For many of us, retirement is a bit of an abstract idea. It’s far away in the future, it can be hard to picture. The unknowns are infinite. So how do we plan for that?

Step one: Just start. The earlier the better, too, because we’ll just keep getting older and it’ll be nice to have a little something to make those later years more fun. Join our guest Pamela Capland, certified financial planner and accredited financial counselor who takes the shame out of money conversations and is a pro at simplifying and empowering. Then we also have Julien and Kiersten Saunders who explain the basics of the FIRE movement (financial independence, retire early).

Resources:

Pamela Capalad: Get Shameless

Julien & Kiersten Saunders: Rich & Regular 

What’s more fun than looking back over the year and remembering all the great things that happened? Not much! So join us in the episode that finds all the fun and fascinating nuggets from the first 16 episodes of Merging Into Life. 

Each episode has its charm, and we’ve gathered as much as we could fit into this one episode as a thanks for coming along for the ride with us. Life-hacks, hot tips and all the takeaways you can handle. From buying a car, bringing home your first pet, heading to a theme park or moving back home with Mom and Dad, we’ve got you covered. 

Fewer of us are rushing out to drive in the first year we’re eligible. But just because you don’t start driving as a teen doesn’t mean you never will. That driver’s license isn’t going anywhere without you!

If you’re thinking about taking the wheel for the first time, or you want a refresher, listen as Linda Ricci, Assistant Manager at AAA’s Rhode Island Driving school walks us through the basics. She covers how to prepare for your test, what to be aware of and ways to get comfortable behind the wheel. And Gaelen Olinski on hand to share his successful but embarrassing early days of driving.

How far can an electric vehicle really go on a charge? What's it like to drive an EV? Do you ever have to replace the battery? And what about other routine maintenance?

Buying an EV comes with a lot of questions, and on this episode we’ve got a lot of answers. Guests Ben Sullins is an EV advocate who has spent years digging into the data and is here to dispell some EV myths. Matt Ferrell is an expert in sustainable technologies and gives us the low-down on EV batteries.

Resources:

EV perks that come with a AAA membership

Undecided with Matt Ferrell

Still To Be Determined Podcast Series

Ben Sullins - YouTube

Plugshare

Dust off those running shoes and let’s hit the road. Actually, shoes are important, so maybe get a well-fitted fresh pair. But regardless, if you’re hoping to incorporate running into your life or signing up for your first race, we’ve got you covered.

Runner in Chief at Runner’s World, Jeff Dengate, is here to help you get on track. He’ll cover pacing yourself, gear, and how to incorporate running into your life. But we don’t want you to hurt yourself, so Mike Vaiano, a physical therapist at the Schwarz Institute, gives us the rundown on how to prevent an injury.

If you’ve ever dreamed of heading out into the world footloose and fancy free, a solo trip might be just what you need!

Whether it’s a once in a lifetime voyage to a far flung locale or a quick trip to the next spot on the map, seeing new sites and meeting new people is one of life’s true joys. But getting your loved ones on board can be similar to herding cats, a little frustrating and often a bad use of time. In this episode, avid solo traveler Kim Rodrigues leads the way through how to make the best of your trip while staying safe. And on the logistics side, Jillian Young of AAA Northeast's Public Affairs team shares insight on the best times to travel and how to beat the crowds.

Resources:

AAA travel forecast

Kim Rodrigues' blog: K.Rod Collective

From identity theft to scams, fraud is a reality we all have to come to terms with. But rather than live in fear, let’s figure out what’s at stake and how to protect ourselves.

In this episode we have Robert Siciliano, CEO of ProtectNowLLC. com, and Mike Breumer, Vice President of Consumer Protection for Experian. They’ll walk us through how to spot a scam, protect your identity, and how to make sure no one can access your credit except you. Constant vigilance helps, but people make mistakes. Listen in, and you'll feel empowered to handle whatever comes your way. 

We know not to drive drunk, or impaired. Speeding is dangerous, and so is driving while distracted. But just as dangerous, though less talked about is drowsy driving.

In this episode, we’re going to hear how one woman dealt with her sister’s death by becoming a victims' advocate for traffic safety. Jennifer Pearce will delve into the real dangers behind drowsy driving and how pushing ourselves to operate on less and less sleep isn’t just damaging to our health, but also to our safety. Alec Slatky will talk about some of the work AAA is doing to better understand drowsy driving, because as it turns out, we often don’t even know when we’re doing it.

Resources:

How To Avoid Drowsy Driving

Beating the garbage truck, staying on top of the dishes, exercising regularly…small but mighty accomplishments. Though, few can compare to the satisfaction of making and sticking to a budget. 

In this episode, Ashley Bove, workplace financial consultant with Fidelity Investments shares simple and straightforward ways to keep track of your money. She covers living expenses, saving, an emergency fund, debt repayment and how to make sure there’s something left over for you at the end of every month.

Forget your childhood home and your dorm room, this episode is about your first real home of your own. You get to decide how to decorate, when you’ll do the dishes and if you’ll eat on the couch or at the dining room table. But, with great power comes great responsibility, so you might have to move your own stuff as well. But don’t worry, we have you covered.

Our guests Rob Shetler, Vice President at Shetler Moving & Storage, and Jami Supsic, Home and Style Director at HGTV Magazine, will cover how to make the most of your space, if the couch will fit through the door, how long it takes to pack (hint: longer than you think) and much, much more.

Resources

To search for a registered mover: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration