Tag: Financial Management
Talking to Kids About College Costs and Money Mindset with Joyce Marter, LCPC, CSP® (Ep. 87)

Talking to Kids About College Costs and Money Mindset with Joyce Marter, LCPC, CSP® (Ep. 87)

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Paying for college can bring up pressure, guilt, fear, and big family questions long before a tuition bill arrives.

How can families talk about money in a healthier way, set expectations early, and help young adults build confidence instead of confusion?

In this episode, Nicole Romito talks with Joyce Marter, LCPC, CSP®, licensed psychotherapist, keynote speaker, and author of The Financial Mindset Fix, about how parents can approach college planning with honesty and clarity. They explore how emotions, family history, relationship dynamics, and financial literacy all shape these decisions. Joyce shares practical ways to set expectations, involve kids in the process, and build independence through shared responsibility, scholarships, work, and open conversations.

Key takeaways:

  • Why college money talks should start early, before campus visits, so expectations are realistic and less emotional
  • How parents can address guilt, shame, and pressure before discussing college costs with their children
  • Why kids benefit from having responsibility through work, scholarships, and contributing to college expenses
  • How family dynamics, divorce, and differing money beliefs can complicate college planning conversations
  • Why financial literacy and emotional awareness help young adults build pride, ownership, and independence
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with Joyce Marter:

About Our Guest: 

Internationally renowned mental health thought leader and financial mindset expert, Joyce Marter, considers it her life’s purpose to spread the Mental Wealth; to remove the shame and stigma from both mental health and financial stress and provide a global audience with practical strategies and tools to heal, recover, thrive and prosper.

Joyce enjoys travel and has visited over 20 countries, with Thailand, Turkey and Ukraine being some of her favorites. She welcomes opportunities to travel internationally to speak at large conferences or events. While she only speaks English, she has experience collaborating with a translator during her talks.

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Finding Love Again After Loss, Divorce, or Long-Term Relationships with Bela Gandhi (Ep. 86)

Finding Love Again After Loss, Divorce, or Long-Term Relationships with Bela Gandhi (Ep. 86)

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Starting over after a major relationship ends can feel overwhelming. Questions, doubts, and old patterns often surface just when you are trying to move forward.

In this episode, Nicole Romito speaks with Bela Gandhi, Founder of Smart Dating Academy, about how to reenter the dating scene after divorce, widowhood, or a long-term breakup. They explore the emotions that surface, why chemistry can be misleading, and how to identify unhealthy patterns. Bela shares practical ways to slow down, fix your “picker,” and focus on green flags that lead to lasting compatibility.

Key takeaways:

  • The common emotions people face after loss, divorce, or ending a long-term relationship
  • Why chemistry and butterflies can signal anxiety rather than compatibility
  • How to recognize and break unhealthy dating patterns rooted in familiarity
  • The three main ways to meet people today, apps, real life, and trusted networks
  • Why slowing down and redefining green flags can change your dating outcomes
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with Bela Gandhi:

About Our Guest: 

Bela Gandhi is a renowned dating/relationship expert, founder of Smart Dating Academy and a weekly media correspondent. She is the dating expert on Good Morning America (GMA), and has been the expert on the Steve Harvey Show, Kelly Clarkson Show, the TODAY Show, ABC, NBC, Fox, CNN, WGN, WSJ Marketplace, BBC, Essence, MORE, Glamour, JET, Redbook, Men’s Health and more. 

Smart Dating Academy is one of the nation’s top date coaching firms – often called the “Harvard Business School of Dating.” Her renowned process to find love has resulted in zero divorces in 15 years. Our coaching program is results-oriented and fun – which helps you to clarify who is right for you, stop old dating patterns, and use technology the RIGHT way. You become positive and enthusiastic about dating / relationships again! Our clients receive personalized dating plans, and essential training in how to meet high caliber singles, personal style, conversation, and online success.

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Designing Trust: How Immersive Museums Transform Financial Literacy with AJ Goehle (Ep. 85)

Designing Trust: How Immersive Museums Transform Financial Literacy with AJ Goehle (Ep. 85)

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What if learning about money felt more like play than pressure? What if the spaces we walk into could quietly reshape how we think, feel, and act?

In this episode, Nicole Romito sits down with AJ Goehle, CEO and Co-Owner of Luci Creative, to explore how immersive museum experiences can reshape financial literacy and community trust. They discuss the launch of the MoMoney museum in Dallas, designed to make money approachable through interactive storytelling. AJ explains how museums drive economic vitality, build civic confidence, and create “magic circles” that encourage engagement.

The conversation highlights how thoughtful design can transform intimidation into curiosity and confidence.

AJ shares:

  • How immersive design makes financial literacy approachable for all ages and experience levels
  • Why museums rank among the most trusted sources of information in America
  • How projects like MoMoney blend storytelling, economics, and hands-on learning
  • The concept of “magic circles” and how shared rules shape engagement and behavior
  • How museums fuel tourism, strengthen districts, and support long-term community vitality
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with AJ Goehle:

About Our Guest: 

AJ Goehle is the CEO and Co-Owner of Luci Creative, an internationally recognized experience design studio that partners with museums and cultural institutions to create immersive, story-driven environments. With a background in museum and experiential design, she leads teams across multiple cities in developing projects that blend storytelling, strategy, and visitor engagement. AJ serves on the Board of Directors for the American Alliance of Museums and has been named a Global Top 50 Museum Influencer. Her work centers on designing meaningful imprint experiences that build curiosity, strengthen community trust, and make complex topics more accessible.

 

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Rebuilding After Sudden Loss with Jody LaVoie (Ep. 84)

Rebuilding After Sudden Loss with Jody LaVoie (Ep. 84)

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Life can change in a single moment, leaving you to face roles and decisions you never expected.

How do you move forward when grief collides with leadership, parenting, and identity?

In this episode, Nicole Romito sits down with Jody LaVoie, Founder and CEO of The Grief Company, and CEO and Coach at Widows In The Workplace, to share how a sudden tragedy reshaped her life. She recounts becoming a solo parent and chair of her family’s company overnight, while navigating shock and responsibility. Jody explains how she led and later sold the business, rebuilt her identity, and learned to ask for help. She also offers guidance for widows and women stepping away from demanding careers.

Jody covers:

  • The moment that changed her life and stepping into leadership while in shock
  • Leading and selling a multimillion-dollar company while raising three daughters
  • How unmanaged stress affected her health and reshaped her priorities
  • Why asking for help and narrowing your timeframe eases early grief
  • Supporting widows and executives as they redefine identity and next chapters
  • And more!

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with Jody LaVoie:

About Our Guest: 

Jody LaVoie’s mission is to empathize and humanize bereavement support in the workplace. The emotional impact of grief alters lives, and with comprehensive leadership and guidance, the grief experience can transform lives in a positive way. The Grief Company provides a comprehensive bereavement response that transforms grief into an opportunity for connection, resilience, and a culture that stands the test of time. Grief touches us all. 

As a business leader, certified grief educator, coach, and widow, Jody is uniquely positioned to elevate bereavement support that is aligned with culture and an eye on the bottom line. 

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REPLAY: Building Your Financial Dream Team with Greg Bogdan, CFP® (Ep. 83)

REPLAY: Building Your Financial Dream Team with Greg Bogdan, CFP® (Ep. 83)

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Managing money can feel manageable at first. But what happens when life gets more complex, and the stakes get higher?

In this replay episode, Nicole Romito revisits a powerful conversation with Greg Bogdan, CFP®, Senior Advisor at Private Vista, LLC, about building the right financial team. They explore when a “team of one” stops being enough, how advisors, CPAs, and estate attorneys work together, and why proactive coordination matters. From estate settlement stories to evolving tax laws and legacy planning, they share real examples of how collaboration simplifies major life transitions.

Greg shares key insights:

  • Why managing finances alone often works early on, but becomes risky as life grows more complex
  • How coordinated calls between advisors, CPAs, and attorneys prevent costly missteps
  • The role of proactive estate reviews and updating documents before life events happen
  • Common oversights like unsigned trusts or improperly titled assets
  • Why major events like business sales or inheritance require early team planning
  • And more!

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with Greg Bogdan:

About Our Guest: 

Greg Bogdan enjoys creating lasting relationships as a trusted advisor to clients. He finds it most rewarding to help his clients think through their financial situations in developing a customized plan and path to achieving their goals. After walking clients through his process, Greg hopes that they come away feeling empowered to make informed financial decisions with the confidence of knowing how to achieve their vision of ‘financial independence’ while living a more enriched and fulfilling life.

With a busy, young family, outside of work and in between shuttling their girls (ages 7, 5, and 1) between activities, Greg and his wife, Christi, enjoy cookouts and entertaining with their friends and family. During the summer months, they’re often found at nearby parks, going on walks with their dog, Clancy, or riding bikes as a family. They most enjoy summer vacations on the beaches of Cape Cod and the shores of Michigan. In the future, My Private Vista is to explore the country and instill their love of traveling in their girls.

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Retirement Beyond the Numbers with Mike McCabe, CFP®, CPC – Part 2 (Ep. 82)

Retirement Beyond the Numbers with Mike McCabe, CFP®, CPC – Part 2 (Ep. 82)

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Retirement planning often focuses on finances, but the emotional and personal side can be just as impactful. What happens when work slows down, routines change, and relationships shift at home?

In this episode, Nicole Romito and Mike McCabe, CFP®, CPC, Partner & Senior Advisor at Private Vista, continue their discussion by shifting from money to mindset. They explore the emotional side of retirement, including changes in daily routines, increased time with a spouse, and the importance of retiring toward something meaningful. The conversation highlights communication, structure, and flexibility as key factors in building a fulfilling next chapter after work.

Key takeaways:

  • Why open communication becomes even more important for couples in the second phase of retirement
  • How clients often revisit retirement readiness for years before feeling comfortable moving forward
  • The value of retiring toward purpose rather than simply leaving a career
  • How routines and structure support emotional balance after full-time work ends
  • Understanding mental stress when retirement is unexpected or arrives sooner than planned
  • And more!

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with Mike McCabe:

About Our Guest: 

Throughout his career in financial services, Mike McCabe has focused on helping clients manage their financial lives in a way that supports enjoyment and fulfillment beyond the numbers. He has a strong commitment to continued learning, earning the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® designation as well as the Certified Pension Consultant (CPC) designation through the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries. Within the firm, Mike serves on the Investment Committee, supports compliance efforts, and mentors the next generation of advisors.

Mike values a healthy work and life balance, which for him means finding satisfaction in his work while making time for golf, volunteering, exercise, movies, and meaningful time with his wife, friends, and family. He looks ahead to continued growth with modern technology, more travel, deeper community involvement, and enjoying life as a present and engaged grandfather.

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Retirement Planning, Health Coverage, and Income with Mike McCabe, CFP®, CPC – Part 1 (Ep. 81)

Retirement Planning, Health Coverage, and Income with Mike McCabe, CFP®, CPC – Part 1 (Ep. 81)

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Retirement often feels close long before the details are clear, and timing can shape how smooth the transition feels. Decisions around income, health coverage, and benefits tend to overlap more than expected.

In this episode, Nicole Romito sits down with Mike McCabe, CFP®, CPC, Partner & Senior Advisor at Private Vista, to walk through what to think about in the final year before retirement. They cover Medicare timing, Social Security decisions, and how early planning helps avoid rushed choices. The conversation also explores replacing a paycheck, managing cash flow, and why tax awareness matters as income sources change.

Key takeaways:

  • Planning health insurance decisions at least 90 days before retirement to avoid gaps and confusion
  • Understanding how Medicare Parts A, B, D, and supplemental options fit together
  • Recognizing that Social Security reductions for early filing are permanent
  • Replacing a paycheck with structured retirement income that feels predictable
  • Using multiple account types to manage taxes and income timing effectively
  • And more!

Connect with Nicole Romito: 

Connect with Mike McCabe:

About Our Guest: 

Throughout his career in financial services, Mike McCabe has focused on helping clients manage their financial lives in a way that supports enjoyment and fulfillment beyond the numbers. He has a strong commitment to continued learning, earning the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® designation as well as the Certified Pension Consultant (CPC) designation through the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries. Within the firm, Mike serves on the Investment Committee, supports compliance efforts, and mentors the next generation of advisors.

Mike values a healthy work and life balance, which for him means finding satisfaction in his work while making time for golf, volunteering, exercise, movies, and meaningful time with his wife, friends, and family. He looks ahead to continued growth with modern technology, more travel, deeper community involvement, and enjoying life as a present and engaged grandfather.

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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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