The Life Planning 101 Podcast

Are We There Yet? (Rebroadcast)

What is it about our minds that make us more impatient the closer we get to our goal? We all want to get where we are going “yesterday.” The problem sometimes develops that we become so focused on “getting there,” that we forget to be a human being in the midst of it. We become a human doing instead.
 
 
About the Podcast 🎙
This episode explores the importance of living intentionally and enjoying the journey of life rather than rushing toward goals. Angela reflects on themes like impatience, the overwhelming nature of to-do lists, and the need to prioritize meaningful experiences over tasks.
Key Takeaways 💡
Impatience is a universal experience, whether in children eagerly awaiting a destination or adults anticipating significant life events like retirement. This impatience often detracts from enjoying the present moment.
People often become so focused on achieving their goals that they forget to enjoy the journey, turning into 'human doings' rather than 'human beings.' This mindset can lead to stress and a lack of fulfillment.
The overwhelming nature of to-do lists and societal pressure to accomplish tasks can prevent individuals from appreciating life. Proactive life planning, such as budgeting and estate planning, can help alleviate this stress.
Life humbles individuals as they age, prompting a reevaluation of priorities. True fulfillment comes from embracing meaningful moments and relationships rather than merely completing tasks.
The fast pace of modern life, driven by technology and multitasking, often detracts from quality time with loved ones. Reflecting on screen time and being more intentional with technology can help reclaim meaningful experiences.
Slowing down to appreciate the present moment is essential.
Angela introduces a new approach to life planning, focusing on tools and challenges to help listeners live purposefully rather than adding more resolutions to their to-do lists.
Visualizing one's last day on earth and considering potential regrets can provide clarity on what truly matters. Reflecting on life goals and aligning actions with values is crucial for living intentionally.
Creating a daily habit to identify and embrace priorities can help individuals stay aligned with their values. Simple reminders or rituals can reinforce intentional living.
The episode concludes with a challenge for listeners to ask themselves daily how they will embrace their priorities, emphasizing the importance of living with purpose and intention.

Why Haven't You Updated Your Estate Plan?

Updating your estate plan may be hard. Scratch that. It will be hard. Family dynamics aren’t always easy. And when you add money to the equation, well...it can change everything and not always for the better.
 
About the Episode 🎙
Angela discusses the complexities of estate planning, focusing on family dynamics, fairness versus equality, and the importance of proactive communication. She shares a cautionary tale to highlight the consequences of procrastination and offers actionable advice for addressing common estate planning challenges.
Key Takeaways 💡
Procrastination in updating estate plans often stems from emotional or family-related issues rather than financial concerns. Angela emphasizes that excuses for delaying estate planning are just that—excuses.
Family dysfunction, such as substance abuse, divorce, or poor decision-making, can complicate estate planning. Angela advises against appointing multiple family members as trustees to avoid conflicts during the estate settlement process.
Fairness and equality in asset distribution can be challenging, especially when children have differing life circumstances. Angela highlights the importance of addressing these issues openly to prevent misunderstandings.
A cautionary tale illustrates the consequences of delaying estate planning. A father’s failure to communicate his intentions led to tragic outcomes, including his son’s substance abuse relapse and his daughter’s heartbreak.
Angela stresses the importance of saying 'no' to children with substance abuse issues and including specific language in trusts to ensure their needs are met responsibly. Professional guidance can help manage these situations effectively.
Facing difficult family dynamics head-on is crucial to prevent negative consequences after one’s passing. Avoiding these issues can lead to discord and unfulfilled legacies.
Estate planning is not just about money but about leaving a meaningful legacy. Angela encourages listeners to ensure their legacy is honored and celebrated positively, rather than allowing financial matters to create family discord.
Surrounding oneself with knowledgeable professionals is essential for addressing complex family and financial situations. These experts can provide valuable support in areas like financial management and substance abuse recovery.

What is Your Money For?

Your money should help you pursue your objective. That purpose may be different for everyone, but how your money relates to it should be the same. Your plan should include well-defined core values, a written statement of financial purpose, and a purposeful financial plan.

How Do You Live Your Best Life?

Your core values should serve as the foundation for your entire life. Instead of just living on a whim, or going through the motions, or doing things simply because the world tells you that’s what you should be doing, your core values should sit firmly in the driver’s seat of your life.

If You Only Knew...(Rebroadcast)

As our wisdom grows so does our passionate desire to impart this wisdom on our loved ones. After all, I think most of our wisdom was gained by some hard knocks with good stories behind them. If we are sitting here one year from today, reflecting on the last twelve months, what did you do different over that time period? What were the outcomes? Can you say you lived Life on purpose?

How Can I Give More?

If you are successful, there is a good chance you fight every year to lower your taxes. What can you be doing to accomplish this goal, give your favorite cause(s) a little more, and perhaps even keep a little more in your own pocket? Charitable planning is on purpose and by design. It isn’t for everyone, but it is something you should ask about if you want to replace Uncle Sam in your financial plan.

This Week in the Market - Episode 67 (12/13/24)

Sam Barker and Aaron Kennedy join us this week to talk a little about inflation, interest rates, and more. You don't want to miss this. Do you have questions or suggestions for future episodes? Feel free to reach out to us at: www.kennedy-financial.com.

12 Tax-Smart Charitable Giving Strategies (Rebroadcast)

Using an efficient, tax-smart approach to maximize the impact of your charitable giving has never been more important. This week we give you 12 ways to increase your giving power while potentially reducing your taxable income this year and beyond.

MicroStrategy

Sam Barker joins Aaron Kennedy this week to talk a little bit about interest rates and some Bitcoin strategies. You don't want to miss this.

Long-Term Healthcare Solutions

Did you know 70% of adults age 65 will need long-term care in their lifetime. 20% will require LTC for more than 5 years. Roger Cantu with OneAmerica join us this week as our special guest to share some shocking statistics about Long-Term Care and offers some creative solutions.

This Week in the Market - Episode 66 (11/15/24)

Sam Barker and Aaron Kennedy join us this week to bring us a post-election podcast. They touch on government spending, regulations, Bitcoin, oil & gas, and more. You don't want to miss this.

Your Digital Legacy

The loss of a loved one can be a difficult time for someone. And not knowing the details associated with their loved one’s digital legacy can make an already challenging time potentially more difficult and more expensive. Kate Hufnagel, The Digital Wrangler, joins us this week to share some tips.