Wealthy After 40: Retirement Planning and Budgeting for Gen X

Dalene Higgins: Retirement Strategist and Money Coach for GenXers
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Wealthy After 40 is the retirement planning and budgeting podcast for Gen X women and couples who want to become retirement ready with a clear plan, confident money decisions, and a future they can't wait to live. Hosted by Dalene Higgins, Retirement Strategist and Money Coach, this show helps you simplify saving for retirement, budgeting for retirement, paying off debt, and creating a personalized retirement plan built around your numbers, not a generic calculator. We’ll answer questions like: How much do I need to retire? Am I on track for retirement? How do I catch up on retirement savings? Is it too late to save for retirement at 50? Should I pay off debt or save for retirement? How much should I have saved for retirement by 50? What is the 4% rule for retirement? How do I create a retirement plan? When can I retire? How much should I be saving for retirement? You'll also learn how to focus on the financial levers that have the biggest impact on retirement, balance enjoying life today while preparing for tomorrow, and replace financial overwhelm with clarity about where you stand. If you're ready to stop wondering whether retirement is possible and start making it happen, hit follow and join me every Tuesday. Book your Money Momentum Call at https://www.elevatefinances.us/call to figure out where your money is going and what to focus on next.

  1. 3d ago

    How to Overcome the Challenges of Late Start Retirement Planning

    [Ep 211] If you’ve been searching, I’ve started saving late for retirement is this bad?, this episode is for you. You will understand the potential challenges and how to approach them with a growth mindset.  Now, starting late comes with challenges, but in the episode I explain each challenge, why it doesn’t mean you’re out of options, and a specific retirement strategy for each to help you overcome the challenges more quickly.  This episode helps you conquer the challenges you may face, but if you want to discover the hidden advantages of starting late, be sure to listen to Episode 151, The Hidden Perks of Starting Late for Retirement Success, where I explain why starting late can give you a better understanding of retirement planning than starting in your 20s or 30s. 00:51 - Why You’re Not Starting From Zero 03:27 - How Compound Interest Works 05:16 - Retirement Saving Strategy 09:06 - How My Client Accelerated Her Results Check out the show notes and other resources at https://www.elevatefinances.us/blog/how-to-overcome-the-challenges-of-late-start-retirement-planning What topic or question would you love answered on the podcast? Get a personalized retirement gap analysis and step-by-step plan in a Retirement Strategy Session. Book your session today. Grab the 8-Step Retirement Ready Checklist to get a better handle on your finances and prepare for retirement in the next 10–15 years. DM me CONTROL on Facebook or Instagram to receive an invite to the Take Back Control of Your Finances After Divorce free workshop, Nov. 4th 3:00 PM EST. Replay available if you can't attend.

    How to Overcome the Challenges of Late Start Retirement Planning

  2. Oct 20

    How To Build Confidence Through Action w/Mary Dibble

    [Ep 210] Taking imperfect action is hard when you’re waiting to feel confident, have the right plan, or know exactly how things will turn out. If you’re a woman over 40 who knows something needs to change but keeps waiting for the “right time,” this episode is for you. In this conversation, Mary Dibble shares what happened when she stopped waiting for everything to feel right and started taking small, imperfect steps instead. We talk about perfectionism, self-trust, mom guilt, getting outside your comfort zone, and why the smallest action can create the evidence you need to believe you’re capable of more. This episode is for any woman who is ready to stop overthinking and start moving toward the life she wants. Check out the show notes and other resources at: https://www.elevatefinances.us/blog/how-to-build-confidence-through-action-mary-dibble Connect with Mary: Website: https://marydibblecoaching.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marydcoaching/ Limitless Mom Free Strategy Call  What topic or question would you love answered on the podcast? Get a personalized retirement gap analysis and step-by-step plan in a Retirement Strategy Session. Book your session today. Grab the 8-Step Retirement Ready Checklist to get a better handle on your finances and prepare for retirement in the next 10–15 years. DM me CONTROL on Facebook or Instagram to receive an invite to the Take Back Control of Your Finances After Divorce free workshop, Nov. 4th 3:00 PM EST. Replay available if you can't attend.

    How To Build Confidence Through Action w/Mary Dibble

  3. Oct 13

    Am I on Track for Retirement? Stop Consuming & Take Action

    [Ep 209] If you keep asking, “Am I on track for retirement?” and still don't have an answer, this episode is for you. Especially if you have read, listened, and researched plenty but acted on very little. You’ll hear how to stop collecting information and start moving on your retirement planning, even if all you have is the first few steps. I walk you through what happens inside a retirement strategy session, from the spreadsheet you fill out beforehand to the two hours we spend finding your top three financial priorities and coaching on one of them. You’ll also hear how one client waited two years, and another waited four before acting, and how seeing her numbers clearly helped one of them buy a home 18 months sooner. Book a strategy session to find out how much you need to retire, what your savings add up to, and what your retirement expenses will look like. 01:27 - Measuring Your Progress Toward Retirement 05:01 - What to Expect From a Retirement Strategy Session 07:14 - Unpacking Your Retirement Progress and Savings 10:40 - Client Story: Accelerating Retirement Goals 12:22 - Takeaways: It’s Not Too Late to Start Planning Check out the show notes and other resources at https://www.elevatefinances.us/blog/am-i-on-track-for-retirement-stop-consuming-and-take-action What topic or question would you love answered on the podcast? Get a personalized retirement gap analysis and step-by-step plan in a Retirement Strategy Session. Book your session today. Grab the 8-Step Retirement Ready Checklist to get a better handle on your finances and prepare for retirement in the next 10–15 years. DM me CONTROL on Facebook or Instagram to receive an invite to the Take Back Control of Your Finances After Divorce free workshop, Nov. 4th 3:00 PM EST. Replay available if you can't attend.

    Am I on Track for Retirement? Stop Consuming & Take Action

  4. Oct 6

    How to Catch Up on Retirement Savings in Your 40s Without Panic

    [Ep 208] If you’re a Gen Xer who feels behind on retirement, this episode shows you how to catch up on retirement savings by putting a real number on your gap. You’ll know where you stand and what to do next, with no more dread over the missed employer match or the contributions you paused. I explain how to define your retirement savings gap: what you’re projected to have saved by the time you want to retire, compared with what you’ll need to spend. You’ll hear how one client who felt behind found she could max out her 401(k), pay off her mortgage, and see what her lifestyle costs. I also cover why saving more is only one lever, since debt and expenses move your gap too, and why no one retirement strategy makes up for the past. Ready for your own numbers? Book a free call to see if a strategy session is the right fit for you at elevatefinances.us/call. 00:00 - Overcoming Retirement Panic in Your 40s 01:30 - Tackling Past Retirement Savings Mistakes 04:43 - How to Identify Your Retirement Savings Gap 06:52 - Strategies to Close Your Retirement Gap Faster 09:11 - Practical Steps: Save More and Reduce Debt   Check out the show notes and other resources at https://www.elevatefinances.us/blog/retirement-panic-how-to-catch-up-on-savings-in-your-40s What topic or question would you love answered on the podcast? Get a personalized retirement gap analysis and step-by-step plan in a Retirement Strategy Session. Book your session today. Grab the 8-Step Retirement Ready Checklist to get a better handle on your finances and prepare for retirement in the next 10–15 years. DM me CONTROL on Facebook or Instagram to receive an invite to the Take Back Control of Your Finances After Divorce free workshop, Nov. 4th 3:00 PM EST. Replay available if you can't attend.

    How to Catch Up on Retirement Savings in Your 40s Without Panic

  5. Sep 29

    How Much Do I Need to Retire at 40? Calculate This Number

    [Ep 207] If you’ve been searching “how much do I need to retire at 40” and every online calculator gives you a different answer, this episode shows you how to find a number built from your own spending. You’ll know where you stand and what to do next, without panicking over a figure you can’t explain. I walk through the rule of 25 step by step: take your current monthly expenses, multiply by 12, then multiply by 25, which is based on the 4% rule for retirement withdrawals. You’ll hear how one client’s calculator told her she needed $4 million when her actual number was nearly half that, and how another client discovered her retirement gap was only $20,000 and finally felt free to spend on projects she’d been putting off. I also explain why recalculating every 90 days keeps your plan honest as the market and your spending change. 02:10 – Are Online Retirement Calculators Trustworthy? 04:26 – Why “Retirement Savings by Age” Isn’t Accurate 05:42 – Using the Rule of 25 to Estimate Retirement Needs 08:08 – How Much Do I Need to Retire? Multiplying by 25 12:07 – Key Takeaway: It’s Not Too Late to Start Now Book a free call at elevatefinances.us/call to spend 30 minutes finding out where you are in the retirement planning process and what your next money move should be. Check out the show notes and other resources at https://www.elevatefinances.us/blog/am-i-behind-on-retirement-savings-how-to-calculate-your-number What topic or question would you love answered on the podcast? Get a personalized retirement gap analysis and step-by-step plan in a Retirement Strategy Session. Book your session today. Grab the 8-Step Retirement Ready Checklist to get a better handle on your finances and prepare for retirement in the next 10–15 years. DM me CONTROL on Facebook or Instagram to receive an invite to the Take Back Control of Your Finances After Divorce free workshop, Nov. 4th 3:00 PM EST. Replay available if you can't attend.

    How Much Do I Need to Retire at 40? Calculate This Number

  6. Sep 22

    What Do I Want Now? Finding Yourself and Creating Change After 40

    [Ep 206] Finding yourself after 40 can feel difficult when you’ve spent years building a career, caring for others, meeting expectations, and doing what you thought you were “supposed” to do. If you’re entering a new season of life and wondering, “What do I want now?”, this episode is for you. In this conversation, I’m joined by Dani Muniz of Sacred CEO, and we explore what happens when the life you’ve built no longer feels fully aligned. You’ll discover why getting quiet, noticing the “clouds” that shape your thinking, and changing the meaning you give to change can help you see your next chapter more clearly. This episode is for women over 40 who are ready to stop living by everyone else’s expectations and start creating a next chapter that actually feels like theirs. Episode Highlights 03:30 Getting Quiet to Hear Yourself 05:52 Emotions as Information 11:50 Finding Clarity Through Opposites 16:41 Why Change Feels Hard Connect with Danie Muniz Website Instagram YouTube Podcast Be sure to grab her Daily Reset guide. Find the full show notes HERE What topic or question would you love answered on the podcast? Get a personalized retirement gap analysis and step-by-step plan in a Retirement Strategy Session. Book your session today. Grab the 8-Step Retirement Ready Checklist to get a better handle on your finances and prepare for retirement in the next 10–15 years. DM me CONTROL on Facebook or Instagram to receive an invite to the Take Back Control of Your Finances After Divorce free workshop, Nov. 4th 3:00 PM EST. Replay available if you can't attend.

    What Do I Want Now? Finding Yourself and Creating Change After 40

  7. Sep 15

    Fix Your Budget Tracking Now — Before Retirement Sneaks Up On You

    [Ep 205] You've made the decision to finally get serious about budgeting and tracking for retirement. You know tracking is something you should be doing, yet being consistent is where you fall short. Inside this episode, I share 3 reasons your tracking is inconsistent, and they're probably not what you think. And then I help you find a solution with 3 shifts that make tracking easier, without adding more time or stress to your day. If you're ready for a system that supports your goals instead of working against you, book a money clarity call and we'll talk about where your money is going and how you can track it better. Episode Highlights 00:00 Why Your Tracking Efforts Fais 03:00 Reason One - The Perfection Trap 07:16 Fix Two - Allow Broader Categories Full Show Notes HERE What topic or question would you love answered on the podcast? Get a personalized retirement gap analysis and step-by-step plan in a Retirement Strategy Session. Book your session today. Grab the 8-Step Retirement Ready Checklist to get a better handle on your finances and prepare for retirement in the next 10–15 years. DM me CONTROL on Facebook or Instagram to receive an invite to the Take Back Control of Your Finances After Divorce free workshop, Nov. 4th 3:00 PM EST. Replay available if you can't attend.

    Fix Your Budget Tracking Now — Before Retirement Sneaks Up On You

  8. Sep 8

    Why Knowing Your Numbers Fixes the Gen X Retirement Mindset

    [Ep 204] Gen X, when you think about retirement, the excitement fades fast once you remember everything you still need and want to do before then. Your retirement mindset immediately gets stuck in "I can't do it all," and that thinking is exactly what keeps you frozen instead of moving forward. Inside this episode, I share why that overwhelm shows up in the first place and how knowing your numbers can help you shift from feeling to facts.  If you're ready to stop guessing and start moving toward your goals, book a money clarity call where we'll dive into where your money is going and how a system can help you reach your goals. Episode Highlights 00:29 Break All Or Nothing Mindset 04:27 Evaluate And Know Your Numbers 09:59 Prioritize Your Goals For Action Full Show Notes HERE What topic or question would you love answered on the podcast? Get a personalized retirement gap analysis and step-by-step plan in a Retirement Strategy Session. Book your session today. Grab the 8-Step Retirement Ready Checklist to get a better handle on your finances and prepare for retirement in the next 10–15 years. DM me CONTROL on Facebook or Instagram to receive an invite to the Take Back Control of Your Finances After Divorce free workshop, Nov. 4th 3:00 PM EST. Replay available if you can't attend.

    Why Knowing Your Numbers Fixes the Gen X Retirement Mindset
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Wealthy After 40 is the retirement planning and budgeting podcast for Gen X women and couples who want to become retirement ready with a clear plan, confident money decisions, and a future they can't wait to live. Hosted by Dalene Higgins, Retirement Strategist and Money Coach, this show helps you simplify saving for retirement, budgeting for retirement, paying off debt, and creating a personalized retirement plan built around your numbers, not a generic calculator. We’ll answer questions like: How much do I need to retire? Am I on track for retirement? How do I catch up on retirement savings? Is it too late to save for retirement at 50? Should I pay off debt or save for retirement? How much should I have saved for retirement by 50? What is the 4% rule for retirement? How do I create a retirement plan? When can I retire? How much should I be saving for retirement? You'll also learn how to focus on the financial levers that have the biggest impact on retirement, balance enjoying life today while preparing for tomorrow, and replace financial overwhelm with clarity about where you stand. If you're ready to stop wondering whether retirement is possible and start making it happen, hit follow and join me every Tuesday. Book your Money Momentum Call at https://www.elevatefinances.us/call to figure out where your money is going and what to focus on next.

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