The Retirement Readiness Gap: Can Plan Design Fix It?

The Retirement Readiness Gap: Can Plan Design Fix It?

Financial Coach, Julie Everett hosts Ryan Campagna of Sentinel Group to unpack why only 13% of workers feel on track for retirement and nearly half fear outliving their savings. Ryan frames the issue as a readiness crisis driven by plan access, plan design, misconceptions, and lack of confidence, sharing examples of workers misreading Social Security “normal retirement age” and seeking a single “catch-up” investment.  They discuss best-in-class plan features—auto-enrollment, auto-escalation, QDIA/target date options, disciplined diversification, and re-enrollment to re-default nonparticipants—plus the importance of ongoing education and one-on-one support.  They also highlight overlooked topics like Social Security, Medicare, HSAs, and Roth contributions, warn against rigid or misleading social-media advice, and emphasize that saving more and taking action now beats waiting for a perfect plan. 00:00 Retirement Reality Check 00:54 Meet Ryan Campagna 02:19 Readiness Crisis Explained 06:08 Auto Features That Work 09:19 Catch Up in Midlife 12:38 Investing Myths and Basics 16:52 Best in Class Plan Design 27:42 Education That Reaches Everyone 35:11 Fixing the System at Work 42:38 Take Action This Week 44:42 Wrap Up and Next Steps

Pam Krueger on Financial Confidence, Advice vs. Sales, and Finding a Fiduciary Advisor

If there’s a secret to managing money, it’s this: the small steps are the strategy. After spending over a decade seen on PBS, helping everyday investors make smarter decisions, award-winning financial analyst Pam Krueger built her own game-changing platform. Wealthramp matches investors with vetted, fee-only fiduciary financial advisors. Join us as Pam explains how time does the heavy lifting when we commit to taking the small steps that move us toward long-term financial security. We unpack building financial literacy from a young age, Pam’s experience launching an investor education television series built around real financial stories, and the critical difference between financial knowledge and financial advice. We also explore what estate planning actually means, the guiding principles every financial advisor should follow, why vetting the people you trust with your money is essential, how AI is helping improve financial education and outcomes, and why managing your finances should always be a collaborative relationship between you and your advisor. Thanks for listening!  Key Points From This Episode: * Pam Krueger’s history as a financial analyst, public television host, and Wealthramp founder.  * The story behind her podcast, Friends Talk Money. * Key financial advice that is applicable to anyone: get confident.  * How a step-by-step approach is the solution to every financial problem. * Where Pam’s journey with financial literacy first began.  * Why children emulate what their parents do financially rather than what they are taught.  * Pam’s experience of starting a TV series that ran on over 250 PBS stations to showcase real financial stories. * The difference between financial knowledge and financial advice. * What estate planning actually is. * A guiding principle for financial advisors. * Why it is so important to vet who you take financial advice from. * How AI is helping with education and setting people up for success.  * Why managing your money should be a collaboration with your practitioner.  Quotes: “Financial literacy is all about empowering and building wealth, but it’s also about reducing stress.” — Pam Krueger [0:06:14] “In this world of money, knowledge really is the power — it’s the superpower!” — Pam Krueger [0:06:23] “A financial advisor is not a transaction. If it’s done properly, and you have the right advisor, it’s your financial decision partner for the rest of your life if you want it.” — Pam Krueger [0:23:45] “I want people to not reach for help out of fear or out of weakness. I want people to reach out and stop and really take it slow.” — Pam Krueger [0:27:55] “Understand you’ve got to vet, vet, vet who are you going to listen to that’s going to give you advice.” — Pam Krueger [0:31:11] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Pam Krueger [https://www.pamkrueger.com/]Pam Krueger on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamkrueger/]Pam Krueger on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/pamkruegertv/] Wealthramp [https://wealthramp.com/]Friends Talk Money Podcast [https://friendstalkmoney.org/]California Jumpstart [https://cajumpstart.org/]Julie Everett on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieeverett17/] Financial Finesse [https://www.financialfinesse.com/] Email Financial Finesse [podcast@financialfinesse.com]

It's Not Too Late Too File Your Taxes!

Host Julie Everett is joined by Financial Finesse coach Kari Cedegren and Jenell Koelblin, Site Coordinator - Lane County Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA), to answer common tax-season questions and outline practical steps to prepare. They explain VITA (IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program as a free tax prep and filing service for lower- and moderate-income households, seniors, people with disabilities, and limited English speakers, and describe volunteer training and certification. The conversation covers when to hire a tax professional (complex situations like rentals, stock options/AMT, multi-state filing), organizing documents, and the impact of changes like no tax on overtime and no tax on tips, plus refundable credits such as the child tax credit and EITC, and Oregon-specific credits including the kicker. They clarify that filing an extension gives more time to file but not to pay, discuss IRS payment plans and safe harbor rules, and emphasize filing even if you can’t pay to avoid penalties. 00:00 Tax Season Kickoff 00:44 Meet the Guests 01:39 VITA Explained 03:55 Who Qualifies 04:51 DIY or Hire Help 07:56 Free Filing Options 09:02 Get Your Docs Ready 09:45 New Tax Changes 12:05 Refundable Credits 16:14 Tips and Gig Work 18:29 Extensions Demystified 20:02 If You Owe Taxes 22:25 VITA Extensions Help 23:09 Key Takeaways Recap 26:00 Final Thoughts 28:54 Wrap Up and Thanks 29:47 Share and Subscribe Financial Finesse Julie Everett [https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieeverett17/] Kari Cedegren [https://www.linkedin.com/in/karicedergren/] OSU VITA [https://business.oregonstate.edu/volunteer-income-tax-assistance] File Your Taxes for Free [https://www.irs.gov/file-your-taxes-for-free] Free Tax Return Preparation [https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers]

Majd Talks: Breaking Barriers in Soccer and Finance

Growth is rarely a straight line, but for today’s guest, the path has been nothing short of vertical. Through her leadership role as Director of Growth at the U.S. Soccer Federation, Majd Steitieh initiated a huge shift in how soccer operates in the country. During this conversation, we talk about career evolution, organizational impact, and the grit that it takes to get there. Majd also shares how shifting her financial mindset has enabled her to sharpen her focus and take more meaningful ownership of her work. If there’s one thing to take away from this episode, it’s that growth doesn’t happen by accident; it happens by design, and the impact of Majd’s work is a great example of exactly how this works. Tune in to hear more! Key Points From This Episode: * An introduction to our first repeat guest: Majd Steitieh. * The U.S. Soccer Federation’s mission and what keeps Majd motivated. * What her day-to-day work looks like and how she is building resources for young people. * How she sees the work evolving over the next five years. * Creating opportunities for existing talent who otherwise may not have had access to them. * The most daunting aspects of working at U.S. Soccer. * How gaining control over her financial wellness has allowed Majd to shift her focus. * The power of a financial mindset shift: how it enables you to take ownership over your work. Quotes: “Sometimes cost, transportation, and access to clubs are barriers, and so we’ve taken soccer to where the kids already are, which is at school.” — Majd Steitieh [0:02:17] “What keeps me motivated is that same idea that soccer can genuinely be a force for good.” — Majd Steitieh [0:03:52] “While the day-to-day varies, the throughline is always the same: listen to the ecosystem, identify where the pathway can be stronger, and then build solutions that make it easier for more people to enter, stay, and grow within the game.” — Majd Steitieh [0:07:58] “Being financially fit isn’t just about stability, but it’s about unlocking the ability to show up fully in your life and in your work.” — Majd Steitieh [0:15:02] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Majd Steitieh on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/majd-steitieh-992a0934/]U.S. Soccer [https://www.ussoccer.com/] Julie Everett on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieeverett17/] Financial Finesse [https://www.financialfinesse.com/] Email Financial Finesse [podcast@financialfinesse.com]

Women Who Talk Money: Celebrating International Women's Month

What does leadership in financial wellness look like when people need more than the right numbers to make real change? In this International Women’s Month episode, we sit down with Liz Davidson, CEO of Financial Finesse, and Carolyn Fraser, Head of Internal Sales at Ascensus, to discuss the progress women have made in financial services and the responsibility that comes with representation. They unpack why financial wellness is tied to trust, behavior, and accountability, why outcomes matter more than simple metrics, and why the “how” of leadership shapes culture and client relationships. Liz and Carolyn also share insights on authenticity at work, finding environments where you can succeed without fitting into a mold, and the difference between mentorship and sponsorship when you are building a career. Tune in for a motivating discussion about building deeper professional relationships, staying grounded, and creating the kind of support that helps women thrive. Key Points From This Episode: * Hear how financial wellness is determined by trust and leadership style. * Discover the significance of the “how” in sales and client relationships. * Find out how to balance authenticity with adaptation in the workplace. * Unpack the misconception that women must fit a mold to succeed in finance. * How to find leaders and workplaces that appreciate your unique gifts and talents. * Learn about the difference between mentorship and sponsorship. * What women need to consider when looking for mentorship or sponsorship. * Investigate whether the financial sector has fully embraced women. * Why building fewer but deeper relationships is better than traditional networking. * Explore financial wellness trends in AI, longevity, and personalized experiences. * Advice that they would give their younger selves, given what they know now. * Final takeaways and how to build a career through mentorship and sponsorship. Quotes: “You are going to be much more successful really embracing who you truly are and what your unique gifts and talents are.” — Liz Davidson [0:11:57] “The cognitive load of having to constantly feel like you're putting on an act, I think, is exhausting to the person but also very expensive [for] the employer.” — Liz Davidson [0:13:02] “Who you know is still an important dynamic, I think, maybe now more than ever, and looking for people who can be the mentor [or] the sponsor.” — Carolyn Fraser [0:21:58] “It’s okay to change your path. You’re not failing if the thing that you thought you were going to do for the rest of your life is not what actually happens.” — Carolyn Fraser [0:29:53] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Liz Davidson on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizdavidsonff/] Carolyn Fraser on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-lemke-fraser-87185b4/] Ascensus [https://www.ascensus.com/] Julie Everett on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieeverett17/] Financial Finesse [https://www.financialfinesse.com/] Email Financial Finesse [podcast@financialfinesse.com]