Richelle Hofer 
The final installment of our Financial Checklist for Your 50s series explores insurance, family conversations, finding purpose in retirement, and choosing the right financial planning relationship.
If you read Part 1 of this series, you’ve already started building a solid foundation for retirement. You know it’s time to start thinking about retirement income instead of just retirement savings. You’re paying attention to what your lifestyle actually costs. You’re taking advantage of opportunities to save more, and you’re making sure your investments … Read more
This article is the first in a three-part series designed to help you prepare for retirement during one of the most important decades of your financial life.
In Part 1, we’ll focus on building the financial foundation—your retirement income, spending, savings, and investments.
In Part 2, we’ll tackle taxes, Social Security, estate planning, and long-term care.
In Part 3, we’ll cover insurance, family conversations, finding purpose in retirement, and choosing the right financial advisor.
Is there really a magic retirement number? Learn why successful retirement depends on much more than your account balance and the questions that matter most.
When Marlene’s husband passed away suddenly, she found herself staring at a stack of bills and statements that felt like they were written in another language. For 40 years, John had handled every dollar—paying taxes, renewing car tags, keeping up with investments. It worked beautifully… until the day he was gone. Suddenly, in the middle … Read more
When Carol and Jim passed away, their three grown kids—Mark, Lisa, and Sarah—did what many families do in grief: they gathered to sort through the house. At first, it was tender. They laughed over childhood art projects, teared up at old photo albums, and swapped stories late into the night. But when it came time … Read more
(Talking to Your Aging Parents About Their Finances—Before It’s a Crisis) Anna’s dad was part of what’s often called The Silent Generation. He was born during the Great Depression, served in the military, and prided himself on working hard, paying his bills, and keeping his affairs private. Money, to him, wasn’t something you talked about—it … Read more
On the surface, this conversation doesn’t sound like it has anything to do with money. But in real life, it almost always does. When we build retirement plans, we intentionally set money aside for things that matter: Then something subtle happens. Those plans start getting traded in. Not because the money isn’t there — but … Read more
Are You Actually Retiring Toward the Same Life? Most couples don’t fight about retirement. They assume they’re aligned. They assume they want the same kind of retirement.They assume the details will work themselves out. And sometimes… they do. But often, what I see isn’t conflict—it’s quiet drift. Two people heading toward retirement together, but picturing … Read more
(“You’re NOT an Imposter” Part Two) So many people reached out to me after I published the first “You Are Not an Imposter” blog – clients, friends, even people I’ve never met — to say that it resonated deeply. So many of us still carry pieces of our past into the way we think about … Read more