Category: Education
REPLAY: Empowering Your Financial Future Post-Divorce with Delaney Orozco (Ep. 80)

REPLAY: Empowering Your Financial Future Post-Divorce with Delaney Orozco (Ep. 80)

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Divorce brings emotional upheaval, but the financial uncertainty can feel paralyzing. Where do you even start?

How do you protect yourself when you haven’t managed the finances? What team do you need, and how do you begin planning for a future you never imagined?

In this replay episode, Nicole Romito revisits her conversation with Senior Advisor Delaney Orozco, CFP®, breaking down the financial side of divorce into three manageable phases. They discuss building the right support team, gathering crucial financial data, and starting to envision your next chapter. Whether you’re considering divorce or already in the process, this conversation offers practical guidance for navigating one of life’s most challenging transitions with clarity and confidence.

Delaney discusses:

  • Why starting with a financial advisor before an attorney can save you money and provide better guidance
  • The essential team members you need beyond just a lawyer, including therapists and divorce coaches
  • How to gather financial data systematically, even if you’ve never been involved with household finances
  • Why emotions around assets like retirement accounts and homes require special attention and planning
  • The importance of looking forward to what you’re moving toward, not just what you’re leaving behind
  • And more!

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with Delaney Orozco:

About Our Guest: 

Delaney Orozco, CFP®, began in the financial services industry in 2015 as a service advisor. Throughout her career, she has focused on finding the intersection between the day-to-day processes of the financial world and bigger-picture planning, with the goal of assisting her clients in achieving their private vista. Delaney also has a deep passion for developing guides for her clients, helping them navigate the psychology behind finance and the numbers they see on the page. Her experience as a collegiate athlete has equipped her with the work ethic and dedication necessary to perform at a high level, which she hopes to offer her clients.

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REPLAY: Finding Purpose Beyond Financial Independence with Jeff Toner (Ep. 79)

REPLAY: Finding Purpose Beyond Financial Independence with Jeff Toner (Ep. 79)

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What happens after you reach financial independence? Many assume retirement means endless relaxation, but the reality is often more complex.

How do you find meaning when career obligations no longer drive your daily routine? What brings fulfillment in this new chapter of life?

In this episode, Nicole Romito revisits a conversation with Jeff Toner, CHFC®, RICP®, Partner at Private Vista, about moving beyond the numbers to discover purpose and meaning after achieving financial independence. Jeff shares insights from nearly 40 years in financial planning, discussing the evolution from solving math problems to helping clients navigate life transitions. 

He explores resources for designing your next phase, real-world examples of clients finding fulfillment, and practical approaches to climbing the “second mountain” of purpose-driven living.

Jeff discusses:

  • The shift from retirement planning as a math problem to conversations about purpose and life design
  • How financial independence often arrives earlier than expected, creating both opportunity and uncertainty
  • Practical resources like “Designing Your Life” and “The Second Mountain” for mapping your next chapter
  • Real examples of clients finding meaning through social enterprises, education programs, and service work
  • Why staying curious, investing time in exploration, and maintaining connections are essential to fulfillment
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with Jeff Toner:

About Our Guest: 

Jeff Toner, CHFC®, RICP®, Partner at Private Vista, now almost 40 years into his career, has the luxury of looking backward and reflecting on the journey he has been on. Back in 1984, he didn’t know what a fiduciary was or what a financial planner did. What he did know was he wanted to help people with their finances and achieve their goals in life. He wanted to do it in a way that he wasn’t selling them a product but rather walking side by side with them as they moved toward their dreams. Jeff has been with them in moments of great joy and cried with them during their times of sadness. He has taught and educated them, but more importantly, he has been taught and learned from them as well.

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Financial Truths Every Woman Needs to Hear with Terry Savage (Ep. 78)

Financial Truths Every Woman Needs to Hear with Terry Savage (Ep. 78)

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Most women carry the weight of financial decisions while juggling careers, caregiving, and the pressure to simply “figure it out.” 

In this conversation, Nicole sits down with nationally recognized money expert Terry Savage for a grounded, candid look at what women need to know at every stage of life. They unpack why time is one of your most powerful financial tools, the real impact of credit card debt, how early investing can change your future, and why long-term care planning matters more than most people realize.

What to expect from this episode:

  • How to avoid the debt spiral that steals opportunities
  • The power of starting small and starting early
  • Why women’s financial paths include unique challenges
  • How to protect yourself and loved ones later in life
  • And so much more!

Resources:

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with Terry Savage:

About Our Guest: 

Terry Savage is a nationally recognized expert on personal finance, the economy, and the markets. She writes a weekly personal finance column syndicated in major newspapers by Tribune Content Agency.

She is the author of four best-selling books on personal finance. A new edition of her best-selling book, The Savage Truth on Money is now available on Amazon.com. The first edition was named one of the top ten money books of the year by Amazon.com. Her other recent book is: The Savage Number: How Much Money do You Really Need to Retire? She is also co-author of The New Love Deal.

Terry appears frequently on national television and radio programs, commenting on the financial markets and current economic events. She is featured on WGN Radio and WGN-TV in Chicago, with a weekly personal finance segment.

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What Sports Teach Us About Loyalty & Leadership with Delaney Orozco (Ep. 77)

What Sports Teach Us About Loyalty & Leadership with Delaney Orozco (Ep. 77)

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How does a kid from Louisiana with a 30-inch vertical jump become a leader in finance and coaching? 

Senior Advisor Delaney Orozco joins Nicole Romito for a candid, energizing conversation about the surprising ways competitive volleyball has shaped her personal and professional path.

From the sweltering heat of Southern softball fields to Virginia Tech’s Division I courts, Delaney shares how lessons in teamwork, loyalty, and grit have built the foundation for her success at Private Vista and why coaching young athletes now feels like giving back.

What to expect:

  • Why volleyball taught her to trust deeply and lead better
  • How coaching helped her grow as a parent, teammate, and advisor
  • The surprising way she met her husband on the court
  • Real talk on time management, community, and staying inspired
  • And more!

Previous Episodes of Interest:

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with Delaney Orozco:

About Our Guest: 

Delaney has always had a passion for coaching others. Whether that be in sports or on their financial wellbeing, she loves being someone that people can go to for advice and help through times of adversity or times of joy. Delaney began as a mathematics major at VT and had planned to teach high school calculus and coach volleyball. As a junior, she decided she might want to do something different from teaching. She knew she could always coach as a hobby, but started her search for a career where she could help people with something that always seemed like a struggle for her own family growing up: the concept of money.

Delaney began in the financial services industry in 2015 as an Associate Advisor. Over my career, she has worked on being able to find the intersection of the day-to-day processes of the financial world and the bigger picture, planning to help clients achieve their Private Vista. She also deeply enjoys developing a guide for clients to help them navigate their psychology behind finance and the numbers they see on the page.

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Supporting Families Through Aging Transitions with Jennifer Beach (Ep. 76)

Supporting Families Through Aging Transitions with Jennifer Beach (Ep. 76)

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When aging parents or loved ones need more care, families often face overwhelming choices.

How do you balance emotions with practical decisions? What resources exist to guide families through health, financial, and housing challenges?

In this episode of Dollar$ And $ense, Nicole Romito speaks with Jennifer Beach, Advanced Aging Life Care Professional™ at Advocate For Elders, LLC. She shares her experiences helping families manage transitions, from coordinating medical care to evaluating senior living communities, while highlighting the importance of advocacy and planning.

Key takeaways:

  • The role of an aging life care professional in supporting families through medical, financial, and emotional transitions
  • Why long-distance caregiving creates added challenges and how local advocates help bridge the gap
  • The importance of having a second set of eyes and ears at medical appointments
  • How to effectively evaluate senior living communities beyond the marketing pitch
  • The value of accreditation, ethics, and professional background when choosing an elder care resource
  • And more!

Previous Episodes of Interest:

  • Aging Parents: How to Start the Conversation – Part 1 (Ep. 74)
  • Aging Parents: What We Learned Caring for Our Parents – Part 2 (Ep. 75)

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with Jennifer Beach:

About Jennifer Beach:

Jennifer Beach has 25 years of experience working with and advocating for older adults and their families. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work from The Ohio State University and a Master of Arts degree in Sociology from Cleveland State University. Jennifer started her career working over 15 years with older adults with developmental disabilities. After additional training she soon began Advocate For Elders.

Jennifer is a licensed, insured Social Worker and an Advanced Aging Life Care® Professional. Jennifer served as the Midwest Chapter President of the Aging Life Care Association and served 7 years on the Board of Directors. In 2018, Jennifer was honored as the recipient of the ALCA Midwest Chapter Outstanding Member of the Year Award.

Jennifer is also a monthly contributor and author for Northeast Ohio Boomer and Beyond. IN 2022, she received first place in the Senior Issues Category at the North American Mature Publishers Association for her contribution to NE Ohio Boomer and Beyond.

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Aging Parents: What We Learned Caring for Our Parents – Part 2 (Ep. 75)

Aging Parents: What We Learned Caring for Our Parents – Part 2 (Ep. 75)

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When aging parents can no longer live on their own, emotions and logistics collide. 

In this powerful 75th episode of Dollar$ and $ense, Nicole Romito is joined again by her Private Vista partners, Jeff Toner and Steve Merdinger, to share deeply personal and professional experiences navigating late-in-life transitions for aging parents.

From legal blind spots to Medicare rules that no one explains, this conversation peels back the complexity and reveals how essential sibling coordination and proactive conversations really are.

What to expect in this episode:

  • Real-life stories of navigating elder care for parents in different states
  • How to avoid missed insurance benefits and unexpected out-of-pocket costs
  • The hidden toll on the “default” caregiver sibling and how to support them
  • What Jeff wishes someone had told him before he dealt with hospice
  • And more!

Resources:

  • Aging Parents: How to Start the Conversation – Part 1 (Ep. 75)

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with Steve Merdinger:

Connect with Jeff Toner:

About Jeff Toner: 

Over the 30 years of doing this work, Jeff has lived many lives through my clients. He has been with them in moments of great joy and cried with them during their times of sadness. He has taught and educated them, but more importantly, he has been taught and learned from them as well.

As a father of three and business owner, Jeff enjoys an enriched life. He channels his time, talents, and energy between family and friends, clients and colleagues, as well as causes that provide a path for those without the opportunities he’s had. Now that Jeff’s children are becoming young adults, he is most excited to explore new directions for the next stages of his life.

About Steve Merdinger:

Steve has been a financial planner since the mid-80s, helping people consider priorities for themselves and their families, and then working closely with them to turn their hopes and dreams into reality. Before that, he worked in his family’s business, which gave him a unique understanding of the financial dynamics of family-owned businesses, including the issues of succession planning.

As I look to my future, Steve hopes to become more involved with mentoring students — perhaps becoming a trainer with the Positive Coaching Alliance organization. He would like to carve out more time for meditating and maintaining his fitness and flexibility through Bikram yoga. And, of course, spending more quality time with his wife and two children. 

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Aging Parents: How to Start the Conversation – Part 1 (Ep. 74)

Aging Parents: How to Start the Conversation – Part 1 (Ep. 74)

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Starting the conversation about a parent’s care isn’t easy, but it might be the most important discussion you ever have.

In this deeply personal episode, Nicole Romito is joined by her Private Vista partners Jeff Toner and Steve Merdinger for part one of a two-part series on navigating the emotional and practical challenges of aging parents who can no longer live independently.

Together, they reflect on their own family journeys and what they’ve learned from decades of guiding clients through this pivotal life moment.

What to expect:

  • Real stories of loss, transition, and tough family decisions
  • When and how to start the conversation before a crisis strikes
  • How power of attorney can (and should) come into play
  • Navigating sibling dynamics and keeping your parents’ voice central
  • And more!

Previous Episodes of Interest:

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with Steve Merdinger:

Connect with Jeff Toner:

About Jeff Toner: 

Over the 30 years of doing this work, Jeff has lived many lives through my clients. He has been with them in moments of great joy and cried with them during their times of sadness. He has taught and educated them, but more importantly, he has been taught and learned from them as well.

As a father of three and business owner, Jeff enjoys an enriched life. He channels his time, talents, and energy between family and friends, clients and colleagues, as well as causes that provide a path for those without the opportunities he’s had. Now that Jeff’s children are becoming young adults, he is most excited to explore new directions for the next stages of his life.

About Steve Merdinger:

Steve has been a financial planner since the mid-80s, helping people consider priorities for themselves and their families, and then working closely with them to turn their hopes and dreams into reality. Before that, he worked in his family’s business, which gave him a unique understanding of the financial dynamics of family-owned businesses, including the issues of succession planning.

As I look to my future, Steve hopes to become more involved with mentoring students — perhaps becoming a trainer with the Positive Coaching Alliance organization. He would like to carve out more time for meditating and maintaining his fitness and flexibility through Bikram yoga. And, of course, spending more quality time with his wife and two children.

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College Admissions: Finding the Perfect Fit for Every Student (Ep. 73)

College Admissions: Finding the Perfect Fit for Every Student (Ep. 73)

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The college admissions journey can feel overwhelming for both students and parents. Between changing requirements, testing debates, and growing pressure to “stand out,” families are often left stressed and uncertain about what truly matters. In this episode of Dollar$ and $ense, Nicole Romito sits down with Mary O’Malley, co-founder of Union Hall Admissions Advising, to bring clarity to this process.

Mary shares how families can shift their focus from chasing prestige to helping students discover who they are and what they want from their education. She explains how early preparation, authentic experiences, and values-based choices can make the admissions process less about checking boxes and more about creating the right fit.

What to expect in this episode:

  • Why college admissions is about more than getting in, and instead about who you become along the way
  • The growing role of testing, extracurriculars, and demonstrated interest
  • How parents can support without overshadowing their child’s journey
  • Strategies for keeping students grounded and authentic in the application process

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with Mary O’Malley:

About Our Guest:

Mary O’Malley is the co-founder of Union Hall Admissions Advising, an educational consulting firm that helps students and families navigate the high school and college admissions process. With a background in college counseling at the Latin School of Chicago and degrees from Knox College and Northwestern University, Mary brings a compassionate, straightforward approach that empowers students to stay authentic and confident throughout their journey.

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Family Business Succession: Balancing Legacy and Relationships (Ep. 72)

Family Business Succession: Balancing Legacy and Relationships (Ep. 72)

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What happens when a family business faces the question of “what’s next”? 

In this conversation, Nicole Romito sits down with Justin Albertson, Vice President of Client Services at The Family Business Consulting Group, to unpack the delicate balance of transitioning a business while preserving family relationships.

Together, they explore why the family side of succession is often more complex than the legal or financial mechanics, and how thoughtful conversations can create alignment across generations. Justin shares real-world examples from successful transitions to tough moments of misalignment, highlighting the importance of open dialogue, clear expectations, and independent third-party guidance.

What to expect in this episode:

  • How to start the right conversations around succession and ownership
  • Why alignment on family values and expectations matters as much as legal documents
  • Lessons from families who navigated transition well and those who struggled
  • The role of a “family constitution” in creating clarity across generations

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with Justin Albertson:

 About Our Guest:

Justin Albertson is the Vice President of Client Services at The Family Business Consulting Group. With more than 20 years of experience in assessment, organizational effectiveness, leadership development, and executive coaching, he partners with families to strengthen relationships and create strategies that align business success with family vision.

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From Stage to Strategy: How Improv Shaped a Financial Career (Ep. 71)

From Stage to Strategy: How Improv Shaped a Financial Career (Ep. 71)

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What happens when a strategy manager steps off the spreadsheet and into the spotlight? In this uplifting episode, Nicole Romito sits down with Private Vista’s own Michael Im, whose surprising love for performance arts like improv, acting, and choir has quietly shaped his approach to leadership, communication, and empathy in finance.

Michael shares how growing up in a creative Korean American household led him to karaoke nights, improv rooms, and eventually dramatic acting classes in Chicago. But this isn’t just about art. It’s about how performance challenges, emotional vulnerability, and active listening skills transfer powerfully into professional life. Whether it’s running strategic operations or connecting with clients, Michael’s creative lens offers a refreshing take on what it means to be fully human in the finance world.

What to expect in this episode:

  • How improv helped Michael build confidence and communication skills
  • Why singing in a choir taught him more than just harmony
  • The emotional intelligence behind acting and strategic planning
  • The value of showing up authentically (even if you’re off-key)

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with Michael Im:

About Our Guest:

Michael Im is the Strategy Manager at Private Vista, where he helps streamline operations and empower advisors with more time for their clients. With a background in consulting and operations leadership, Michael also brings a unique creative edge shaped by his lifelong passion for performance arts.

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