We all think we’re invincible. Yet there are times in life when we may need help — whether it’s temporary (due to a fall or short-term medical condition) or permanent. Having a plan in place and discussing it with your family will make things easier for everyone when something happens. Get clear about your goals, expectations, and expenses. Any long-term plan should begin with your vision for your future. Ask yourself: • What do I want for myself? • What do I consider to be the ideal outcome? This vision can serve as your north star as you develop your plan. It’s also important to be realistic about what you might expect in the future. Look at your family’s health and medical history. While the experiences of our parents and grandparents aren’t always the same as ours, they can give perspective on challenges you may face. Talk to your healthcare providers to understand your health and what you can do to maintain or improve it over time. Be honest about how much help you may need and where it may come from. How much will you need—or be able—to rely on your children or grandchildren for help? Not sure if you will need assistance in the future, Check out this chart, See what percentage of people need help at different ages. (Include your “Percent of People That Need Help by Age” Assess Your Living Situation • Do you plan to stay in your current home long-term? • Is your home accessible if you need a wheelchair? If not, what changes will you need to make? • Are you considering moving into assisted living? Create a list of features you want and research a few facilities that may interest you. • Are you planning to live with a friend or relative? Discuss this thoroughly with them and check in every year, as their situation may also change. Get Your Documents in Order Documentation is key to ensuring your wishes are carried out appropriately and to help your family if a crisis arises. You should have the following estate planning documents in place (at a minimum): • Financial Power of Attorney • Healthcare Proxy / Power of Attorney • Will or Trust Talk to Your Family All this planning is wasted if you haven’t had an open discussion with your family. Those close to you should: • Know your wishes • Have access to your documentation • Be prepared to carry them out if you become ill or incapacitated Bottom Line As you age, make sure you have a plan that addresses your needs in case you can’t handle your own affairs. You may want to consult with a financial professional or attorney to help determine the best options. For more information, check out: Retirement Guidebook: From Planning Your Retirement to Enjoying It by Nancy Burgandine & Irene Van Dyk available in amazon Check out our website for more information and links to buy the “Retirement Guidebook” https://parentsfin.wixsite.com/website/books AVALABLE ON AMAZON https://tinyurl.com/r8xy3ve SUBSCRIBE NOW comments, questions, and likes are appreciated!

Money can bring couples closer — or drive them apart. The truth is, financial stress rarely comes from the numbers themselves; it comes from different perspectives about how money should be used. One partner may want to save every extra dollar, while the other believes money should be enjoyed now through travel, hobbies, or experiences. If you and your partner have different money habits or financial goals, the key is communication and compromise. ✅ Talk openly about what money means to each of you — not just the numbers. ✅ Set shared goals that reflect both of your priorities. The secret isn’t to win the argument — it’s to understand each other’s “why.” When couples take time to talk about what money means to them — safety, freedom, love, success — they can start to build a shared vision that respects both viewpoints. 💡 Example: Sarah loves to save for the future, while Mike enjoys spending on vacations. After several arguments, they agreed to automatically save 15% of their income each month, then set aside another 5% into a “fun fund” for travel and date nights. Both feel heard, and the stress is gone — replaced with teamwork. Compromise doesn’t mean giving up what matters to you; it means designing a plan that supports both partners’ values. Start with small agreements, review your progress regularly, and celebrate the wins — together. Strong relationships are built not just on love, but on communication, trust, and shared goals. 💞 📘 Learn more ways to strengthen your financial partnership in Financial Essentials for Couples — available on Amazon Check out all our books on amazon ahttps://tinyurl.com/r8xy3ve or via our website https://parentsfin.wixsite.com/website/books Learn more by reading our blogs or following our or YouTube channel Join our Reddit channel https://www.reddit.com/r//FinancialSmarts

Welcome to our channel on financial literacy please like and follow us if you learn anything here Money can bring couples closer — or drive them apart. The truth is, financial stress rarely comes from the numbers themselves; it comes from different perspectives about how money should be used. One partner may want to save every extra dollar, while the other believes money should be enjoyed now through travel, hobbies, or experiences. If you and your partner have different money habits or financial goals, the key is communication and compromise. Talk openly about what money means to each of you — not just the numbers. Set shared goals that reflect both of your priorities. The secret isn’t to win the argument — it’s to understand each other’s “why.” When couples take time to talk about what money means to them — safety, freedom, love, success — they can start to build a shared vision Compromise doesn’t mean giving up what matters to you; it means designing a plan that supports both partners’ values. Start with small agreements, review your progress regularly, and celebrate the wins — together. Strong relationships are built not just on love, but on communication, trust, and shared goals. Learn more ways to strengthen your financial partnership in Financial Essentials for Couples — available on Amazon Check out all our books on amazon ahttps://tinyurl.com/r8xy3ve or via our website https://parentsfin.wixsite.com/website/books Learn more by reading our blogs or following our or YouTube channel We hope you learned something and strengthened your relationship We appreciated hearing back stories Join our Reddit channel https://www.reddit.com/r//FinancialSmarts

Every day, scammers find new ways to separate people from their hard-earned money. From fake investments to online cons, the goal is always the same — to gain your trust, then take your cash. Here are just a few common traps to watch for: Financial scams — If someone promises an “unbelievably high return,” it’s exactly that — unbelievable. Real investments take time and risk. Romance scams — Emotional manipulation often turns into requests for “urgent financial help.” Genuine love doesn’t come with wire transfer requests. 🔧 Appliance or home repair scams — Scammers pose as contractors, take deposits, and vanish. Always verify licenses and company names before paying. Internet and social media scams — Fake links, impersonated accounts, and phishing emails are everywhere. Be cautious with any request for personal or financial information. The best protection is awareness. Learn how to recognize, avoid, and recover from fraud. Explore real-world examples and strategies in Scams, Fraud, and Protecting Your Money — available now on Amazon and through our website. Learn how to protect your money and stop fraudster Scams, Fraud, and Protecting Your Money was written for anyone who wants to be better prepared to avoid being hacked, scammed, or taken in by a fraudster. By being aware of what you may encounter and setting up basic protocols in managing personally identifiable information, passwords, multi-factor authentication, account transaction alerts, and credit score monitoring, you reduce your likelihood of becoming a target. Scams, Fraud, and Protecting Your Money is available for free on our website. here is the link https://parentsfin.wixsite.com/website/focused-ebooks and on Amazon Please subscribe to our channel For more videos on scams and fraud and other financial independence topics

Money shouldn’t be intimidating — it’s empowering. Too many women let fear or uncertainty stop them from managing their own finances. But understanding the basics — paying your bills, tracking spending, saving, and planning for the future — gives you independence and control. Financial confidence starts with small, consistent actions: opening your statements, setting a budget, asking questions, and learning how your money works for you. You don’t need to know everything — you just need to start. Because financial independence isn’t about sacrifice — it’s about freedom and choice. Check out our books b;ogs and books on our w website websitehtps://parentsfin.wixsite.com/website/books or our books on Amazon Budgeting for Women by Women FREE on our website Financial Essentials for Women by Women Financial Essentials for Couples Scams, Fraud, and Protecting Your Money FREE on our website Retirement Guidebook- From Planning Your Retirement to Enjoying It Subscribe to our channel and check out our other videos on topics important to women Don’t worry if you didn’t get all of the links in the video just click on the text that supports text to find links

Combating fraud takes education and a plan for trusting the right people. Protecting yourself against abuse and exploitation takes education, monitoring, and careful planning for trusting the right people. Elder abuse affects over five million older Americans each year, according to the National Council on Aging. Surprisingly, the majority of these incidents are perpetrated by family members, friends, and neighbors. Protecting yourself against abuse takes education, monitoring, and a careful plan for trusting the right people. To protect your wealth from scams and fraud, it is critical to have a plan in place before anything bad happens. Know common dangers: • Telephone calls stating that they are from Social Security or the IRS. The IRS never calls, and calls from Social Security only occur if you have an ongoing issue — the phone number will always show Social Security. • Home-repair scams — people claiming to be licensed or from a company, collecting a deposit, and then disappearing. For a complete list of these types of scams, check out our free book Scams, Fraud, and Protecting Your Money, available as a download on our website or for purchase on Amazon. . ________________________________________ Know Yourself and Know Your Family To protect your wealth from scams and fraud, it's critical to have a plan in place before anything bad happens. Doing that, however, means being honest with yourself. Know yourself: • Are you someone who always gives your children what they ask for — even if it starts cutting into your nest egg or your retirement goals? • If you can’t be sure you can say no to yourself or others when it comes to money, consider putting protections in place to keep you from making harmful financial decisions. Example: A financial advisor once worked with a client whose son had a gambling problem. No matter how the father tried to help — giving money directly or putting funds into a 529 plan — it was lost. The advisor helped him set up trust structures to protect the assets for the grandchildren. “The best-case scenario is when you’re aware of your own susceptibility.” One safeguard is to consolidate accounts so it’s easier to track them as you age, and so your advisor can recognize if anything looks suspicious. Know your family: • Have a properly executed power of attorney so someone (or multiple people) can handle your affairs if you’re incapacitated. • Choose people carefully. A power of attorney does not give someone a license to steal — and inheritance doesn’t mean they can take your money early. • If someone with power of attorney acts inappropriately, replace them immediately. • When choosing an executor or trustee, avoid anyone with financial instability, debt, or gambling issues. Pick someone who can say no — even to family members. • It’s okay to choose a trusted friend or professional instead of family. It’s important to understand the financial values and habits of your family members. A strong, honest person with no money problems is less likely to abuse trust. For more protection: – Monitor for investments out of line with your long-term plan. – Watch for sudden beneficiary changes — such as adding unrelated helpers to accounts or insurance policies Bottom line: As you age, make sure you have a plan in place that addresses your needs in case you can’t handle your own affairs. You may want to consult with a financial professional or attorney to help you figure out the best options. For more information, check out Scams, Fraud, and Protecting Your Money — free on our website and on Amazon. Another valuable resource: Retirement Guidebook: From Planning Your Retirement to Enjoying It by Nancy Burgandine & Irene Van Dyk. 📘 Website ▶️ YouTube Channel 💬 Join our Reddit community: r/FinancialSmarts Comments. Questions and likes are appreciated

Budgeting doesn’t have to mean cutting out everything you enjoy. It’s about creating balance: • Yes, you can save for retirement and enjoy a latte with friends. • Yes, you can stick to a plan and treat yourself to a weekend getaway. • Yes, you can manage bills and still invest in your dreams. 💡 The key is building a budget that works with your real life, not against it. That’s exactly what we share in Financial Essentials for Women by Women. This isn’t just another finance book—it’s written by women who understand the juggling act of family, career, and personal goals. It’s filled with practical, encouraging strategies to help you take control of your money without guilt or overwhelm. It’s amazing what the small step of just looking where your spending goes allows you to make wiser choices with your money and have control of Your financial decisions and make trade offs such as I want to go on a vacation and I’m willing to give up my latte at Starbucks everyday ✨ Because financial independence isn’t about sacrifice—it’s about freedom and choice. 📘 Ready to take the first step? Check out Financial Essentials for Women by Women. Check out all our books on amazon ahttps://tinyurl.com/r8xy3ve or via our website t htps://parentsfin.wixsite.com/website/books 💡 It’s likely not as hard as you think. 📈 Start your journey toward financial independence today— its never too late to start #

Check out our website for more information and links to buy Raising Financially Independent Children or Financially Independent Teens: https://parentsfin.wixsite.com/website/books Or go to Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/r8xy3ve Please subscribe to our channel Drop us a common with questions or suggestions for future topics. Are you trying to teach your child the value of money and responsibility? This video breaks down how introducing chores as a source of income can help your child develop a healthy money mindset early on Young children as early as two or three can express wants such as a balloon or a cookie or an ice cream on an outing You can use chores to teach them that they’re going to earn that treat which starts them with the realization that they have to work for things they want. . By middle school—or even earlier—many kids start to crave financial freedom. Whether it’s for hanging out with friends, grabbing a bite to eat, or saving up for something they want, they begin to understand that money gives them choices. 👉 That’s when chores become more than just a task—they become a important tool to teach savings and financial responsibility tool. With an allowance and the option to earn extra money through chores, neighborhood jobs, grades, or gifts, kids start piecing together their monthly income. 💡 Once they recognize how much they can earn, they begin to create their own spending plans, realizing how many extra chores they need to do in order to afford what’s important to them. This shift in perspective is why many children actually learn to love chores. They're not just helping out—they're earning independence. With an allowance and the option to earn extra money through chores, neighborhood jobs, grades, or gifts, kids start piecing together their monthly income. 💡 Once they recognize how much they can earn, they begin to create their own spending plans, realizing how many extra chores they need to do in order to afford what’s important to them. This shift in perspective is why many children actually learn to love chores. They're not just helping out—they're earning independence. Make chores a positive experience for your child Check out our website for more information and links to buy Raising Financially Independent Children or Financially Independent Teens: https://parentsfin.wixsite.com/website/books Or go to Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/r8xy3ve Please subscribe to our channel Drop us a common with questions or suggestions for future topics. 🧠 Empower your child with lifelong skills. 📚 Learn more in our books: Raising Financially Independent Children & Financially Independent Teens 📺 Subscribe to our channel for more financial parenting tips! 💬 Got questions or topic suggestions? Leave them in the comments—we’d love to hear from you Check out all our books on amazon ahttps://tinyurl.com/r8xy3ve or via our website website https://parentsfin.wixsite.com/website/books SUBSCRIBE NOW https://www.youtube.com/@financialliteracy-t8c you tube Join our Reddit channel https://www.reddit.com/r//FinancialSmarts

Leisure activities in retirement can cost far more than many expect. That’s why budgeting for fun is just as important as budgeting for essentials. A thoughtful plan helps you enjoy life without running out of money. Think about the experiences you value most. Whether it’s bucket-list travel, new hobbies, family visits, or weekly lunches with friends, your retirement leisure budget should reflect what matters most to you. For example: · A 2-week trip to Europe with your spouse could easily run into five figures. · Joining a private golf club may come with hefty initiative fees. · Dining out a few times a week could add hundreds to your monthly food bill. MMany retirees are surprised by this “sticker shock.” The shift from saving to spending can feel unsettling—but being overly cautious can also lead to regrets if you miss opportunities while you’re still healthy. Key Factors in Building Your Retirement Budget 1. Define What’s Essential for You Start with your non-negotiables: housing, food, insurance, healthcare, utilities, transportation. Then add “important expenses” that bring happiness—like cross-country trips to see grandkids or season tickets to the theater. Don’t forget irregular expenses like cars, pets, or even financial support for children/grandchildren. 2. Plan for Your Retirement Lifestyle Stopping work frees up time—what will fill your days? Research suggests an active lifestyle requires about 15% more in your retirement budget. Remember, leisure spending usually declines with age, while healthcare costs rise. Couples should talk openly about expectations, since visions of retirement can differ widely. 3. Identify Your Income Sources List pensions, Social Security, retirement accounts, dividends, annuities, rental income, or part-time work. Structure your plan so that essential expenses are covered by reliable income, giving you confidence to spend on hobbies and travel. Planning for Trade-Offs If your budget and income don’t align, consider: • Adjusting savings and investments for better after-tax growth • Cutting current expenses to save more • Working longer or part-time in retirement • Consulting a financial professional to test different scenarios A strong Plan A and Plan B means you don’t have to cut all the fun if circumstances change. ________________________________________ 📘 Want to truly understand retirement, taxes, and how to enjoy life after work? Check out Retirement Guidebook: From Planning Your Retirement to Enjoying It — available on Amazon. 🔗 Links: • Website & free resources: https://parentsfin.wixsite.com/website/books • Amazon page: https://tinyurl.com/r8xy3ve • YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@financialliteracy-t8c • Reddit community: https://www.reddit.com/r/FinancialSmarts