It was an open secret
but there is more to the story
Dear Friends,
Many of you know my family recently moved our primary residence from New York City to South Florida.
I didn’t formally announce it although I did share the news casually over the last few months. The move caught some of you off guard. And I’m sorry if you are first finding this out now- its been an exciting but hectic time for us!
As I hear from friends and family, I get different reactions. Some feel it was “out of the blue” and were caught totally off guard. It seemed like a radical move. Why? Why now? You were literally born on the Upper East Side. How could you leave? Ever?
But others were unfazed. “Of course, you were obsessively talking about how you wanted to move to Florida on your podcast even before the pandemic.”
They reminded me that during the pandemic I was counting down the days until we could leave New York for the home we had rented for a couple of months in Florida.
My reasons were many. I hate the cold. I can’t stand the subway, and in New York there are times you really do have to take the subway. New York has gotten ridiculously expensive. I always “feel poor” even though we are just fine. I won’t tell you what it costs to park a car but trust me- it’s not ok. Also not ok: The taxes. The garbage. The crime. And now, the anti-semitism.
But that’s not the whole truth as I was reminded recently with some very upsetting news. It came as a wake up call in the form of a text (because 2023). A family group text right as I was waking up a few days ago. The brother of my cousin’s wife unexpectedly passed away at age 52. Not ok. And a validation of what the real reason is.
My mother passed away in August of 2005 at the age of 62- days after I met my husband Neil. They never met each other. But the two events have had a profound effect on how I live my life. Lost and found. A tremendous and never ending loss of a parent. A priceless “find’ in my husband. All within a week.
I’ve spent my career talking about money and investing and being financially prepared for the future aka RETIREMENT. But my mom died at 62. She never collected social security. She never really had “retirement years”. Don’t be mistaken- she did a lot in her 62 years- traveling, going to the theatre, leading charities, helping families as a public advocate lawyer, and of course being a wife and mother. She made an impact for sure. Her funeral was packed with hundreds of friends and family members. But she never took a step back. She never slowed down. And no amount of smart investments could save her life or buy us more time with her.
She was gone at 62. My birthday is in January and every year I make note of how much closer I am to 62. I’m not waiting to rebalance my life. I started my company Financial Wellness Strategies with the hope of helping more people put money and the anxiety around it in perspective. I need to do that for myself and for my family too.
The stock market just hit a record high. If you are investing like a financial grownup, the money will be there for you when it’s time. But be mindful of the time. It goes so fast.
The end of the year is the perfect time to set up for success as we move into the New Year. Let’s talk about how we can work together.
With our Financial Wellness programming, you can support your team during — and after — the holidays when financial stress is peaking. Holiday stress doesn’t end after the holidays. The hangover in January is real. That’s when the bills come and reality hits hard.
With Financial Wellness Strategies, your team will have the opportunity to attend a live, shared community event. Not only will we address financial pain points, present strategies, and help attendees find the right path to their personal financial goals, we’ll also improve productivity, engagement, and morale within your organization.
Don’t wait, this is the perfect time to give the gift of financial wellness to your team. It’s easy, affordable and yes — fun. Plus, I'm offering an exclusive 20% discount for programs booked by December 31st (event can take place this year or next year).
Feel free to reach out for a complimentary 15-minute consultation to learn more.
Not in event planning or HR?
Please put us in touch with your company’s HR department, ERG leaders, or employee engagement team so we can get rid of those money fears and put you and your team on the path to financial wellness.
Still looking for the perfect gift? Or maybe a speaker for an event in 2024?
I would love to come to talk about my latest book “Launching Financial Grownups: Live Your Richest Life by Helping Your (Almost) Adult Kids Become Everyday Money Smart”.
I do both in-person and virtual book chats and am actively scheduling for 2024. I speak to schools, parent groups, senior centers, book clubs, client gatherings, and more. Please invite me!
“Launching Financial Grownups” will teach GEN X-ERS AND BABY BOOMERS how to help younger generations including Millennials and Gen Z become financial grownups. We all have a stake in their success.
The book is full of ways to open the conversation about money and guide those next-generation emerging adults to live their best financial lives. It is perfect for parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and anyone who cares about the financial well-being of the next generation.
So pick up a copy of my book Launching Financial Grownups for yourself, or for anyone you know and care about who has teen or young adult kids doing their best in high school, college, or their first “real” job so you can help “launch” a young adult and set the next generation up for success!
And yes, it makes a GREAT gift for parents, grandparents, and anyone in an older generation looking to learn how to help emerging adults.
The Joy of Funerals
Already got my book? Or looking for an engaging and yes, fun, fiction read on vacation?
My friend Alix Strauss just re-released her 2004 hit “The Joy of Funerals.” It is the perfect book to put life in perspective and really appreciate all we have as we head into the New year. I just started reading it and I’m hooked.
The “Joy of Funerals” idea started as an essay Alix wrote in 1998 for the “Lives” column in the New York Times Sunday Magazine. The main characters go to funerals as a way to connect with people. While it was inspired by some experiences Alix herself has had, the book is fiction.
There are a bunch of incredible reviews out there like this one, this one and this one.
But I am obsessed with American Funeral Director had to say.
You can listen or read the article here.
Before you leave.. check out this piece I was quoted in by my friend Jessica Goodman. (PS You can check out Jessica’s books here) )
Inside the new Gen Z mindset on work—and how it just might change the future for everyone
Corporate can’t sit with us.
Please follow me on Instagram - and let me know you are part of the financial grownup community by DM-ing me so I can follow you back.
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I truly appreciate your support and feedback.
I always get a lot from your writing and perspective. This one definitely hit home. My mother died at 63. My parents were savers for their retirement. It always makes me very sad my mom who taught almost until she died never got to live their plans of travelling, moving to Florida, meeting her grandchildren etc.
Very interesting....Wellness guided by some economics may be the key to better financial planning outcomes.