Advertise on podcast: Get Ready: Before Life Happens Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Retirement confidence grows when your savings become reliable income. Jean Chatzky joined me on the Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast to talk about her new book, The Forever Paycheck. Jean explains why retirement planning needs to move beyond accumulation and focus on turning savings into income that can last for life. This conversation is about decumulation, annuities, spending confidence, women and retirement, values, and creating more freedom in the years ahead. Key Takeaways Retirement planning should help turn savings into reliable income.Running out of money is one of the biggest retirement fears.Switching to spending after a lifetime of savings can feel uncomfortable.Retirement income often comes from a maze of accounts.A forever paycheck can help simplify decumulation.Annuities can provide guarantees through risk pooling.Retirement decisions should reflect personal values and shared conversations.Women need to be engaged in retirement planning today. Tony’s Take After years of saving, spending can feel like the hardest part. A forever paycheck helps reframe the question: How can my money support the life I want for as long as I live? 👉 Start Your Financial Readiness Plan: A free, practical plan that helps you create your in-case-of-emergency Financial First Aid Kit, organize what matters, and prepare before life happens. Start Your Free Financial Readiness Plan  https://www.tonysteuer.com 👉 Support Get Ready. Become a Get Ready Insider and help keep the Financial Readiness Plan free, support the podcast, trusted resources, and consumer-first financial education. You’ll receive access to the Get Ready Library. Support Get Ready here. www.tonysteuer.com/support Connect with Jean Chatzky: Website: https://jeanchatzky.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanchatzky/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanchatzky/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeanChatzky/ Connect with Her Money: Website: www.hermoney.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hermoneymedia/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hermoneymedia Books:   The Forever Paycheck: The New Retirement Strategy to Spend More, Worry Less, and Never Run Out of Money (Amazon)How to Money: Your Ultimate Visual Guide to the Basics of Finance (Amazon)Women with Money: The Judgment-Free Guide to Creating the Joyful, Less Stressed, Purposeful (and, Yes, Rich) Life You Deserve (Amazon)Money Rules: The Simple Path to Lifelong Security (Amazon)Talking Money: Everything You Need to Know About Your Finances and Your Future (Amazon)Pay It Down!: Debt-Free on $10 a Day (Amazon)AgeProof: Living Longer Without Running Out of Money or Breaking a Hip (Amazon)Money 911: Your Most Pressing Money Questions Answered, Your Money Emergencies Solved – A Lifesaving Guide to Managing Life-Altering Financial Events (Amazon)Not Your Parents' Money Book: Making, Saving, and Spending Your Money (Amazon)Make Money, Not Excuses: Wake Up, Take Charge, and Overcome Your Financial Fears Forever (Amazon)The Difference: How Anyone Can Prosper in Even The Toughest Times (Amazon)The Ten Commandments of Financial Happiness: Feel Richer with What You've Got (Amazon) Podcast: Her Money Podcast: https://hermoney.com/t/podcasts/ Resources mentioned: Invest for Better website (here). Check out my conversation with Invest For Better Founder: Janine Firpo on the Get Ready Before Life Happens podcast: Invest In Alignment With Your Values (here) Bio:  Jean Chatzky is the founder and CEO of HerMoney and the host of “HerMoney With Jean Chatzky.” Jean is a columnist for AARP, a coach on the PBS TV show Opportunity Knocks and a research fellow with the LIMRA Retirement Income Institute. Previously, she spent 25 years as the Financial Editor on NBC's Today Show and was a contributor to Oprah. Jean is an award-winning journalist and broadcaster, a New York Times and Wall Street Journal best-selling author, and a fierce advocate for financial literacy. Her latest book is The Forever Paycheck: The New Retirement Strategy to Spend More, Worry Less and Never Run Out Of Money.  Support the show The Get Ready Money Podcast and its guests do not provide investment advice. All content is for educational purposes. Guest opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Get Ready Money Podcast and Tony Steuer.

Send us Fan Mail Better money conversations start with curiosity, structure, and a willingness to learn together. Sheila Schroeder, author of “It’s Time to Talk: A Woman’s Guide to Navigating Money Conversations” joined me on the Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast to share practical ways to start money conversations and create a safe place to ask questions,  and understand each other’s money stories with partners, parents, siblings, advisors, and family members.  Key Takeaways:  Money conversations work better when people understand their own money story.Couples make stronger plans when both partners are part of the conversation.Regular money dates create structure, clarity, and connection.Advisors can help by making space for both partners to ask questions.Family money conversations work best with listening, calm, and boundaries.Talking about money helps loved ones step in when life changes.Today is a good day to ask the money question on your mind. Tony’s Take: When families avoid talking about money, they often end up making decisions from assumptions. When they talk with structure, curiosity, and openness, they can make better choices together. Connect with Sheila Schroeder: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilaschroeder/Instagram:  @SheilaSchroederMoneyTalkss Books: It's Time to Talk: A Woman's Guide to Navigating Money Conversations (Amazon)  Bio:  Sheila Schroeder is the author of It’s Time to Talk: A Woman’s Guide to Navigating Money Conversations (Wiley, 2025), a practical, step-by-step guide that helps women build confidence in financial management and navigate the money conversations that shape careers, relationships, and long-term security. Drawing on decades of experience in finance, she pairs clear guidance and suggested scripts with real-life stories to help women move past stigma and speak about money with clarity and confidence.  Alongside her writing, Sheila is a Business Development Consultant and Head of Business Development for the West Coast at Wealthspire Advisors, where she connects clients with the firm’s expertise to build thoughtful, values-aligned financial strategies. She brings more than 25 years of financial services experience and regularly leads financial literacy workshops and speaks on financial empowerment.  👉 Start Your Financial Readiness Plan: A free, practical plan that helps you create your in-case-of-emergency Financial First Aid Kit, organize what matters, and prepare before life happens. Start Your Free Financial Readiness Plan  https://www.tonysteuer.com 👉 Support Get Ready. Become a Get Ready Insider and help keep the Financial Readiness Plan free, support the podcast, trusted resources, and consumer-first financial education. You’ll receive access to the Get Ready Library. Support Get Ready here. www.tonysteuer.com/support Support the show The Get Ready Money Podcast and its guests do not provide investment advice. All content is for educational purposes. Guest opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Get Ready Money Podcast and Tony Steuer.

Send us Fan Mail Helping parents as they age starts with better conversations, clearer plans, and realistic expectations. Elliott Appel, founder of Kindness Financial Planning and author of How to Help Your Parents As They Age joined me on the Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast to share practical ways families can talk about aging, understand wishes, organize documents, plan for care, and set healthy boundaries.  Key Takeaways Aging plans work best when conversations start early.Parents’ wishes, values, and goals deserve clear discussion.Caregiving works better with realistic expectations and shared roles.Healthy boundaries help families support each other with clarity.Care costs should be researched before care is needed.Legal documents and elder care planning create better options.Regular communication helps families prepare and adjust as needs change. Tony’s Take: Caregiving is a journey, it’s a series of decisions. The families who are best prepared usually have the conversations early. They understand wishes, organize documents, talk about care options, and know what each person can realistically do.  Connect with Elliott Appel, CFP®, CLU®, RLP®: Website: https://kindnessfp.com/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/elliottappelFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kindnessfp Books:  How to Help Your Parents As They AgeMoney Lessons for Change: What They Should Have Taught You in School (Amazon) Podcasts and media:  Elliott Appel: YouTube (here)Me and Money Podcast with Elliott Appel and Matt Fizell: (Apple Podcasts) Resources Mentioned: Carescout Cost of Care Calculator and Survey (here)  The Aging Plan Every Family Needs with Anna Lee Kruger on the Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast (here)  How To Create An Aging Plan That Works with Carol Chiang on the Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast (here) Bios:  Elliott Appel, CFP®, CLU®, RLP® is a fee-only, fiduciary financial planner and the founder of Kindness Financial Planning, LLC, which focuses on helping widows, caregivers, and retirees gain control of their financial life. Outside of the office, Elliott enjoys playing tennis, hiking, biking, and photography.  👉 Start Your Financial Readiness Plan: A free, practical plan that helps you create your in-case-of-emergency Financial First Aid Kit, organize what matters, and prepare before life happens. Start Your Free Financial Readiness Plan  https://www.tonysteuer.com 👉 Support Get Ready. Become a Get Ready Insider and help keep the Financial Readiness Plan free, support the podcast, trusted resources, and consumer-first financial education. You’ll receive access to the Get Ready Library. Support Get Ready here. www.tonysteuer.com/support Support the show The Get Ready Money Podcast and its guests do not provide investment advice. All content is for educational purposes. Guest opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Get Ready Money Podcast and Tony Steuer.

Send us Fan Mail Your relationship with money shapes how you think, feel, give, and make decisions. Ellen Rogin, CPA, CFP®, Author, Speaker and consultant joined me on Get Ready Before Life Happens to talk about building a healthier, more intentional relationship with money. Ellen shares how money beliefs are formed, why early money memories matter, and how generosity, visualization, and self-awareness can create more confidence and possibility. Key Takeaways Your relationship with money influences every financial decision.Early money memories can shape beliefs that guide your choices.A belief can be examined, questioned, and updated.Confidence grows when people understand their money story.Generosity can support happiness, purpose, and prosperity.Visualization helps people connect money with meaningful goals.Advisors can create calm by listening beyond the numbers. Tony’s Take: Money is personal before it is technical. The numbers matter, but they rarely tell the whole story. Our beliefs, memories, fears, hopes, and habits shape how we make decisions. Connect with Ellen Rogin, CPA, CFP LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellenrogin/Website: https://www.ellenrogin.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EllenRogin Books:   Messages from Money: How to Stress Less, Prosper More, and Reshape Your Relationship with Money by Ellen Rogin (Amazon) Picture Your Prosperity: Smart Money Moves to Turn Your Vision into Reality by Ellen Rogin and Lisa Kueng (Amazon) Bio:  Ellen Rogin, CPA, CFP®, is a money expert, intuitive, and New York Times best-selling author of Picture Your Prosperity and the Amazon best-seller Messages from Money: How to Stress Less, Prosper More, and Reshape Your Relationship with Money. A former financial advisor, Ellen combines deep financial and business expertise with a strong intuitive ability that helps people see their financial lives, opportunities, and next stage of success with a deeper level of clarity. Ellen works with successful individuals and organizations who sense there is more available to them and want to see money, opportunities, and what’s next from a deeper perspective, revealing new possibilities and a more aligned path forward. Ellen is a sought-after speaker, consultant, and TEDx presenter whose work has been featured in The New York Times, Money, Time.com, and Forbes.com. 👉 Start Your Financial Readiness Plan: A free, practical plan that helps you create your in-case-of-emergency Financial First Aid Kit, organize what matters, and prepare before life happens. Start Your Free Financial Readiness Plan  https://www.tonysteuer.com 👉 Support Get Ready. Become a Get Ready Insider and help keep the Financial Readiness Plan free, support the podcast, trusted resources, and consumer-first financial education. You’ll receive access to the Get Ready Library. Support Get Ready here. www.tonysteuer.com/support Support the show The Get Ready Money Podcast and its guests do not provide investment advice. All content is for educational purposes. Guest opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Get Ready Money Podcast and Tony Steuer.

Send us Fan Mail Retirement is a life transition, not just a financial event.  In this episode, Tony Steuer talks with Andrea Maizes, author of Your Next Edit, about planning for life after work with intention. Andrea shares why retirement often involves identity, purpose, connection, time, family expectations, and experimentation. Her message is clear: do not wait until you retire to figure out what comes next. Key Takeaways Retirement is a life transition that unfolds over time.Life planning deserves as much attention as financial planning.Work can provide identity, purpose, structure, and connection.A strong next chapter starts with something meaningful to move toward.Testing new interests before retirement builds confidence.Clear conversations with family create better expectations.Your next edit can grow through small steps, patience, and curiosity. Tony’s Take: Retirement is about more than having enough money. Money gives you options, but it does not automatically create purpose, connection, or joy. Your next chapter is not something you have to solve all at once. You can test, learn, adjust, and build your next edit before life happens. Connect with Andrea Maizes, ACC, CPRC: Website: https://www.andreamaizes.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreamaizes/Substack: The Next Edit: https://thenextedit.substack.com Book: "Your Next Edit": 30 Thought-Provoking Exercises to Build the Retirement of Your Dreams (Amazon)  Bio:  Andrea Maizes is an executive transition coach and former Chief Human Resources Officer with more than 30 years of experience leading global organizations. Today she helps high-achieving professionals navigate one of life’s most underestimated transitions — life after the title. She is the author of Your Next Edit and creator of The Next Edit newsletter, where she writes about identity, reinvention, and designing the next chapter after high achievement. Andrea works with founders, CEOs, and senior leaders navigating retirement, reinvention, and major life transitions. 👉 Start Your Financial Readiness Plan: A free, practical plan that helps you create your in-case-of-emergency Financial First Aid Kit, organize what matters, and prepare before life happens. Start Your Free Financial Readiness Plan  https://www.tonysteuer.com 👉 Support Get Ready. Become a Get Ready Insider and help keep the Financial Readiness Plan free, support the podcast, trusted resources, and consumer-first financial education. You’ll receive access to the Get Ready Library. Support Get Ready here. www.tonysteuer.com/support Support the show The Get Ready Money Podcast and its guests do not provide investment advice. All content is for educational purposes. Guest opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Get Ready Money Podcast and Tony Steuer.

Send us Fan Mail Savings is an important step on the road to financial resilience. Andrew Gall, Head of Savings and Economics at the Building Societies Association and a leader of UK Savings Week joined Tony on the Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast to talk about why saving is about more than pounds and pence. It is about habits, confidence, security, choices, and giving your future self more options. Key Takeaways Small savings habits can help build financial resilience over time.Saving is personal, and the best approach is one you can stick with.Consistent saving matters, even when the amount feels small.Savings can provide security, peace of mind, and more choices.Getting started is more important than saving perfectly.Checking whether your savings are earning interest can help your money work harder.It is okay to use savings when you reach your goal or need the money. Tony’s Take: Saving is one of the simplest ways to prepare before life happens. The goal is to find a way to save that fits your life, build the habit, and give your future self more choices. Connect with Andrew Gall: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-gall-uk/ Connect with UK Savings Week:  UK Savings Week Website: https://uksavingsweek.co.uk Resources mentioned: Bristol University research: https://www.bsa.org.uk/getmedia/924bff5b-c408-4b26-99f2-ec34a73d3d72/BSA-Saving-Attitudes-Behaviours-Policy-Report-2026.pdf Bio:  Andrew Gall has worked for the Building Societies Association for twenty years. This is the trade body for all of the UK's building societies, customer-owned savings and mortgage providers which have their origins 250 years ago when people came together to start to save. They also represent some of the larger UK credit unions.  Five years ago Andrew led the launch of UK Savings Week, a campaign to get people engaged in saving. This aims to help people to start to save, and to make the most of the money the have. The campaign has grown so that hundreds of organisations - savings providers, businesses, charities, educators, government and others have come together in a cross-sector campaign. Backed by rigorous research and working with partners, UK Savings Week is now delivering results in helping people to build their savings and financial wellbeing. In collaboration with The Money Awareness and Inclusion Awards (the MAIAs) which celebrate the increasingly important work being done to help people understand money better. Learn more: https://www.maiawards.org.   👉 Start Your Financial Readiness Plan: A free, practical plan that helps you create your in-case-of-emergency Financial First Aid Kit, organize what matters, and prepare before life happens. Start Your Free Financial Readiness Plan  https://www.tonysteuer.com 👉 Support Get Ready. Become a Get Ready Insider and help keep the Financial Readiness Plan free, support the podcast, trusted resources, and consumer-first financial education. You’ll receive access to the Get Ready Library. Support Get Ready here. www.tonysteuer.com/support Support the show The Get Ready Money Podcast and its guests do not provide investment advice. All content is for educational purposes. Guest opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Get Ready Money Podcast and Tony Steuer.

Send us Fan Mail What if there were more options for your life insurance than you realized? Lisa Rehburg, life settlement broker joins Tony on Get Ready Before Life Happens to talk about what people should know when a life insurance policy no longer fits. Lisa explains how life settlements work, why reviewing your options matters, and how to make more informed decisions before letting a policy lapse or surrendering it. Key Takeaways Ask whether the policy is still doing its job.A life settlement may offer another option before surrendering or lapsing a policy.Life settlements aren’t just for when the insured is severely ill.A life settlement broker can help create competition among buyers.Licensing, experience, and specialized knowledge matter when working with life settlements (or anything for that matter). Regulation, transparency, and privacy protections are important parts of the process.Review all options before making a long-term policy decision. Tony’s Take: Life insurance is risk protection first. If a policy protected your family, business, or estate for years, the premiums were not wasted. But life changes, and the better question becomes: is this policy still doing the job I need it to do? A life settlement is not always the answer, but knowing it exists can help people make better decisions before life happens. Connect with Lisa Rehburg: Website: https://www.rehburglifesettlements.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisarehburg/ Bio:  Lisa Rehburg is President of Rehburg Life Insurance Settlements, a life insurance settlements broker.  Ms. Rehburg is passionate about assisting financial, insurance, legal and non-profit professionals to help their clients benefit from their unwanted or unneeded life insurance policies.  Lisa has been in the health and life insurance industries for over 35 years.  She has presented to hundreds of organizations, including various Financial Planning Associations, Fiduciary Associations, Estate Planning Councils, Planned Giving Roundtables, NAPFA, NAIFA and Health Underwriters Associations, to raise the visibility of life insurance settlements as an option for clients, when appropriate.   She has held executive roles at carriers, general agencies and TPAs.   She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance and a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Development.  She can be reached at (714) 349-7981, [email protected], [email protected],  or www.rehburglifesettlements.com.  👉 Start Your Financial Readiness Plan: A free, practical plan that helps you create your in-case-of-emergency Financial First Aid Kit, organize what matters, and prepare before life happens. Start Your Free Financial Readiness Plan  https://www.tonysteuer.com 👉 Support Get Ready. Become a Get Ready Insider and help keep the Financial Readiness Plan free, support the podcast, trusted resources, and consumer-first financial education. You’ll receive access to the Get Ready Library. Support Get Ready here. www.tonysteuer.com/support Support the show The Get Ready Money Podcast and its guests do not provide investment advice. All content is for educational purposes. Guest opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Get Ready Money Podcast and Tony Steuer.

Send us Fan Mail Income creates options when it is supported by strong financial systems. Kahlilah Dowe, CFP®, founder of TrueWealth Solutions, joined me on Get Ready: Before Life Happens to talk about how education, structure, goals, and values can build confidence and economic empowerment. Key Takeaways Financial education builds confidence and expands opportunity.Strong systems help income support long-term goals.Knowing your numbers creates financial peace.Liquidity, goals and systems create stability.A financial do-over can begin with one courageous step.Your money should support what brings you peace and purpose. Economic empowerment grows when money is used to create impact. Tony’s Take: Strong financial infrastructure helps turn income into confidence, choices, and impact. Connect with Kahlilah Dowe, CFP®: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kahlilahdowe/True Wealth Solutions Website: https://truewealthsolutionstws.comYouTube True Wealth Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TrueWealthSolutionstwsResources mentioned:  The Financial Do-Over Series by Kahlilah Dowe, CFP  Part 1: More Money, Same Problems.  (LinkedIn) Part 2: We Outside! / The Do-Over(LinkedIn) Part 3: Seriously, What Will It Take? The Infrastructure (LinkedIn) Part 4: Learning Enough. (LinkedIn)How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie (Amazon)  Bio:  Kahlilah Dowe is a Certified Financial Planner™ with more than 15 years of experience helping families build financial freedom through personal financial planning and coaching. She began her career at Vanguard, one of the world’s largest financial institutions, where she developed financial strategies for high net worth families. Today, she is the founder of TrueWealth Solutions, a financial planning and coaching firm based in the Philadelphia area, where she helps clients strengthen the financial infrastructure that supports their lives. Kahlilah’s passion for financial planning is deeply personal. Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, in a family where resources were limited, she became focused early on creating financial security for herself and her family. That experience shaped her belief that financial success is not simply about making great money, but about using money in ways that create stability, freedom, and long term economic empowerment. She lives in the Philadelphia area with her husband, their three children, and two grandchildren, and loves loud, joyful Friday nights spent with five generations of family. 👉 Start Your Financial Readiness Plan: A free, practical plan that helps you create your in-case-of-emergency Financial First Aid Kit, organize what matters, and prepare before life happens. Start Your Free Financial Readiness Plan  https://www.tonysteuer.com 👉 Support Get Ready. Become a Get Ready Insider and help keep the Financial Readiness Plan free, support the podcast, trusted resources, and consumer-first financial education. You’ll receive access to the Get Ready Library. Support Get Ready here. www.tonysteuer.com/support Support the show The Get Ready Money Podcast and its guests do not provide investment advice. All content is for educational purposes. Guest opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Get Ready Money Podcast and Tony Steuer.

Send us Fan Mail Money shapes our choices, relationships, and confidence.  On this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens, I sit down with Wally Luckeydoo, educator and founder of Money Secret. We explore why money conversations matter, how anonymous money secrets help people feel less alone, and why financial literacy works best when it includes emotions, behavior, and real life. Key Takeaways Money conversations build trust and confidenceMoney secrets reveal the emotions behind financial decisionsSharing money stories helps people feel less aloneFinancial literacy depends on both content and deliverySports gambling is an important conversation for students and familiesPartners benefit from talking openly about money habits and expectationsMoney mistakes can become learning moments Tony’s Take: Money secrets are money stories. Financial literacy is more than information. It is also about emotions, behavior, trust, and communication. When we talk more openly about money, we help people learn, connect, and make better decisions before life happens. Connect with Wally Luckeydoo, Ed.D. Money Secret Website: https://moneysecret.netLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wallyluckeydoo/ Resources mentioned: Sammy Rabbit - Money School and Books for kids: https://sammyrabbit.comThe Four Money Bears - Book by Mac Gardner and Berryville Game: https://www.thefourmoneybears.com Bio:  Dr. Wally T. Luckeydoo holds multiple professional degrees and is an award-winning educator and leader in financial literacy with a strong commitment to experiential learning. He teaches Work-Based Learning and Personal Finance at Smyrna High School, where he prepares students with practical, career-ready skills through hands-on experiences. He also serves as an adjunct professor, teaching Sports Management courses at Abilene Christian University and Cumberland University, as well as Dual Enrollment Personal Finance at Bethel University. Dr. Luckeydoo is the creator of MoneySecret.net, a platform that uncovers real, anonymous financial stories to spark meaningful conversations and deeper understanding of personal finance. His work has earned him numerous recognitions, including the 2026 Excellence in Financial Literacy Education Educator of the Year Award, the 2026 Jump$tart Corey Carlisle Public Policy Award, the 2025 Tennessee Educational Technology Association Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award, the 2024 Tennessee Jump$tart Educator of the Year Award, and honors from Next Gen Personal Finance as a Distinguished Educator and Extra Mile Award winner. He is dedicated to equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in school, career, and life. In collaboration with The Money Awareness and Inclusion Awards (the MAIAs) which celebrate the increasingly important work being done to help people understand money better. Learn more: https://www.maiawards.org.   👉 Start Your Financial Readiness Plan: A free, practical plan that helps you create your in-case-of-emergency Financial First Aid Kit, organize what matters, and prepare before life happens. Start Your Free Financial Readiness Plan  https://www.tonysteuer.com 👉 Support Get Ready. Become a Get Ready Insider and help keep the Financial Readiness Plan free, support the podcast, trusted resources, and consumer-first financial education. You’ll receive access to the Get Ready Library. Support Get Ready here. www.tonysteuer.com/support Support the show The Get Ready Money Podcast and its guests do not provide investment advice. All content is for educational purposes. Guest opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Get Ready Money Podcast and Tony Steuer.

Send us Fan Mail Life can change quickly. Planning ahead, having the right conversations, and using tools like trusts can help protect what matters most. Will Spencer, founder of Rest Easier joined me on Get Ready Before Life Happens to explore why estate planning is important for everyone, how families can protect assets from disappearing over time, and why early money conversations create more clarity and confidence across generations. Will shares practical ways to simplify planning, update beneficiaries, and help families prepare before life happens. Key Takeaways Estate planning helps protect families and is valuable at every stage of lifeMany assets go unclaimed because loved ones do not know they existEarly conversations about money create clarity and reduce future stressUpdating beneficiaries and organizing important information are simple but powerful stepsFinancial literacy grows when people openly share knowledge and support one anotherYounger generations can help start meaningful conversations around money and planning with aging parents 🧠 Tony’s Take Protecting your family starts long before a crisis happens. Simple conversations, updated information, and shared awareness can make a meaningful difference for the people you care about. That’s what financial readiness looks like in real life. Connect with Will Spencer: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willspencerresteasier/ Rest Easier Website: https://resteasier.co.uk Bio: Will Spencer is the Founder & CEO of Rest Easier, a UK-based startup building "the family office for the 99%", giving employees access to estate planning, life-event financial coordination, and protection infrastructure through their employer. Will's career spans founder-led sales, investor relations, and product strategy, all focused on making financial preparedness accessible to people who'd otherwise never get it. 👉 Start Your Financial Readiness Plan: A free, practical plan that helps you create your in-case-of-emergency Financial First Aid Kit, organize what matters, and prepare before life happens. Start Your Free Financial Readiness Plan  https://www.tonysteuer.com 👉 Support Get Ready. Become a Get Ready Insider and help keep the Financial Readiness Plan free, support the podcast, trusted resources, and consumer-first financial education. You’ll receive access to the Get Ready Library. Support Get Ready here. www.tonysteuer.com/support Support the show The Get Ready Money Podcast and its guests do not provide investment advice. All content is for educational purposes. Guest opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Get Ready Money Podcast and Tony Steuer.

Send us Fan Mail Your story is one of your greatest assets.  Jed Collins, author of Fourth & Goal: An NFL Memoir, Grit, Survival, & Stories From Inside My Helmet joined me on the Get Ready Before Life Happens podcast to explore the power of journaling, why reflection helps shape personal growth, and how authenticity becomes even more valuable in the age of AI. Jed shares lessons from football, failure, entrepreneurship, and financial education, along with why capturing your story can help you better understand yourself, your goals, and the value you bring to the world. Key Takeaways Journaling helps capture experiences, reflect on growth, and develop original thinkingReflection creates greater self-awareness around decisions, goals, and personal identityAuthenticity and perspective are becoming more valuable as AI expands access to informationGrowth often comes through challenges, setbacks, and learning from failureFinancial education becomes more powerful when people can apply ideas in real lifeCapturing your story over time helps clarify your voice, values, and directionSmall, consistent habits like journaling can create long-term personal and professional growthBecome the person you needed when you were young 🧠 Tony’s Take: Your story is an asset. This conversation is a reminder that reflection helps us better understand who we are, what we value, and how we grow through both successes and setbacks. In a world where information is everywhere, authenticity, perspective, and lived experience become even more meaningful. Taking time to capture your journey helps turn experiences into insight and insight into growth. Connect with Jedidiah Collins, CFP®:  Website: https://jedidiahcollins.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jedidiah-collins/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jedidiahcollins8198 Book: Fourth & Goal: An NFL Memoir, Grit, Survival, & Stories From Inside My Helmet (Amazon)Your Money Vehicle: How to Begin Driving to Financial Freedom! (Amazon).  Mentioned this episode: Ball Four: The Final Pitch by Jim Bouton (Amazon)  Bio:  Jedidiah Collins, known as the Fullback of Finance, spent seven seasons in the NFL where he was cut 13 times before earning his place and eventually becoming one of the top fullbacks in the world. His journey taught him a lesson that now defines his work: talent may get you noticed, but resilience is what keeps you in the game. While others measured success by contracts and statistics, Jed was quietly building a different edge—through journaling, reflection, and learning from the greatness around him. Those habits helped shape both his football career and the life that followed. After the NFL, Jed became a Certified Financial Planner® and founded the financial literacy company Money Vehicle. Today, he teaches athletes, students, entrepreneurs, and leaders how to Speak Money & Act Wealthy, turning financial literacy into practical action and confidence. As a keynote speaker and author, Jed now shares his Rookie to Veteran framework to help others grow in business and life. His message is simple: success leaves clues, failure is a First Attempt In Learning, and the most important victories are the ones you choose to write down first. 👉 Start Your Financial Readiness Plan: A free, practical plan that helps you create your in-case-of-emergency Financial First Aid Kit, organize what matters, and prepare before life happens. Start Your Free Financial Readiness Plan  https://www.tonysteuer.com 👉 Support Get Ready. Become a Get Ready Insider and help keep the Financial Readiness Plan free, support the podcast, trusted resources, and consumer-first financial education. You’ll receive access to the Get Ready Library. Support Get Ready here. www.tonysteuer.com/support Support the show The Get Ready Money Podcast and its guests do not provide investment advice. All content is for educational purposes. Guest opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Get Ready Money Podcast and Tony Steuer.

Send us Fan Mail The way we think shapes the way we spend, invest, and make decisions.  Colin Hodge, founder and author of Outrageous Startup Growth joined me on this episode of the Get Ready Before Life Happens podcast to explore how psychology impacts financial decisions, why cognitive biases shape more of our lives than we realize, and how slowing down can help us make clearer and more intentional choices. Colin shares insights on growth mindset, entrepreneurship, AI, and the hidden forces that influence how we think, spend, and respond to risk. Key Takeaways Cognitive biases influence how we make financial, business, and everyday decisionsSlowing down important decisions creates space for clearer and more intentional thinkingSystem 1 thinking helps us react quickly, while System 2 thinking supports deeper analysisUrgency and fear can push people toward reactive decisions and reduce critical thinkingAdding friction to decisions can help reduce impulse spending and improve long-term outcomesUnderstanding your identity, emotions, and personal story improves self-awareness around moneyAI can become a powerful tool for learning, leverage, and expanding opportunity when used intentionally 🧠 Tony’s Take: Slowing down is a financial skill. The more aware we become of our biases, emotions, and decision-making patterns, the more clearly we can think before acting. That awareness helps turn reactions into intentional choices. Connect with Colin Hodge: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ckbhodge/Website: https://colinhodge.comNewsletter: https://colinhodge.substack.com Books:   Outrageous Startup Growth: Uncovering the Secrets of User Psychology to Scale Your Success (Amazon) Resources mentioned: Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman (Amazon) Does It Make Sense Calculator - Gifting Sense (www.giftingsense.org) Bio:  Colin Hodge is a startup founder and national bestselling author who has led companies and growth teams responsible for over 100 million users. He currently is co-owner of DOWN, a top 10 dating app in the US with millions in annual revenue – built on the growth principles and lessons shared in this book. He achieved a successful exit for DOWN (then later reacquiring it) and 17Live, the top live-streaming video company in Asia. While chief growth officer at 17Live, Colin led data-driven initiatives in growth, global expansion, and marketing, then launched the platform in the United States as the first US CEO. Colin holds a BS in computer science from Cornell University and occasionally serves as a board member and keynote speaker for organizations around the world.  👉 Start Your Financial Readiness Plan: A free, practical plan that helps you create your in-case-of-emergency Financial First Aid Kit, organize what matters, and prepare before life happens. Start Your Free Financial Readiness Plan  https://www.tonysteuer.com 👉 Support Get Ready. Become a Get Ready Insider and help keep the Financial Readiness Plan free, support the podcast, trusted resources, and consumer-first financial education. You’ll receive access to the Get Ready Library. Support Get Ready here. www.tonysteuer.com/support Support the show The Get Ready Money Podcast and its guests do not provide investment advice. All content is for educational purposes. Guest opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Get Ready Money Podcast and Tony Steuer.

Send us Fan Mail Aging planning starts with conversations.  Lauren Clough, Co-Founder and CEO of bQuest joined me on the Get Ready Before Life Happens podcast to explore why aging plans matter, how early family conversations create clarity, and the important role financial planners and care professionals play in helping families navigate caregiving decisions. Lauren shares practical insights on aging in place, building support systems, and creating a plan that aligns with a family’s wishes and values. Key Takeaways Aging planning begins with understanding a person’s wishes and long-term goalsEarly family conversations help reduce stress and improve decision-making laterCaregiving often evolves over time and requires different types of support along the wayAging in place requires planning around home safety, caregiving, and financial resourcesFinancial advisors can play an important role in facilitating family conversations and long-term planningTrusted professionals and vetted service providers help families navigate complex caregiving decisions with greater confidence Tony’s Take: When families talk openly about wishes, care, and support before a crisis happens, they create a stronger foundation for the future. That clarity becomes a gift for everyone involved. Connect with Lauren Clough: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-tracy-clough-13053819/bQuest Website: https://thebquest.com Resources mentioned: Aging Wishes GuideHow to Create an Aging Plan That Works with Aging-in-Place Expert Carol Chiang on the Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast (here) Bio:  Lauren Clough is the Co-Founder and CEO of bQuest, the first Care Intelligence Platform purpose-built for the financial services industry. bQuest partners with wealth management firms, RIAs, and family offices to ensure families receive timely, coordinated support during aging, end-of-life, and after-loss transitions.   Drawing on more than a decade as a senior manager in her family’s global logistics business, Lauren brings deep operational expertise in scaling complex, fragmented systems. Her leadership is also shaped by her family’s multi-generational Alzheimer’s journey, which exposed firsthand the gaps between financial planning and aging care support.   At bQuest, Lauren is building the infrastructure that bridges wealth and health equipping financial advisors to show up for clients not only in markets, but in life’s most personal and vulnerable moments.   Her mission is to transform financial services by making longevity planning and care coordination a standard offering so that every family under the guidance of a trusted advisor has clarity, advocacy, and real support as they navigate caregiving and aging. 👉 Start Your Financial Readiness Plan: A free, practical plan that helps you create your in-case-of-emergency Financial First Aid Kit, organize what matters, and prepare before life happens. Start Your Free Financial Readiness Plan  https://www.tonysteuer.com 👉 Support Get Ready. Become a Get Ready Insider and help keep the Financial Readiness Plan free, support the podcast, trusted resources, and consumer-first financial education. You’ll receive access to the Get Ready Library. Support Get Ready here. www.tonysteuer.com/support Support the show The Get Ready Money Podcast and its guests do not provide investment advice. All content is for educational purposes. Guest opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Get Ready Money Podcast and Tony Steuer.

Send us Fan Mail Phil Weiss, Founder of Apprise Wealth joined Tony on this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens to talk about how understanding your financial situation, aligning your resources with your values, and having regular money conversations can help you navigate major life changes with more confidence and intention. Life transitions require clarity and confidence. Key Takeaways Your money story shapes how you make financial decisions.Knowing your financial situation helps you see what’s possible.Moving from your accumulation (saving) phase to your spending (decumulation) phase requires a mindset shift.Align time, energy, attention, and money with what matters most.Regular “money dates” strengthen communication and clarity.During major transitions, pause and avoid rushed decisions.Asking questions builds confidence and better outcomes. 🧠 Tony’s Take: Financial confidence grows through clarity and conversation. When you understand where you stand, align your resources with your values, and stay engaged through regular discussions, you create the ability to navigate life’s transitions with confidence. Connect withPhilip H. Weiss, CFA, CPA, RLP®: Apprise Wealth Website: https://apprisewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-weiss/Blog: https://apprisewealth.com/news/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phil.weiss.330 or https://www.facebook.com/AppriseWealthYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdxgFt2cD1r5WP0-Y6LqMDg/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/phweiss11/ Resources: Caring for aging parents checklist (here) Bio:  Phil Weiss founded Apprise Wealth Management. He started his financial services career in 1987, working as a tax professional for Deloitte & Touche. For the past 25 years, he has worked extensively in the areas of personal finance and investment management. Phil is a CFA charter holder, a CPA, and an RLP®. Phil launched his own Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) business to provide financial planning, personal finance, and investment management services, as well as education, to women facing new beginnings. He believes it is a privilege to help others plan for their financial future. Please read this blog if you would like to learn more about what drove Phil to start Apprise and why he works with women facing new beginnings. 👉 Start Your Financial Readiness Plan: A free, practical plan that helps you create your in-case-of-emergency Financial First Aid Kit, organize what matters, and prepare before life happens. Start Your Free Financial Readiness Plan  https://www.tonysteuer.com 👉 Support Get Ready. Become a Get Ready Insider and help keep the Financial Readiness Plan free, support the podcast, trusted resources, and consumer-first financial education. You’ll receive access to the Get Ready Library. Support Get Ready here. www.tonysteuer.com/support Support the show The Get Ready Money Podcast and its guests do not provide investment advice. All content is for educational purposes. Guest opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Get Ready Money Podcast and Tony Steuer.

Send us Fan Mail What can 300 conversations teach us about making thoughtful financial decisions and preparing for life? After 300 conversations with guests from around the world, I’ve learned that access to financial information is only the beginning. In this special solo episode, I share the Six Principles of Financial Readiness, a practical framework for connecting financial information with our goals, responsibilities, relationships, and real lives. I explore why curiosity matters, how to recognize what may be missing, and what it takes to prepare the people who may one day need to step in. Key takeaways Start with purpose. Understand what you want your money and decisions to make possible.Seek understanding. Learn about the choices, costs, risks, benefits, trade-offs, and interests behind a recommendation.Know what’s missing. Look for the unanswered question, missing document, needed conversation, or person who should be involved.Think long-term. Consider how a decision may affect you and the people around you as life changes.Protect what matters most. Prepare the people, information, relationships, and resources that support what you value.Exercise good judgment. Take a beat, verify the information, involve the right people, and choose a responsible next step.Prepare people as well as plans. Organization and communication help trusted people understand your wishes, locate essential information, and step in when needed. Tony’s Take: I began this podcast believing the primary challenge was helping people access the right financial information. Three hundred conversations taught me that information becomes more useful when curiosity activates it, context connects it with real life, and good judgment turns it into thoughtful action. 👉 Start Your Financial Readiness Plan: A free, practical plan that helps you create your in-case-of-emergency Financial First Aid Kit, organize what matters, and prepare before life happens. Start Your Free Financial Readiness Plan  https://www.tonysteuer.com 👉 Support the Mission: Become a Get Ready Insider and receive access to the Get Ready Library while helping support my mission to help people prepare before life happens. Become a Get Ready Insider  https://www.tonysteuer.com/get-ready-insider Support the show The Get Ready Money Podcast and its guests do not provide investment advice. All content is for educational purposes. Guest opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Get Ready Money Podcast and Tony Steuer.