Empowered Planning Blog

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Episode Summary:

As a financial educator, I believe having honest and open conversations about money with your partner is crucial. So today, on the Empowered Planning Podcast, I am bringing in a heartfelt conversation with Alisha Cook. Alisha’s story is a testament to the importance of planning, communication, and flexibility when dealing with financial changes. She'll dive into how she and her husband tackled merging their finances, their approach to planning for a new family member, and the adventure of moving from a rental to their own home. I hope Alisha’s experience will give you valuable insights and strategies for managing your finances through life's big moments. Join us now!

Topics:

• Alisha's lessons learned on merging finances with her partner
• The importance of preparing financially for parenthood
• How Alisha balanced marriage, pregnancy, and moving from renting to owning the house
• Alisha's tips for tackling...

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Episode Summary:

In today’s episode of the Empowered Planning Podcast, I discuss the critical yet often ignored (and sometimes truly uncomfortable) topic of estate planning. Still, it's essential for safeguarding your financial future and the well-being of your loved ones. We'll explore the differences between wills and trusts, uncover essential documents for robust estate planning, and share practical steps to get you started. I will share a few examples so you can learn from cautionary tales of celebrities who neglected estate planning and failed to grasp the profound impact it had on their families. When it comes to estate planning, there's a significant knowledge gap between what people think about estate planning and what it actually means. Today, I'm here to break it down and empower you to take decisive steps toward safeguarding your legacy (because, ultimately, that matters!).

Topics:

• Understanding the differences...

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Episode Summary:

I’m excited to talk about one of my favorite topics today on The Empowered Planning Podcast – building a career as a mom. As a working mom myself, I’m very familiar with the beautiful chaos of balancing work with family life. In this episode, my close friend and experienced executive, Erica Smith, is joining me as we swap stories and offer tips to help you tackle parenting hurdles while pursuing your career goals. Whether you're looking for inspiration or hands-on advice, this episode is a tribute to all the working moms out there. It aims to empower and guide you through the chaos and joy while reminding you that you can have both!

Topics:

• The rollercoaster of happiness, mayhem, guilt, and satisfaction that comes with being a working mom
• Erica's personal tale of navigating life as an experienced executive and a mom
• The tough choices we face that impact our work and our families
• How to tackle...

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Episode Summary:

Today, on the Empowered Planning Podcast, I will tackle the crucial world of debt and credit. I've got a lot lined up to help you get savvy about managing your debts and boosting your credit score. Ever wonder what makes credit 'good' or 'bad'? Or how do those credit bureaus decide your score? Well, I’m breaking it all down today. Plus, I'll guide you through the five big factors that influence your credit score and share some handy tips for tackling your debt. Whether you aim to trim down your debt or spruce up your credit game, this episode is packed with actionable advice to empower your financial journey.

Topics:

• Understanding the difference between good credit vs. bad credit
• Demystifying credit scores and their impact on your financial profile
• The importance of good credit in various aspects of life
• The complete breakdown of the five factors that determine your credit score
• Practical strategies for...

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Episode Summary:

In this engaging episode of the Empowered Planning Podcast, we discuss the critical yet often overlooked topic of financial trauma. Joined by the esteemed financial coach and author Rahkim Sabree, we explore the intricate relationship between money, mental health, and personal experiences. Rahkim shares his journey into financial therapy, revealing how personal and observed experiences can profoundly affect our financial behaviors. We discuss real-life stories, define financial trauma, and provide actionable advice for those seeking to understand and overcome their financial hurdles. Join us as we expose the layers of financial trauma, offering guidance, empathy, and strategies to empower your financial journey.

Topics:

• Understanding the psychological aspects of financial trauma and its impact on individuals
• Exploring how financial trauma affects relationships and strategies for overcoming these challenges
• ...

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Episode Summary:

Hey everyone, welcome back to the Empowered Planning Podcast! Today, I'm joined by the insightful David Delisle to explore the nuances of financial literacy and how we can instill a sense of value and mindfulness in our spending habits—both for ourselves and our children. David's unique perspective on finding our "awesome stuff" and how we perceive our financial choices offers a fresh outlook on managing money, prioritizing experiences, and understanding the true value of the things we spend our money and time on. Instead of saying, "We can't afford that," David offers genius tips for reframing conversations with our little ones. Think, pause, reflect, and ask if that shiny new toy aligns with their "awesome stuff." Whether you're a parent aiming to navigate your kids through the complex world of financial choices or just someone keen on enhancing your money mindset, this episode is brimming with insights...

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Episode Summary:

Welcome back to The Empowered Planning Podcast. As we celebrate Women's History Month, I want to dive deeper into the world of women and money, and not just how we spend our money or how we invest our money, but also looking into the financial industry itself. I have a long time friend of mine, Ashley Sullivan on the show today. She's been advising clients since 2007 and spent about 13 years between Fidelity and Schwab as a financial advisor. One interesting thing that came up when Ashley and I were talking before we recorded the podcast was about her experience as a part of women’s collective for an organization that she worked for in San Diego and how she was trying to get more women a seat at the table so they could have these open conversations and dialogue about money . And at the time, the questions were often directed at how they were able to have a thriving career in finance as a working mom. What...

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Episode Summary:

Welcome back to another episode of The Empowered Planning Podcast! Even though we are still in February, we're tackling a question today that might not be about love, but it's definitely close to our hearts: what should you do with an old 401k? Whether you're deeply invested in plotting your financial future or just starting to ponder over your retirement savings, this episode is designed with you in mind. Navigating your options for an old 401k can feel like navigating a relationship: it's important, sometimes complicated, but ultimately rewarding. You may consider keeping it with your previous employer, moving it to your new job's plan, or rolling it into an individual retirement account. Each choice has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, and just like in any good partnership, it's all about finding the right balance that works for you. My goal for this episode is to equip you with the knowledge and...

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Episode Summary:

I’m so excited to have a long time client and friend on the podcast today, Betsy Smith. Betsy is a multi-passionate entrepreneur who owns her own hair salon and handcrafted souvenir shop. The best part? She didn’t take action on these businesses until she was 29 years old which shows it’s never too late to pivot. Throughout our conversation, you’ll hear a bit about Betsy’s Amish upbringing and how this informed the way she feels about money and financial decisions as a whole. Betsy has done so much work in not only creating a business (and life!) that she’s proud of, but healing and overcoming negative money narratives. I hope this conversation leaves you feeling inspired.

Topics:

• Where Betsy’s entrepreneurial and rebel spirit comes from and how it informs her decisions today 
• What the financial conversations for Betsy were like growing up in the Amish community...

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Episode Summary:

It is Valentine's Day and in honor of this special love day, I want to dive into a crucial yet challenging aspect of any partnership: talking about money with your partner. Now money matters while essential, can be a source of tension in relationships. I'm sure at one point in another, you've felt that in yours (I have, too). The financial problems or money issues cause about 40% of divorces in the US. That is a large number and one that should not be ignored. So the goal today is to help you figure out how to navigate these waters with grace and understanding. I want to offer you strategies and insights for how to discuss financial issues without conflict, and whether it's budgeting or debt management or planning for your future, we're going to explore effective ways to communicate with your partner about your finances.

Topics:

• Tips for actually starting a conversation about money with your partner to avoid...