Dollars and Sense: Creating Your Fulfilled Life

REPLAY: Medicare Made Clear with Carly Rosswurm (Ep. 88)

Health insurance decisions can feel overwhelming, especially when timelines, penalties, and rising costs all collide at once. What should you know before turning 65? How do you compare employer coverage, Medicare supplements, and Advantage plans without feeling buried in confusing terms? In this episode, Nicole Romito revisits her conversation with Carly Rosswurm, Director of Medicare Solutions at Ash Brokerage, that breaks down how Medicare works and what people should consider before enrolling. They discuss the differences between Medicare Parts A, B, D, supplement plans, and Advantage plans, along with enrollment periods, income-related premium adjustments, prescription coverage, and travel considerations. Carly also shares practical guidance for avoiding penalties and reviewing coverage changes each year. Key takeaways: * Understanding how Medicare Parts A, B, D, and supplement plans work together after age 65 * Comparing employer coverage with Medicare options based on costs, prescriptions, and travel needs * Reviewing annual enrollment changes that may impact prescription costs and provider networks * Considering IRMAA income adjustments and how retirement can affect Medicare premium amounts * Evaluating Medicare Advantage and supplement plans based on flexibility and out-of-pocket costs * And more! Connect with Nicole Romito:  * LinkedIn: Nicole Romito [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-romito-cfp-cdfa-993b07/] * MyPrivateVista.com [https://myprivatevista.com/] * info@myprivatevista.com [info@myprivatevista.com] * Call: 312-831-4370 [tel:3128314370] Connect with Carly Rosswurm: * Ash Brokerage [https://www.ashbrokerage.com/] * LinkedIn: Ash Brokerage [https://www.linkedin.com/company/ash-brokerage/] * LinkedIn: Carly Rosswurm [https://www.linkedin.com/in/carly-rosswurm/] * medicare@ashbrokerage.com [medicare@ashbrokerage.com] About Our Guest:  Carly Rosswurm is the Director of Medicare Solutions at Ash Brokerage. Carly graduated from Indiana University with a degree in business and a concentration in marketing. Since then, Carly has always focused on the realm of Medicare. She has been Life & Health licensed for 17 years, and has experience in Medicare marketing, contracting, compliance, continuing education, and sales. With the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003, Carly first got involved in Medicare when the Part D plans were first mandated, and Medicare Advantage plans were first coming into the market. Through continuing education courses, Carly has offered licensed agents and advisors classes on the importance of knowing Medicare basics, along with the difference between Medicare Advantage plans versus traditional Medicare Supplements. A few years ago, Carly bought an old historic home in West Central, Fort Wayne that she completely remodeled with the help of her dad. She lives downtown with her two dogs, Tev and Percy.

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

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: * The Financial Mindset Fix by Joyce Marter [https://www.amazon.com/Financial-Mindset-Fix-Fitness-Abundant/dp/1683647238] Connect with Nicole Romito:  * LinkedIn: Nicole Romito [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-romito-cfp-cdfa-993b07/] * MyPrivateVista.com [https://myprivatevista.com/] * info@myprivatevista.com [info@myprivatevista.com] * Call: 312-831-4370 [tel:3128314370] Connect with Joyce Marter: * LinkedIn: Joyce Marter [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joycemarter/] * Website: Joyce Marter [https://www.joyce-marter.com/] 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.

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

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: * The Smart Dating Academy Podcast [https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/podcast] Connect with Nicole Romito:  * LinkedIn: Nicole Romito [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-romito-cfp-cdfa-993b07/] * MyPrivateVista.com [https://myprivatevista.com/] * info@myprivatevista.com [info@myprivatevista.com] * Call: 312-831-4370 [tel:3128314370] Connect with Bela Gandhi: * LinkedIn: Bela Gandhi [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bela-gandhi-64b88812/] * Instagram: Smart Dating Academy [https://www.instagram.com/smartdatingacademy/?hl=en] * Website: Smart Dating Academy [https://www.smartdatingacademy.com/] 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.

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

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: * MoMoney – The Museum of Money [https://www.museumofmoney.com/] Connect with Nicole Romito:  * LinkedIn: Nicole Romito [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-romito-cfp-cdfa-993b07/] * MyPrivateVista.com [https://myprivatevista.com/] * info@myprivatevista.com [info@myprivatevista.com] * Call: 312-831-4370 [tel:3128314370] Connect with AJ Goehle: * LinkedIn: AJ Goehle [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajgoehle/] * Website: Luci Creative [https://www.lucicreative.com/] * Instagram: @LuciCreative [https://www.instagram.com/lucicreative/?hl=en] 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.

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

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:  * LinkedIn: Nicole Romito [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-romito-cfp-cdfa-993b07/] * MyPrivateVista.com [https://myprivatevista.com/] * info@myprivatevista.com [info@myprivatevista.com] * Call: 312-831-4370 [tel:3128314370] Connect with Jody LaVoie: * LinkedIn: Jody LaVoie [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodylavoie/] * Website: The Grief Company [https://www.thegriefcompany.com/] * Website: Widows in the Workplace [https://www.widowsintheworkplace.com/] 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.