In this special episode of The Navigating Solo™ Podcast, recorded during the Navigating Solo Fall Online Gathering, we hear from a dynamic panel of solo agers sharing their personal experiences, reflections on the past year, and thoughts on planning for the future. Their candid conversations offer insight into the joys, challenges, and opportunities of aging solo and navigating this life stage with intentionality.

Episode Highlights:

• Reflections on Loss and New Beginnings
• Building Meaningful Connections
• Embracing Gratitude and Social Connection
• Practical Tips for Navigating Solo Aging

Key Takeaways:

• Navigating grief and loss takes time and energy, and it's okay to allow yourself space to rest and regroup.
• Maintaining strong social connections, whether through family, friends, or community groups, is crucial for solo agers.
• The end of the year provides a natural time to reflect on what you want to continue doing, what new activities you want to explore, and how to shape your future with intentionality.
• Embrace gratitude and stay proactive in reaching out to others, as relationships are key to building a fulfilling solo aging experience.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Connect with our Guests: podcast@navigatingsolo.com

Connect with Host Ailene Gerhardt, BCPA, CSA:

• Beacon Patient Solutions LLC: BeaconPatientSolutions.com, Email: info@beaconpatientsolutions.com
• The Navigating Solo Network™: NavigatingSolo.com Email: info@navigatingsolo.com
• The Navigating Solo™ Podcast: podcast@navigatingsolo.com

View this discussion on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@navigatingsolonetwork/videos

Subscribe and follow us for more insightful episodes, and don’t forget to visit navigatingsolo.com for resources, updates, and more!

© 2024, Beacon Patient Solutions LLC. All Rights Reserved.

In this episode of The Navigating Solo™ Podcast, Ailene Gerhardt is joined by Dr. Jay Zigmont, PhD, CFP®, and founder of Childfree Wealth, the first life and financial planning firm dedicated to serving child-free and permanently childless individuals. Dr. Jay shares his groundbreaking approach to financial planning that centers on the unique needs and priorities of the child-free community, challenging traditional planning assumptions that prioritize marriage, children, and intergenerational wealth transfer.

Dr. Jay discusses how systemic biases in financial planning often fail solo agers and child-free individuals, leading to advice that doesn’t align with their values or goals. He highlights the importance of starting with a life plan—what you want your legacy and impact to be—and aligning finances to support those aspirations.

Listeners will gain insights into:

• How financial planning for the child-free community differs from traditional models.
• The societal stigmas and systemic biases child-free individuals face and how they affect financial planning.
• The importance of redefining legacy, shifting away from genetic inheritance, and prioritizing personal and community impact.
• Key questions to ask when choosing a financial planner, including how their approach adapts to child-free lifestyles.
• How simplifying finances can lead to more joyful and meaningful lives.

Dr. Jay also introduces his forthcoming book, The Childfree Guide to Life and Money, which offers practical strategies and insights for child-free individuals to build fulfilling lives on their terms.

Key Takeaways:

• Traditional financial advice often assumes marriage, children, and wealth transfer, making it ill-suited for child-free and solo individuals.
• Starting with a life plan allows individuals to define their purpose, values, and impact, shaping financial decisions accordingly.
• Child-free individuals have unique opportunities to reallocate wealth and resources during their lifetime to causes and experiences that matter most to them.
• Simplifying finances can free individuals to pursue fulfilling careers and lifestyles, emphasizing joy and meaningful contributions.

About Dr. Jay Zigmont: Dr. Jay Zigmont holds a PhD in Adult Learning from the University of Connecticut and an MBA. He is a Certified Financial Planner™ and founder of Childfree Wealth, a life and financial planning firm serving child-free individuals. Dr. Jay is also the author of the forthcoming book, The Childfree Guide to Life and Money, available December 2024. His expertise has been featured in Fortune, Forbes, MarketWatch, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and more.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Connect with Dr. Jay:

• Website: childfreewealth.com
• Email: support@childfreewealth.com
• Facebook: ChildfreeWealth
• LinkedIn: childfree-wealth
• Book: The Childfree Guide to Life and Money: Make Your Finances Simple So Your Life Without Kids Can Be Amazing

Connect with Host Ailene Gerhardt, BCPA, CSA:

• Beacon Patient Solutions LLC: BeaconPatientSolutions.com, Email: info@beaconpatientsolutions.com
• The Navigating Solo Network™: NavigatingSolo.com Email: info@navigatingsolo.com
• The Navigating Solo™ Podcast: podcast@navigatingsolo.com

View this discussion on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@navigatingsolonetwork/videos

Subscribe and follow us for more insightful episodes, and don’t forget to visit navigatingsolo.com for resources, updates, and more!

© 2024, Beacon Patient Solutions LLC. All Rights Reserved.

In this 37-minute episode of The Navigating Solo™ Podcast, host Ailene Gerhardt speaks with Norman Reiss, who recently retired after a career in technology, project management, and most recently, supporting older adults in living engaging and productive lives.

Norman shares his experiences leading a variety of online social and educational sessions, including a monthly group for Selfhelp, a weekly "Good Morning" session for older adults on GetSetUp, and newly launched discussions on "Secrets of a Happy Retirement" for Front Porch and Uniper.

Together, Ailene and Norman explore the importance of fostering meaningful connections during retirement, both virtually and in person. Norman discusses how these interactions provide emotional support, combat loneliness, and create a sense of belonging, even across digital platforms. He also shares insights on the value of intergenerational engagement and how stepping outside of one's comfort zone can lead to richer experiences in retirement.

Key topics include:

• The role of online communities in creating authentic connections.
• Tips for blending personal interests with opportunities to meet others.
• Strategies for navigating the transition into retirement and finding a unique path.
• The benefits of incorporating social activities into daily routines.

This episode is a must-listen for solo agers, recent retirees, and anyone looking to embrace a more connected and fulfilling lifestyle.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• GetSetUp
• Selfhelp Community Services
• Front Porch
• Uniper

Connect with Guest Norman Reiss: podcast@navigatingsolo.com

Connect with Host Ailene Gerhardt, BCPA, CSA:

• Beacon Patient Solutions LLC: BeaconPatientSolutions.com, Email: info@beaconpatientsolutions.com
• The Navigating Solo Network™: NavigatingSolo.com Email: info@navigatingsolo.com
• The Navigating Solo™ Podcast: podcast@navigatingsolo.com

© 2024, Beacon Patient Solutions LLC. All Rights Reserved.