Welcome to Exploring Financial Security After 50
In this blog we will be exploring practical personal financial planning and management strategies for individuals over 50. The strategies are designed to assist you with your personal financial situation and/or with administering finances for senior loved ones.
My goal is to help alleviate your financial concerns and provide a sense of financial security and balance, allowing you to live with greater peace of mind!
My Background
I am a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) who specializes in working with senior individuals, estates and trusts. I have been self-employed in this field for over 20 years practicing in the areas of personal financial management, taxation and settling estates and trusts. I also work with the Estate Planning and Probate Department of a local law office.
You can read more about my credentials here: My Credentials.
I am an avid number cruncher at heart, however, I am also a highly sensitive individual who is very tuned into the energy of my environment and the people who surround me. While my Dad (my role model and mentor) often told me: “you are too sensitive!”, it is my sensitivity that helps me connect to my clients on a deeper level as I seek to understand where they are coming from.
Understanding financial concerns from the perspective of my clients helps me communicate my ideas more effectively. There are a lot of emotions behind finances and I’ve learned to adjust my approach and plan to meet the financial and emotional needs of my clients.
Drawing on my professional and personal experience, I am looking forward to sharing wisdom and lessons I’ve learned along the way!
Lessons Learned About Financial Security
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned through working with seniors and their finances is that financial anxiety is universal, regardless of the level or lack of wealth. Many, if not most, worry about whether their money will last and how to manage it effectively. These uncertainties create significant stress, impacting not only financial security but also physical and mental well-being.
Anxiety comes from a simple lack of understanding our finances which stems from the fact we are not formally educated in this topic. It boggles my mind that we do not include courses on basic finances in the K-12 school system as it is an essential life skill! Unless you were fortunate enough to grow up with a parent who took the time to explain finances or chose a financial oriented career, you have probably never received a formal education in basic financial management.
Since much of our anxiety comes from dealing with our own finances and/or those of a loved one, it is important to have financial awareness and a general understanding of financial management. At each stage of our lives, we need to be reviewing our financial plans and implementing strategies to make sure we are staying on track.
After 50, there are additional specific financial issues which present challenges that need to be addressed. At this stage of life many are thinking about retirement and/or taking care of finances for parents or other loved ones. It can be a very challenging time of time of life for our financial, physical and mental well-being. This is where my experiences comes in!
Financial Education
My experience has taught me that many consider finances to be overwhelming and stressful causing a lot of anxiety. This stress can then also affect our physical and mental well-being. One of the best ways to address anxiety is through education. When we can gather information it puts us a little more at ease and in control of how to approach any situation.
In our busy day to day lives it is admittedly difficult to keep up with everything especially since the world around us is changing at a very rapid pace. Through this blog I will be providing an education in financial management and breaking down complicated concepts into understandable bite size pieces. This will include topics such as, but not limited to, addressing household finances, understanding assets and income, protecting our finances and planning for our (or a loved one’s) estate.
A little education goes a long way to making us more confident and secure. Of course, it’s never too late to learn!
Thank you for reading!
Thank you for reading my blog! I would love to hear from you so please feel free to comment below.
Note: The information contained in this website is provided for informational purposes only. Please see my website Disclaimer and Note to My Readers.