What happens when retirement stops being a finish line and starts being a choice? What if the biggest barrier between you and financial freedom isn’t the math, it’s the mindset? In this episode, I sit down with Bernadette Joy, author and CEO of CRUSH Your Money Goals®, for a candid conversation about what it really …
One hundred episodes in. More than a milestone, this is a window into the heart behind the work. In this episode, I reflect on what it means to reach Episode 100 of the Simply Retirement Podcast, alongside the people who know me best, my family, Dawn Blake, Kaitlyn Blake-Lolliot, and Eric L. Blake. We talk …
When divorce puts the future of your home into question, the biggest risk is making decisions before you fully understand your options. In this episode, I sit down with Stacey Ellison, Certified Divorce Lending Professional and Divorce Mortgage Planner at Divorce Mortgage Solutions, to walk through how mortgage planning, settlement language, and income rules can …
When life feels noisy, the real issue is not always a lack of time; it is often a lack of clarity. The biggest decisions in life rarely get solved by doing more. They get solved by cutting through the clutter, focusing on what matters most, and taking one small step at a time. In this …
Many women approaching retirement worry that Social Security may not be there when they need it most. That uncertainty can make retirement planning feel overwhelming. But what do the numbers actually say? In this episode, I break down the real projections behind Social Security and what they mean for women approaching retirement. I explain why …
Many people ask whether retiring early will help them live longer. The real conversation is much bigger than that. Statistics and social media posts often push simple conclusions, but retirement decisions are rarely simple. Health, caregiving responsibilities, longevity, and financial readiness all play a role. In this episode, I explore a study about retirement timing …
Many women enter retirement assuming life insurance is no longer necessary, only to discover that the real issue is not coverage, but access to cash when it matters most. In this episode, I walk through how the purpose of life insurance changes as you approach and enter retirement. I explain why the real question is …
Choosing a financial advisor is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as you approach retirement, especially if you’re navigating it on your own. Yet many women don’t realize how much clarity and confidence can come from simply asking the right questions before committing to a long-term relationship. In this episode, I walk through …
Many retirees unknowingly walk away from life insurance policies without realizing they may still hold value. For women navigating retirement, widowhood, or major life changes, understanding every available option can make a meaningful difference. In this episode, I talk with Lisa Rehburg, President of Rehburg Life Insurance Settlements, about how life insurance settlements work and …
RMDs are one of those retirement rules that feel simple on the surface, until the tax consequences show up years later. In this episode, I walk through what required minimum distributions are, when they start, and why missing or mismanaging them can quietly raise taxes, Medicare costs, and long-term financial stress. I explain how planning …