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Welcome to Wisdom & Wealth™ with Donna Kendrick and Jim Gehan. On each show, they'll aim to take the intimidation out of financial planning, so your family can handle any transition that comes its way. From investing to retirement, each episode will cover all angles of financial planning. If you have a 401(k), IRA or other investments and want to know how you can protect your hard-earned assets and live a life of financial success, then this is the show for you. If your financial life feels ...
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We’re all guilty of telling ourselves lies from time to time. But are you telling yourself financial lies? In this episode, Donna and Jim dive into some common financial lies that could be holding you back. Here are the points we discuss in today’s show: 0:00 – Intro 0:50 – The YOLO mentality 3:51 – Catching up after falling behind 5:48 – Cutting b…
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Paying for college has become increasingly challenging due to rising costs, particularly for blended families. But no matter your situation, early planning for your child's or grandchild's education can make a big difference and reduce the need for excessive borrowing later on. In this episode, we’ll cover the key aspects of college financial plann…
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Insurance- it may not be the most exciting subject, but it plays a super important role in financial planning. Listen in as Donna, Jim, and Marc discuss the value of having a safety net, especially in a blended family, where both partners bring in assets and responsibilities from previous relationships. If you haven't given much thought to your ins…
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Talking about finances in a dating relationship can be daunting, but it’s an important part of building a strong, transparent, and trusting partnership. So, when is the right time to discuss money matters with your partner? Should you discuss your financial status early on or wait until the relationship is more serious? Donna and Jim are here to sh…
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Choosing a financial advisor can feel daunting, especially when you're not sure what to look for or what questions to ask. In today’s episode, we’re going to cover some of the critical mistakes people make when they’re on the hunt for the perfect match. Listen in as Donna shares her personal experiences as a widow searching for a financial advisor …
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Donna and her husband, Jim, have both navigated the path of stay-at-home parenting and are no strangers to what it looks like to manage finances during family transitions. We’re excited to officially welcome Jim onto the podcast for the first time in today’s episode. Together, Donna and Jim will share their unique perspectives on the emotional and …
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Just like an annual checkup is important for maintaining good health, performing regular financial checkups is an essential part of planning for a healthy and successful retirement. In today’s episode, Donna gives us a glimpse at what financial wellness checkups look like at Sephton Financial. Here are the points we discuss in today’s show: 0:00 – …
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As much as any other threat, recognizing and avoiding scams has become an essential skill, particularly for retirees. Join us as we explore crucial steps you can take to safeguard your financial well-being against the growing tide of scams and identity theft. Learn from real-life stories and gain practical advice to keep your finances secure in thi…
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As International Women’s Day approaches (March 8), it’s the perfect time to reflect on the progress women have achieved in the financial realm over the past century. Despite this, the path to retirement is not without its unique challenges for women, and it’s important to recognize the financial hurdles that they continue to face. From career inter…
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This episode might be a bit counterintuitive. We’re going to question the real impact of common financial habits. Are the strategies you consider beneficial actually working in your favor? Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: Ignoring account statements can be beneficial in avoiding overreactions to market fluctuations, but it's importan…
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Have you ever wondered what questions to ask your financial advisor, or why those questions are crucial? In today’s episode, we’re tackling exactly that. We're discussing the vital questions that bring transparency and depth to your financial advisory relationship. Here are some of the questions we talk about in today’s show: “How do you get paid?”…
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We’re back to wrap up our discussion on easy personal finance wins. While crafting a comprehensive financial plan is crucial, sometimes making minor adjustments in your portfolio can yield significant benefits. Listen in as we share some more powerful strategies to help get your financial house in order. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episo…
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It’s important to eventually get a comprehensive financial plan for yourself, but sometimes even just a few minor adjustments in your portfolio can make a big difference. Let’s discuss a few easy places to start… Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: Establishing the right amount of yield cash as a financial safety net Cleaning up some ol…
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Welcome back to Widow, Wisdom & Wealth! In this episode, we tackle the common complaints that arise during the financial planning process. Whether you feel like your advisor is taking too much risk, your account isn’t growing the way you’d like, or you don’t understand your financial plan, we'll discuss which concerns are well-founded, which are ba…
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Are you over 55 and pondering retirement? Dive into the world of Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) with us. RMDs are a way for the government to collect taxes on your tax-deferred savings, such as traditional IRAs and 401(k)s. In this episode, Donna and Marc break down the basics of RMDs and explain how they are calculated based on your age and…
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Losing a spouse is an unimaginably tough life event, but the financial implications can add another layer of stress to the grieving process. In this episode, we delve deep into the most common financial issues faced by widows and widowers, from dealing with income gaps to navigating tax changes as a single filer. This is a topic that’s close to Don…
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In this episode, we’re back to discuss the complex and often emotionally charged process of changing financial advisors. We'll share the telltale signs that it's time to consider a switch, the questions to ask your current advisor, and what to look for in a new one. In part one, we focused on making sure that your financial advisor aligns with your…
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In this episode, we delve into the complex and often emotionally charged process of changing financial advisors. We'll discuss the telltale signs that it's time to consider a switch, the questions to ask your current advisor, and what to look for in a new one. Join us as we demystify the transition process and equip you with the knowledge you need …
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Welcome back to part two of our discussion on resolving financial tension between couples. In this episode, we'll explore five more common areas of financial tensions: emergency fund size, charitable contributions, handling inheritances, insurance needs, and financial management style. Stay tuned to learn how advisors like Donna work to resolve con…
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Money can't buy love, but it can certainly start some spicy debates between you and your better half. In this episode, we're digging into the financial face-offs that make Monopoly fights look like child's play and exploring some money minefields that can test even the most solid relationships. Listen in as we explore how to resolve some of the mos…
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Don’t get us wrong. In many cases, your 401(k) can be your best investment vehicle, offering numerous benefits and tax advantages and many times a 100% return on some of your contributions (also known as an employer match). However, it's important to recognize that it might not always be the optimal choice for everyone. Join us in this thought-prov…
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Celebrate the spirit of July 4th with our latest episode as we tackle the concept of Financial Independence. While the American colonists fought for freedom from British rule, we’re here to discuss what you’re striving to be independent from in your retirement. We’ll unveil the common foes you’ll face on the journey. And good news, no muskets requi…
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Picture this: You're at your retirement party, finally ready to enjoy your golden years, but worries caused by some bad money habits have robbed you of fully enjoying the sweetness of the day. It happens to more people than you think, which is unfortunate because with just a little bit of modification, you can rid some of the worst money habits fro…
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Today, we're diving into a topic that affects everyone, regardless of age or financial status: how age and wisdom impact financial planning. No matter where you are in life, your financial goals and priorities will change over time, and it's important to have a plan that reflects your unique needs. In this episode, we'll explore the ways in which a…
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We are excited to have Kyle Tevlin, the founder, and creator of I Want a Fun Funeral, join us today. Kyle was inspired to create this unique funeral planning service after attending several funerals that left her feeling underwhelmed and disheartened. She noticed that many of these events felt somber and lacked the personal touch that she believed …
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Are you aware that not all retirement accounts are created equal? In this episode, we'll delve into the different types of retirement accounts, including 401(k)s, IRAs, Roths, and more. We’ll help you weigh the pros and cons of each and give you insights into the purposes they serve so that you can make informed decisions for your retirement plan. …
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Do you ever feel like your retirement planning goals are always moving? You're not alone. We’ve found that people often move the goalposts in their own retirement planning and most of the time to their detriment. In this episode, we're diving deep into the psychology of retirement planning and the dangers of moving the goalposts. Here’s some of wha…
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Welcome to part two of our discussion about personality types and how your financial advisor should work with you. Last time we covered four different personality types, and we’ll be continuing that theme today with the remainder of our financial personalities. Most people fit into one of 8 personality categories. Find out which one best describes …
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Are you tired of one-size-fits-all financial advice that doesn't quite fit your unique needs and goals? In this episode, we'll tackle the question of whether an advisor should tailor a plan to fit your personality. We'll discuss the pros and cons of different approaches and explore how understanding your financial personality can help you make more…
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Are you confident that your financial plan is complete? Many people believe they have a solid plan in place, only to realize later that they've missed important areas. From not accounting for long-term care expenses to overlooking the impact of taxes on retirement income, there are many ways a financial plan can be incomplete. On this episode, we'l…
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In this episode, we’ll discuss five of the most common financial fears that come up in our conversations with retirees and pre-retirees. When you have one of these fears, what can you do to address them? Donna will tell you what approach we take with clients and how proper planning can alleviate much of the worry. Here’s some of what we’ll discuss …
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Today’s guest is Mark Davis. Mark is an estate lawyer with the law office, Connor Elder Law in Lafayette Hill. He has over 20 years of experience in the field of aging and disability services as a legal and public policy advocate. In this episode, we will discuss important aspects of estate planning. Mark shares his wisdom with us, from how to choo…
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Sometimes it might seem like talking to your financial advisor feels like talking to a therapist, and that’s ok. Let’s discuss some scenarios where it’s almost inevitable that a talk with your advisor seems like a counseling session. On this episode, we’ll share: Discussing career difficulties with your advisor. (5:27) Does money stress you out? (7…
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You need to make smart decisions during major life events, and we are here to help guide you. Whether it's a job change or divorce, we recommend taking three months to work everything out. Most people like to think that they always make decisions based on logic and facts, but the truth is that emotions usually play a role for all of us in the decis…
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Getting through retirement can be a lot like running a marathon. From planning and preparation to a proper diet, a lot of these skills work in both worlds. With marathons, you don’t want to start to fast and tire yourself out before the finish. The same can be said for spending your retirement money. Today we’ll share some of the similarities of ge…
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Just like the lights on your dashboard can indicate if something is wrong with your car (like low tire pressure or leaking oil), there are indicators in your financial life that might point out that you have a problem that needs to be addressed. You might have watched your parents retire in their early 60s and think that’s how it should still be fo…
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Emotions play a big part in investing. They often dictate where you put your money, when you move your money, and whether or not you ask for help. Today we will be touching on some of the more common emotions investors may experience as they plan for retirement. Market volatility has been stirring up a lot of less-than-pleasant feelings among inves…
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There are plenty of decisions that you’ll make in the retirement planning process that can’t be undone, so you want to make sure that you make the right call. In this episode, we’ll explain why these decisions are so important and can’t be undone. Here’s some of what you’ll learn in this episode: What happens if you take social security early, then…
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Want to know the secrets to experiencing satisfaction in retirement? We’ve discovered five key situations to which your financial plan needs to lead you. If you can key in on these five points, you’ll have a high chance to achieve retirement satisfaction. Here’s some of what you’ll learn in this episode: How bucket planning can help you continue to…
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Going through a divorce at any age is difficult but doing it near or in retirement adds all sorts of additional complications. On part two of this conversation, we’ll talk about some of the financial mistakes we see people make in the midst of a divorce when it comes to other assets besides the house. Here’s some of what you’ll learn on this episod…
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Going through a divorce at any age is difficult but doing it near or in retirement adds all sorts of additional complications. On this episode, we’ll talk about some of the financial mistakes we see people make in the midst of a divorce. Divorcee are often in a more complicated financial situation than many of the widows and widowers we work with. …
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In some ways, retirement planning was easier for past generations. From the loss of pensions to changes in the market retirement planning just isn’t what it used to be. Planning has even changed throughout the past five years. So, what do we need to prepare for that our parents and grandparents didn't? We are living longer than ever before and ther…
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With current market volatility, you may be thinking of working with an advisor if you’ve been DIYing your retirement up until this point. However, with so many options and information out there what should you look for in an advisor? If an advisor seems to work with a lot of clients, you definitely want to make sure they have time to customize and …
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Having an advisor that effectively communicates to you is essential in understanding your financial plan and the strategy they are helping you build. There are so many ways to communicate these days: in person, through phones, social media, podcasts, etc. Which do you prefer? During the pandemic, 41% of advisors, including Donna, increased communic…
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So, what is the secret to a successful retirement? Oftentimes, it’s learning to get out of your own way! When the market is volatile, we may be fearful and pull out of investments. On the other hand, sometimes we get too greedy and invest more than we should into a certain product. If you’re only making financial decisions based on a tax bill, you …
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We all know the basics of being healthy: eating well, working out, refraining from processed foods, etc. On today’s episode, we thought it would be fun to compare some common diet tips to retirement planning to help you fix some of those unhealthy financial habits. Empty calories are in a lot of different foods, in our finances we can find these in…
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Trying to keep up with news today feels like a 24-hour job. As if the year hasn’t been unpredictable enough, now we have Elon Musk buying Twitter. With everything happening, it’s not surprising that markets have reacted by moving up and down even more than usual. If you’ve paid attention to any financial news or information, there are likely a few …
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Life insurance can be intimidating for a lot of reasons but it has changed a lot over the years. On today’s episode, we are going to explore some important reasons you may want to consider life insurance and what factors you should consider when making this important decision. If you have a family, you really need to consider income replacement. Do…
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In retirement planning, there are some big birthdays you need to keep in mind. When you turn 50, the government allows you to put additional catch-up contributions into your retirement accounts. This is a great way to save more if you feel the need to. A lot of people are unaware that when you turn 55 you can take withdrawals from your 401(k) witho…
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The financial industry is full of jargon and designations that can be confusing to navigate. Do you know the difference between an IAR and an RIA? What is a CFP or a Series 66? Donna herself is an IAR financial professional, meaning she can help clients with solutions that may be a better fit for widows or widowers. She’s also a CFP, a certified fi…
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