[Ep 192]

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why so many Gen Xers believe they’re behind on retirement and why that isn’t necessarily true

• The biggest mistake people make when trying to plan for their retirement

• How to create a simple retirement plan based on your actual progress

• A simple way to develop a healthier retirement mindset so you can stop guessing and start moving forward with confidence

Episode Highlights

00:00 Retirement Mindset Reset

01:12 Start With a Plan

03:18 Assess Your Progress

04:35 Fear vs Knowledge 

07:59 Debt and Retirement Strategy

11:01 Ditch the Have Tos

11:55 Clarify Your Real Goal

Register for the Retirement Ready Workshop coming up June 27th

Read the full show notes HERE

What topic or question would you love answered on the podcast?

Not sure what you need to do to make retirement happen? 

Let’s identify your priorities and next steps in a Retirement Strategy Session. Book your session today.

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Wondering where your money actually goes each month? Get real answers on a money clarity call. Book yours today.

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[Ep 191]

If you’ve ever wondered whether all the saving and planning you’re doing is going to be enough, this episode is for you.

In this episode, I’ll be sharing how to measure your retirement progress and how to make progress to retirement.

By the end of this episode, you’ll understand the three retirement levers that influence your readiness so you can identify your next best step and move forward with confidence.

In this episode you’ll learn:
✅ Why so many people feel behind on retirement, regardless of how much they’ve saved

✅ The biggest mistake people make when using retirement calculators and online tools

✅ How to use the three retirement levers to close your retirement gap

✅ A simple way to start taking control of your retirement timeline

Episode Highlights

00:00 Will I Have Enough

01:56 Why Saving Alone Fails

04:45 Tripod Retirement Levers

05:16 Lever One Savings

06:40 Lever Two Debt

09:10 Lever Three Expenses

10:55 Lifestyle And Spending Mindset

13:51 Review And Weekly Actions

17:14 Final Takeaways

Full Show Notes HERE

Join the Retirement Ready Workshop. Use code JUNE to save $10 before June 14th.

What topic or question would you love answered on the podcast?

Not sure what you need to do to make retirement happen? 

Let’s identify your priorities and next steps in a Retirement Strategy Session. Book your session today.

Looking to learn more about being retirement ready?

Join the Facebook community Retirement Ready Hub to continue the conversation and learn how to accelerate your retirement progress.

Wondering where your money actually goes each month? Get real answers on a money clarity call. Book yours today.

Connect with me

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/dalene.higgins/

[Ep 190]

If you’ve ever wondered “Am I on track for retirement?” or “How much money do I actually need to retire?”, this episode is for you.

In this episode, I’m talking about how to determine whether you’re on track for retirement and why relying on generic retirement numbers and calculators may be keeping you from making the progress and decisions you need to feel confident about your future.

By the end of this episode, you’ll understand the three simple numbers you need to calculate your personal retirement target—your timeline, your annual spending, and your retirement number so you can stop guessing, gain clarity, and create a realistic retirement plan based on your actual lifestyle.

In this episode you’ll learn:

✅ Why retirement feels overwhelming and difficult to plan for

✅ The biggest mistake people make when estimating their retirement savings needs

✅ How to determine whether you’re on track for retirement using three simple numbers

✅ A simple way to start building a realistic retirement target based on your actual lifestyle and spending

Episode Highlights

00:00 Retirement Enough Question

01:09 Three Things To Check

01:22 Pick Your Timeline

03:57 Know Your Living Costs

07:14 Rule Of 25 Formula

09:05 Adjusting Your Target

10:10 Workshop And Next Steps

Full Show Notes HERE

Don't want to do the math yourself? My Retirement Calculator does the heavy lifting for you, applying the concepts I cover in this episode to help you estimate your retirement number and see where to focus next.

Schedule your 90-Minute Retirement Strategy Session. We’ll determine your retirement number, assess whether you’re on track, identify opportunities to close the gap, and create an action plan tailored to your goals and timeline.

What topic or question would you love answered on the podcast?

Not sure what you need to do to make retirement happen? 

Let’s identify your priorities and next steps in a Retirement Strategy Session. Book your session today.

Looking to learn more about being retirement ready?

Join the Facebook community Retirement Ready Hub to continue the conversation and learn how to accelerate your retirement progress.

Wondering where your money actually goes each month? Get real answers on a money clarity call. Book yours today.

Connect with me

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/dalene.higgins/

[Ep 189]

If you’ve thought, how am I going to continue to afford these grocery prices, this episode is for you.

Today’s guest, Andy Ellwood, founder of Stretch Groceries, is sharing how this new and evolving AI app can support you in getting the best deal with your groceries.

By the end of this episode, you’ll understand better what this app can do for you, what it plans to do by end of summer, and how to submit your own ideas.

Episode Highlights

00:00 Meet Stretch Founder

00:25 Why Grocery Prices

02:12 How Stretch Works

04:12 Personalized Smart Lists

07:10 Diet Toggles Roadmap

08:47 Privacy And Security

09:45 Location And Drive Tradeoffs

11:44 Food Access Mission

15:19 Budgeting And Nutrition

17:26 Download And First Steps

18:58 Pickup Delivery Plans

19:20 Future AI Companion

21:32 Favorite Feedback And Wrap

Connect with Andy:

https://stretchgroceries.com/

https://www.instagram.com/andyellwood/

Download the app:

https://stretchgroceries.com/

Read the full interview HERE

What topic or question would you love answered on the podcast?

Register at elevatefinances.us/webinar to start your journey to retire in 5 years.

Not sure what you need to do to make retirement happen? 

Let’s identify your priorities and next steps in a Retirement Strategy Session. Book your session today.

Looking to learn more about being retirement ready?

Join the Facebook community Retirement Ready Hub to continue the conversation and learn how to accelerate your retirement progress.

Wondering where your money actually goes each month? Get real answers on a money clarity call. Book yours today.

Connect with me

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/dalene.higgins/

[Ep 188]

If you’ve ever asked yourself how to plan for your retirement or where to even begin, this episode will help you get started!

Today we’re talking about retirement planning and why most people focus only on saving money instead of building a financial life that supports the retirement you want.

By the end of this episode, you’ll understand why retirement readiness starts with awareness and intentional decisions so you can take control of your money and make retirement successful.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why retirement planning feels overwhelming and unclear for so many people

• The biggest mistake people make when planning for retirement after 40

• How to start connecting your current spending and saving habits to your future retirement lifestyle

• Two action steps to help you start your retirement planning

Episode Highlights

00:00 Why We Procrastinate

03:52 Why Start Now

05:22 A Personal Wake Up

08:38 Retirement Beyond Saving

11:57 Everyday Money Decisions

14:49 Two Simple Action Steps

16:24 Let’s Make It Happen

Read full show notes HERE!

👉 Join the Accelerate Your Retirement Challenge: 3 Steps To Get You Started

What topic or question would you love answered on the podcast?

Not sure what you need to do to make retirement happen? 

Let’s identify your priorities and next steps in a Retirement Strategy Session. Book your session today.

Looking to learn more about being retirement ready?

Join the Facebook community Retirement Ready Hub to continue the conversation and learn how to accelerate your retirement progress.

Wondering where your money actually goes each month? Get real answers on a money clarity call. Book yours today.

Connect with me

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/dalene.higgins/

[Ep 187]

If you’ve ever wondered why retirement still feels so far away and know you should be thinking about it, this episode is for you.

Today I’m talking about the real reason so many people don’t feel ready for retirement and why waiting until “later” to figure it out may be the very thing keeping you stuck.

By the end of this episode, you’ll understand the three hidden gaps that make retirement feel overwhelming and out of reach, so you can start creating clarity, confidence, and a realistic path toward the future you actually want.

In this episode you’ll learn:

✅ Why retirement still feels far away for so many people in their 40s and 50s

✅ The biggest mistake people make when planning for retirement

✅ How to start connecting your current spending and financial decisions to your future retirement goals

✅ A simple way to start creating clarity and confidence around retirement planning

Episode Highlights

00:00 Why Retirement Feels Far

00:32 Stuck in the Messy Middle

01:52 Name the Feeling Block

03:16 Gap One Retirement Vision

05:49 Gap Two Know Your Number

08:14 Gap Three Build a System

12:32 One Gap One Next Step

Join the Accelerate Your Retirement Challenge HERE. Challenge starts June 2, 2026!

Link to full blog post HERE.

What topic or question would you love answered on the podcast?

Not sure what you need to do to make retirement happen? 

Let’s identify your priorities and next steps in a Retirement Strategy Session. Book your session today.

Looking to learn more about being retirement ready?

Join the Facebook community Retirement Ready Hub to continue the conversation and learn how to accelerate your retirement progress.

Wondering where your money actually goes each month? Get real answers on a money clarity call. Book yours today.

Connect with me

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/dalene.higgins/

[Ep 186]

If you’ve ever wondered why retirement still feels out of reach, even though you’re saving and doing all the “right” things, this episode is for you.

Today we’re talking about what it really means to be retirement ready and why focusing only on savings or a generic retirement number may be keeping you stuck.

By the end of this episode, you’ll understand the 5 essential pillars of retirement readiness (beyond just the numbers) so you can create clarity, feel confident in your plan, and start making decisions that move you closer to the retirement you want.

In this episode you’ll learn:

* Why having a clear retirement vision changes everything

* How to understand your cash flow reality without feeling restricted

* What your retirement number really means (and why generic advice doesn’t work)

* How to identify and close your retirement gap with simple, doable steps

* The powerful role of belief and decision-making in creating your future

Episode Highlights

01:02 Five Pillars Overview

02:12 Pillar 1 Retirement Vision

03:49 Pillar 2 Cash Flow Reality

05:54 Pillar 3 Your Retirement Number

07:24 Pillar 4 Close the Gap

09:45 Pillar 5 Believe It’s Possible

12:36 Recap and Next Steps

Join the Accelerate Your Retirement: 3 Steps To Get You Started, free challenge June 2-4, 2026. Join Today!

What topic or question would you love answered on the podcast?

Not sure what you need to do to make retirement happen? 

Let’s identify your priorities and next steps in a Retirement Strategy Session. Book your session today.

Looking to learn more about being retirement ready?

Join the Facebook community Retirement Ready Hub to continue the conversation and learn how to accelerate your retirement progress.

Wondering where your money actually goes each month? Get real answers on a money clarity call. Book yours today.

Connect with me

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/dalene.higgins/

[Ep 185]

If you’re ever paused when moving money to savings because you think, I’ll only have to take it back out soon, this episode is for you.

Today, I’m talking about why saving keeps fluctuating and why thinking it should never be touched may be keeping you stuck and discouraged.

By the end of this episode, you’ll understand what’s actually normal about savings fluctuating so you can stop feeling like you’re failing and start building confidence in your money system.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

✅ Why fluctuating savings happens for everyone

✅ The biggest mistake people make is declaring their savings as off limits

✅ How to start using your savings intentionally instead of emotionally reacting 

✅ A simple way to start building savings that works with your spending patterns

Episode Highlights

00:00 Why Savings Matters

00:36 The Yo-Yo Savings Cycle

02:33 The Stories We Tell Ourselves

04:19 Why Saving Feels Impossible

06:36 Savings Needs Labels

09:19 Three Questions to Fix It

11:51 How to Build Your Savings System

Grab a copy of the 7-Day Email Savings Challenge today!

Click HERE to read the full show notes

What topic or question would you love answered on the podcast?

Not sure what you need to do to make retirement happen? 

Let’s identify your priorities and next steps in a Retirement Strategy Session. Book your session today.

Looking to learn more about being retirement ready?

Join the Facebook community Retirement Ready Hub to continue the conversation and learn how to accelerate your retirement progress.

Wondering where your money actually goes each month? Get real answers on a money clarity call. Book yours today.

Connect with me

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/dalene.higgins/

[Ep 184]

If you’ve ever wondered why you feel out of control with your money even when you’re paying bills, saving for retirement, and carrying no balance on credit cards, this episode is for you.

Today I’m talking about why spending too much isn’t really the problem and why thinking you just need a stricter budget or more discipline may be keeping you stuck.

By the end of this episode, you’ll understand how a clear money system, built with visibility, structure, and intention, creates calm, clarity, and confidence so you can take control of your spending.

In this episode you’ll learn:

✅ Why does feeling out of control with your money happen even when bills are paid and saving is on track

✅ The biggest mistake people make when they try to fix spending stress is by being more stricter or thinking they need more discipline

✅ How to build a money system that provides calm with visibility, structure, and intention

✅ A simple way to start feeling confident and in control of your financial decisions

Episode Highlights

00:00 Overspending vs Unease

00:54 Why It Feels Out of Control

03:18 Systems Beat Discipline

06:28 Three System Essentials

06:36 Visibility Made Simple

07:21 Structure That Supports With Intention

12:21 Clarity Over Restriction

Blog Post: 3 Ways to Make Your Money Feel More In Control

Related Episode:

A Money System For Practical Spending and Stress Free Saving

What topic or question would you love answered on the podcast?

Not sure what you need to do to make retirement happen? 

Let’s identify your priorities and next steps in a Retirement Strategy Session. Book your session today.

Looking to learn more about being retirement ready?

Join the Facebook community Retirement Ready Hub to continue the conversation and learn how to accelerate your retirement progress.

Wondering where your money actually goes each month? Get real answers on a money clarity call. Book yours today.

Connect with me

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/dalene.higgins/

[Ep 183]

If you’ve ever wondered why money feels so out of control, even when you make good money, this episode is for you.

Today I’m talking about why your money can look fine on paper but still feel out of control and why it’s not actually about needing more discipline or a stricter budget.

By the end of this episode, you’ll understand what’s really causing that disconnect so you can start feeling more confident and at ease with your spending.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

✅ Why your money can look good on paper but still feel out of control

✅ The biggest mistake people make when they assume they need a better budget to fix it

✅ How to identify what’s actually missing in your current approach to money

✅ A simple way to start creating more structure and clarity so you feel in control

Episode Highlights

00:00 Feeling Out of Control

02:43 Blaming Discipline

04:26 Stable Yet Unsettled

06:12 Guilt After Spending

09:02 Not Really Overspending

13:57 Organize Money, Not Cut

14:52 Next Steps

Link to full blog post

What topic or question would you love answered on the podcast?

Not sure what you need to do to make retirement happen? 

Let’s identify your priorities and next steps in a Retirement Strategy Session. Book your session today.

Looking to learn more about being retirement ready?

Join the Facebook community Retirement Ready Hub to continue the conversation and learn how to accelerate your retirement progress.

Wondering where your money actually goes each month? Get real answers on a money clarity call. Book yours today.

Connect with me

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/dalene.higgins/