Hi,
Thanks for being part of the Get Ready Movement, where we prepare for life’s transitions by changing the way we think and talk about money. This week focuses on proactive planning, from creating an aging plan that reflects your wishes to building an emergency action list that strengthens resilience.
🧠 Thought of the Week
Confidence grows when we move from avoidance to engagement. Whether planning for aging, protecting against financial predators, or preparing for emergencies, readiness begins with deciding to take action today.
🎙️ How to Create an Aging Plan That Works
Are you ready to take control of your aging journey by creating a plan?
🔹 Accept that aging is happening and make intentional choices
🔹 Be an active participant in your own aging plan.
🔹 Start planning early, while you have time, options, and income.
🔹 Be intentional about whether you want to age in place or find a new space.
🔹 Have honest and open conversations with loved ones.
🔹 Today’s choices shape tomorrow’s outcomes.
💭 Tony’s Take: Take control of your aging journey with an aging plan. Aging is a natural process that can be an opportunity.
🎙️Carol Chiang and Tony Steuer on the Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast (watch or listen)
➕ Also This Week: How Military Members (and Everyone) Can Outsmart Financial Predators
Financial predators are getting smarter and military members are among their top targets. Ask questions, until you understand what you’re investing in or purchasing, and be wary of pitches that lean on military status or shared connections.
💭 Tony’s Take: Anyone can fall into a money trap if they don’t know what to look for.
🎙 Brandon Lovingier and Tony Steuer on Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast (watch or listen)
🎙️ Check out The Get Ready Money Podcast → [Apple] | [YouTube]
🏅 The Money Awareness And Inclusion Awards 2026 (MAIA’s)
I am honored to be part of the MAIAs 2026 judging panel, celebrating those committed to making money better through financial education.
Around the world the issues are the same. Empowering people to ask questions and be curious about their money is what will make a difference. The MAIA’s are all about recognizing those who are empowering people and creating change.
👉 Nominate yourself or someone who’s making a difference here:
enter.maiawards.org . Deadline: March 28, 2026
🔎 Curated Insights
Couples, Divorce and Money
Divorce, Identity, and Financial Clarity After 50. Divorce later in life reshapes identity, confidence, and long-term planning. Why so many women feel stuck in fear, how financial uncertainty can drive costly decisions, and why clarity must come before action.
🎙️ With Mardi Winder and Eric Blake on The Simply Retirement Podcast (YouTube)
Financial Infidelity in Couples: Research Backed Strategies for Financial Advisors. Financial infidelity often hides in small omissions. A look at the six domains where financial infidelity shows up most often, from hidden spending to concealed income to those "virtuous" secret savings that still violate transparency.
🎙️ Dr. Jenny Olson and Ashley Quamme on the Planning & Beyond Podcast (Apple Podcasts)
📖 I Want a Divorce but My Husband Doesn't” | The Real Reason 69% of Divorces Are Initiated by Women by Rhonda Noordyk (LinkedIn)
📋 Survey: More than 2 in 5 Americans believe financial secrets are at least as bad as cheating. Ana Staples for Bankrate (read).
📚 Read: A Couple’s Guide to Money: Grow Closer, Dream Bigger, Thrive Together by Prudence Zhu (Amazon)
💭 Tony’s Take: Open money conversations strengthen relationships and reduce conflict. Anyone can take care of their money and today is the best day to get started.
Redefining Financial Independence. Wealth is about freedom, not just net worth. FIRE culture doesn’t work for everyone especially women in STEM. Align your money with values, joy, and intentional living. Challenge how you think about money, success, and what “enough” really means.
💭 Tony’s Take: Define what financial independence looks like for you, depending on your goals, values and other parts of your life. Hint: there is no one right answer.
🎙️ Bernadette Joy and Sandra Park on the Engineer Her Path Podcast (Apple Podcasts)
Raising Financial Grownups Without Losing Our Minds (and Souls) Every parent wants to raise financially confident kids, but between peer pressure, TikTok trends, and our own money baggage, how do we actually do that? The single biggest mistake parents are making and how controlled failures build financial resilience.
💭 Tony’s Take:
Financial confidence in kids grows from guided experience rather than perfection.
🎙️ Bobbi Rebell, Amber Hacker and Tom Levinson on the Money, Meet Meaning Podcast (Apple Podcasts)
⚡ Quick Hits
🎙️ What Actually Gives You Control With Money with Preston Cherry on the Financial Harmony Podcast (YouTube)
🎙️ This AI Lets Families Keep Loved Ones Stories Alive Forever with Miles Spencer and Naseema McElroy on the Financially Intentional Podcast (YouTube)
🎙️ College Planning After Divorce: How to Save Money Without Sacrificing Your Child’s Future with Vicki Vollweiler and Erica Bennett (YouTube)
📖 Here’s How You Can Spend More During Retirement by Amy Arnott for Morningstar (read)
📖 Why smart employees struggle as first-time entrepreneurs by Ceres Chua for Mind Over Money (read)
🎤 The Longevity Problem in Retirement Income Planning. Trailblazer Webinar with Dr. Jeremy Ko hosted by Sheryl O’Connor and Income Conductor. February 24th at 8:30am PT. Virtual (register free)..
If an emergency happened today, would you know what to do?
Week 8 Action Item: Create a critical emergency action list.
🌎 The big picture: Knowing the steps when there’s an emergency will help you know what tasks need to be accomplished so that you don’t forget anything important.
🤔 Why It Matters: During an emergency, you may have limited time to gather what you need, you may lose access to the internet, or you may realize you’re lacking certain supplies.
💡Here’s what works:
👉 Create and update the list of the steps you’ll take in an emergency that are essential to you and your family.
👉 Identify family meeting locations (primary and secondary).
👉 Establish evacuation procedures
👉 Know how to shut off water, gas and main electrical switches.
👉 Set a communication plan with an out-of-area contact.
👉 Know what you will need to take in the event of an evacuation.
💭 Tony’s Take: Life is uncertain, and things happen quickly. Have your plan in place with a critical emergency action list.
🛠️ Member Resources
Access your resources for this week's action item (#8) from your dashboard (located in Monthly Focus Area 2: Be Prepared):
- The Get Ready Blueprint week 8 worksheet where you’ll review the steps to create your critical emergency action list.
- Critical Emergency Action List worksheet where you can enter your critical emergency action list.
- Emergency contacts worksheet where you can list your emergency contacts.
Source: The Get Ready Blueprint: A 52 Week Guide to Changing the Way You Think About Money - an easy-to-use road map that illuminates how everything in your financial life fits together and shows you how to take the steps toward financial preparedness. (Amazon) (Bookshop)
🧠 Final Thought
Financial readiness is built through participation. When we choose to engage, plan, and communicate clearly, we strengthen resilience for ourselves and the people who depend on us.
✅ Stay ready.
💬 Start a meaningful conversation.
💡 Share what sparked something for you.
— Tony
Coming Next Week: How to Take Control of Your Money During Major Life Changes with Chris Olofson
P.S. 🎙️ Check out The Get Ready Money Podcast → [Apple] | [YouTube]
