10 Things I Think (About Money, Life & What’s Next)
💡 This week: the power of storytelling, healthcare in retirement and creating an aging plan.
👋 Thanks for being part of The Get Ready Movement—helping you face life’s “what ifs” with confidence.
Each week, I spotlight trends, tools, and voices shaping the future of financial fluency.
Together, we’re changing how we think (and talk) about money—so you’re ready for what comes next.
10 Things I Think (About Money, Life & What’s Next)
1️⃣ How Storytelling Can Improve Financial Literacy and Money Conversations
Why it matters: Want to make financial literacy more relatable? Start with better stories.
The What If: Without stories, financial lessons don’t stick—and people tune out.
Your Move: Use storytelling to connect money concepts to real life.
The Win: Conversations that inspire confidence and lasting change.
💭 Tony’s Take: Storytelling helps make money talks more meaningful.
🎙 Allie Zendrian and Tony Steuer on The Get Ready Money Podcast. Watch or Listen (here).
1B: Cash in as a couple: How to get on the same page about money.
Why it matters: With the right approach, your finances can become a source of connection instead of conflict.
By Bernadette Joy for Bankrate. Read (here).
2️⃣ Retirement’s Unspoken Risk - A Framework for Health + Aging Planning
Why it matters: Healthcare is the #1 retirement worry—not inflation, taxes, or downturns.
The What If: Ignoring health and LTC risks can derail even the best retirement plan.
Your Move: Talk about health and caregiving in your financial planning.
The Win: A realistic, resilient retirement strategy.
💭 Tony’s Take: Aligning planning and strategies with current and potential health challenges creates a more realistic plan.
🎙 Chris Heye & Sheryl O’Connor on Trailblazers Presented IncomeConductor. Watch on (YouTube).
3️⃣ Unlocking Relational Intelligence
Why it matters: Many women feel underserved by traditional financial advisors and what leads them to leave.
The What If: Women and couples leave advisors who alienate them.
Your Move: Build relational intelligence to better connect.
The Win: many women feel underserved by traditional financial advisors and what leads them to leave..
💭 Tony’s Take: Financial fluency means enhancing communication skills and empowering women in the decision making process.
🎙 Misty Lynch with Dasha Chernakovska on Demystifying Money. Listen (here).
4️⃣ Does Long-Term-Care Insurance Add Up?
Policyholders have gotten slammed with premium increases. Here’s what to know before you buy long term care insurance.
By Christine Benz for Morningstar. Read (here).
5️⃣ Age in Place or Find a New Space: How to Create Beautiful Spaces That Promote Meaningful Interactions
Why it matters: Aging well isn’t about holding on—It should be about making room for what matters most.
Your Move: Plan your home and lifestyle with freedom in mind, not fear.
💭 Tony’s Take: A proactive plan for aging creates more choice, not less.
📘 By Carol Chiang. Check it out on (Amazon)
6️⃣ Tips On Avoiding Scams
Just knowing about potential scams can significantly prevent you from becoming a victim of fraud
📄 By Clint Haynes for NextGen Wealth (AARP interview with Brandon Lovingier & Kathy Stokes). Read (here).
7️⃣ Iron Laws of the Stock Market
There are no rules that work every time. Studying stock market history shows you that although the future doesn’t always look exactly like the past, some general rules of thumb can help you be a better investor when applied through a consistent process.
📄 By Ben Carlson for A Wealth of Common Sense. Read (here).
8️⃣ College Planning For Divorced and Widowed Parents: Reduce Stress, Save Thousands and Make Smart Decisions For Your Child's Future
Why it matters: Major life changes can make college planning overwhelming; financially, emotionally and logistically.
Your Move: Advice tailored for divorced, separated, and widowed parents and insight on working with colleges to reduce your out-of-pocket costs
The Win: Breathe easier and make smart, informed decisions during one of the most important transitions in your child’s life.
💭 Tony’s Take: Even in life’s hardest transitions, planning helps you find success.
📘 By Vicki Vollweiler. Check it out on (Amazon)
9️⃣ ✅ Weekly Action Prompt: Review Your Social Security Statement
Why it matters: Errors on your statement could impact your benefits.
The What If: Inaccurate records could mean less income when you need it most.
Your Move: Order your statement at www.ssa.gov and check for accuracy. If anything is inaccurate on your statement, contact Social Security to rectify.
The Win: Choosing when to take Social Security payments is an important decision, with numerous pros and cons
💭 Tony’s Take: Social Security benefits are not intended to be your only source of income when you retire. On average, Social Security will replace about 40 percent of your annual preretirement earnings. You will need other savings, investments, pensions, or retirement accounts to make sure you have enough money to live comfortably when you retire
🔗 Take action with the member resources below.
🔟 🧩 Loose Ends
📄 Why Entrepreneurial Wealth Is Really About Freedom, Not Just Profit by Meredith Moore for Forbes. Read (here).
🎙 Economics That Heal: Exploring Regenerative Livelihoods with Della Duncan and Diana Yanez on the Highly Sensitive Money Podcast. Listen (here).
🎙 Stop Waiting for Permission. Preston Cherry & Jenny Wood on Owning Your Choices with Matt Zeigler on the Just Press Record Podcast. Watch on (YouTube).
📚 The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Wealth Management and the Daily Life of Financial Advisors. White paper -By John O’Connell, The Oasis Group. Read (here).
🔧 Calculate the cost of long-term care near you calculator from CareScout & Genworth. Check it out (here).
🛠️ Take Action with Member Resources
Resources for this week’s action item (#35) from your member dashboard (Monthly Focus Area 9: Financial Independence)
✅ The Get Ready Blueprint week 35 worksheet where you’ll walk through ordering and reviewing your Social Security Statement.
✅ Social Security Worksheet
✅ Ask Tony AI: Try this prompt → “How do I review my Social Security Statement”
Access Your Get Ready Resources here
🧠 Final Thought - The Big What IF
What if financial independence isn’t just about the money? It’s about aligning your plan with your goals, lifestyle and values.
✅ Stay ready.
💬 Start a conversation.
💡 Share what sparked something—with a friend or client.
Together, we’re reshaping financial fluency—one “what if” at a time.
– Tony
P.S.
🎙️ Subscribe to The Get Ready Money Podcast on Apple Podcasts or YouTube.
