on Genie, please check out these resources:
- Genie McGee on Linkedin
- Genie McGee website
- Genie McGee on Facebook
- Reverse Mortgage webinar recording
Get in touch and let me know what you think or if you have any questions.
And thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
In this episode of Women's Retirement Radio, I'm joined by Jim Anderson.
Jim is the founder and owner of Making College Worth It. He's an expert in all things college planning, and can help your student select the best college for their situation and improve their odds of not only graduating, but getting a job after college.
Beyond the college selection process, Jim also works with clients to figure out the best way to cover college costs which continue to rise at a healthy clip.
For more on Jim, please check out these resources:
- Jim Anderson on Linkedin
- Making College Worth It website
Get in touch and let me know what you think or if you have any questions.
And thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
In this episode of Women's Retirement Radio, I'm joined by Brian Yearwood.
I've known Brian for many years and in addition to working with him personally, I've referred several clients, friends, and family members to him for help with their mortgage financing.
Brian is an independent mortgage broker and we discuss why that's so important. We also cover how mortgage financing can complicate things when it comes to the marital home in a divorce settlement.
For more on Brian, please check out these resources:
- Brian Yearwood on Linkedin
- Custom Mortgage Services website
Get in touch and let me know what you think or if you have any questions.
And thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
In this episode of Women's Retirement Radio, I'm joined by Mark Ciucci.
Mark is a friend of many years and a recently retired financial services executive, and former financial advisor.
I've always appreciated and respected Mark's view on the topic of financial advice, so I was excited to have this conversation and share it with you.
And if you want check out what Mark is currently reading, here you go.
For more on Mark, please check out these resources:
- Mark Ciucci on Linkedin
Get in touch and let me know what you think or if you have any questions.
And thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
In this episode of Women's Retirement Radio, I'm joined by Lynn Cherry.
Lynn is the founder of Pickleball Fire.
As a lifelong athlete across many sports, Lynn fell in love with Pickleball when she first discovered it in 2018.
Since then, she's created a website, a magazine, a podcast, and more to spread the word and introduce more and more people to the fastest growing sport today.
For more on Lynn and Pickleball Fire, please check out these resources:
- Pickleball Fire website
- Pickleball Fire Magazine
- Pickleball Fire Podcast
- Pickleball Fire Facebook page
- Pickleball Fire YouTube channel
Get in touch and let me know what you think or if you have any questions.
And thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
In this episode of Women's Retirement Radio, I'm joined by Ronnie Genser.
Ronnie is the founder of Bereavement Navigators.
Since 2012, Bereavement Navigators has assisted widows and widowers with the myriad of non-legal, non-financial advisory, and non-accounting/tax tasks they are faced with after the death of their loved one. Bereavement Navigators' #1 objective is to provide services to make this sometimes painful process of navigating these tasks and the journey ahead easier for them.
In addition, Bereavement Navigators helps people organize their affairs while they are healthy or before a death is expected, in order to make the tasks their spouse/partner, other relative, or friend may face after their death much easier and less stressful.
For more on Ronnie and Bereavement Navigators, please check out these resources:
- Ronnie Genser - Linkedin
- Bereavement Navigators website
- Bereavement Navigators contact information
And here are a couple of links that were mentioned during our conversation:
- Smart911
- Genworth Cost of Care Survey
- Assistance League Atlanta
Get in touch and let me know what you think or if you have any questions.
And thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
In this episode of Women's Retirement Radio, I'm joined by Bob Fitzgerald.
Bob is an independent insurance agent specializing in Medicare Solutions in Georgia and the Southeast.
He works with the top insurance companies to offer clients the best coverage for their situation.
He design plans with a focus on risk management, low costs, and tax-efficiency, which he combines with personalized financial advice aimed at helping clients make better informed decisions..
For more on Bob and his Medicare work, please check out these resources:
- Bob Fitzgerald - Linkedin
- Georgia Medicare Plan website
You can also reach out to Bob directly at 678.402.1515.
Get in touch and let me know what you think or if you have any questions.
And thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
In this episode of Women's Retirement Radio, I'm joined by Kaye Ginsberg.
If you - or a loved one - have ever dealt with the potential overwhelm of downsizing and moving after being in your home for a number of years, you probably wished you had someone to simply take care of everything for you.
Well, I'm happy to introduce you to that someone... Kaye Ginsberg of Peace of Mind Transitions.
From the Peace of Mind Transitions website:
"Are you worried about helping your parent move when you live in another state or are faced with your own time constraints? You may be wondering how to start the whole move process.
Peace of Mind Transitions personally understands how difficult this change can be and we’re here to help make it as easy as possible!"
For more on Kaye and Peace of Mind Transitions, please check out these resources:
- Kaye Ginsberg - Linkedin
- Peace of Mind Transitions website
- Peace of Mind Transitions - Facebook
- Peace of Mind Transitions contact information
Get in touch and let me know what you think or if you have any questions.
And thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
In this episode of Women's Retirement Radio, I'm joined by Christine Luken.
As the Founder of the Financial Dignity® Movement, Christine has coached hundreds of high earning professionals to pay off staggering amounts of debt and massively increase their net worth. Christine’s book Money is Emotional: Prevent Your Heart from Hijacking Your Wallet has landed her almost 100 podcast and TV interviews, establishing her as the authority on money, mindset, and emotions.
When she’s not coaching clients from her home office in Cincinnati, you can find this Certified Divorce Specialist & member of the Financial Therapy Association curled up with a good book, a fluffy cat, and a strong cup of coffee.
For more on Christine and her Financial Dignity Coaching, please check out these resources:
- Christine Luken - Linkedin
- Money is Emotional Book (Get first 3 chapters free)
- Christine Luken Website
Get in touch and let me know what you think or if you have any questions.
And thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
In this episode of Women's Retirement Radio, I'm joined by Adam Kol, The Couples Financial Coach.
Adam is known as The Couples Financial Coach. He helps couples go from financial overwhelm or fighting to peace of mind, clarity, & teamwork.
He's also a Certified Mediator as well as a former attorney, and he has his own podcast (linked below)
For more on Adam and his Couples Coaching Services, please check out these resources:
- Adam Kol - Linkedin
- Couples Financial Coach - About Page
- Couples Financial Coach - Instagram
- Your Couple's Money Personality Type Quiz
- Couples Financial Coach Podcast
Get in touch and let me know what you think or if you have any questions.
And thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
In this episode of Women's Retirement Radio, I'm joined by Dr. Travis Parry of the Make Time Institute.
Travis is the author of the #1 International Bestselling Book “Achieving Balance”.
He is also the founder of the Make Time Institute. He’s earned several degrees in family and social science to better understand stress and goal achievement.
Dr. Parry helps business owners and financial professionals achieve work/life balance.
More importantly he is a homeschooling father of 6 incredible children and the husband to 1 amazing and talented wife of 18 years.
For more on Travis and the Make Time Institute, please check out these resources:
- Dr. Travis Parry - Linkedin
- Dr. Travis Parry - About Page
- Dr. Travis Parry - Facebook
Get in touch and let me know what you think or if you have any questions.
And thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
In this episode of Women's Retirement Radio, I'm joined by Kyla Lines of Richardson Bloom & Lines Family Law Attorneys.
Kyla handles all aspects of complex divorce cases, including child custody disputes, modification of child support, and modification of custody in Atlanta.
She is also a mediator and serves as an arbitrator. And she's very involved in the local Atlanta legal community.
Kyla and I cover a lot in our conversation. She even shared one of her favorite things... a cooking/recipe subscription from the New York Times.
For more on Kyla and Richardson Bloom & Lines Family Law Attorneys, please check out these resources:
- Kyla Lines - Linkedin
- Kyla Lines - About Page
Get in touch and let me know what you think or if you have any questions.
And thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
In this episode of Women's Retirement Radio, I'm joined by Alicyn McLeod of Atlanta Tax.
Alicyn is a CPA and a CFP with nearly 20 years of tax experience.
She specializes in tax planning and compliance for closely-held businesses, individuals, and not-for-profits. Many of her clients are women.
Alicyn and I cover a lot in our conversation. She even shared one of her favorite podcasts (other than Women's Retirement Radio, of course).
For more on Alicyn and Atlanta Tax, please check out these resources:
- Alicyn McLeod - Linkedin
- Alicyn McLeod - About Page
- Alicyn McLeod - Twitter
Get in touch and let me know what you think or if you have any questions.
And thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
In this episode of Women's Retirement Radio, I'm joined by Matt Regan of Wealthcare Capital Management.
Matt brings a unique perspective to our conversation as the President of my parent firm, a quickly growing financial advice firm with over 150 affiliated advisors and more than $4 Billion (with a "B") in client assets.
We cover a lot of interesting ground including Matt's background as an educator.
He even shares a book recommendation.
For more on Matt and Wealthcare Capital Management, please check out these resources:
- Matt Regan - Linkedin
- Matt Regan - About Page
Get in touch and let me know what you think or if you have any questions.
And thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
In this episode of Women's Retirement Radio, I'm joined by Tracy Gould Sheinin of Clarity Mediation.
I've been looking forward to having Tracy on the podcast to talk about mediation and its role in divorce.
But she also shares her perspective on things like communication, retirement planning for women, and a little about her personal background...
For instance, I learned that Tracy - growing up in the DC area - has attended 3 Presidential inaugurations. How cool is that!?!
For more on Tracy and Clarity Mediation, please check out these resources:
- Tracy Gould Sheinin - Linkedin
- Clarity Mediation - Facebook Page
- Clarity Mediation - Instagram
- Clarity Mediation - Email Newsletter Signup Page
Get in touch and let me know what you think or if you have any questions.
And thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
In this episode of Women's Retirement Radio, I'm joined by Amy Refeca of Atlanta Wills & Trusts Law Group.
I was especially excited to have Amy on the podcast as Atlanta Wills + Trusts Law Group is the only law firm in Georgia dedicated to helping women in the wills, trusts, powers of attorney and planning space.
In our conversation, we discuss estate planning and it's particular importance for women.
For more on Amy and Atlanta Wills & Trusts Law Group, please check out these resources:
- Amy Refeca - About page
- Amy Refeca - Linkedin
- Atlanta Wills & Trusts Law Group - Facebook Page
- Atlanta Wills & Trusts Law Group - YouTube Channel
Get in touch and let me know what you think or if you have any questions.
And thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
In this episode of Women's Retirement Radio, I'm joined by Corey Rieck of The Long Term Care Planning Group.
Corey is an expert in all things long term care insurance. Based in Atlanta, GA, he serves clients locally and across the country.
In our conversation, we discuss what long term care insurance is, what it isn't, and some considerations in thinking about whether or not this type of coverage makes sense for you and your family.
For more on Corey and The Long Term Care Planning Group, please check out these resources:
- Corey Rieck - About page
- Corey Rieck - Linkedin
- The Long Term Care Planning Group - Facebook Page
- The Long Term Care Planning Group - YouTube Channel
Get in touch and let me know what you think or if you have any questions.
And thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
In this episode of Women's Retirement Radio, I'm joined by Cherish De la Cruz of De la Cruz Law.
Cherish is an attorney who started her own law firm to provide seamless support to families and small business owners throughout Florida and Georgia
In our conversation, we discuss Cherish's background and personal family experience that really drives her passion to help families get the legal planning and advice they need.
For more on Cherish and De la Cruz Law, please check out these resources:
- Cherish De la Cruz - About page
- Cherish De la Cruz - Linkedin
- De la Cruz Law - Facebook Page
- De la Cruz Law - Linkedin Page
Get in touch and let me know what you think or if you have any questions.
And thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
In this episode of Women's Retirement Radio, I'm joined by Paulette Rigo of Better Divorce Academy.
Paulette is a Certified Divorce Coach and Mediator who helps women make it to the other side of divorce stronger, emotionally empowered, and better financially prepared for the future.
In our conversation, we discuss Paulette's background and personal experience with divorce and why it's so important to her to help other women navigate the divorce process.
For more on Paulette and Better Divorce Academy, please check out these resources:
- Paulette Rigo - About page
- Paulette Rigo - Linkedin
- Better Divorce Academy - Instagram
- Better Divorce Blueprint - Paulette's recently published book
Get in touch and let me know what you think or if you have any questions.
And thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
In this episode of Women's Retirement Radio, I'm joined by Carl Richards of Behavior Gap.
Carl is a friend and colleague of many years, and I've often referenced his work and sketches in my writing. In fact, I currently have 2 of his letterpress prints hanging on the wall in my home office.
In our conversation, we discuss Carl's background and why it's so important to him that people recognize money decisions are about our emotions and behavior much more than they're about using more information to make rational decisions.
Also, learn why Carl considers himself the "self-declared king of permission granting."
For more on Carl and the Behavior Gap, please check out these resources:
- Carl Richards - About Page
- Carl Richards - Linkedin
- Carl Richards - Twitter
- Carl's Book - The One-Page Financial Plan
- Carl's Book - The Behavior Gap
Get in touch and let me know what you think or if you have any questions.
And thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
In this episode of Women's Retirement Radio, I'm joined by Tara Winslow of Tara Winslow Homes, an Atlanta professional group specializing in residential real estate.
In our conversation, we discuss Tara's background and why she's so passionate about real estate and its ability to help women and their families build wealth over time.
And like me, Tara is also a Furman grad.
For more on Tara and Tara Winslow Homes, please check out these resources:
- Tara Winslow Homes website
- Tara Winslow - Linkedin
- Winslow Home Professionals - Facebook page
Get in touch and let me know what you think or if you have any questions.
And thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
In this episode of Women's Retirement Radio, I'm joined by Andres Mazabel of Trust&Will.com, a secure online platform making estate planning more accessible and simple for anyone in the United States.
In our conversation, we discuss Andres' background and why he's so passionate about the important work he and TrustandWill.com deliver to individuals and families across the country.
For more on Andres and TrustandWill.com, please check out these resources:
- Trust & Will Website
- Andres Mazabel - Linkedin
- Will vs Trust - What's the Difference? (educational article from Trust & Will)
And if you'd like to use Trust & Will, please click this link which will save you 10% off their published prices.
Get in touch and let me know what you think or if you have any questions.
And thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
In this episode of Women's Retirement Radio, I was joined by Lisa Kaufman of SeniorCare Options, a company she started to deliver Aging Life Care™ Management services specializing in senior advocacy, needs analysis, and care coordination..
In our conversation, we discuss Lisa's background and why she's so passionate about the important work she delivers to Atlanta families.
And congratulations to Lisa and SeniorCare Options for celebrating their 20th year in business at the end of July (2001 - 2021)!
For more on Lisa and SeniorCare Options, please check out these resources:
- SeniorCare Options Website
- Lisa Kaufman - Linkedin
- SeniorCare Options - Facebook Page
- SeniorCare Options - Blog
- End of Life Doula Services
- The Aging Life Care Association
Get in touch and let me know what you think or if you have any questions.
And thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
In this episode of Women's Retirement Radio, I was joined by Lei Redding of Redding Private Client, a company she started to deliver a boutique, client-focused solution to address the personal insurance needs of high net worth individuals and families.
In our conversation, we discuss Lei's background and why she's so passionate about her work. And also how she creates and hosts fun events to give back to her clients.
For more on Lei and Redding Private Client, please check out these resources:
- Redding Private Client - Website
- Redding Private Client - Linkedin
- Lei Redding - Linkedin
Get in touch and let me know what you think or if you have any questions.
And thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
In this episode of Women's Retirement Radio, I was joined by Barbara Bates Sedoric of LastingMatters.com, a company she created to help deal with the problem of "What's in your head is gone when you are dead."
In our conversation, we cover the The LastingMatters Organizer and why you should check it out for yourself, your family, and your friends.
For more on Barb and LastingMatters, please check out these resources:
- LastingMatters.com
- Linkedin - LastingMatters
- Linkedin - Barb Sedoric
- YouTube
And here are a couple of articles that have featured Barb & LastingMatters:
- Boos Bucket List - The Conversation Project
- Losing My Mother Inspired Me to Help Others - Like You - Huffpost
- LastingMatters founder Barbara Sedoric - NH Business Review
Get in touch and let me know what you think or if you have any questions.
And thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
In this episode of Women's Retirement Radio, I was joined by Paul Malley and Alexis Jacobs of the Aging with Dignity organization, creators of the Five Wishes planning tool.
In our conversation, we cover the Five Wishes program and why you should check it out for yourself, your family, and your friends.
For instance, who do you want to speak for you about your care if you're not able to speak for yourself due to an illness or accident?
And what kind of care would you want for yourself?
Does your family (spouse, siblings, parents, children, grandchildren, etc.) know how you want to be cared for in the event of a serious illness or injury?
Five Wishes is a plain-English, easy-to-use living will that is legal in 40+ states that can help you think through and address these important decisions.
Be sure to listen to this important episode to learn more about why you should consider completing your own Five Wishes document as well as sharing the tool with your friends, family, and co-workers.
Get your copy of Five Wishes here.
Get in touch and let me know what you think.
And thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
Many of you might be familiar with the concept of portfolio rebalancing, or the idea of strategically moving your investments back to their target investment mix - or allocation - from time to time.
Well, the same holds true not just for your investments, but also for your entire financial plan.
Things change - with your investments and with your financial plan - because of... life.
Of course, the market changes too, but we can't control that.
Which is why it's important to understand the benefits of rebalancing when it makes sense.
Get in touch and let me know what you think.
And thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
In today's episode, I want to introduce the idea of replacing the word "or" with "and" when it comes to certain financial decisions.
For instance, instead of "invest OR pay off debt", why not "invest AND pay off debt"?
I provide 2-3 examples, though there are many more.
Ultimately, rather than trying to simplify and reduce many financial decisions down to "either-or" I think there may some opportunities for you to instead think in terms of "this AND that."
Get in touch and let me know what you think.
And thank you for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
While we're all dealing with the anxiety and increased uncertainty associated with CoVid-19 and the Coronavirus pandemic, I believe there is and will be, a lot of good to come out of this unprecedented time in our lives.
I'm curious to know what you think... get in touch and let me know.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
Over my 25+ years as a financial advisor, I've given a lot of thought to what I do and how I deliver advice to clients.
Within the last year or so, I've started to think of and refer to the core of what I do as "Collaborative Retirement Management."
Clearly, collaboration is a key part of how I work best with clients. You need to be engaged in planning your life and retirement.
But it's also about the ongoing process of financial planning.
And the ability to have a flexible mindset.
It's about appreciating the ability to look at and evaluate different scenarios you may face or simply want to consider.
Ultimately, it's about giving you sufficient comfort and confidence that you'll be able to retire - and live your life - on your terms.
Related reading:
- Collaborative Retirement Scenario Management
Thanks for listening. I invite you to subscribe and share this podcast with your friends and family.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
Despite the recent market volatility and widespread uncertainty associated with the Coronavirus, remember that you always have choices.
Now, more than ever, I believe it's important to focus on the choices you can control -- not on the news and information which, in addition to appealing to our emotions, is beyond our control.
For instance, you can always control:
- how much you save vs spend
- how much investment risk you take
- the timing, duration, and frequency of future goals
- and more
Resources referenced in this episode:
- How I'm Managing My Own Money Through the Crisis
- Understanding Market Downturns
Thanks for listening. I invite you to subscribe and share this podcast with your friends and family.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
Personally, I can't help but wonder if the reaction to the Coronavirus, at least here in the U.S., is a little extreme... Of course, I want to preserve lives, but at what point do the preventative measures leave a lasting or permanent negative impact?
What about potential job losses? Small business having to close their doors? Mental health issues like depression? Or worse?
I don't know where to draw the line, but it brings to mind the concept of trade-offs, which I've written about before.
But despite all the uncertainty, and the widespread feelings of helplessness, I want to offer a simple plan of action.
If you're still working, consider:
- Increasing your retirement plan contribution amount (buying more while the market's down)
- Increasing your other savings, especially prioritizing short-term cash reserves (to give you more flexibility and choice going forward)
- Perhaps shifting your investment portfolio allocation to more stocks (buying more while they're cheaper)
- Evaluating your spending and dividing your expenses into needs, wants and wishes.
- Then focus on some of the wants and wishes and re-evaluate which can be reduced, deferred, or eliminated, at least for now.
- Talk to your credit card company or other lenders and ask about better terms. They would rather you keep paying them something than have you default on a loan altogether.
- Quit watching the news (and your portfolio). Get on with livin'
- Review and adjust your personal financial plan as necessary. You've got one of those, don't you?
- If you have already met your short-term cash reserves goal (see bullet #2 above), consider investing any extra cash savings over the course of several weeks or months.
- Call me if you have questions or would like to discuss anything.
If you're already retired, consider:
- Increasing your short-term cash reserves (emergency fund) through your cash flow. I'm not recommending that you liquidate part or all of your portfolio.
- A shift of your portfolio to more stocks. This means buying more stocks while they're less expensive. Think of it as buying companies on sale.
- Remember, your portfolio isn't the market. Despite what the Dow Jones or S&P 500 is doing, you're much better diversified and don't own 100% stocks. At least you should be.
- Evaluate your spending and categorize your expenses into needs, wants & wishes. Maybe reduce or eliminate some of your wants & wishes for the time being.
- Be sure to recognize if you've told yourself a want or wish is really need when perhaps it isn't...
- If you have any debt, talk to your lender(s) to see about negotiating better terms. Many seem open to these discussions at this time. Can't hurt to ask, right?
- Pay attention to the things that matter... your family, friends, health, hobbies, etc.
- Not the market, news, your portfolio, etc. (remember, your portfolio is there to help you focus on and pursue the things that matter)
- If you have one or more old 401k plans at a prior employer, make sure to revisit them and make sure you're not exposed to more risk than you're comfortable with. Or than you actually need to take.
- Despite current advice of "social distancing" I instead would encourage "physical distancing" while staying connected socially via technology. This can be a simple phone call or video calls with Facetime, Zoom or other tools. If you have questions about how to setup and use any of these, let me know and I'll be happy to help.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
Medicare planning for women and their families can be confusing.
Should you get a Medicare Advantage plan?
What about Medigap?
When do you enroll?
The list of questions is nearly endless.
That's why, on this episode of Women's Retirement Radio, I'm excited to be joined by Danielle K. Roberts, co-founder of Boomer Benefits.
Danielle and Boomer Benefits are based in Fort Worth, Texas, and serve clients across the country by helping them evaluate and make more informed decisions about their Medicare coverage.
In this episode, we cover many things related to Medicare including:
- When you should start thinking about Medicare
- Some aspects of Medicare that are surprising to many
- And a couple of great stories about how Boomer Benefits have helped folks like you out with their Medicare coverage
Here are some of the resources mentioned in this episode:
- Boomer Benefits Website
- Danielle's LinkedIn Profile
- Wealthcare for Women's Medicare Resources Page
- Boomer Benefits on Social Media
FacebookFacebook GroupInstagramTwitterPinterestYouTube - Webinars
- Learn Medicare 6-Day Mini Course
Thanks for listening. I invite you to subscribe and share this podcast with your friends and family.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
Social Security is often an important part of your retirement plan.
In this episode, I wanted to cover the basics of Social Security along with some of the specific considerations that relate to a woman's retirement planning.
For instance:
- What happens if you get divorced?
- Or what happens if you become a widow?
- How is Social Security taxed?
- When can you start taking Social Security benefits?
- How much will you get?
I address these questions and more in this episode of the Women's Retirement Radio podcast.
Related reading:
- A Social Security Overview
- Social Security Spousal Benefits - The Basics (video)
- Social Security Tips for Women Earning Over $100K (video)
- Atlanta Teachers and Social Security Planning
- How Much Longer Will Social Security Last?
Tools:
- Free online Social Security analysis tool
Thanks for listening.
Please subscribe and share with your friends, family, and coworkers.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
In today's episode, I cover 6 Retirement Planning Considerations for Women.
They are:
- Family is often the primary concern
- Women are often caregivers
- Women don't always look out for themselves
- Women may find themselves alone
- Women business owners
- Charitable giving
While the list above isn't exhaustive, my hope is it will give you some things to think about as you plan your unique and personal retirement.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss anything covered in this episode, please let me know.
Related reading:
- The Financial Risk to Women Caring for Aging Parents
- Atlanta Estate Planning for Women with Amy Refeca
- Financial Tips for Women Over 50
Thanks for listening.
Please subscribe and share with your friends, family, and coworkers.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
Among all the financial data and information that is necessary to build and maintain your financial and retirement planning, there's one number that, in my opinion, is important above all others.
It's your "MDI" or monthly discretionary income.
This is the average number of dollars you have each month after you've paid all your normal bills and supported your lifestyle. This number can be positive (surplus) or negative (deficit).
Having a surplus MDI each month affords you additional financial flexibility and choice which, in my experience, is something most people seem to appreciate.
Figuring out your personal MDI is pretty simple and straightforward.
Get your last 3 months statements from all your spending accounts (checking, credit cards, etc.) or login online and access this same information. Add up your total spending for the last 90 days and divide by 3 and this will give you your average monthly spending.
However be sure not to double-count your credit card transactions if you're paying off your credit card bill every month from another spending account.
Once you have your average monthly spending, simply deduct this number from your monthly take-home pay. This will give you your MDI.
There are some software tools & apps to help you with this process:
- Mint.com
- Tiller
- You Need a Budget
There are countless benefits to calculating your personal MDI and reconfirming it every year or so. We cover many of these in this episode.
If you have any questions about your MDI or anything else covered in this episode, please get in touch and let me know.
Thanks for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
Today, as I record this episode, the Dow Jones Industrial Average is down several hundred points based on more reported cases of the Coronavirus.
Not to make light of a serious situation, this is just the latest crisis du jour.
We have a U.S. Presidential election later this year. Imagine how crazy things might get between now and then.
And in the past we've experienced acts of terrorism, wars, different Presidents, new legislation, and more.
Despite all this, the market has managed to climb to new highs. And I believe that owning a diversified portfolio of stocks and high-quality bonds is still one of the best ways to build wealth for your future.
So, what are we all supposed to do in the face of scary headlines? What do we do when this feels different than anything we've experienced before?
It's simple really... just focus on the things within your control.
Listen to this episode to learn more about why I think this is important. And why it may be the best strategy for coping with news and current events that seem to have everyone freaking out.
Other resources:
- Seven Stages of Money MaturityGeorge Kinder's book covers investor psychology and how emotions can cloud judgment on pages 143-146
- The Normalfrom Twitter friend and fellow advisor, Preston McSwainand be sure check out the related reading below his article for more
- Gradual Improvements ReduxIncludes this great chart with a reminder of all we've dealt with since March 2009
- Stock Market on Sale
- Is This Different?
Thanks for listening.
Please subscribe and share with your friends, family and coworkers.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
In this episode of the Women's Retirement Radio podcast, I share why I'm focused on serving women.
I cite some statistics and research that demonstrate some of the unique financial challenges faced by women, but I also talk about my personal, first-hand experience seeing the impact of divorce, financially and otherwise, on my Mom.
I invite you to listen and share your thoughts or feedback with me.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Wealthcare for Women - 3 Biggest Retirement Threats for Women
- Transamerica Research Report - 19 Facts About Women's Retirement Outlook
- Forbes - Why Women Are Better at Investing
Thanks for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
There's a lot more to retirement than simply deciding "when" you want to make the transition. And it goes well beyond just the financial considerations, though clearly that's important too.
You should also consider things like:
- How you'll spend your time
- How your relationships might change and evolve
- The psychology associated with the transition from savings to spending
- Striking and maintaining a healthy balance between enjoying today while being prepared for tomorrow
- Sustainable strategies to create income throughout your retirement
- And a whole lot more
Related reading: Are You Retiring to Something?
Thanks for listening. I invite you to subscribe so you won't miss our next episode.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
Covering the recently passed SECURE Act and its major retirement planning-related changes.
Specifically, we spend time going into the changes to Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) and the elimination of the Stretch IRA.
Included are some planning considerations and action items.
Here are some accompanying slides.
Thanks for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures
Welcome to the first episode of Women's Retirement Radio.
This is a podcast dedicated to simplifying retirement planning for professional women (and their families) in their 50s and 60s and they think about, prepare for, and transition into retirement.
Stay tuned for future episodes where we'll talk about retirement planning, Social Security, Medicare, retirement income, investment strategy, sustainably supporting your lifestyle, and much, much more.
I'm your host, Russ Thornton, and I look forward to sharing with you in episodes to come.
Thanks for listening.
Visit my website to learn more.
Disclosures