10 Things I Think (About Money, Life & Whatâs Next)
đĄ This week: transforming charitable giving, powers of attorney, and the legacy of storytelling
đ Thanks for being part of The Get Ready Movementâempowering you to face lifeâs âwhat ifsâ with confidence.
Each week, I spotlight whatâs shaping the future of financial fluencyâfrom trends and tools to the people helping us navigate lifeâs curveballs.
Together, weâre changing how we think (and talk) about moneyâso you can be ready for whatever comes next.
10 Things I Think (About Money, Life & Whatâs Next)
1ď¸âŁ Review Your Powers of Attorney and Directives
Why it matters: These documents ensure your wishes are followed when you canât speak for yourselfâtemporarily or long-term.
The What If: Without them, decisions may default to courts or family conflict.
Your Move: Review and update your advanced health care directive and financial power of attorneyâespecially after major life changes.
The Win: Confidence that your named agents understand your values and wishes.
đ Tonyâs Take: Think about what matters most. Put it in writing and talk to your agents.
đ Take action with the worksheet (see the member resources section below)
2ď¸âŁ Telling Your Story: Legacy, Money, and the Power of Conversation Featuring Kerri Fernsworth
Why it matters: Legacy planning isnât just about what you leaveâitâs about how you live.
The What If: If you avoid the conversation, your values may never be heard or honored.
Your Move: Record or share personal stories with loved onesâitâs a powerful planning tool and helps with better questions.
The Win: A legacy built on connection, not just assets.
đ Tonyâs Take: Your story shapes how your money is remembered. Share it while you can.
đď¸Kerri Fernsworth and Tony Steuer on The Get Ready Money Podcast. Check it out (here).
3ď¸âŁ Health as a Wealth Asset for Financial Advisors (and all of us)
Why it matters: 92% of people over 40 are in âhealth debtââand what this health debt costs.
The What If: Poor health sabotages performance, compounds over time, and long term business growth.
Your Move: âPay yourself firstâ with one hour a day of health investment. Check out the âPay Yourself Firstâ health strategy.
The Win: More energy, focus, and trust from clients.
đ Tonyâs Take: You canât guide others well if youâre running on empty. Health is your edge.
Stevyn Guinnip with Ashley Quamme on the Planning & Beyond Podcast. Listen on (Apple Podcasts)
4ď¸âŁ The Science of Happier Spending: Behavioral Finance Insights
Why it matters: Aligning money with meaning makes spending more joyfulâespecially for women navigating major life transitions like widowhood and divorce.
The What If: Guilt can derail fulfillment.
Your Move: Shift spending toward experiences, connection, and values.
The Win: How to âbuy timeâ and use money to focus on what matters most
đ Tonyâs Take: Spending isnât the enemyâmisalignment is.
đď¸Brendan Frazier and Eric Blake on The Simply Retirement Podcast. Check it out (here).
5ď¸âŁ Transform your charitable giving with Donor Advised Funds
Why it matters: What if charitable giving could be easier and more aligned with your values?
The What If: Disorganized giving can limit effectiveness or miss opportunities.
Your Move: Learn how to gift appreciated assets through a DAF.
The Win: DAFs can simplify giving while maximizing your impact. Strategic, values-driven givingâacross generations.
đ Tonyâs Take: Charitable planning is more than a financial strategyâitâs a way to express your values, build legacy, and make a lasting impact.
đď¸Alissa Maizes, Erinn Andrews, Russell James and Tony Steuer on The Get Ready Money Podcast. Check it out (here).
6ď¸âŁ Why Women Still Struggle to Build Wealthâand How We Fix It
Why it matters: From pay gaps to caregiving, women face real financial obstaclesâbut that doesnât mean weâre powerless.
The What If: Ignoring this leaves women behind in financial security.
Your Move: Name the challenges, then work around and through them.
The Win: Overcome the unique challenges women continue to face today.
đ Tonyâs Take: Itâs not just about accessâitâs about awareness and agency.
đď¸Jean Chatzky and Hilary Hendershott. Watch on (YouTube).
7ď¸âŁ Navigating Money, Legacy, and Family Dynamics
Why it matters: Emotional patterns often shape financial outcomes.
The What If: Unspoken beliefs and trauma can sabotage success.
Your Move: Talk about your emotional thermostatâwhatâs ânormalâ around money.
The Win: Financial peace and stronger relationships.
đ Tonyâs Take: Legacy planning isnât just financialâitâs emotional.
đď¸ Dr. Shay Harris-Pierre and Diana Yanez on the Highly Sensitive Money Podcast. Listen (here).
8ď¸âŁ What If the Way You Manage Your Money Could Boost Your Career â and Keep You Safe from Scams?
Why it matters: Financial fluency isnât just about moneyâit mirrors the journey of career planning and progression, from mindset to life goals.
The What If: Scams and lack of financial fluency can delay or derail your journey.
Your Move: Learn to spot red flags and take control of your financial narrative.
The Win: Confidence and career clarity.
đ Tonyâs Take: Your money story shapes your career story. Own both.
đ§ Justyn Makarewycz and Tony Steuer on the Zicklin GCMC Podcast on (Apple Podcasts)
9ď¸âŁ 11 Things Iâve Learned as a Financial Planner
Why it matters: The best financial planning happens when we go beyond the numbers.
The What If: Focusing only on spreadsheets misses the real story.
Your Move: Create space for emotion, complexity, and humanity in your work.
The Win: Deeper client trust and more fulfilling outcomes.
đ Tonyâs Take: Itâs never just about the money.
đ By Elliott Appel. Read it (here).
đ The Future of Healthy Aging and Retirement
Why it matters: Weâre living longerâand that changes everything.
The What If: Ignoring longevity leads to financial and societal strain. A declining proportion of younger individuals supporting an expanding elderly population will put significant pressure on labor markets, health care systems, and pension frameworks.
Your Move: Your retirement and financial strategy should consider the likelihood of a much longer life.
The Win: A life well-lived, all the way through.
đ Tonyâs Take: Aging isnât just about financesâitâs about meaning and momentum.
đ By Shankar Parameshwaran for Knowledge at Wharton. Read (here).
đ 5 Money Moves in Focus
đ¤ Webinar Worth Catching: Trailblazers: Retirementâs Unspoken Risk with Chris Heye & Sheryl OâConnor â Aug 26 @ 1:30pm PT. Register - free (here
đ§ Why Emotional Intelligence Comes First in Financial Decisions by Derek Hagen for Meaningful Money. Read it (here).
đ How much and why ACA Marketplace premiums are going up in 2026 from Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker (here).
đ 83% of People Who Asked for Lower Credit Card Interest Rate in Past Year Got One â Highest Since Pandemic by Matt Schultz. Read (here).
đ Can Money Make You Happier? By Tom Greene for Wit & Wisdom. Read it (here)
đ Recommended Read: From The Tony Steuer Bookshelf
Questions and Answers on Life Insurance: The Life Insurance Toolbox
Why it matters: Life insurance is complex, often misunderstoodâand frequently misused. This book breaks down life insurance clearly and concisely.
đ Tonyâs Take: I created this to be the go-to non-biased reference for consumers and professionals alike.
đ Get the book (Amazon)
đ ď¸ Get Ready Member Resources
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Action Resources for Week 33: Your Legacy
Available now in your Get Ready Library dashboard (Focus Area 8: Your Legacy):
- The Get Ready Blueprint Worksheet: Review your powers of attorney and directives
- Power of Attorney + Health Care Directive Worksheets
- Ask Tony AI: Get personalized guidance from my full library of books, podcasts, and articles
Access Your Get Ready Resources here
Note: Available to all members of The Get Ready Movement.
Support The Get Ready Movement here.
Support the Get Ready Movement
đ§ Final Thought
Make sure your powers of attorney and health directives are in place, up to date, and that your agents know what you want.
â Stay ready.
đŹ Start a conversation.
đĄ Share what sparked somethingâwith a friend or client.
Together, weâre reshaping financial fluencyâone âwhat ifâ at a time.
â Tony
P.S. A few ways to go deeper:
âĄď¸ Support The Get Ready Movement (here) â Help keep these resources free and accessible.
đď¸ Subscribe to The Get Ready Money Podcast: Listen on (Apple Podcasts) (YouTube)
đ Explore The Tony Steuer Bookshelf: Access (digital editions of all of my books) or at (Bookshop) (Amazon)
đŁ Sponsor the Get Ready Podcast or Newsletter: Promote your work and mission. Just hit reply to discuss.
đŹ Letâs connect on LinkedIn â Follow or message me (here).
