S3-E12: "Financial Infidelity and Blended Family Finances" with Heather Hetchler and Ed Vargo
This week's guests are the amazing Heather Hetchler and Ed Vargo! Heather Hetchler is an writer, speaker and certified life coach for stepfamilies since 2009. She is monthly contributor to StepMom Magazine and a co-author of Quiet Moments for the Stepmom Soul. Her upcoming book Stepmothering: A Cautionary Tale releases 2023. She is also a money mentor with enlightenHer where she helps women develop a healthy money mindset. She began partnering with enlightenHer in 2017 where she presented on Second Saturdays helping women navigating divorce. Given Heather’s focus is caring for a woman’s emotional well-being, adding the financial piece helps her guide women, including stepmoms, to navigate their money relationship which often grows more complex with stepfamily dynamics. Heather earned a BA in Communications from Miami University and a Masters in Applied Communication and Methodology from Cleveland State University and has 22 years of experience in family communications. You may know her from the work she continues to do at Learning2Step and Sisterhood of Stepmoms. She has a passion for educating, encouraging, and empowering women. She resides in Cleveland with her husband, rescue dog and the last of their six children who will launch 2022! Ed Vargo, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, AIF®, CDFA®, founder of Burning River Advisory Group and enlightenHer, grew up in inner-city Cleveland. During the Vietnam War, Ed’s father served as a sergeant military policeman in South Korea where he met and married Ed’s mother. Once back in the States, Ed’s mother faced the challenges of a being a first-generation immigrant who couldn’t read or write English or drive a car. This instilled in Ed a deeply personal commitment to women’s empowerment and is the powerful undercurrent running through Burning River and enlightenHer. Providing customized financial solutions with a compassionate and caring hand, he is committed to helping women achieve financial independence. Ed is a frequent guest speaker at companies, organizations, and conferences, as well as a regular contributor to various media outlets including the Associated Press, Money, CNBC, and Forbes. Ed and his firm, Burning River Advisory Group, have been awarded the Women’s Choice Award for Financial Advisors/Firms every year since its inauguration. They are honored in being recognized as one of the first 100 companies in the country to receive this prestigious award. Quotes: "Every stepfamily comes from a place of pain for someone." "Financial infidelity is lying to your spouse or partner about money, or hiding money decisions or habits, and it leads to a severe breach of trust." "Financial infidelity tends to start small and build over time." "People aren't very good at talking about money. This topic should be an open book based on shared goals and values." "To get on the same page about money, the first step is to agree on 'guiding principles.'" "Sometimes you have to be the one who makes amends, and you encourage communication through compassion." "With money, start with values and what is important to you. Begin with a united front, and all money issues are easier." Emails: yourmoneymentors@enlightenher.com evargo@burningriverag.com Links enlightenher.com/freshstart www.enlightenHer.com Facebook: @enlightenHer on Instagram: @YourMoneyMentors www.Learning2Step.com Instagram: @Learning2step Support www.TheStepmomBlueprint.com www.SisterhoodofStepmoms.com
