Tag: Financial Empowerment
Why You Need an Estate Plan With Chris Downs (Ep. 18)

Why You Need an Estate Plan With Chris Downs (Ep. 18)

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Are you prepared for the unexpected?

Confronting fears isn’t just a personal journey; it’s a critical aspect of financial and estate planning. This is the central theme of today’s discussion, where host Eric Blake, joined by esteemed estate planning attorney Christene “Chris” Downs, dive deep into the unique challenges and essential strategies needed for successful retirement and estate planning.

Key Highlights:

  • Untangling Estate Planning: Chris Downs simplifies complex estate planning concepts and emphasizes their importance
  • Estate Planning for All: Whether widowed, divorced, or single by choice, learn the critical role of estate planning in securing financial futures
  • Beyond the Will: Explore key aspects often overlooked in estate planning, such as incapacity planning and the power of decision-making delegation
  • Avoiding Unintended Consequences: Understand how an effective estate plan prevents scenarios like ex-spouses unintentionally remaining beneficiaries
  • Intentional Asset Distribution: Insights into the pitfalls of dying intestate and the value of deliberate asset allocation in accordance with one’s wishes
  • Powers of Attorney Explained: A deep dive into the significance of Statutory Durable and Medical Powers of Attorney in managing personal and health affairs
  • Living Wills and Beneficiary Designations: Clarifying the role of living wills and how to align beneficiary designations with your broader estate plan
  • And much more!

Resources:

Connect with Eric Blake: 

Connect with Chris (Christene) Downs: 

About Chris:

Chris’s motto is “Be Kind” & her motto defines how she practices law. 

Attorney Christene “Chris” Krupa Downs is an attorney at Krupa Downs Law, PLLC in Plano, Texas. Chris focuses her practice on wills, trusts, advance directives, estate planning, guardianships, and probate. She has 13 years of legal experience handling estate planning, probate & guardianship legal matters for clients in Allen, Frisco, McKinney, Plano and throughout Collin, Dallas, and Denton counties. 

In addition to her practice, Chris writes and lectures for local and state bar associations, and at legal seminars. She is a member of various professional organizations, including the Collin County Bar Association, the Dallas Bar Association, and the Texas Bar College. She is also active in the State Bar of Texas and served on the Computer and Technology Section Council.

As part of giving back to the Texas community, Chris serves on the board of the Wellness Center for Older Adults, an organization addressing the needs and concerns of Collin County’s older adult population and is treasurer of the Women’s Auxiliary to Plano Children’s Medical Center. She also serves on the board of the Junior League of Collin County as Community Strategic Director and is a former Treasurer and Executive Vice President of the organization. In 2022, Chris was recognized with the Athena Award by the Plano Chamber of Commerce and the Community Service by a Woman Lawyer award by the Collin County Women Lawyers Association.

Chris lives in Plano with her husband, David Downs.

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Financially Fearless Women with Barb Provost and Maggie Nielsen (Ep. 17)

Financially Fearless Women with Barb Provost and Maggie Nielsen (Ep. 17)

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Ladies, have you ever considered the unique aspects of your finances?

Today’s dialogue sheds new light on the critical topic of women’s financial empowerment. Eric Blake welcomes Dr. Barb Provost and Maggie Nielsen, founders of Purse Strings, to explore the critical topic of women’s financial empowerment. Together, they uncover the unique financial challenges faced by women and emphasize the importance of adopting a “financially fearless” approach.

Key Discussion Points:

  • Systemic Challenges: Addressing the pink tax, wage gaps, and the additional caregiving responsibilities that disproportionately affect women
  • Becoming Financially Fearless: The need for women to engage in proactive financial planning and decision-making
  • Industry Critique: A look at how the financial services industry’s male-centric models fail women, and the urgent need for female-focused financial education and services
  • Proactive Financial Planning: The importance of women taking charge of their financial planning, especially as they approach retirement
  • Purse Strings – A Vital Resource: The discussion showcases Purse Strings as an essential tool for financial literacy, connecting women with vetted financial professionals
  • Diverse Financial Professionals: The wide range of professionals available through Purse Strings, catering to the varied financial needs of women
  • Overcoming Financial Barriers: Strategies for overcoming financial shame and insecurity, empowering women to use money as a tool for achieving dreams and impacting the community
  • And much more!

Resources:

Connect with Eric Blake: 

Connect with Barb Provost: 

About Barb Provost:

Barb Provost, founder of Purse Strings, has over 20 years of experience as a financial industry consultant. Recognizing the industry’s neglect of women’s financial needs, especially after her own divorce and observations of older women in the workforce, she established Purse Strings. Barb’s mission is to empower women financially, drawing on her extensive research and her Doctorate in Adult Learning and Higher Education. With international experience in countries like Nigeria and India, she aims to equip women with the resources and knowledge for financial independence and security.

Connect with Maggie Nielsen: 

About Maggie Nielsen: 

Maggie Nielsen, with an MBA and experience working alongside Barb Provost, recognized the financial industry’s tendency to overlook and underserve women. Determined to challenge this status quo, she became a driving force behind Purse Strings. Maggie has facilitated over 300 live sessions with financial professionals, focusing on foundational knowledge, real-life stories, and practical tips. Her mission is to empower women with the financial savvy needed to make informed decisions for themselves, their families, and their businesses. Maggie’s efforts aim to ensure women confidently engage with finance, making choices that enrich their lives. She takes pride in Purse Strings’ role in shaping the financial futures of generations of women, advocating for financial independence and self-determined living.

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How to Think Your Way to Prosperity with Ellen Rogin (Ep. 16)

How to Think Your Way to Prosperity with Ellen Rogin (Ep. 16)

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Could your inner wisdom be the key to unlocking financial prosperity? 

Dive into this engaging episode of “Simply Retirement” with host Eric Blake, as he joins forces with Ellen Rogin, a visionary in the world of financial intuition. Ellen, acclaimed for her innovative approach to finance, sheds light on how tapping into your intuitive sense can profoundly influence your financial choices and lead to a more abundant life.

Key Highlights:

  • The transformative power of financial intuition and its real-world applications
  • How women can overcome hesitations in trusting their financial intuition
  • The life-altering shift from scarcity to abundance mindsets in finance
  • Ellen’s unique blend of conventional financial wisdom and intuitive insights
  • Practical strategies for cultivating a positive money mindset: Awareness, Clarity, Care, and Sharing
  • The vital role of meditation and mindfulness in savvy financial decision-making
  • Harnessing journaling and visualization as tools for achieving financial dreams
  • Ellen’s insights on setting goals with purpose and passion
  • And much more!

Resources:

Connect with Eric Blake: 

Connect with Ellen Rogin: 

About Ellen Rogin: 

Ellen Rogin is an authority on money and a financial intuitive who helps people reshape their relationships with money so they can live happier, more abundant lives. She’s the author of several books, including the New York Times Bestseller, Picture Your Prosperity, and her newest book, Messages from Money: How to Stress Less, Prosper More and Reshape Your Relationship to Money, and her work has been featured on CNBC, ABC, NPR, TIME, and Oprah Magazine.

As a CPA and CFP®, Ellen worked for many years as a traditional financial advisor before selling her successful wealth management firm. She now combines her intuitive abilities and financial experience to connect with the energy of money and deliver “Messages from Money” to her clients. 

Ellen’s consultations help people gain insights on how to grow their businesses, expand their wealth, and bring an increased sense of peace around money. She is also a sought-after speaker and consultant and has trained thousands of conscious financial advisors and entrepreneurs worldwide to use the “Art of Prosperity” to grow their businesses and their wealth.

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