Starting Over at 50

Show NotesJonmark Richardson is a financial advisor in Phoenix, Arizona. He's got a story. At 19, his life was headed in one direction. He knew exactly what he wanted. And then in a split second, everything changed. What he went through and what he watched his mom go through with money shaped how he helps people plan for their financial lives. Not for when things go right. For when plan A goes out the window.Key TopicsThe Accident That Changed Everything At 19, Jonmark was about to go pro in motocross. It was all he thought about, dreamt about, and doodled about in school since he was five years old. A hesitation on a jump left him two and a half stories in the air without enough momentum. He shattered his spine and was instantly paralyzed. He spent the next six months in the hospital, conscious through the whole thing.Getting Through Day by Day First it was getting through a day, then a week, then a month. "If I could do a year, I could do two. If I could do two, I could do 20." He never had a single day in the hospital without a visitor. That support system made all the difference.What His Mom Taught Him About Money She truly believed she was doomed to fail before she even tried. One of her favorite sayings was "I'm always an hour late and a dollar short." She fell behind on property taxes for a decade, lost her home, and walked away with $8,000. It shaped how Jonmark thinks about planning for the unexpected.Life Is Rarely About Plan A Financial planning is really life planning. Things rarely go the way we expect. You need contingencies for plan B, C, and D. We're human. We were built to start again. "The moment you stop trying, you stop living."You Are Worth Saving For You can't be a living martyr and be the best parent for your kids. You have to take care of yourself first. Your kids won't remember the money or the trips. They'll remember if you were happy. Jonmark sees wealthy clients all the time with blank expressions. They have everything they thought mattered, but something's missing.Emergency Fund as Peace If your fridge goes out and you have savings, you're not panicking like his mom would have. That's where peace starts. And if you can't cut back any further, it's an earning problem. Find a side gig, earn it, and save it.Gratitude and Journaling "You are never happier than you are grateful." Jonmark started journaling when his wife got pregnant. He writes on Sundays, reflecting on the week, and plans to hand it to his son later in life.Memorable Quotes"You are never happier than you are grateful. Gratitude is where you start.""You can't be a living martyr and be the best dad for your kids. You have to take care of you.""It's never too late to be the person you intended to be.""Money is the lubrication in the frictions of life. But it's not a substitute for love and happiness."Key TakeawaysGet out of yesterday. Don't let your past eat your future.You are worth saving for. Commit to that first.Start with emergency savings. That's where peace comes from.If you can't cut more, earn more. Side income dedicated to savings can change everything.Your kids will remember your happiness, not the money.About the GuestJonmark Richardson is the Senior Advisor at The Valhalla Group in Phoenix, Arizona. He has been in the financial industry for over 16 years, helping clients with retirement planning, tax strategy, and Social Security decisions. His approach is shaped by rebuilding his life after a paralyzing accident at 19 and watching his mother struggle with money.Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Connect: [email protected]

Podcast Show Notes: Surviving Divorce Together with BrandonEpisode OverviewHost Gabe McManus sits down with Brandon, a certified financial planner who went through his own divorce at 50 with four kids. This one's different. It's two dads who've walked the same road, comparing notes on guilt, grief, and finding their footing again. Brandon shares the mantra that got him through and why hiding his emotions from his kids is his biggest regret.Key Topics DiscussedThe Day Everything ChangedThat kitchen table conversation you dread and can't sugarcoatBrandon's four kids were 9, 7, 7, and 5 when it happenedThe overwhelming fear of doing it aloneThanking God all the way home after getting the kids on the school busWhat Nobody Tells YouThe weight loss, the depression, the year it took to let goWhy Brandon regrets hiding his emotions from his kids"They didn't get to see me vulnerable. I wish they had."Kids mimic what they see. Stiff upper lip isn't always the lesson you want to teach.The Guilt TrapWanting to say yes to everything so the kids don't miss out"We all need just a yes right now. We'll untangle it later."Drawing the line: each kid gets one activityThe $700 Lego Titanic storySurvive and AdvanceBrandon's March Madness mantra for getting through"Let's not worry about growing. Let's just survive this season."If you're putting away 10% for retirement during this phase, you're winningThere will be time to build laterA New Kind of NormalThe empty chair at the dinner table and why he bought new furnitureCreating routines and consistency as a single parent"It's not ever going to be normal. But there's a new normal that's also satisfying."What Suffering Teaches YouRomans on suffering, perseverance, character, and hopeKids showing compassion because of what they've been through"You had a great life before. You had a great life during. You'll have a great life after."Dating After DivorceEach child launches their own relationship rocket on their own terms"This is not your mom. This will never be your mom."Giving kids space to feel what they feelMemorable Quotes"I would just thank God all the way home. I did it. That sounds so stupid, so small. But when you're doing it by yourself, the self-doubt is huge.""We're mourning the loss of the childhood we thought they would have. They're just happy to have us still in their lives.""Survive and advance. One day at a time. I had that taped to my mirror.""You had a great life before him. You had a great life with him. You're going to have a great life after him.""If you're putting 10% away during this phase, you're winning. There'll be time to do 20% later."Key TakeawaysGive yourself grace. This is about surviving, not thriving. Growth comes later.Let your kids see you struggle. Hiding emotion teaches them to hide theirs.Don't let divorce taint the good memories. Your kids need to hear you celebrate what was.About the GuestBrandon is a certified financial planner with 25 years of experience who went through his own divorce at 50 with four children. He brings both professional expertise and personal experience to the conversation.https://www.ameripriseadvisors.com/brandon.l.hayes/Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Connect: [email protected]

Episode Title"I Want to Make Memories. I Can't Afford Them. Ira Work Proves Me Wrong"Podcast Show Notes: Making Memories When Money Is Tight with Ira WorkEpisode OverviewHost Gabe McManus sits down with financial advisor Ira Work for a conversation that goes way beyond numbers. Ira, who went through his own divorce at 48, starts by asking the question nobody else has: how are you doing emotionally? From there, they dig into guilt spending, impossible college expectations, and how to make memories with your kids without wrecking your future.Key Topics DiscussedThe Question Nobody AsksWhy "how are you doing emotionally" should come firstIra's divorce at 48 and not realizing he was in depressionFinding out who you are after decades as a coupleMemories Over Stuff"I'd rather make memories than have stuff"The danger of guilt spending after divorceCreative travel hacks: Airbnbs, cooking together, walking toursThe Shutterfly book idea to preserve trips foreverThe College ConversationThree ways to pay: scholarships, work part-time, or student loansWhy you never tell your kids there's money saved for themHaving the transparent talk about what you can actually affordWhy school name matters far less than ambitionSetting Boundaries with Your KidsIra's daughter said college was his responsibility because she "didn't choose to be born"His response: "My legal responsibility ended when you turned 18"Boundaries create freedom for everyoneComing from a position of strength instead of obligationEmergency Fund Before RetirementThree to six months of expenses in liquid savingsWhy raiding retirement for emergencies costs you a penalty and your future"If you have an emergency fund, you'll never have an emergency"Memorable Quotes"The first question I would ask you is, how are you doing emotionally? Because that's really the most important.""I'd rather make memories than have stuff. Take me away for a week and don't buy me a diamond necklace.""My legal responsibility ended for you financially the day you turned 18. Anything I do for you now is out of the love in my heart.""If you have an emergency fund, you'll never have an emergency."Key TakeawaysCheck in on yourself first. Divorce can put you in depression without realizing it.Stop guilt spending. Trying to be the hero digs a deeper hole.Have the transparent conversation. Tell your kids what you can actually afford.Emergency fund before retirement. Three to six months, highly liquid.Ambition beats school name. First job comes from college. Every job after comes from performance.About the GuestIra Work is a financial advisor with over 41 years in the business who brings personal experience to the conversation, having gone through his own divorce at 48. Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Connect: [email protected]

Podcast Show Notes: Financial Recovery After Divorce with Ron PhelpsEpisode OverviewHost Gabe McManus sits down with financial advisor Ron Phelps to tackle the overwhelming reality of starting over financially after divorce. Ron walks Gabe through the exact steps to stop living paycheck to paycheck, why a simple will could leave his kids with nothing, and the tax strategies self-employed people are completely missing.Key Topics DiscussedWhen Your Plan Gets DerailedWhy your situation feels unique but follows patterns advisors see regularlyMoving from crisis mode to strategic planningThe first step: completing a personal financial statementThe HELOC StrategyWhy a home equity line of credit is emergency protection, not spending moneyThe Warren Buffett approach: using other people's moneyCredit unions vs. traditional banks for better ratesSolving the College Funding CrisisThe Parent PLUS Loan strategy that buys you four yearsPushing payments past the alimony end date to free up cash flowThe power of kids having "skin in the game"The Estate Planning Wake-Up CallWhy a simple will goes to probate and can be contestedHow your ex could end up controlling your kids' inheritanceThe revocable living trust solution for $1,500-$2,500Tax Strategies for Self-Employed PeopleThe solo 401(k) that lets you shelter up to $79,000/yearDropping from 22% to 12% effective tax rate through smart contributionsSocial Security and InheritancesRon's unconventional advice: take Social Security when you're eligibleWhy inheritances shouldn't factor into your plan until they're realMemorable Quotes"You had a plan, and your plan got derailed. Just so you're aware, regardless of what you think about right now, it will work.""Tell me the day you're going to die, and I'll definitively tell you when you should take Social Security.""Most individuals are more concerned about their wealth than their health. If you don't have a bulletproof estate plan, what happens if all of your money went to your ex-wife?"Key TakeawaysGet a HELOC immediately as your emergency fund backstop while you build cash reserves.Consider a Parent PLUS Loan to spread college costs over four years.A simple will isn't enough. A revocable living trust protects your legacy from being contested.Self-employed? You're likely overpaying taxes. A solo 401(k) lets you shelter far more than standard limits.Don't count on inheritances. Plan as if they won't happen.About the GuestRon Phelps is a financial advisor with nearly 30 years of experience and a background in tax and accounting.Website: https://www.ameripriseadvisors.com/team/the-phelps-group/financial-advice-team/ronald.phelps/Social Media TeaserI sat down with my financial situation laid bare. Income. Expenses. The whole ugly picture.Ron Phelps said something I needed to hear."You had a plan. Your plan got derailed. That doesn't mean it's over."Then he showed me things I had no idea about. Like how a simple will could let my ex control my kids' inheritance. How I could shelter $79,000 a year in retirement savings. And why my month-by-month college payment plan was all wrong.The light at the end of the tunnel? I can finally see it.Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Connect: [email protected]

Episode OverviewHost Gabe McManus sits down with financial planner and author Bernd Steinebrunner to talk about what it feels like when every dollar is already spoken for and you still don't know if you're doing it right. They explore building a financial dashboard, having tough money conversations with your kids, and why your gut matters just as much as your spreadsheet.Key Topics DiscussedFlying Blind After DivorceWhat "flying blind" means when you're juggling alimony, private school, college, retirement, and self-employmentWhy having every dollar assigned still doesn't mean you feel in controlThe Financial DashboardMoving from back-of-the-napkin tracking to a visual system where you can see trade-offs in real timeTurning dials: what happens to retirement when you increase college contributions (and vice versa)Start With Values, Then Add NumbersWhy goals without values leave you going in circlesThe five retirement questions: place, people, work/activities, and envisioning your futureLeap of Faith DecisionsBernd's story of crumpling up his pros-and-cons spreadsheet to move his family from Germany to the USLeaving a corporate career for financial planning and the lean years that followedWhy financial affairs should serve your life goals, not the other way aroundTalking to Your Kids About MoneyHow kids often handle tough conversations better than you expectTeaching priority decisions: the Dominican Republic service trip vs. Chipotle for the second time this weekWhy "we chose that those things are not important to us" is more powerful than just saying noThe Bank of PapaBernd's system of tying allowance to decision-making and increasing responsibilityThe payoff years later: his daughter now educates her friends about 401(k) matchesCollege as an InvestmentLooking at education through a return-on-investment lensHaving real conversations with kids about debt, majors, and expected incomeRetirement When You're Self-EmployedGradual retirement vs. flipping the switchGetting your kids started early with custodial Roth IRAs and matching contributionsMemorable Quotes"If you don't dream, it will never happen. If you dream, it might still not happen, but at least you have a starting point.""Financial affairs should feed into your life and your life goals, not your life goals dictate your financial affairs.""We had to say no to some things, not because we couldn't afford it, but because we chose that those things are not important to us.""The best investment at your age is in your education. You get your highest payoff when you invest in your future earnings potential."Key TakeawaysBuild a dashboard, not a budget. Visualizing goals, obligations, and trade-offs in one place lets you make real decisions instead of flying blind.Dream first, then do the math. Put a stake in the ground for what you want your life to look like. You can adjust the numbers later.Your kids can handle more than you think. Honest money conversations teach values and priority-making.College is an investment with a return. Help your kids think about what career and income an education leads to, not just the prettiest campus.Retirement doesn't have to be all or nothing. A gradual transition lets you make choices from strength, not weakness.Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Connect: [email protected]

Episode OverviewHost Gabe McManus sits down with Social Security specialists Russ Gaiser and Mike Hoeflich of Retirement Income HQ to tackle one of retirement's biggest decisions: when to claim Social Security. In this eye-opening conversation, they reveal why "take it at 62 like Dad did" might cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars, how divorced spouses can claim benefits they never knew existed, and why the water cooler isn't the best place to get retirement advice.Key Topics DiscussedThe 62 MythWhy a third of Americans claim at 62 and why many shouldn'tThe 30% permanent reduction for early filersThe earnings limit test that could mean you get nothing even after filingBreaking free from the "my dad did it this way" mentalityThe Real Math Behind Claiming DecisionsWhy break-even analysis isn't enoughThe paradigm shift: using the least amount of your own capital to meet retirement income needsA real client example: how waiting until 70 created a $700,000 difference in excess wealthHaving $1.7 million vs. $1 million in liquid wealth just from filing strategyHidden Benefits for Divorced SpousesThe 10-year marriage rule that unlocks ex-spousal benefitsClaiming on a deceased ex's record: the full benefit, not just spousalThe woman who discovered $60,000 in benefits she almost missedWhy Social Security won't send you a letter when your ex passes awayRemarriage Rules That MatterAge 60: the magic number for widow/widower benefitsHow remarriage affects living vs. deceased ex-spouse benefitsPlanning your engagement timeline (yes, really)Retirement Savings RealitiesThe 15% rule of thumb for gross income savingsWhy 77% of working households don't think they've saved enoughThe danger of all-or-nothing thinkingAutomating contributions when you're self-employedInvestment PsychologyWhy panic selling destroys retirement plansTime in the market vs. timing the marketFinding your true risk toleranceHow day traders rarely tell you about their lossesLegacy PlanningThe "put your oxygen mask on first" philosophyWhy being a little selfish ensures you're not a burdenThe power of giving while you're aliveHaving open money conversations across generationsMemorable Quotes"The biggest blessing you can give your kids is making sure you're in a good spot, so they don't have to worry about taking care of you.""If you thought you could have another income source at 62, why wouldn't you do that? And a lot of people feel that way. But jumping in can lead to permanently taking a smaller benefit for the rest of your life."Key TakeawaysDon't claim Social Security in a silo. Integrate it with your spending needs, tax planning, and investment strategy.If you've been divorced and married 10+ years, investigate what benefits you might be entitled to from your ex—especially if they've passed away.Automate your retirement savings so you're not making the decision with every paycheck.Find your risk tolerance and stick to a plan you can live with rather than chasing higher returns you can't stomach.Take care of yourself first before planning legacy gifts. You can't help your kids if you're financially struggling.Resources Mentionedhttps://incomeplanhq.com/Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Connect: [email protected]

Episode OverviewHost Gabe McManus talks with Stephen Soderstrom, CEO of G4 Wealth Advisors and author of "Paycheck to Prosperity," about moving from financial survival mode to actually thriving. They discuss the CEO checking account, why three years changes everything, and how to practice for problems before they arrive.Key Topics DiscussedThe Three-Year TransformationWhy three years is the sweet spot for meaningful financial progressLong enough for real growth, short enough to envision clearlyHow compounding habits create confidence over 36 monthsSolving Tomorrow's Problems TodayPracticing for expenses before they arrive (college, car repairs, emergencies)Treating future costs like current billsBuilding accounts with "high walls" for home, auto, travel, and taxesThe CEO Checking AccountWhy weekly spending beats monthly budgetingGetting "paid" on Tuesdays instead of Fridays changes everythingKnow if you're winning or losing within a week, not a monthGuilt-free spending when you stay within your numberThe Credit Card TrapWhy "I pay it off every month" doesn't mean you're in controlThe psychology of "how did it get so high?"Weekly cash management prevents lifestyle creepBeing Your Own CEOTaking ownership instead of being the "wayward employee"Making tough decisions your future self will thank you forThe empowerment of controlling your financial destinyMoney Without the Marriage DramaWhy spreadsheets destroy relationships (and what works instead)The crucial role of third-party advisorsGetting on the same page without conflictThe Sandwich GenerationBalancing aging parents, teenage kids, and retirementHaving money conversations with parentsUnderstanding their situation to plan effectivelyThe Inheritance Reality Check"Inheritance is not the retirement strategy, but it could be a retire early strategy"Why more money doesn't fix money problems without skillsThe 16-year-old with a sports car analogyBuilding skills now so you're ready when money arrivesRetirement Mindset ShiftsFrom "I'll work until I die" to "I have choices"Why flexibility matters more than specific retirement agesHow work improves when you don't need the moneyGiving yourself options to avoid "I have to work"The College DecisionHelping kids see beyond the bumper stickerWho do you want to be at 27, not just where at 21?Memorable Quotes"If I can just solve the problem today, it won't be a problem tomorrow.""You are the CEO. It's a tough job. But with that job, you've got to make some tough decisions.""The bumper sticker will fade, the flag will fall off, but the debt stays."ResourcesBook: "Paycheck to Prosperity" by Stephen SoderstromG4 Wealth Advisors, Eden Prairie, MinnesotaSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Connect: [email protected]

Episode OverviewJoin host Gabe (52) as he sits down with Morgan, a 35-year-old financial advisor in Dallas who specializes in helping people live more intentionally through major life transitions. In this candid conversation, they explore the emotional and financial challenges of divorce, raising teenagers, planning for college, caring for aging parents, and building a meaningful legacy.Key Topics DiscussedPersonal Journey & PhilosophyMorgan's path from Pepperdine University to founding Life Branch Wealth PartnersThe coaching approach to financial advising: moving beyond numbers to understand what truly mattersHow childhood experiences with money shape our adult financial behaviorsLife After DivorceManaging the financial and emotional restart at 52Balancing competing priorities: retirement savings vs. creating memories with kidsThe importance of being vulnerable about major life changesRaising Financially Savvy TeensTeaching kids about money through open, authentic conversationsEncouraging early investing habits (Gabe's daughter opens her first brokerage account)Navigating the college decision: aspirational dreams vs. financial realityThe Sandwich Generation ChallengeCaring for aging parents while raising teenagersHaving important conversations about inheritances and legacyThe critical importance of self-care when holding everything togetherInvestment WisdomWhy emotional decisions derail investment success (Gabe's Apple stock story)The value of "racehorse money" for individual stock investingTime in the market vs. timing the marketPlanning for the FutureUnderstanding the "go-go," "slow-go," and "no-go" retirement phasesCreating financial plans that accommodate life's unexpected expensesBalancing present experiences with future securityMemorable Quotes"At the end of the day, if we're living intentionally in alignment with our values, we'll be happy. We'll feel like our life has meaning.""You can borrow for college, right? You can't borrow for retirement.""I like to think of inheritances as icing on the cake that can help, not something to fully count on.""We've got to focus on you in that middle, saying what are you doing to restore yourself? If I don't get that time for me, it's gonna be a problem."Resources MentionedMorgan's book: Intentional LegacyLife Branch Wealth Partners Episode TakeawaysFinancial planning isn't just about numbers—it's about understanding your values and prioritiesHaving a trusted advisor helps protect you from emotional financial decisionsOpen conversations about money with family members (kids and parents) are essentialPerfect balance doesn't exist, but intentional trade-offs aligned with your values create meaningStarting financial education early with children sets them up for lifelong successSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Connect: [email protected]