Navigating an Abundant Retirement with Carol Dewey

Carol Dewey
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Investing
  • Updated Weekly

Hey! This is Carol Dewey I’m excited to be bringing you Navigating an Abundant Retirement. This show is going to be your GPS to the principles to create a more worry-free retirement with less stress…... In this podcast you will: 1. Get crystal clear on your destination 2. Identify the biggest retirement obstacles retirees now must overcome 3. Gain new mindset to retiring abundantly 4. Have new solution to retiring abundantly AFTER THE EMBRAER 176 touched down at Chicago O’Hare, I put the draft of the manuscript I was finishing on the seat and grabbed my bag from the overhead compartment. “Wow! That’s a wonderful goal,” said the woman in seat 3D. Her comment startled me, and I wasn’t exactly sure what she meant. Until I turned around. She was pointing at the title, Retire Abundantly. To the woman in 3D, the question of how to retire abundantly was a daunting challenge. It is for many people: “Retirement” is a subject that returns 241,000,000 Google results. Two hundred and forty-one million! Our three-legged retirement system, made up of Social Security, pensions, and personal savings, has changed a lot in the past 30 years. Social Security contributes less than it used to, pensions have become 401(k)s, and personal savings aren’t what they used to be, because people are living longer. And worse, traditional financial planning techniques can make this situation worse. Pat advice that doesn’t take into account your goals and situation can cause serious damage to the happiness you should enjoy in your retirement years. No wonder the woman in 3D was struck by my title. You want answers. This podcast can deliver some.

  1. Oct 8

    The Financial Freedom to Make Decisions Without Asking Permission

    After years of making financial decisions together, becoming the sole decision-maker can feel overwhelming. But financial independence isn't about knowing everything or making every decision alone. It's about having the confidence to make choices that reflect your own values and priorities. In this episode of Navigating Abundant Retirement, Carol Dewey explores the emotional transition from "we" to "I" and why widows sometimes find themselves seeking permission rather than advice. She explains how to build financial confidence, establish healthy boundaries, and take ownership of your financial future. Key TakeawaysWhy transitioning from shared financial decisions to making them independently can feel intimidatingThe important difference between seeking advice and asking for permissionUnderstanding the three roles in financial decisions: Advisor, Sounding Board, and Decision-MakerWhy adult children can offer valuable opinions without having the final sayHow borrowed confidence can gradually become built confidenceWhy asking questions and seeking second opinions strengthens financial independenceHow to make informed financial decisions that reflect your personal goals and values Financial freedom isn't about handling everything yourself. It's about understanding your options, seeking guidance when needed, and maintaining ownership of your decisions. The advisor provides expertise. The sounding board provides perspective. You make the final decision. Listen & ConnectSpotify – Navigating Abundant Retirement Apple Podcasts – Navigating an Abundant Retirement with Carol Dewey YouTube – Perpetual Wealth Financial

  2. Sep 24

    Can I Afford to Say Yes Again?

    You've spent decades saving, preparing, and protecting your financial future. But when retirement arrives, why can it feel so difficult to spend the money you've worked so hard to build? In this episode of Navigating Abundant Retirement, Carol Dewey explores the emotional and financial challenges of saying yes after years of saying no. She discusses how widows can distinguish between responsible caution and fear, embrace intentional spending, and use their financial resources to create meaningful experiences. Key TakeawaysWhy transitioning from saving to spending can feel uncomfortable in retirementThe difference between being financially responsible and allowing fear to make your decisionsWhy retirement planning should consider the risks of both overspending and underspendingHow intentional spending can align your money with your values and prioritiesWhy creating memories and experiences can be just as meaningful as leaving a financial inheritanceHow a dedicated "yes" budget can help you enjoy retirement with greater confidenceWhy financial freedom means having the clarity to make choices without unnecessary guilt Your money has more than one purpose. It should protect your future, but it can also support the life you're living today. Sometimes security requires saying no. But freedom, connection, purpose, and joy may require saying yes. Listen & Connect Spotify – Navigating Abundant Retirement Apple Podcasts – Navigating an Abundant Retirement with Carol Dewey YouTube – Perpetual Wealth Financial

  3. Sep 10

    What Does an Abundant Retirement Look Like When the Plan Changes?

    What happens when the retirement you planned together is no longer the retirement you’re living? In this episode of Navigating Abundant Retirement, Carol Dewey explores how widows can begin redefining what an abundant retirement means for them. Financial security matters, but money is the infrastructure that supports the life—it isn’t the life. Key TakeawaysWhy retirement success is about more than having enough moneyThe five elements of an abundant retirement: security, freedom, connection, purpose, and joy How to separate the retirement you planned together from what you want nowWhy financial planning should consider both the risk of spending too much and the risk of waiting too long to liveHow your healthy, active years are an important resource worth consideringWhy legacy can include experiences, memories, values, and time—not just moneyHow a financial plan should support the life you want rather than dictate it An abundant retirement doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. The goal is to have enough clarity, security, and freedom to make choices based on what matters most to you. You’ve spent a lifetime building resources. Now the question becomes: What do you want those resources to make possible? Listen & ConnectSpotify – Navigating Abundant Retirement: Listen on Spotify Apple Podcasts – Navigating Abundant Retirement with Carol Dewey: Listen on Apple Podcasts Perpetual Wealth Financial on YouTube: Watch on YouTube

  4. Aug 27

    Is It Too Late to Start Over?

    After losing a spouse, there may come a point when the question shifts from “How do I get through this?” to “What do I want the rest of my life to look like?” In this episode of Navigating Abundant Retirement, Carol Dewey explores what it really means to begin imagining a future again. Starting over doesn’t mean starting from nothing it means starting from experience, wisdom, resilience, and everything life has already taught you. Key TakeawaysWhy starting over is really starting from experienceHow widowhood can include grieving the future you had planned togetherWhy wanting something new doesn’t mean forgetting the life you hadThe difference between being financially responsible and financially afraidHow a financial plan can help reveal the choices available to youWhy abundance is about more than money it includes clarity, purpose, relationships, confidence, and freedom You don’t have to erase the chapter that came before or have your entire future mapped out. Sometimes the next step is simply giving yourself permission to become curious about what you want again. Clarity creates choices, and choices create freedom. Listen & ConnectSpotify – Navigating Abundant Retirement: Listen on Spotify Apple Podcasts – Navigating Abundant Retirement with Carol Dewey: Listen on Apple Podcasts Perpetual Wealth Financial on YouTube: Watch on YouTube

  5. Aug 14

    The Questions Every Widow Is Afraid to Ask

    Many widows carry questions they’re afraid to say out loud about money, making mistakes, trusting others, and what life looks like moving forward. In this episode of Navigating Abundant Retirement, Carol Dewey brings those questions into the open and explains why being unfamiliar with finances does not mean being incapable. From fears about outliving your money to wondering whether it’s okay to enjoy life again, this conversation is about replacing silence and uncertainty with understanding and confidence. Key TakeawaysWhy being unfamiliar with finances is not the same as being incapableHow fear of making a mistake can keep widows from moving forwardWhat trust should look like when choosing financial and professional guidanceThe difference between worrying about outliving your money and planning for uncertaintyWhy enjoying life again does not mean leaving your spouse behindHow asking difficult questions can create greater clarity and confidence The questions you’re afraid to ask may be the same questions other widows are carrying too. Fear grows in silence, but understanding grows through conversation. Listen & ConnectSpotify – Navigating Abundant Retirement: Listen on Spotify Apple Podcasts – Navigating Abundant Retirement: Listen on Apple Podcasts Perpetual Wealth Financial on YouTube: Watch on YouTube

  6. Jul 30

    How Do I Know If I’m Going to Be Okay Financially?

    For many widows, one question can quietly sit behind every financial decision: “Am I going to be okay financially?” In this episode of Navigating Abundant Retirement, Carol Dewey explores the difference between financial fear and financial reality—and why confidence doesn’t come from reaching one magic number. It comes from understanding how your income, expenses, investments, taxes, healthcare costs, and goals work together. Key TakeawaysWhy financial insecurity and financial reality aren’t always the sameHow uncertainty can make financial challenges feel bigger than they areWhy confidence comes from understanding the entire financial pictureThe importance of preparing for market and healthcare uncertaintyThe difference between hoping you’ll be okay and knowing why you’ll be okayHow organization, planning, and guidance can help turn fear into confidence The goal isn’t to eliminate every uncertainty. It’s to replace fear with understanding, guessing with planning, and isolation with guidance. Listen & ConnectSpotify – Navigating Abundant Retirement: Listen on Spotify Apple Podcasts – Navigating Abundant Retirement: Listen on Apple Podcasts Perpetual Wealth Financial on YouTube: Watch on YouTube

  7. Jul 16

    Why Your Husband's Financial Plan May Not Be Your Financial Plan

    The financial plan you and your husband built together may have been exactly right for the life you shared—but when life changes, your financial plan may need to change too. In this episode of Navigating Abundant Retirement, Carol Dewey discusses why many widows hesitate to make financial changes after losing a spouse and why adapting your plan isn't about forgetting the past—it's about creating a future that reflects your current life, priorities, and goals. Key Takeaways:Why many widows feel frozen when it comes to financial decisionsHow grief and loyalty can make change feel uncomfortableWhy a financial plan built for two people may no longer fit one lifeThe importance of redefining your own goals and prioritiesHow building financial confidence begins with small, thoughtful decisionsWhy honoring your spouse can also mean creating a plan that supports your future Your financial plan should support the life you're living today—not the life you were living yesterday. Moving forward isn't about leaving your spouse behind; it's about honoring what you built together while creating a future that's right for you. Resources & LinksSpotify Apple Podcasts YouTube

  8. Jul 2

    The Hidden Tax Traps Many Widows Never See Coming

    In this episode of Navigating an Abundant Retirement, Carol Dewey discusses the tax surprises many widows face after losing a spouse. While income may decrease, tax complexity can often increase because filing status, retirement accounts, Social Security, Medicare premiums, and asset sales may all be affected. Carol explains why widowhood can change the tax environment and why major financial decisions should not be made without understanding the potential consequences. From retirement account withdrawals to Social Security taxation and Medicare premium increases, this episode highlights the importance of asking better questions before taking action. The goal is not to become a tax expert. The goal is to avoid unnecessary surprises and make more confident financial decisions with the right planning and support. Key Topics CoveredWhy taxes may not automatically decrease after losing a spouseHow filing status changes can affect tax brackets and deductionsTax considerations when withdrawing from inherited retirement accountsWhy Social Security may become taxableHow income decisions can impact future Medicare premiumsTax consequences of selling investments, property, land, or a homeThe difference between intentional patience and indefinite avoidanceWhy better questions can lead to better financial decisions Key TakeawayThe biggest tax mistakes widows make are often not caused by bad decisions. They are caused by decisions made without enough information. Understanding the questions to ask before making major financial moves can help reduce surprises and create more confidence. If this episode was helpful, subscribe to Navigating an Abundant Retirement and share it with someone who may benefit from hearing it.

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Hey! This is Carol Dewey I’m excited to be bringing you Navigating an Abundant Retirement. This show is going to be your GPS to the principles to create a more worry-free retirement with less stress…... In this podcast you will: 1. Get crystal clear on your destination 2. Identify the biggest retirement obstacles retirees now must overcome 3. Gain new mindset to retiring abundantly 4. Have new solution to retiring abundantly AFTER THE EMBRAER 176 touched down at Chicago O’Hare, I put the draft of the manuscript I was finishing on the seat and grabbed my bag from the overhead compartment. “Wow! That’s a wonderful goal,” said the woman in seat 3D. Her comment startled me, and I wasn’t exactly sure what she meant. Until I turned around. She was pointing at the title, Retire Abundantly. To the woman in 3D, the question of how to retire abundantly was a daunting challenge. It is for many people: “Retirement” is a subject that returns 241,000,000 Google results. Two hundred and forty-one million! Our three-legged retirement system, made up of Social Security, pensions, and personal savings, has changed a lot in the past 30 years. Social Security contributes less than it used to, pensions have become 401(k)s, and personal savings aren’t what they used to be, because people are living longer. And worse, traditional financial planning techniques can make this situation worse. Pat advice that doesn’t take into account your goals and situation can cause serious damage to the happiness you should enjoy in your retirement years. No wonder the woman in 3D was struck by my title. You want answers. This podcast can deliver some.

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