Betty's Smart Friends

Second marriages bring more than love to the table, they come with financial history, family ties, and planning decisions that can't be ignored. In this episode, Betty sits down with CPA and CFP® DeDe Smolen to unpack the financial, tax, and estate planning realities of blending lives later in life. From prenups and retirement accounts to protecting your children and navigating those sometimes-uncomfortable money talks, you'll walk away with practical tools for building a financially transparent relationship, and a plan that works for both of you.

Listen in to learn more from DeDe.

Check out the show notes here.

• Join Betty in a free consultation call for your financial goals

• Subscribe to the Betty's Smart Friends YouTube Channel

• Follow us on Instagram

• Visit my website for more info

• Follow us on LinkedIn

Please see website for important disclosures: https://bwfinancialplanning.com/disclaimer

Join Betty as she speaks with Christopher Dale, Certified Financial Planner and Certified Financial Transitionist, about navigating financial decisions during times of grief. Drawing from his own experiences with loss and caregiving, Christopher shares practical guidance on what to do, what to avoid, and how to find support when life changes unexpectedly. This conversation offers reassurance, clarity, and a reminder that you don't have to make important financial decisions alone during difficult seasons.

Listen in to learn more from Christopher Dale.

Check out the show notes here.

• Join Betty in a free consultation call for your financial goals

• Subscribe to the Betty's Smart Friends YouTube Channel

• Follow us on Instagram

• Visit my website for more info

• Follow us on LinkedIn

Please see website for important disclosures: https://bwfinancialplanning.com/disclaimer

What if the biggest barrier to financial confidence isn't your income or strategy, but the money story you've carried since childhood? Betty sits down with financial therapist Wendy Wright to explore why up to 90% of financial decisions are emotionally driven and how early experiences shape the beliefs we carry into adulthood.

Wendy unpacks patterns many women share, perfectionism, scarcity, guilt around earning, and struggles with deservingness, and introduces a compassionate framework for rewriting those stories. Her powerful question: What story do you want your money to tell going forward?

If you've ever felt anxious, avoidant, or stuck around money, this episode will show you that change is possible.

Listen in to learn more from Wendy Wright.

Check out the show notes here.

• Join Betty in a free consultation call for your financial goals

• Subscribe to the Betty's Smart Friends YouTube Channel

• Follow us on Instagram

• Visit my website for more info

• Follow us on LinkedIn

Please see website for important disclosures: https://bwfinancialplanning.com/disclaimer

What if the smartest real estate move in your next chapter isn't the one that looks best on paper? Betty sits down with mortgage expert Shannon Denham for a conversation that will change how you think about buying in this time in your life, covering tools like ARMs, bridge loans, recasts, and refinancing, and why flexibility often matters more than a low rate. They also tackle the question nobody talks about enough: when does it actually make sense to carry a mortgage instead of paying cash, and what could you do with the difference? You'll walk away with the clarity and key questions you need to make a confident housing decision, whatever the market is doing.

Listen in to learn more from Shannon.

Check out the show notes here.

• Join Betty in a free consultation call for your financial goals

• Subscribe to the Betty's Smart Friends YouTube Channel

• Follow us on Instagram

• Visit my website for more info

• Follow us on LinkedIn

Please see website for important disclosures: https://bwfinancialplanning.com/disclaimer

What happens when the traditional estate plan isn't enough? Join Betty for an eye-opening conversation with elder law attorney Susie Germany to discuss the vital differences between elder law and traditional estate planning. Learn about the critical gaps most families don't know exist in their planning. Susie reveals why elder law goes far beyond wills and trusts, including the red flags of financial exploitation that hide in plain sight, Medicaid strategies that can protect a lifetime of savings, and why choosing the wrong person for power of attorney might be the most expensive mistake your family makes.

Listen in to learn more from Susie Germany.

Check out the show notes here.

• Join Betty in a free consultation call for your financial goals

• Subscribe to the Betty's Smart Friends YouTube Channel

• Follow us on Instagram

• Visit my website for more info

• Follow us on LinkedIn

Please see website for important disclosures: https://bwfinancialplanning.com/disclaimer

Ever wonder why that diet worked for your friend but not for you? Join Betty for a real talk with Dr. Angela Tran, a double board-certified physician specializing in internal and obesity medicine. They're cutting through the noise around weight loss, metabolism, and those GLP-1 medications everyone's talking about. Dr. Tran breaks down the myths keeping us spinning our wheels and reveals why managing weight isn't just about willpower—it's way more complicated. Whether you're curious about medication options or tired of conflicting advice, this conversation will help you make health decisions that actually feel right for you.

Check out the show notes here.

• Join Betty in a free consultation call for your financial goals

• Subscribe to the Betty's Smart Friends YouTube Channel

• Follow us on Instagram

• Visit my website for more info

• Follow us on LinkedIn

Please see website for important disclosures: https://bwfinancialplanning.com/disclaimer

Ever wondered what it takes to create an unforgettable luxury event? Betty welcomes Jaala Sheldon, a sought-after luxury event planner who traded the fashion world for entrepreneurship, and never looked back. In this candid conversation, Jaala pulls back the curtain on the event planning industry, sharing hard-won wisdom on pricing your worth, managing client expectations, and setting boundaries that actually stick. From navigating complex, high-stakes projects to protecting your sanity in a business that never sleeps, she reveals what it really takes to thrive in this demanding field.

Whether you're considering a career in event planning or looking to elevate your existing business, this episode delivers the real talk you need to succeed without burning out.

Listen in to learn more from Jaala Sheldon.

Check out the show notes here.

• Join Betty in a free consultation call for your financial goals

• Subscribe to the Betty's Smart Friends YouTube Channel

• Follow us on Instagram

• Visit my website for more info

• Follow us on LinkedIn

Please see website for important disclosures: https://bwfinancialplanning.com/disclaimer

Betty interviews Dr. Sonia Novotny, a board-certified OB-GYN and Menopause Society member, about perimenopause and menopause. Dr. Novotny explains the biological and hormonal changes women experience, addresses common symptoms, and discusses evidence-based treatment options.

Listen in to learn more from Dr. Sonia Novotny.

Check out the show notes here.

• Join Betty in a free consultation call for your financial goals

• Subscribe to the Betty's Smart Friends YouTube Channel

• Follow us on Instagram

• Visit my website for more info

• Follow us on LinkedIn

Please see website for important disclosures: https://bwfinancialplanning.com/disclaimer

Betty interviews long-term care insurance specialist, Theresa Klewsaat about the realities of long-term care (LTC), its rising costs, and the importance of early planning. Teresa explains the differences in LTC insurance, the underwriting process, and key policy features like benefit periods and cost-of-living adjustments.

Listen in to learn more from Bonnie Wan.

Check out the show notes here.

• Join Betty in a free consultation call for your financial goals

• Subscribe to the Betty's Smart Friends YouTube Channel

• Follow us on Instagram

• Visit my website for more info

• Follow us on LinkedIn

Please see website for important disclosures: https://bwfinancialplanning.com/disclaimer

Betty interviews Medicare specialist Julia Wiswell to demystify Medicare and healthcare planning for retirement. Together, they break down the different parts of Medicare and discuss key factors to consider when choosing a plan.

Listen in to learn more from Bonnie Wan.

Check out the show notes here.

• Join Betty in a free consultation call for your financial goals

• Subscribe to the Betty's Smart Friends YouTube Channel

• Follow us on Instagram

• Visit my website for more info

• Follow us on LinkedIn

Please see website for important disclosures: https://bwfinancialplanning.com/disclaimer