Divorce and finances can feel overwhelming, confusing, and scary—but they don’t have to. In this episode, we break down divorce and finances, how to overcome fear, and how to build financial confidence after divorce. If you’re navigating divorce and finances, this conversation will help you feel more empowered, informed, and in control of your future.
In this episode, Lesa sits down with financial advisor and Certified Transition Specialist Kathleen Judge to talk about one of the biggest fears women face during divorce—finances. Together, they explore how your relationship with money is shaped, why so many women feel disconnected from financial decisions, and how to rebuild confidence step by step.
You’ll learn the three phases of financial transition, how to avoid costly mistakes, and how to align your finances with what truly matters most in your life. Whether you’re going through a divorce, preparing for one, or simply want to feel more confident with your money, this episode is for you.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introduction to divorce and financial fear
(03:45) Kathleen’s personal story and career transition
(08:20) Why women feel disconnected from finances
(12:10) Financial triage: what to do first in divorce
(18:30) The messy middle: emotions and decision-making
(24:15) Common financial mistakes to avoid
(28:40) Understanding assets, debt, and beneficiaries
(34:10) Aligning money with your values
(40:05) Creating a vision for your financial future
(45:20) Final thoughts and how to get support
Key Takeaways:
Guest Bio:
Kathleen Judge is a financial advisor with Edward Jones and a Certified Transition Specialist. She specializes in helping individuals navigate major life transitions such as divorce, widowhood, and retirement. Kathleen is passionate about empowering women to understand their finances, build confidence, and create a secure financial future.
Resource Links:
Tags/Keywords:
divorce and finances, divorce financial planning, women and money, financial empowerment for women, divorce recovery, financial advisor divorce, budgeting after divorce, divorce coaching, midlife divorce, financial confidence, money mindset, women over 40 finances, divorce mediation, financial independence, life after divorce
Welcome listeners.
2
:I'm so glad you're here today.
3
:We have the lovely Kathleen, judge with
with us, and she's been here before, but
4
:when Kathleen was here before, I didn't
delve into the financial information
5
:as much as we're going to today.
6
:So here's the thing.
7
:My divorcing clients who come to me for
either coaching or divorce mediation
8
:or one of my courses, their number one
concern is always kids, if they have
9
:children, and then tied real close.
10
:Um, a second to that is their finances.
11
:And finances can be so scary,
and this podcast is here to
12
:help people feel less afraid.
13
:And that's why Kathleen is.
14
:The perfect person to be here
talking about this because
15
:she's a financial advisor.
16
:She's worked with me because there's
other transitions besides divorce.
17
:There's becoming a widow.
18
:There's like even retirement
transitions when you're hubby retire.
19
:You know, there's just all
kinds of transitions in life.
20
:So I.
21
:Fully think of Kathleen as a partner
and my journey to help clients.
22
:And so I'm really excited because
she's here today and she is a certified
23
:transition specialist, and I don't
even think I've ever interviewed.
24
:Anyone who is that and a
financial advisor on this podcast.
25
:So, Kathleen, welcome and
thanks so much for being here.
26
:Speaker 2: Oh, thank you so much,
Lisa, for that warm welcome.
27
:It is always such a pleasure to work
with you and, um, talk with you.
28
:And I so respect the work that you're
doing on the podcast to help people
29
:through these really challenging
times where, um, you feel alone,
30
:you feel isolated, and you feel.
31
:Terrified.
32
:And so I, I so respect and appreciate
the work that you do to, to bring
33
:women together, bring people together
to, um, help and support one another.
34
:Speaker: Ah, you're so sweet.
35
:I appreciate that.
36
:Well, and would you mind sharing,
because you are one of those
37
:guests that I love because you went
through something a little hard.
38
:Yeah, it kind of led you to do this.
39
:We just talked about that for a little bit
before we jump into more opinion details.
40
:Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, absolutely.
41
:So I, um, I'll, um, I'll give
you the abridged version.
42
:I started my career in the nineties and,
uh, we adopted our children from Ukraine.
43
:And I had wanted to just take a step
back from my career for, um, just a
44
:couple of years or even a year just to.
45
:You know, bond with the kids
and, and get that all started.
46
:And it ended up, um, when I stepped
away, we also owned a construction
47
:company and so I had always helped
run the construction company.
48
:So I just did more of that and.
49
:Um, as, as, as it turned out,
both kids had pretty significant
50
:learning disabilities and I
ended up homeschooling them.
51
:I much, to my surprise,
52
:Speaker: yeah,
53
:Speaker 2: I mean, I, I literally,
the worst that came outta my
54
:mouth when my husband suggested
it were, I am no more meant to.
55
:To fly to the moon than
I am meant to homeschool.
56
:I am a professional and I work, and,
uh, you know, how, how things work out.
57
:How do you, how do you make God laugh?
58
:You tell him your plans.
59
:Speaker: Amen.
60
:And I, I remember telling you about
this before because I too had a little
61
:moment in there where I homeschooled for
a bit and I thought I was really good.
62
:I mean, I think I got her
ahead and she was like.
63
:No child should be
homeschooled by you, mom.
64
:So that wasn't my gift,
but I do like, I do.
65
:That's terrible.
66
:Yeah.
67
:I do give you so much credit
because you, you jumped in.
68
:There was need.
69
:I have a really good friend who was
like, oh man, I don't wanna do this.
70
:I don't wanna do this at all.
71
:I mean, I don't even know if I learn well.
72
:Speaker 2: Yeah.
73
:Speaker: And she just felt a calling
on her heart, uhhuh from God to it.
74
:So,
75
:Speaker 2: and that's what happens.
76
:And, and let me tell you, it
kept me on my knees every day.
77
:Speaker: I believe it.
78
:Speaker 2: Yeah.
79
:Yeah.
80
:So I ended up doing that, took 12 years
out of my career and, um, and then.
81
:Uh, very, I very, I was
very caught off guard.
82
:Um, we divorced, my husband and I
divorced, and I did not see it coming.
83
:It was very unexpected, and
suddenly, here I am in my forties.
84
:12 years out of the workforce and I
need to support myself and my children.
85
:And I had not, um, I had always
been good with finances, right?
86
:Like even in college, I actually
graduated college with a savings account.
87
:Like I, I could save and spend
really well, but the way our
88
:marriage worked was my husband made
all the decisions and I didn't.
89
:Realize the power that I was giving
up in, um, uh, in allowing that.
90
:And of course now I look back and I
see it, but, um, we, our finances were.
91
:Um, essentially when he, when when
he left, um, I was starting over.
92
:I was starting from scratch and I had
never been comfortable with that part of
93
:our life, but I didn't have a say in it.
94
:So I'm a huge advocate of helping women.
95
:Even if you don't like the topic,
just, um, attend the meetings, meet
96
:your financial advisor, ask questions.
97
:Don't let anybody, don't let
anyone make you feel, um, silly
98
:or uneducated because it is.
99
:Important to just know where you
stand and where the basics are.
100
:So
101
:Speaker: Well, and I just, I have to
jump in and speak to that a little
102
:bit because, um, even married women
103
:Speaker 2: Yes.
104
:Speaker: I feel like I want you to listen.
105
:Speaker 2: Yes.
106
:Speaker: Pay attention because I'm edu
I'm an attorney for goodness sakes.
107
:I'm very educated and yet.
108
:I didn't feel it with the finances.
109
:I didn't feel a part of it.
110
:I felt afraid.
111
:I have felt afraid.
112
:Mm-hmm.
113
:For so long, even, you know what I mean?
114
:And I think it's time Yeah.
115
:For us to overcome that.
116
:Speaker 2: Yeah.
117
:Speaker: And to, you know, be able
to, and it's, it's hard, Kathleen,
118
:because I don't wanna think about it.
119
:Right.
120
:I don't, I would rather
not think about a budget.
121
:I'd rather just live.
122
:And you know, it's like
123
:Speaker 2: I do,
124
:I do, yes.
125
:It's hard.
126
:And I counsel so many clients.
127
:I, I counsel clients who come to
me either after a divorce or after
128
:being widowed who know nothing,
and they're talk about terrified.
129
:That's even, you know,
that's a whole new level of.
130
:Being terrified as well as
clients that are married.
131
:And I always invite the
women into the conversation.
132
:Mm-hmm.
133
:And it always starts out where
they say, oh, this isn't my thing.
134
:I let him do it.
135
:You know, I don't even understand
what you're talking about.
136
:And my approach is just That's okay.
137
:You if you have a question, ask and.
138
:We will talk about it
until you understand it.
139
:And I, and I, and I promise everybody
it, within a year you're gonna feel more
140
:comfortable and then within two years
you're gonna feel more comfortable.
141
:And, and, and it really, em empowers the,
the wife to feel much more part of the.
142
:Significant decisions 'cause financial
decisions are really what underpin your,
143
:the most important things in your life.
144
:Speaker: Right?
145
:Amen.
146
:Speaker 2: So,
147
:Speaker: and you know, the thing is,
if you are going through a divorce,
148
:now you have the opportunity to
decide exactly where you want your
149
:money to go, and it's a chance to
start to become more comfortable.
150
:Yeah.
151
:And to grow in it.
152
:And Kathleen, I am on a journey
to get comfy with this because I
153
:Speaker 2: love it.
154
:I love it.
155
:Good
156
:Speaker: for you.
157
:Well, I need that.
158
:I need that help.
159
:And, and I know that, I know I'm
not in the same exact predicament
160
:as someone who's going through a
divorce, but together, let's just
161
:start changing how, like, let's make
this so that it's a fun, happy thing
162
:Speaker 2: Yes.
163
:Speaker: To look at instead of
feeling, I feel like so much
164
:of the time we're feeling.
165
:So much scarcity.
166
:Speaker 2: How
167
:Speaker: do you change that?
168
:I, you know, that's the mindset that,
169
:Speaker 2: right?
170
:It is.
171
:And you know, it's, um, surprising.
172
:Those everyone has, the way that
they have a relationship with money.
173
:Everybody has a unique relationship
with money and usually those, those
174
:are rooted in how you grew up.
175
:And how you saw your parents handle
money and how did they invite you in
176
:and teach you about their business?
177
:About how to, how to save and how to
spend and how to invest, or were you
178
:just not a part of that conversation?
179
:Speaker: Mm-hmm.
180
:Speaker 2: And those early experiences
really shape how we feel in adulthood.
181
:So, uh, I think that's a really important.
182
:Piece to just think through
and start to understand.
183
:And then I always say, I've done
so much research around women and
184
:um, and, and their finances and.
185
:Uh, there's all sorts of research
that supports this, but, and it just
186
:makes me so excited because when you
connect a woman to the people and
187
:the things that are most important to
her financially, then you just see.
188
:Tremendous change, and sometimes
it's change within your family.
189
:Sometimes it's change within your
neighborhood, you know, and, and
190
:depending on where your footprint
is, it, it, it goes out from there.
191
:And so I, I do believe that.
192
:Connecting a woman to those things that
are most important to her financially.
193
:Uplifts, um, uplifts.
194
:Our uplifts.
195
:All of us.
196
:Speaker: I, I so agree.
197
:And so now I kind of wanna go
to, so you know, someone who's
198
:listening to this, maybe they're
just starting the divorce process.
199
:Speaker 2: Yeah.
200
:Speaker: And I have noticed.
201
:In my own work when I worked
together, doing a mediation with
202
:a couple, um, whichever party.
203
:Not always the wife, whoever is
not taking care of the finances.
204
:'cause there's usually
one person who is right?
205
:Speaker 2: Yes.
206
:Speaker: There is so much fear.
207
:Well, there's fear usually in both of 'em.
208
:There's so scared.
209
:Mm-hmm.
210
:Every, you know, isn't that, don't
you wish you could get rid of that?
211
:Speaker 2: Oh
212
:Speaker: boy.
213
:Stupid boy with emotion.
214
:Speaker 2: Absolutely.
215
:Speaker: So there's so much
fear, but I always tell them.
216
:You know, I give them
their budget worksheet.
217
:Mm-hmm.
218
:And I say, and then I say, now write down
all your assets that you have, you know,
219
:and start looking at what debt you have.
220
:And once you start seeing it
and get a little clarity on it.
221
:It often brings a little comfort.
222
:Now that doesn't mean it's not
a little uncomfortable, but we
223
:have to be uncomfortable to grow.
224
:I love that.
225
:I'm gonna remember that in my head as I'm
226
:Speaker 2: going through
227
:Speaker: my own little
228
:Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, absolutely.
229
:I love that.
230
:And, um, you know, as a transition
specialist and a financial
231
:advisor, um, the process.
232
:From either divorce or widowhood from
when it starts until you're comfortable
233
:with a new normal is a long time usually.
234
:And the framework that I use to
help people walk through that, uh,
235
:the first, believe it or not, the
first three to six months, what my
236
:mission is, is to slow you down.
237
:Because your, you know,
emotions are so high.
238
:There's a lot of anger, there's a lot of
confusion, there's a lot of self doubt.
239
:And, and the biggest risk during that
time is making the wrong decisions that
240
:are, that are, that you can't take back.
241
:And so.
242
:I try to slow people way down.
243
:Don't sell the house, don't
keep the house, don't, just
244
:don't make major decisions.
245
:And that's sort of the, the transition
phase is called financial triage, where.
246
:We make sure that there is
cashflow available and that you
247
:have access to that cashflow.
248
:Make sure that bills continue to get
paid and to what you were saying, um,
249
:just listing out what all your assets
are, what all your liabilities are, and
250
:how they're titled is, uh, is it's a.
251
:It feels daunting, but of
course there's help for that.
252
:Mm-hmm.
253
:Uh, you know, we, we help women
with that, or we help divorcees or,
254
:um, widows with that all the time.
255
:Um, but it's, it's taking those, those
steps, those kind of, they feel small,
256
:but they're actually huge, huge steps.
257
:And the goal is to, um, to
really help people feel.
258
:Like they're moving
towards a secure future.
259
:Speaker: Yeah.
260
:That hope, right?
261
:Speaker 2: That hope.
262
:Yes.
263
:Speaker: Yes.
264
:And I like what you're saying because
that's one thing I've learned.
265
:I'm a life coach along with an attorney.
266
:I did that and I, and I really love it.
267
:But one thing, and I always was
able to do this self-coaching, get
268
:my mindset right, until something
really big and devastating happens.
269
:And you can't.
270
:Speaker 2: Right.
271
:Speaker: And then I say you stay
in this stage kind of of stillness.
272
:Speaker 2: Mm-hmm.
273
:Speaker: You just are surviving and
you're kind of moving your body.
274
:Yeah.
275
:And you're just taking care
of yourself as best you can.
276
:And that sounds like that.
277
:Period to you, which is probably
why my husband said, don't buy a
278
:cabin right now the day I retire.
279
:Like they say you should wait.
280
:Right?
281
:So, but they, but, but it's true.
282
:And that's the thing that's so hard.
283
:Like in the heat of the moment in a
divorce, radiation, I want people to
284
:jump up and down and shake their hands or
whatever you can do because it's too much
285
:to try to get in and do the mind work.
286
:It is, but you have to think.
287
:Speaker 2: Right.
288
:Speaker: You have to think.
289
:So I like how you're saying this
transition and then I thought, when do
290
:you generally start working with people
who are going through, like say a divorce?
291
:Is it after they've worked with
someone like me, or is it during or.
292
:Speaker 2: It's during, it's during, I,
I, I like to put together a team mm-hmm.
293
:And to help people quarterback that team.
294
:Yep.
295
:So that it takes a, an administrative
burden off of their plate.
296
:Mm-hmm.
297
:And they can focus more on
what's immediately before them.
298
:And on healing and on, um, on
the, you know, on the divorce.
299
:Uh, settlement and agreement and, and that
first, that, you know, those first 90 days
300
:is really creating a, a space of safety.
301
:Mm-hmm.
302
:And, um, and security.
303
:Speaker: I love that.
304
:Speaker 2: Yeah, and, and then, you know,
like you said, you move into this period.
305
:It's actually the second
part of the transition.
306
:My terminology is the messy middle.
307
:Where
308
:Speaker: Yeah,
309
:Speaker 2: where you know the divorce
is likely over and you just feel
310
:like you've been through the ringer.
311
:And you have been through the ringer,
and that messy middle looks different
312
:for everybody, but it's really difficult.
313
:And again, the focus is on, okay, taking
all of these emotions, the sadness, the
314
:regret, the again, confusion and fear.
315
:And you know, those align with pretty
complex deci financial decisions.
316
:And so that's where I'm.
317
:There to help, um, help move them
along and move them towards something
318
:that they're, that they really are
looking toward and not looking back at.
319
:Speaker: Okay?
320
:Speaker 2: Um,
321
:Speaker: again, hope.
322
:Speaker 2: Hope Yes.
323
:Moving forward.
324
:Okay.
325
:Absolutely.
326
:And you know, in that messy
middle, I, there are some
327
:personality types that jump.
328
:They wanna just immediately by
the cabin or they want to Yeah.
329
:Immediately, you know, move back
home or whatever that looks like.
330
:And then there people who just get
stuck and they, they're paralyzed
331
:and they, they can't make a change
and they can't make a decision.
332
:And, uh, you know, that's
a really tough place to be.
333
:And I, I get it.
334
:I've, I've been there.
335
:Speaker: Mm-hmm.
336
:Okay.
337
:So those are the, the first two steps
in the, so just to restate, the first
338
:one is kinda safety and security.
339
:Speaker 2: Uhhuh Financial
triage is what I call it.
340
:Speaker: Okay.
341
:Speaker 2: But, but the, the
end goal is safety and security.
342
:Speaker: All right.
343
:And then you're in the messy middle.
344
:And you're, you're working
to help them start seeing how
345
:they're going to move forward?
346
:Speaker 2: Yes.
347
:And as what, and from a financial
standpoint, we're getting their
348
:new financial picture in order.
349
:Speaker: Okay.
350
:Speaker 2: Because it's, it's
gonna change significantly.
351
:Speaker: Tell me a little bit about that.
352
:So new budgets,
353
:Speaker 2: new so well, so
it's really new everything.
354
:Absolutely.
355
:A new budget.
356
:Uh, whether you have full custody of
the kids, whether you have no kids,
357
:whether you have part-time custody
of the kids, all of those things.
358
:Are decisions that need to be made?
359
:Do we still send the
kids to private school?
360
:Do we do we continue with
the expensive dance lessons?
361
:And all of those decisions have to be
made, and then you have to really dig in
362
:and understand, okay, how much do I have?
363
:Where is it located and how is it titled?
364
:Is it titled now?
365
:Just in my name?
366
:Is it titled in The name of a Trust?
367
:Um, do have, I changed all of my
beneficiaries on my life insurance
368
:policies and, and other types of, uh,
you know, life insurance strategies and.
369
:Um, and
370
:Speaker: really, lemme ask
you a question, Kathleen.
371
:Yeah, yeah.
372
:Just for people who are listening.
373
:So if you have a couple that's married
and they get divorced and they forget
374
:to change the beneficiary on their
life insurance and they pass away
375
:and their spouse is named mm-hmm.
376
:Does their spouse get it?
377
:Speaker 2: The expo gets it.
378
:Speaker: That's what I mean.
379
:Yeah.
380
:Speaker 2: Yeah,
381
:Speaker: yeah.
382
:Speaker 2: So
383
:Speaker: it's important stuff.
384
:Speaker 2: It is so important.
385
:And actually we, we do that
in the, in the early days.
386
:Yeah.
387
:Very early days.
388
:That's one of the first things
that we do is review beneficiaries.
389
:Speaker: Yeah.
390
:Speaker 2: Um, because I've, I've
had horror stories of clients
391
:that just didn't change and Yeah.
392
:And their, their new families, um, did
not get a, a penny of the life insurance.
393
:Um,
394
:Speaker: that's hard.
395
:Speaker 2: It's hard because that's a,
that, that is, um, an administrative task.
396
:It's a financial task and it's
something that someone like
397
:me, uh, can help 'em with.
398
:Speaker: Yep.
399
:And
400
:Speaker 2: it's, that's where
you, it's not hard for me to do.
401
:Speaker: Right.
402
:That's where you save money by
spending a little on somebody.
403
:Speaker 2: Exactly.
404
:Speaker: Okay.
405
:Yeah.
406
:So what comes after that Messy middle.
407
:Speaker 2: So after the messy middle,
when the fog starts to clear a little
408
:bit, it's um, what we call future sensing.
409
:Speaker: Right.
410
:Speaker 2: And so it's really, um, taking.
411
:Um, and a, and again, this phase,
believe it or not, can be just as scary
412
:for people as the first two phases.
413
:Some people, it's, it's not, it's a
little more energizing, but for some
414
:people it's really scary to envision
themselves in a completely different way.
415
:So your whole life, you've been a spouse
to your partner your whole life, your.
416
:Church group has known you as a
married couple your whole life.
417
:The, your, your friend groups have
known you as a married couple.
418
:Mm-hmm.
419
:And so suddenly you're navigating this
new, brand new, uh, landscape that.
420
:Some people, again, feel energized
by and can come up with a, a, a
421
:million, million ideas of what
they'd like that to look like.
422
:But most people are, um, are
hesitant and, and fearful.
423
:And so that phase is really about, again.
424
:I don't rush anyone through any of these
phases because it has to be at your
425
:pace and what you're comfortable with.
426
:But, but really looking
at, okay, what do we want?
427
:What do I want to do and
how do I afford that?
428
:So we start out by talking
about what are your key values?
429
:You know, what are your life values?
430
:Uh, um.
431
:How do you wanna be remembered?
432
:What are the things that are absolutely
the most important to you in your life?
433
:And then we start to think about,
okay, so what does that look like?
434
:If, if the most important things
in your life are, uh, your children
435
:and your grandchildren, then let's,
let's put together a structure
436
:where you can financially help
in some way, whether that's.
437
:College or, you know, whatever
that looks like, gifting,
438
:college, whatever that looks like.
439
:Other people, um, other people want
their children and grandchildren
440
:to, to, to pay their own way.
441
:Mm-hmm.
442
:And what's really important to
them is something very different.
443
:And maybe it's living in a beach
house or having two, you know,
444
:two different properties or Right.
445
:Or multiple properties.
446
:Or it could be right.
447
:Taking up a new hobby,
going back to school.
448
:Speaker: Right.
449
:Speaker 2: You know, all of those
different options are available.
450
:And so we think about
what does that look like?
451
:You know, starting out at
that really high level mm-hmm.
452
:What are my values and what are my
priorities and my goals, and then,
453
:okay, what, what does that start to
look like from a practical perspective?
454
:And then, okay, what can I
afford and how do I afford that?
455
:Speaker: I'm taking notes 'cause
I'm trying to grab some things that
456
:can help us change our mindsets.
457
:Speaker 2: Yes.
458
:Well, and, and the other thing I want
to, um, really, um, emphasize is I work
459
:with the clients team of professionals.
460
:So in that first phase, I would
work with you very closely.
461
:The, the mediator or the divorce attorney.
462
:Yeah.
463
:Um, 'cause you've gotta know.
464
:What's happening financially?
465
:Uh, you know, I tell all my clients,
don't, don't move us a penny until you
466
:talk to your, um, divorce attorney.
467
:However, we need to make sure that
you've got cashflow and that it's
468
:cashflow that only you have access to.
469
:Um,
470
:Speaker: well, and in speaking for
attorneys and mediators, when there is
471
:a couple that has a financial advisor.
472
:It's a beautiful thing.
473
:It makes my job easier.
474
:It's saving them money because
there's not any digging around.
475
:It's just all there and it's clear and
it, and then you get a nice spreadsheet.
476
:So for even like my clients who I have a
DIY, uh, do it yourself divorce course,
477
:just in the state of Minnesota, even for
them, if they have a financial advisor,
478
:that financial advisor can go in and
do the, actually do the spreadsheet.
479
:Speaker 2: Oh, that's fantastic.
480
:Speaker: I know, it's, it's
really, really helpful.
481
:Speaker 2: Well, and if, especially if you
don't have a background in finance, you
482
:can take a $5 million traditional IRA and
a $5 million Roth IRA and the value of.
483
:Each of those, they, it
sounds like they're the same.
484
:It is absolutely not the same.
485
:'cause you've got a giant tax
burden with the traditional IRA
486
:and virtually no tax burden.
487
:Yes.
488
:With the Roth ira.
489
:And if you don't have someone advising
you about things like that and
490
:there are lots of things like that.
491
:Speaker: Mm-hmm.
492
:Speaker 2: Then, um.
493
:You know, it's, it's,
uh, it's a, it's a mist.
494
:It's a miss.
495
:Speaker: It is, and it, it also
helps you see what you can do.
496
:Speaker 2: Yes.
497
:Speaker: Yeah.
498
:Which kind of is bringing me to,
you know, I told you I've been
499
:working on this a long time.
500
:I was thinking about
getting in a better mindset.
501
:Speaker 2: Mm-hmm.
502
:Speaker: And when you talked
about how your finances really.
503
:Speak to what you value.
504
:Yeah.
505
:Kind of what you've a million on.
506
:So this is an opportunity to
really look at what's important
507
:to you, because I have learned,
isn't that what we wanna focus on?
508
:Speaker 2: Yeah.
509
:Speaker: Rather than like, I want
this and I want this and I want this.
510
:Do you really?
511
:Right?
512
:Or does that look you tired?
513
:Speaker 2: Yeah.
514
:Speaker: Is it a lot of work?
515
:Would you rather just do this
and it can, you can bring it
516
:down so that you're focusing on
the thing that you really love.
517
:Speaker 2: I love
518
:Speaker: that.
519
:And then there's no scarcity because
you actually have time for the
520
:thing that you really love, which
might be something you already have.
521
:Speaker 2: Uh, it does.
522
:So true.
523
:Lisa.
524
:I had a client call me not too long
ago and say, okay, we're gonna buy,
525
:we've got this great deal on this
condo in Florida and we wanna buy it.
526
:And I, you know, I, I said, okay,
well, you can absolutely afford it.
527
:However, and our previous conversations,
what you told me was most important to
528
:you was spending time with your family
who live in the same place that you do.
529
:So is buying a new property in a different
state, really what you value the most.
530
:And they had not thought
about it like that.
531
:And they came back a couple weeks
later and said, you know what?
532
:We're just gonna rent.
533
:We're just gonna rent for a
534
:Speaker: couple weeks.
535
:I love it.
536
:Yes.
537
:Every winter.
538
:I love it, Kathleen, because we
came to the same conclusion because
539
:we had always thought, well, we're
probably gonna be those people that
540
:get a place somewhere down south.
541
:And then I was like, I have grand babies.
542
:Speaker 2: Yes.
543
:Speaker: I don't wanna be like
gone the whole, a whole season.
544
:Speaker 2: Right.
545
:Speaker: But I could probably
do a month somewhere.
546
:Speaker 2: Sure.
547
:Speaker: Right.
548
:You know, that was economical and
549
:Speaker 2: Yeah.
550
:Speaker: Then they get to
come and see me there too.
551
:Right.
552
:You know, you can work it out.
553
:So I, yeah, I love that.
554
:I, and you know what, for some
people who have a lot of friends
555
:who are going to the same place
or whatever it is, it is worth it.
556
:It's worth
557
:Speaker 2: it.
558
:Speaker: So it's kind, it's your
opportunity to really find out what's
559
:important to you, because guess what?
560
:Not everything is.
561
:Speaker 2: That's right.
562
:Yeah.
563
:It's so true.
564
:And, and what, what seems like, you
know, a, a, a flashy, um, you know,
565
:a, a cool flashy thing that you wanna
jump after, if you just pause and
566
:think about it for a moment and say.
567
:And, and talk it over.
568
:Yeah.
569
:With your, with your team,
um, who advises you Yes.
570
:With your advisory team.
571
:Um, is that really aligned with where I
want my life to be and where I want my
572
:life to go and how I wanna be remembered?
573
:If it is great,
574
:Speaker: right.
575
:Speaker 2: If not, there's
something even better.
576
:Speaker: Yep.
577
:I love that.
578
:And I'm not going to lie, I actually feel.
579
:More empowered right now.
580
:I feel I
581
:Speaker 2: love it.
582
:Speaker: I know I do just, I just feel
better just sitting here talking to
583
:you, so that's why you're so great at
what you do, Kathleen, and I'm looking
584
:at the time and I'm like, oops, I
told you 25 minutes and we went over.
585
:Is there anything else that you wanna
add or how can people reach out to you?
586
:I'll have your information in the
show notes, but, or you can even reach
587
:out to me and I'll pass you along to
Kathleen, but how, how else can they.
588
:Speaker 2: Yes, absolutely.
589
:Um, you can look at my website
with, uh, uh, I'm with Edward
590
:Jones, Edward jones.com/kathleen,
591
:judge.
592
:Um, all my contact information
I know will be with you.
593
:Mm-hmm.
594
:Um, and yeah, please reach out and,
and I'm available for questions.
595
:I'm available.
596
:I'm happy to, to meet with people.
597
:Actually, I, I tend to have several
meetings with people before we mm-hmm.
598
:Decide to work together.
599
:Speaker: Mm-hmm.
600
:Speaker 2: So feel free to, to reach
out with questions and, uh, I'd be more
601
:than happy to, to provide some insight.
602
:Speaker: Awesome.
603
:Awesome.
604
:Well, thank you Kathleen.
605
:Thank you so much.
606
:It was so good to see you.
607
:Speaker 2: Oh, so good
to see you too, Lisa.
608
:Take care.
609
:Speaker: See you soon.
610
:Take care.
611
:Okay.