Take Back Retirement Stephanie McCullough & Kevin Gaines

“Each dollar today buys less than the same dollar did 10 years ago. Which is why a lot of financial advisors are so focused on helping clients grow their money over time. It's not to become wealthy and die with the most money, it's because the cost of living goes up over time.” - Stephanie
 
Our hosts Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines demystify the often-frustrating world of inflation and its daily impact on our wallets. They dive into how rising prices sneakily erode your purchasing power and why this is a crucial consideration for your financial plans, especially when eyeing retirement. Stephanie and Kevin shed light on how personal spending patterns can differ from the inflation rates reported in the news, making it essential to tailor your investment strategies to your unique lifestyle.
 
They also explore the intricate dance between inflation and interest rates, breaking down how the Federal Reserve's moves can affect everything from your savings account to your mortgage rates. As they transition to retirement planning, Stephanie and Kevin bust the myth that retirees should play it ultra-safe with their investments.
 
Learn why incorporating growth assets like stocks is critical to outpacing inflation and ensuring long-term financial security. Plus, discover the benefits of flexible spending and part-time income to make your retirement savings last longer. Don’t miss this insightful episode packed with practical advice for safeguarding your financial future.
 
Key Topics:
Inflation, its Definition, and its Impact on Personal Finance (02:19) How Inflation is Measured and its Impact on the Economy (03:45) How Inflation Impacts Retirement Planning + Mapping Financial Projections (11:34) Inflation, Retirement Savings, and Investments (22:33) Retirement Planning and Accounting for Inflation (29:59)  
Resources:
Take Back Retirement Episode 15: What Women Need to Know About Social Security Take Back Retirement Episode 82: Getting the Most from Social Security: Smart Strategies for Women with Heather Schreiber Take Back Retirement Episode 60: What Women Need to Know About Annuities Take Back Retirement Episode 7: Here’s a Secret: We’re Guessing, and That’s OK  
 
 
If you like what you’ve been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com
 
You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
 
Follow Stephanie on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. 
Follow Kevin on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.

“If the average life expectancy for a woman is around 86, 87, fully 50% of women live longer than that. So, you can't plan just to age 87.”
 
Can a simple quiz change the way you think about retirement? Our hosts Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines uncover the hidden gems (and not-so-shiny stones) within retirement planning quizzes and surveys, especially a revealing retirement income literacy quiz from the American College of Financial Services. Our hosts dismantle common myths, like the idea that Medicaid will seamlessly cover long-term care costs, and arm you with the knowledge to navigate these complex waters.
 
Have you ever considered how rising long-term care costs and inflation might impact your golden years? This discussion, inspired by findings from the National Institute for Retirement Security, paints a vivid picture of these pressing issues. From Medicare and Social Security to life insurance, 401k plans, and annuities, Stephanie and Kevin dissect the tools at your disposal. By highlighting the importance of basic investing principles and the balance of risks, they aim to help you safeguard your savings against inflation and elongate your nest egg for a potentially longer retirement.
 
In a climate where up to 80% of women sense a looming retirement crisis, how can you alleviate your retirement anxiety? Our hosts explore the shift from employer-provided pension plans to self-funded retirements, and why Social Security remains a lifeline for many. Rising living, healthcare, and long-term care costs are at the forefront of concerns, making financial planning more crucial than ever.
 
 
Key Topics:
Why Did Stephanie and Kevin Take a Retirement Income “Literacy” Quiz? (02:11) Long-term Care, Medicare vs Medicaid, and More (04:10) What Women Think about Retirement (07:49) Life Expectancy Beyond 65 and its Impact on Retirement Finances (14:37) Looking Beyond Investments in Retirement Planning (19:08) Women's Outlook on Retirement (Crisis) (21:40) Longevity “Literacy” (27:32) Wrap-Up (32:26)  
 
Resources:
Take Back Retirement Episodes:
82: Getting the Most from Social Security: Smart Strategies for Women with Heather Schreiber 15: What Women Need to Know About Social Security 21: Simplifying Medicare: What’s Important For You To Know with Susan Sloan 60: What Women Need to Know About Annuities  
 
 
If you like what you’ve been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com
 
Find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
 
Follow Stephanie: Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. 
Follow Kevin: Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.

“Human beings going into retirement will find every excuse to not spend their money” - Dan Haylett
 
Our hosts Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines sit down with financial advisor Dan Haylett. As the host of the “Humans Vs Retirement” podcast, Dan tells us how he inspires retirees to grab life by the horns and experience true wealth in their later years.
 
Listen in as Dan breaks down the five Fs of retirement, how to find meaning in a post-career life, the importance of asking what it is you’re retiring to rather than simply what you’re retiring from, and how to overcome the fear of spending your savings once you finally cross that threshold into retirement.
 
He also addresses the all-too-common fear of running out of your hard-earned money after stepping away from your career life. Dan teaches us to shatter that paradigm by putting our money to work and reframing the idea of “leaving a legacy” to our children.
 
Key Topics:
The Five Fs of Retiring Successfully (3:42) Helping Retirees Find Purpose in Retirement (8:45) Reframing the Structure of Your Life in Retirement (18:24) Overcoming Frugality (25:00) Embracing Future Adjustments (32:32) Getting Comfortable with Uncertainty (36:40) Asset Location, Asset Assignment (40:20) The New Retirement Mindset (48:11) Stephanie and Kevin’s Wrap-Up and Takeaways  (51:52)  
Resources:
www.humansvsretirement.com The Humans vs Retirement Podcast The Human Quirk of Relative & Absolute Outcomes  
 
If you like what you’ve been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com
 
You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
 
Follow Stephanie on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. 
Follow Kevin on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.

"Dad, you trusted me with everything. I'm trusting you with the truth.” -Nancy May
 
Our hosts Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines sit down with Nancy May, who drops some real truth bombs relating to eldercare and supporting aging parents and relatives. Nancy’s personal journey sheds light on the complexities and sacrifices involved in this critical role. This candid discussion unpacks the essentials, from establishing a durable power of attorney to assembling a dependable team of legal and financial advisors.
 
When the care of loved ones falls into your hands, knowing how to navigate family dynamics and the challenges of coordinating care is crucial. This episode peels back the layers of emotion and responsibility that come with making critical decisions, whether it's choosing the right elder care facility or handling the financial burdens that come with it.
 
The conversation turns to practical strategies for caregiver training, maintaining a cohesive care team, and ensuring the highest quality of life for our aging parents. Nancy's resources, such as her book "How to Survive 911 Medical Emergencies," and her podcast, Eldercare Success, provide listeners with actionable advice and the essential conversations to have now for a better-prepared future. Listen in for a deeper understanding of the eldercare landscape, and the tools to confidently step into the role of caregiver.
 
 
Key Topics:
Welcome, Eldercare Expert, Nancy May (02:33) Financial and Emotional Impacts on Caregivers of Aging Parents (04:04) Caregiving Responsibilities and Decision-making for Aging Parents (07:50) End-of-life and Estate Planning (13:21) Aging Care Facilities, What to Know (23:42) The Importance of Understanding Contracts and Quality of Care (28:45) Finding and Managing Trusted Caregivers for Elderly Parents (38:27) Stephanie and Kevin’s Wrap-up and Takeaways (49:42)  
 
Resources:
HowToSurvive911.com How to Survive 911 Medical Emergencies (book) Eldercare Success Podcast  
 
If you like what you’ve been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com
 
You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
 
Follow Stephanie on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. 
Follow Kevin on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.

“Every single thing in my life that has ever terrorized me and terrified me, and I avoided like nobody's business, when I finally either had no place else to run, or I chose to turn around and face it, it has never been as bad as I thought it would be. It has never been as shameful as continuing to avoid.”
 
Our hosts Stephanie McCullough of Sofia Financial and Kevin Gaines of American Financial Management Group chat with Diann Wingert, a seasoned cognitive behavioral coach, about all things financial and mental well-being as a woman with ADHD.
 
Ever wondered how ADHD plays out differently in women? This episode shatters misconceptions, revealing why so many women slip through the cracks of diagnosis. Our hosts and Diann dissect the subtypes of ADHD, emphasizing the often overlooked inattentive presentation common in women. Diann’s journey to diagnosis at 60 underscores the urgency for awareness and tailored support. They tackle the daily battles and the broader societal implications, like the struggle with impulse control that can drive compulsive shopping and the resulting financial and emotional toll.
 
Finally, Stephanie, Kevin, and Diann wrap up with a powerful call to radical self-acceptance and the transformative effects of mindfulness in combating cognitive biases. Discover how embracing your unique ADHD traits can lead to more effective self-advocacy and stronger relationships. By adopting lifestyles that play to our strengths, women with ADHD can lead less stressful and more fulfilling lives. Tune in for a heart-to-heart that promises not only understanding but also actionable strategies for thriving with ADHD.
 
Key Topics:
Welcome, Diann Wingert (02:32) ADHD in Adults, and Differences in Presentation between Men and Women (04:26) ADHD Diagnosis and Management for Women and Implications of Different Subtypes (08:49) ADHD Challenges and Diann’s Experience with a 25-Year Gap in Diagnosis (13:54) The Challenges of Working from Home for Women with ADHD (18:43) ADHD, Impulsive Spending, and Other Financial Hurdles (22:45) Personal Finance, ADHD, and Mindfulness (27:11) Avoidance, Lack of Planning, and Other Financial Challenges (33:52) Overcoming Negative Self-Talk and Self-Doubt Through Mindfulness and Affirmations (39:01) Stephanie and Kevin’s Wrap-Up (52:46)  
 
Resources:
The Driven Woman Entrepreneur Podcast DiannWingertCoaching.com  
 
If you like what you’ve been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com
 
You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
 
Follow Stephanie on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. 
Follow Kevin on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.

“It's not a line that you are either academic or creative, or you are either scientific or creative, or you are either mathematical…They're not separate.” -Claire Waite Brown
 
Ever felt like your creative spark got lost in the shuffle of life? Our hosts Stephanie McCullough of Sofia Financial and Kevin Gaines of American Financial Management Group sit down with Claire Waite Brown, the host of the Creativity Found Podcast and founder of CreativityFound.co.uk
 
Claire helps us break down the barriers that have kept us from embracing our inner artist, whether it's the false notion that creativity equals advanced skill or the stifling labels of our youth. Claire's stories of individuals who've rekindled their creative pursuits later in life are nothing short of inspiring, serving as a beacon for all of us looking to weave creativity back into our lives.
 
Our hosts and Claire dive into the world of creative hobbies, not just as pastimes, but as vital social and physical lifelines that enrich our existence and connect us to others. They explore the personal and practical obstacles that often hold us back from our creative endeavors, from limited resources to internal doubts. But here's the kicker: embracing creativity isn't just about picking up a paintbrush or a microphone; it's a journey of self-discovery and growth that's waiting for us to take the first step, at any stage of life.
 
 
Key Topics:
Welcome Claire Waite Brown! (02:35) Creativity, Self-Expression, and Labeling (03:10) The Benefits of Creative Hobbies for Adults (08:17) Creativity and Personal Growth (18:24) Creative Pursuits and the Challenges of Monetizing Them (23:48) Creative Journeys and Overcoming Challenges (28:38) Where to Re-Spark Your Creative Flame (33:01) Stephanie and Kevin’s Wrap-Up (38:40)  
 
Resources:
CreativityFound.co.uk Creativity Found Podcast  
 
If you like what you’ve been hearing, we invite you to subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode! Or better yet, tell us what you want to hear more of in the future. stephanie@sofiafinancial.com
 
You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.
 
Follow Stephanie on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. 
Follow Kevin on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.