Tag: Women and Finances

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How to Secure Your Legacy (Ep. 22)

How to Secure Your Legacy (Ep. 22)

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Do you know the difference between a will and a living trust?

Worried about protecting your assets after you’re gone?

Dive into estate planning essentials on The Simply Retirement Podcast with host Eric Blake. He brings on Susan Barnett from Haiman Hogue, offering valuable advice especially for single women, widows, and divorcees aiming to protect their financial future.

With over twenty years in law, Susan Barnett clarifies the choice between wills and living trusts, emphasizing the need for estate planning for life’s unforeseen events, and underscoring the crucial role of a financial power of attorney.

Key Highlights:

  • Estate Planning Explored: Unpack the necessity of comprehensive estate planning
  • Living Trusts Made Clear: Susan Barnett sheds light on living trusts as adaptable and secure asset management tools
  • Roles Defined in Living Trusts: Understand the critical roles and their impact on maintaining control over your assets
  • Benefits of Dodging Probate: Discover how living trusts can protect your privacy and avoid the complications of the probate process
  • Limitations of Simple Wills: Learn about the potential risks associated with basic wills and how they may expose you to fraud
  • Importance of Document Updates: A compelling example emphasizing the need to keep your estate documents up-to-date
  • And much more!

Resources:

Connect with Eric Blake: 

Connect with Susan Barnett: 

About Haiman Hogue:

Haiman Hogue is a Faith-Based Estate and Family Protection Planning and Elder Law Firm. Our law firm is designed on the foundational belief that we are “FAITHFULLY SERVING GOD, OUR CLIENTS, AND OUR COMMUNITY” in everything we do. The Lord gives us the clients He wants us to help and the income He wants us to make, so our focus is to use our unique God-given talents and abilities to help and serve others. Our attorneys and staff are actively involved in community outreach. In addition, we offer the public free educational events each year and are always willing to provide a guest speaker for professional organizations and civic groups.

About Susan Barnett: 

Susan has been an attorney since 1989. She graduated from Baylor Law School and immediately joined the Collin County DA’s office.

Her career as a prosecutor spanned almost 10 years until her twin girls were born in 1998. At that time, she and her husband, Scott, determined that it was important that Susan stay home with her daughters. For sixteen years, she kept a small practice out of her home and enjoyed being a wife to Scott and mom to her three girls. During that time, she also spent a year working for President George W. Bush in the White House and serving for five years as Director of Kids Ministry at Willow Bend Church in Plano. Her children are now grown, and two sons-in-love have been added to the family. Her newest role is ‘Mimi’, and she is thrilled!

Since June 2014, Susan has focused her practice on estate planning and elder law. She currently leads Haiman Hogue’s Estate Administration Team and guides her clients through the difficult days and months after a loved one has passed. She also listens with compassion and understanding as she assists her clients in their own estate planning. She desires to honor Christ in the way she serves her clients.

Being part of the Haiman Hogue family is a good fit for Susan. She believes that God has brought her to a Firm that values her, not only as an attorney but as a follower of Christ. Haiman Hogue is a place that allows her to continue to serve God and her family while she devotedly takes care of the firm’s clients.

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Navigating Senior Living Decisions with Joyce Logan (Ep. 21)

Navigating Senior Living Decisions with Joyce Logan (Ep. 21)

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Confused about senior living choices? 

Explore the complexities of retirement housing in this insightful episode of The Simply Retirement Podcast. Host Eric Blake, a staunch advocate for women’s financial independence in retirement, invites Joyce Logan, Certified Senior Living Advisor. They discuss the challenges and solutions to finding the right retirement housing, combining Joyce’s personal experiences and professional expertise. 

This episode is an essential guide for anyone navigating the senior housing landscape.

Key Highlights:

  • Ruby Care’s Mission: A unique blend of professional expertise and personal empathy
  • Local vs. National Advisors: The distinct advantages of choosing local senior housing advisors
  • Navigating the Housing Landscape: Joyce’s tips for finding the right senior housing
  • Customized Guidance from Ruby Care: Personalized, free assistance tailored to each client’s needs
  • The Importance of Early Planning: Why starting your senior housing search early matters
  • Selecting the Right Advisor: What to look for in a senior living advisor’s qualifications
  • Personal Stories, Deep Connections: Joyce’s heartfelt client experiences
  • And much more!

Resources:

Connect with Eric Blake: 

Connect with Joyce Logan: 

About Joyce Logan: 

Joyce Logan has spent most of her life in Texas but was originally born and raised in Ohio. Her heartfelt compassion for others began at a young age. This was made evident when she earned a BS degree at The Ohio State University and began her career in Social Work.

Joyce spent several years in Business Development before Ruby Care became her vision, which was inspired during the time she spent caring for her mother-in-law Ruby and emotional support long distance for her mother, beginning in 2011. Now, she enjoys helping seniors and their families navigate the complicated choices they face when deciding their future living plans. She currently is a Certified Senior Living Advisor (CSA), Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) as well as a Board Member of DFW chapter of the National Placement Referral Alliance (NPRA).

With great compassion and love for people, Joyce never stops serving. She is actively involved in her community, including AWARE, the Alzheimer’s Association, Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Medical Center, Junior League of Collin County, and now serving as a board member of the Dallas Area Parkinson Society.

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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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Unveiling the Secrets to a Truly Successful Retirement for Women (Ep. 15)

Unveiling the Secrets to a Truly Successful Retirement for Women (Ep. 15)

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What if there’s much more to women’s retirement planning than you ever imagined? 

We’ve got some surprises in store for you.

Join us for a captivating episode of the Simply Retirement podcast with host Eric Blake, as he dives into the nuances of retirement planning specifically for women. Joined by Dr. Karen Midyet, a renowned clinical psychologist specializing in retirement and aging, they dissect the intricate blend of financial and emotional elements crucial to a woman’s retirement journey.

Episode Highlights:

  • Uncover the art of building vibrant social networks post-retirement
  • Learn how activities like pickleball and community engagement can transform socializing in retirement
  • Explore how educational pursuits, from online to university-level, can reinvent your retirement experience
  • Dive into Dr. Midyet’s innovative approach to mental, physical, and nutritional wellness for retirees
  • Understand why planning in your 50s is pivotal for a fulfilling retirement
  • Realize your retirement dreams with the power of personalized coaching
  • Plus, much more insightful content!

Resources:

Connect with Eric Blake: 

Connect with Karen Midyet: 

About our Guest: 

Dr. Karen L. Midyet, Psy.D., is a Clinical Psychologist and Retirement and Aging Coach with a career spanning over 45 years. Specializing in life, career, retirement, and aging, she operates from the Denver metro area but extends her services remotely to clients across the US and Canada.

Karen is the visionary behind Coaching Aging Adults, LLC, a practice dedicated to assisting aging clients in developing life purpose and addressing issues related to isolation and loss. She also conducts workshops, online courses, and retreats to assist older adults as they prepare for retirement, facilitating emotional adjustment and planning for their Next Act, be it an Encore Career, volunteering, or grandparenting.

Dr. Midyet’s mental health practice aids adults coping with life transitions, emotional problems, acute or chronic medical illnesses, and personal issues related to traumatic events or family history. She also consults with mental health professionals and facilities on best practices for aging adults. She contributed significantly in her roles as President of Colorado Professional Psychological Group and Chief Psychologist at the Institute of Motivational Development, providing invaluable consultation, supervision, and clinical training in diverse areas such as underachievement, stress management, ADHD, anxiety, and depression. She also was past President of the Psychology Group and on the Board for Bethesda Psychiatric Hospital during its transition to Health One. 

As a forerunner in her field, Karen’s multifaceted approach and innovative techniques have enabled profound personal growth and enhanced well-being among her clients, Her methodologies and client-centered approach position her as a thought leader, with her insights being highly sought after for consultation and podcasts.

Beyond her extensive professional pursuits, Karen is deeply passionate about fostering a balanced and enriching lifestyle and continues to be a beacon of inspiration and support to many aspiring to navigate the complexities of aging and retirement effectively.

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Top 5 Things Every Woman Should Know About Social Security (Ep. 14)

Top 5 Things Every Woman Should Know About Social Security (Ep. 14)

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As Elananor Roosevelt once said; “A little simplification would be the first step toward rational living, I think”. 

In this episode, Eric Blake discusses important aspects of Social Security benefits specifically for women who are looking to financial plan and navigate their portfolios. He covers topics such as social security filing strategies, the three keys to a successful retirement for women, eligibility requirements for benefits, spousal benefits, survivor benefits, the impact of age on benefits, and challenges faced by business owners in saving for retirement.

Eric discusses: 

  • Social security as a guaranteed retirement income source that increases annually
  • Eligibility requirements for Social Security retirement benefits
  • Spousal benefits and eligibility based on spouse’s or ex-spouse’s work history
  • Filing benefits off of a spouse’s work history does not reduce benefits for the higher earning spouse
  • Choosing benefits if married multiple times for at least ten years each
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Eric Blake: 

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Navigating End-of-Life Care: Insights and Strategies for Women in Retirement with Jeanne Brosseau (Ep. 13)

Navigating End-of-Life Care: Insights and Strategies for Women in Retirement with Jeanne Brosseau (Ep. 13)

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What if you could redefine your journey into retirement and end-of-life planning?

Discover the crucial yet often overlooked aspects of retirement in this insightful episode of The Simply Retirement Podcast. Host Eric Blake, joined by Jeanne Brosseau, Community Liaison from Ardent Healthcare, tackles the sensitive subject of end-of-life care. This episode is specially crafted to guide you through the complexities of retirement planning, with a focus on hospice and palliative care. 

Key Highlights:

  • Enhancing Quality of Life with Hospice Care: Understand how early hospice adoption can significantly improve life quality
  • Initiating End-of-Life Conversations: Gain valuable strategies for approaching sensitive talks about end-of-life care
  • Integrating Medical and Financial Planning: Eric Blake seamlessly connects hospice care with estate planning, emphasizing the need for a holistic estate plan that smartly incorporates medical directives alongside traditional wills and trusts
  • Understanding Care Services: Unravel the differences between home health and hospice care, learning about their subtle nuances and the financial implications, including insurance details
  • Proactive End-of-Life Planning: Discover the essential steps to seek information and arrange care for end-of-life planning
  • And much more!

Resources:

Connect with Eric Blake: 

Connect with Jeanne Brosseau: 

About Jeanne Brosseau: 

When you ask Jeanne Brosseau where she is from, she will answer, “which year?” Jeanne was born in Colorado Springs but had moved 19 times by the time she was 10 due to her father’s career in the construction industry. 

Jeanne married when she was 20 and soon after started a family. Her husband’s career had her packing again to move every year, sometimes twice a year, across the continental US, and out of it, until she settled in CT in 2000. 

She started a career as a Student Counselor with The Writers Institute, helping adult correspondence students learn how to write and publish their work. She also recruited published authors to teach the courses. She fell in love with education. 

In 2008, Jeanne moved her 2 teenagers to Houston, TX so that she could better provide for her children’s college education. She accepted a position as a Unit Secretary at a small Catholic hospital and shortly thereafter was a student in their first Patient Care Technician training program. Right after her 40th birthday, she was recruited by a hospice company to be a liaison assistant and promoted 2 months later to a full marketing position. 

Although Jeanne didn’t know anything about hospice, she researched, asked lots of questions and started to become educated on all areas of healthcare. She wanted to know the differences between the levels of care, when each was appropriate, and why. She loved the “educational” piece of it. Now, Jeanne brings that education to as many people as possible.

“End of life discussions should be as important as beginning of life discussions. Preparing for that journey takes much of the fear out of it.”

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Exploring the Benefits of Home Care for a Longer, Happier Retirement (Ep. 12)

Exploring the Benefits of Home Care for a Longer, Happier Retirement (Ep. 12)

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In this episode, Eric Blake is joined by Mary Greer from First Class Caregivers.

First Class Caregivers is a Dallas senior care company that provides premium non-clinical, in-home caregiving services on a private-pay basis. Founded in 2007, they are a veteran-owned business with a customer-first focus. Mary’s personal connection to caregiving is deeply rooted, having been a caregiver for her grandmother, mother, father, and great aunt. Her passion for working with seniors, disabled veterans, and others who may be overlooked or forgotten is truly inspiring. Mary’s mission is to give back dignity to individuals who may have lost it due to illness, accidents, or old age.

Mary discusses the importance of home care for seniors and the benefits of staying at home for as long as possible. She shares her personal experience as a caregiver and her mission to restore dignity to seniors and disabled veterans. She also talks about the services offered by First Class Caregivers and how they tailor their services to meet the specific needs of each client. 

Eric and Mary discuss: 

  • Importance of staying at home for longer life expectancy and sense of familiarity
  • First Class Caregivers’ approach to educating individuals and families about options
  • Range of non-medical services offered by First Class Caregivers
  • Assistance with funding long-term care and resources for senior living
  • Quick turnaround times for emergency situations
  • And more

 

Resources:

Connect with Eric Blake: 

Connect with Guest: 

About our Guest: 

I wanted to do something meaningful, and I love working with Seniors. I was the caregiver for my Mama, Daddy, Grandma and Great Aunt Rose-so I know the challenges of caregiving and how much care the caregiver needs. I do not come out of clinical or Senior work, I come from Automotive and Construction, but I wanted to finish out my career with a job I loved and a company with values and integrity. I was able to find First Class Caregivers, a company serving seniors for over 16 years. In addition to giving care, I can also educate women on what care is available for them and what is coming in the future. At some point, everyone will be a caregiver or need a caregiver and if I may assist them in being prepared-that is a bonus to my day.

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Unlocking the Secrets of Long-Term Care with Dina Mabry (Ep. 11)

Unlocking the Secrets of Long-Term Care with Dina Mabry (Ep. 11)

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Ever wondered if it’s too late to dive into long-term care insurance? 

Slide your headphones on and plunge into an enlightening chat as Eric Blake and Dina Mabry peel back the layers of this dilemma, placing a special spotlight on challenges specific to women. Drawing from their combined experience, they provide an in-depth look at the journey to financial security, even if you’re late to the game.

Tune in and discover:

  • Why the saying, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now,” could reshape your financial thinking
  • Reimagine long-term care: Beyond just nursing homes
  • The evolution in modern insurance policies: What unexpected benefits might your beneficiaries reap
  • The showdown: Traditional long-term care insurance vs. asset-based policies. Which side will you pick
  • Age concerns? From 40s to 80s, there’s a strategy tailored just for you
  • A sneak peek into Dina’s offerings: Why one size doesn’t fit all in insurance
  • Hear firsthand accounts of how Dina’s knowledge has made a real difference
  • And much more!

 

Resources:

Connect with Eric Blake: 

Connect with Guest: 

About our Guest: 

Dina is a trusted resource for life, long-term care, and disability insurance. Being in the industry for over 15 years, Dina has become a respected consultant to financial advisors and individuals by creatively finding solutions for estate planning, income replacement and long term care protection solutions.

Working with over 30+ carriers, Dina taps into her knowledge from her long career in the pharmaceutical industry to properly underwrite clients to find the best match for most medical impairments.

Dina strives to be a reliable professional in her field so clients can make informed decisions and feel more confident that they and their families are protected.

Dina has deep roots in the Conejo Valley and is active in W Source, The Exchange, Women 2 Women, and spends her time on the Executive Committee for Go Red for Women, The American Heart Association and The Alzheimer’s Association Central Coast.

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Do I Have to Use a Realtor to Sell My Home? With Jules Hicks (Ep. 10)

Do I Have to Use a Realtor to Sell My Home? With Jules Hicks (Ep. 10)

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As retirement inches closer, it is important to consider your living situation and what your most desired outcome will look like once you are in your golden years. 

In this episode, Eric Blake is joined by Jules Hicks, co-founder of Aunt Ida’s House. They discuss how Aunt Ida’s House helps seniors sell their homes quickly when transitioning into assisted living or nursing communities. 

Jules explains their process of buying houses for cash, conducting thorough inspections, and working with contractors to prepare the homes for the market. She also shares a heartwarming story of a family they were able to help and how it inspired her passion in this field. 

Eric and Jules discuss: 

  • How Aunt Ida’s House helps seniors sell their homes quickly
  • The origin story of Aunt Ida’s House
  • The sped up closing process in times of need
  • How Aunt Ida’s House ensures the cleanliness and functionality of every house they offer their clients 
  • And more

 

Resources:

Connect with Eric Blake: 

Connect with Jules Hicks:

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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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