The Games of Life

What if retirement isn't about reaching the finish line, but about making sure life doesn't send you back to start? In part two of this Sorry! series, Ambar Reddekopp explores the biggest “sorry cards” retirees face and how to plan around them before they become financial setbacks. From market downturns and inflation to taxes, long-term care costs, and longevity, Ambar explains why retirement requires a different mindset than simply accumulating wealth. Using the classic board game as a guide, she shares how reliable income, emergency planning, flexibility, and long-term growth can help create a retirement strategy built to withstand life's surprises. Because in retirement, the goal isn't just getting there. It's staying there.

Schedule your complimentary call with Ambar and the Journey Financial Group team at 720-677-1562 or go to Journey4Wealth.com. And, if you’re in the Johnstown, Colorado area, drop in for Journey Financial Group’s monthly First Fridays with complimentary food and drinks in the office.

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What if retirement is less about reaching the finish line and more about avoiding the “Sorry” cards that can send you back to square one? In this episode of The Games of Life, Ambar Reddekopp uses the classic board game Sorry! to explain some of retirement’s biggest risks. From inflation and long-term care costs to taxes and longevity, Ambar explores the unexpected events that can derail even the best-laid plans. She explains why retirement isn't a destination but a decades-long journey that requires preparation, flexibility, and purpose-driven planning. If you want to protect the progress you've worked so hard to build, this conversation highlights the importance of planning for life's inevitable setbacks before they happen.

Schedule your complimentary call with Ambar and the Journey Financial Group team at 720-677-1562 or go to Journey4Wealth.com. And, if you’re in the Johnstown, Colorado area, drop in for Journey Financial Group’s monthly First Fridays with complimentary food and drinks in the office.

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Are you asking the right questions about your retirement, or are you trying to solve the puzzle with half the clues? In this episode of Games of Life, Ambar Reddekopp uses the classic game Guess Who? to explain how Colorado PERA members can better understand their retirement benefits. From membership dates and years of service to retirement goals, family considerations, and plan changes, Ambar shares the key questions that can help narrow down the best path forward. She explains why every PERA member's situation is unique and why comparing your plan to a coworker's can lead to costly mistakes. When it comes to retirement planning, success starts with understanding your own card, not someone else's.

Schedule your complimentary call with Ambar and the Journey Financial Group team at 720-677-1562 or go to Journey4Wealth.com. And, if you’re in the Johnstown, Colorado area, drop in for Journey Financial Group’s monthly First Fridays with complimentary food and drinks in the office.

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Think you've figured out your retirement plan? What if someone changes the rules halfway through the game? In this episode of Games of Life, Ambar Reddekopp uses the classic game of UNO to explain the often-confusing world of Colorado PERA retirement benefits. From retirement timing and years of service to survivor benefits, service credit purchases, and ever-changing plan rules, Ambar breaks down why no two PERA members have the same hand of cards. She explores the mistakes people make when following coworkers' advice and explains why understanding your own benefits is far more important than comparing yourself to others. If you're a teacher, public employee, or PERA participant, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on retirement planning.

Schedule your complimentary call with Ambar and the Journey Financial Group team at 720-677-1562 or go to Journey4Wealth.com. And, if you’re in the Johnstown, Colorado area, drop in for Journey Financial Group’s monthly First Fridays with complimentary food and drinks in the office.

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Are you building your financial future with intention or just adding pieces as you go? In this episode, Ambar Reddekopp uses the game 7 Wonders to explain how life insurance fits into your bigger financial picture. She walks through different types of policies and helps you understand why each one serves a different purpose depending on your goals. The real takeaway: it’s not about buying a product; it’s about building a strategy that works together. Without a plan, even good decisions can feel scattered or ineffective. With the right structure, your money supports your life, your family, and your future in a more coordinated way.

Schedule your complimentary call with Ambar and the Journey Financial Group team at 720-677-1562 or go to Journey4Wealth.com. And, if you’re in the Johnstown, Colorado area, drop in for Journey Financial Group’s monthly First Fridays with complimentary food and drinks in the office.

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What financial “preservation cards” do you have in place when life throws something unexpected your way? In this episode, Ambar Reddekopp uses a creative board game analogy to break down real-world money strategies, like insurance, life insurance, long-term care, and building the right support team. She explains why growing wealth isn’t enough if you don’t preserve what you’ve built, and how strategic decisions now, can make a difficult situation more manageable later. With practical examples and real-life perspective, this conversation highlights how having a plan, and the right people alongside you, can help you navigate life’s unpredictable moments without derailing your financial future.

Schedule your complimentary call with Ambar and the Journey Financial Group team at 720-677-1562 or go to Journey4Wealth.com. And, if you’re in the Johnstown, Colorado area, drop in for Journey Financial Group’s monthly First Fridays with complimentary food and drinks in the office.

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Knowing when to move may be one of the most important, and most overlooked decisions in retirement. In this episode, Ambar Reddekopp continues the Monopoly series by exploring how timing, planning, and proactive conversations can shape where and how you age. The discussion highlights the emotional and practical realities of leaving a longtime home, from rising maintenance costs to changing health and support needs. Ambar also shares why waiting too long can turn a decision into a crisis and how thoughtful planning can help preserve independence, family relationships, and quality of life. It’s a look at turning a difficult conversation into a strategic one.

Schedule your complimentary call with Ambar and the Journey Financial Group team at 720-677-1562 or go to Journey4Wealth.com. And, if you’re in the Johnstown, Colorado area, drop in for Journey Financial Group’s monthly First Fridays with complimentary food and drinks in the office.

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What if your home could help fund your retirement, without selling it? In this episode, Ambar Reddekopp breaks down modern reverse mortgages (HECM loans) and how they’ve evolved since 2008. Using a Monopoly-inspired analogy, the conversation explores how retirees can tap into home equity to supplement income, cover expenses, or plan for long-term care. Ambar also addresses common misconceptions, eligibility rules, and how these loans function for spouses and heirs. It’s a straightforward look at turning a home from a “dead asset” into a usable resource, while understanding the trade-offs and timing considerations involved.

Schedule your complimentary call with Ambar and the Journey Financial Group team at 720-677-1562 or go to Journey4Wealth.com. And, if you’re in the Johnstown, Colorado area, drop in for Journey Financial Group’s monthly First Fridays with complimentary food and drinks in the office.

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What if playing Monopoly without a strategy is exactly how many people approach real estate investing? In part two of her 4-part series on real estate, Ambar Reddekopp breaks down the realities behind property investing—and why it’s far more complex than buying everything you land on. She explores the importance of having a clear strategy, understanding cash flow versus long-term appreciation, and recognizing that real estate is a business—not just “passive income.” From rental properties and partnerships to land investments and legal considerations, the conversation highlights the risks, rewards, and need for the right team.

Schedule your complimentary call with Ambar and the Journey Financial Group team at 720-677-1562 or go to Journey4Wealth.com. And, if you’re in the Johnstown, Colorado area, drop in for Journey Financial Group’s monthly First Fridays with complimentary food and drinks in the office.

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What if the game of Monopoly is actually teaching you how to buy real estate the wrong way? In this episode of the Games of Life, investment advisor representative, Ambar Reddekopp, uses the classic board game to break down the realities of purchasing a home. She explores why buying without a plan can lead to costly mistakes, how lending limits don’t always equal affordability, and the hidden expenses that can turn a dream home into a financial strain. The conversation also highlights the importance of building the right team—from realtors to financial advisors—and why preparation matters long before you ever “land on your first property.”

Schedule your complimentary call with Ambar and the Journey Financial Group team at 720-677-1562 or go to Journey4Wealth.com. And, if you’re in the Johnstown, Colorado area, drop in for Journey Financial Group’s monthly First Fridays with complimentary food and drinks in the office.

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