Tag: Financial Literacy

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The Essentials of Social Security: An Insider’s Insights to Help You Plan with Confidence (Ep. 32)

The Essentials of Social Security: An Insider’s Insights to Help You Plan with Confidence (Ep. 32)

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Are you leaving money on the table with your Social Security benefits?

Join host Eric Blake as he engages with Nolan Russell, a former Social Security Administration employee and author of “The Essentials of Social Security: Insider Insights to Help You Plan with Confidence.” Nolan shares his 25 years of experience, shedding light on the complexities of Social Security and offering practical advice to help you make informed decisions.

Key Highlights:

  • Understanding Social Security: Discover why Social Security is a crucial yet often undervalued source of retirement income that adjusts for inflation
  • Challenges in Information Accuracy: Learn about the difficulties in obtaining accurate information from the Social Security Administration and strategies to overcome them
  • Nolan’s Background: Gain insight into Nolan’s extensive experience with the SSA and his motivation for writing his book to help people better understand their benefits
  • SSA Staffing Challenges: Understand the impact of staffing issues at the SSA on the availability and accuracy of information
  • Effective Preparation: Get tips on how to prepare for interactions with Social Security representatives by having a clear vision of your retirement goals and neccessary information ready
  • Missed Entitlements: Learn about the common issue of missed entitlements and how to ensure you receive all the benefits you’re eligible for
  • And much more!

Listen in for actionable advice on optimizing your Social Security benefits and navigating the complexities of retirement planning with confidence.

Resources:

Connect with Eric Blake: 

Connect with Nolan Russell: 

About our Guest: 

Nolan Russell is a former Social Security employee with more than 25 years of experience. He began his career in a Field Office as a Claims Representative and, later, as a Technical Expert. Then, he worked in a Regional Office as a Regional Program Analyst and Medicare Coordinator, providing program expertise on a regional and national level in the agency. Thereafter, he served as a Teleservice Center Manager, overseeing service on Social Security’s 800 number phone network. His last assignment was managing a small, rural Field Office in Colorado where he was responsible for maintaining service to several mountain communities. Regardless of his position, Nolan has a passion for using his knowledge and experience to help people be successful when working with Social Security.

Nolan has been married to his wonderful bride over 32 years, has four grown children and no grandchildren (yet). He is an avid DIYer, always looking for ways to fix just about anything.

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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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Mind Over Money: Emotionally Smart Financial Planning with Jeannie Dougherty (Ep. 9)

Mind Over Money: Emotionally Smart Financial Planning with Jeannie Dougherty (Ep. 9)

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Calling all women looking to up their financial literacy! 

In this episode, Eric Blake is joined by Jeannie Dougherty, a money and mental fitness guide, who shares her insights on the impact of money-related problems on mental health. Jeannie emphasizes the need for emotional and behavioral coaching in addition to traditional financial planning. The episode also highlights the challenges financial advisors face in addressing the emotional needs of clients and the importance of effective communication. Jeannie introduces her 90-day bootcamp concept and a virtual caregiver conference that focuses on the interconnected aspects of caregiving. 

Eric and Jeannie discuss: 

  • The impact of money-related problems on one’s life and mental health
  • Importance of addressing the emotional and psychological aspects of financial planning, especially for women in unequal financial relationships
  • Challenges financial advisors face in addressing the emotional aspects of retirement planning
  • Importance of women taking an active role in their financial decisions and “winning money power”
  • Role of financial advisors as the “quarterback” in helping clients make important financial decisions
  • And more

 

Resources:

Connect with Eric Blake: 

Connect with Jeannie: 

About our Guest: 

As a determined woman ready to positively impact the world, Jeannie Dougherty continues to help people from all walks of life. She is a coveted counselor, certified money coach, mental fitness coach, speaker, and the founder of a virtual Caregiver Conference that addresses both sides of the equation the caregiver and their families.

She graduated with a master’s degree in counseling from Ottawa University. She graduated from the prestigious Money Coaching Institute as a Certified Money Coach for Individuals, Couples, and Businesses. She’s passionate about her area of expertise, and Jeannie set forth on her quest to do great things.

Moreover, she works with businesses, individuals, and couples to help them find better ways to reach their goals. Over the years, her efforts have earned her a reputation among clients who are ever eager to vouch for her holistic services.

She graduated with a master’s degree in counseling from Ottawa University. She graduated from the prestigious Money Coaching Institute as a Certified Money Coach for Individuals, Couples, and Businesses. She is also a former Federal Retirement Readiness professional. She’s passionate about her area of specialty, and Jeannie set forth on her quest to do great things. Evidently, her perspective on life is simple, and she’s wholly gentle in her approach to the clients. That’s precisely why her customer base continues to grow today.

You see, both of her parents passed away from Alzheimer’s. She spent 11 years of her adult life being a caregiver, dealing with financial and healthcare decisions with her family and their providers.

Her parents’ financial journeys were different, as well as how their diseases manifested. Jeannie understands why lots of folks who become caregivers overnight have their money-handling skills and financial psychology shifts.

The subconscious mind doesn’t see you as a balanced caregiver with a plan or as a balanced individual with multiple plates: family, work, health, and self. The subconscious sees you as someone in the middle of a crisis and not as a balanced person managing your life and the unexpected events that come and go. That’s why your identity shifts into a place of the uncomfortable unknown. This is why the money trauma can manifest what may feel like overnight and is tough to shake off later.

Jeannie is here to help you do more than just get back on track. She will show you how to navigate the road to your dream life.

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