Should a Widow Pay Off Her House?

Summary

In this podcast episode, we explore Julie’s unique path as a widow. After her husband's unexpected passing from an aortic aneurysm, Julie's financial situation took an unexpected turn. Unlike many widows who face financial challenges, Julie's finances significantly improved following her husband's death.

Throughout their 15-year marriage, Julie and her husband faced substantial financial setbacks due to his spending habits and addictions. They constantly struggled to stay afloat, resulting in the loss of their house, persistent debt, and an inability to save or invest for retirement. However, since becoming a widow, Julie has undergone a remarkable transformation.

Julie has successfully rebuilt her credit, eliminated her debt, and achieved financial stability. She has been able to purchase a new house and car, save for retirement, and even expand her family by adopting a daughter and welcoming several grandchildren. Inspired by her own journey, Julie has connected with other widows and widowers, leading her to establish a charity called Ministering Angels. This organization aims to provide much-needed assistance to widows and widowers who find themselves in desperate need.

Resources

Visit Julie’s charity website: https://wwministeringangels.org/ 

If you would like to learn more about Rock House Financial and the services offered see our website https://rockhousefinancial.com/

Information expressed does not take into account your specific situation or objectives, and is not intended as recommendations appropriate for any individual. Listeners are encouraged to seek advice from a qualified tax, legal, or investment adviser to determine whether any information presented may be suitable for their specific situation. 

RH Advisors, LLC dba Rock House Financial is an SEC registered investment adviser and the opinions expressed on this show do not reflect the opinions of Rock House Financial or any sponsors of the podcast. All statements and opinions expressed are based upon information considered reliable although it should not be relied upon as such. Any statements or opinions are subject to change without notice.

Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies.  Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed.  Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

Summary

Karen faced significant hardships after the tragic motorcycle accident that took her husband's life. Suddenly finding herself as a single mother of six children, Karen had to navigate through various obstacles to ensure the well-being of her family.

 Having recently relocated from Michigan to Idaho, Karen and her husband were in the midst of selling their Michigan home and purchasing a new one in Idaho. However, her husband's untimely passing caused Karen to have to shoulder the responsibility of finding full-time employment while also finding a new place to live and struggling to sell their previous home in Michigan.  

After being a stay-at-home mother for two decades, Karen recognized the need to enhance her skills and education to secure stable employment. She made the decision to go back to school and pursue further education in administrative assistance. Throughout the episode, Karen shares her experiences of juggling work and financial challenges while raising her children.

Despite the rocky economy, Karen recounts the blessings and strategies that helped her stay financially afloat. She discusses the steps she took to maintain stability, including seeking professional help, getting financial assistance, and making wise financial decisions. Through her determination and resilience, Karen was able to achieve financial stability, retire, and feel secure about her future.

Resources

This testimonial was provided by a current client. The client was not compensated, nor are there material conflicts of interest that would affect the given statement.  The statement may not be representative of the experience of other current clients and does not provide a guarantee of future performance success or similar services. 

If you would like to learn more about Rock House Financial and the services offered see our website https://rockhousefinancial.com/

Information expressed does not take into account your specific situation or objectives, and is not intended as recommendations appropriate for any individual. Listeners are encouraged to seek advice from a qualified tax, legal, or investment adviser to determine whether any information presented may be suitable for their specific situation. 

RH Advisors, LLC dba Rock House Financial is an SEC registered investment adviser and the opinions expressed on this show do not reflect the opinions of Rock House Financial or any sponsors of the podcast. All statements and opinions expressed are based upon information considered reliable although it should not be relied upon as such. Any statements or opinions are subject to change without notice.

Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies.  Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed.  Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

Summary

In this podcast episode, we have the privilege of interviewing Chris Bentley, a financial advisor. Chris' journey began when he encountered a dear friend who had recently become widowed and realized the lack of resources available to support widows in similar situations. Rather than standing idly by, Chris decided to seize the opportunity to make a difference.

In 2018, Chris founded Wings for Widows, a remarkable non-profit organization. Wings for Widows aims to provide invaluable coaching on financial and legal matters to both men and women who have lost their spouse. Despite not being widowed himself, Chris recognized the urgent need to offer guidance and support to those facing the challenges of widowhood.

Through Wings for Widows, Chris has discovered that many widows lack the necessary resources and information to navigate their financial and legal decisions during such a devastating time. By offering coaching services, Chris and his team empower widows and widowers to avoid potentially devastating mistakes.

Join us in this inspiring podcast episode as we delve into Chris Bentley's journey and learn more about the incredible work being done by Wings for Widows. Together, we can shed light on the critical need for support and provide hope to those who have experienced profound loss.

Resources

Visit Chris’ website: https://www.wingsforwidows.org/

If you would like to learn more about Rock House Financial and the services offered see our website https://rockhousefinancial.com/

Information expressed does not take into account your specific situation or objectives, and is not intended as recommendations appropriate for any individual. Listeners are encouraged to seek advice from a qualified tax, legal, or investment adviser to determine whether any information presented may be suitable for their specific situation. 

RH Advisors, LLC dba Rock House Financial is an SEC registered investment adviser and the opinions expressed on this show do not reflect the opinions of Rock House Financial or any sponsors of the podcast. All statements and opinions expressed are based upon information considered reliable although it should not be relied upon as such. Any statements or opinions are subject to change without notice.

Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies.  Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed.  Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

Summary

Just one month shy of their 20th wedding anniversary, Emily was widowed unexpectedly at the age of 37 due to Covid. Emily’s husband, Nathan, was the core of their family as the stay at home dad. They have 4 children who were ages 10 - 19 at the time. Emily shares how she left her corporate job and became self-employed founding Brave Widow and the membership community to help other young widows navigate grief, heal their heart, find hope, and dream again for their future. Not having debt gave her a lot of flexibility to pivot to a new career that fit her family. She shares other tips on changing her career and investing in real estate.

Resources

Emily references this book “The Grief Recovery Method Handbook” https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/books/grief-recovery-handbook-src

Find Emily’s podcast and coaching program here: https://www.bravewidow.com/podcasts/brave-widow-show

If you would like to learn more about Rock House Financial and the services offered see our website https://rockhousefinancial.com/

Information expressed does not take into account your specific situation or objectives, and is not intended as recommendations appropriate for any individual. Listeners are encouraged to seek advice from a qualified tax, legal, or investment adviser to determine whether any information presented may be suitable for their specific situation. 

RH Advisors, LLC dba Rock House Financial is an SEC registered investment adviser and the opinions expressed on this show do not reflect the opinions of Rock House Financial or any sponsors of the podcast. All statements and opinions expressed are based upon information considered reliable although it should not be relied upon as such. Any statements or opinions are subject to change without notice.

Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies.  Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed.  Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

When you get a big windfall like life insurance, should you use it to pay off your house? Or if you have extra monthly income should it go to paying off your house or saving? This depends on many different factors. It can be different for each individual. Consider your priorities and situation, seek help from a professional, and don’t feel rushed to make a decision.

If you would like to learn more about Rock House Financial and the services offered see our website https://rockhousefinancial.com/

Information expressed does not take into account your specific situation or objectives, and is not intended as recommendations appropriate for any individual. Listeners are encouraged to seek advice from a qualified tax, legal, or investment adviser to determine whether any information presented may be suitable for their specific situation. 

RH Advisors, LLC dba Rock House Financial is an SEC registered investment adviser and the opinions expressed on this show do not reflect the opinions of Rock House Financial or any sponsors of the podcast. All statements and opinions expressed are based upon information considered reliable although it should not be relied upon as such. Any statements or opinions are subject to change without notice.

Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies.  Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed.  Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

Kimberly’s husband died by suicide after being married for a very short time. They had started the process of combining finances when they first got married, including changing wills and beneficiaries. Due to this being a second marriage and such a short marriage it created conflict in the family. Kimberly had to cut her losses and make a lot of financial sacrifices to not turn it into a battle. She felt the best way to respect her husband was to work respectfully with his family. And she needed the money issues to be done so she could heal her heart. She shares lessons that more communication with children should have happened, beneficiaries maybe should not have been changed, and the decision to not have a prenup is discussed.

If you would like to learn more about Rock House Financial and the services offered see our website https://rockhousefinancial.com/

Information expressed does not take into account your specific situation or objectives, and is not intended as recommendations appropriate for any individual. Listeners are encouraged to seek advice from a qualified tax, legal, or investment adviser to determine whether any information presented may be suitable for their specific situation. 

RH Advisors, LLC dba Rock House Financial is an SEC registered investment adviser and the opinions expressed on this show do not reflect the opinions of Rock House Financial or any sponsors of the podcast. All statements and opinions expressed are based upon information considered reliable although it should not be relied upon as such. Any statements or opinions are subject to change without notice.

Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies.  Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed.  Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

One of the big reasons I see that people struggle to live on a budget or keep an emergency fund is because they are not planning for annual expenses. They consider regular monthly expenses in their budget but forget about the annual life insurance bill or the home and car maintenance. In this episode, I talk about how sinking funds or annual funds can help create a more realistic budget or spending plan. Many of these expenses are predictable and should be planned in your monthly spending allowance.

If you would like to learn more about Rock House Financial and the services offered see our website https://rockhousefinancial.com/

Information expressed does not take into account your specific situation or objectives and is not intended as recommendations appropriate for any individual. Listeners are encouraged to seek advice from a qualified tax, legal, or investment adviser to determine whether any information presented may be suitable for their specific situation. 

RH Advisors, LLC dba Rock House Financial is an SEC registered investment adviser and the opinions expressed on this show do not reflect the opinions of Rock House Financial or any sponsors of the podcast. All statements and opinions expressed are based upon information considered reliable although it should not be relied upon as such. Any statements or opinions are subject to change without notice.

Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies.  Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed.  Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

Missy was in her 20s when her husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor after just a few short years of marriage. Missy was able to quit her job and be his full-time caregiver. After seeing her father-in-law pass away and what his mom went through, they realized they needed to prepare for Stephen’s death. The gift he wanted to give Missy was to make sure everything was taken care of for her, such as titling the cars in her name, planning a funeral, putting the bank accounts in her name, and making his wishes known. Missy shares what a different and better experience it was for her as a widow that they were able to take care of so many things before Stephen died.

If you would like to learn more about Rock House Financial and the services offered see our website https://rockhousefinancial.com/

Information expressed does not take into account your specific situation or objectives and is not intended as recommendations appropriate for any individual. Listeners are encouraged to seek advice from a qualified tax, legal, or investment adviser to determine whether any information presented may be suitable for their specific situation. 

RH Advisors, LLC dba Rock House Financial is an SEC registered investment adviser and the opinions expressed on this show do not reflect the opinions of Rock House Financial or any sponsors of the podcast. All statements and opinions expressed are based upon information considered reliable although it should not be relied upon as such. Any statements or opinions are subject to change without notice.

Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies.  Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed.  Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

Jasmine’s husband was diagnosed with terminal cancer while Jasmine was pregnant. There was no conversation about what would happen after he passed away. She was so unprepared for all the decisions she had to make when she was already so overwhelmed. She felt very alone, had no peers or other young widows that she knew. She couldn’t believe there was no one to help her when she felt she could not function. Years later she started her own business to be an after-loss professional, which is like a project manager or social worker to help people work through all the to-do’s after death. Her business is called Compass Coordinators. And she has started a training program to help train other people to be after-loss professionals. As a young widow, Jasmine had to work through what debt she was responsible for, how to fix an incorrect death certificate, and how to go back to work. Her biggest lesson was bad things can happen but that means good things can happen too.

Find Jasmine’s training program to become an After Loss Professional here https://www.afterlosspros.com/

Find Jasmine’s Business here https://www.compasscoordinators.com/

Find Jasmine on Instagram @compasscoordinators

If you would like to learn more about Rock House Financial and the services offered see our website https://rockhousefinancial.com/

Information expressed does not take into account your specific situation or objectives and is not intended as recommendations appropriate for any individual. Listeners are encouraged to seek advice from a qualified tax, legal, or investment adviser to determine whether any information presented may be suitable for their specific situation. 

RH Advisors, LLC dba Rock House Financial is an SEC registered investment adviser and the opinions expressed on this show do not reflect the opinions of Rock House Financial or any sponsors of the podcast. All statements and opinions expressed are based upon information considered reliable although it should not be relied upon as such. Any statements or opinions are subject to change without notice.

Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies.  Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed.  Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

Many widows on our podcast have shared how valuable a financial advisor has been in their financial journey, so how do you find a financial advisor. Summer and Nicole discuss the issues when searching for an advisor and some tips on what to look for.

Here are some places to find a fee only financial advisor:

https://www.feeonlynetwork.com/

https://www.napfa.org/financial-planning/how-to-find-an-advisor

If you would like to learn more about Rock House Financial and the services offered see our website https://rockhousefinancial.com/

Information expressed does not take into account your specific situation or objectives, and is not intended as recommendations appropriate for any individual. Listeners are encouraged to seek advice from a qualified tax, legal, or investment adviser to determine whether any information presented may be suitable for their specific situation. 

RH Advisors, LLC dba Rock House Financial is an SEC registered investment adviser and the opinions expressed on this show do not reflect the opinions of Rock House Financial or any sponsors of the podcast. All statements and opinions expressed are based upon information considered reliable although it should not be relied upon as such. Any statements or opinions are subject to change without notice.

Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies.  Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed.  Past performance is not indicative of future performance.