Get Ready: Before Life Happens Podcast
Tony Steuer is a Financial Readiness Advocate, award-winning author, and host of Get Ready: Before Life Happens. Drawing on nearly 40 years of experience in insurance, financial education, and consumer advocacy, he helps people create their in-case-of-emergency plan, ask better questions, recognize red flags, and prepare before life happens.On this channel, you’ll find conversations with experts, authors, advocates, educators, and other trusted voices, along with practical ideas about financial readiness, life transitions, insurance, consumer protection, scams, and better money decisions.Create your own in-case-of-emergency plan when you Start your free Financial Readiness Plan at tonysteuer.com. Support Get Ready: Hel...
Rethinking Retirement and Unretirement
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What could retirement make possible in the next chapter of your life?
Richard Eisenberg, co-host of the Friends Talk Money podcast and writer of The View From Unretirement column for MarketWatch joined me on the Get Ready Before Life Happens podcast to talk about about unretirement, the connection between work and identity, and why everyone’s vision of retirement is different.
What Stood Out:
Why Planning for Caregiving Is a Gift to Your Family
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Early conversations about caregiving give families more choices when life changes.
Suzanne Scheer, founder of SGS Insurance Services, joined me on the Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast to talk about preparing for future care needs while everyone is healthy.
What Stood Out
Early conversations help families understand a loved one’s care preferences.Recognize caregiving’s financial and career impact, particularly on women.Understanding long-term care costs and coverage helps families prepare.Essential documents help families follow a loved one’s wishes...How to Age Wisely With Purpose and Intention
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Aging wisely begins with the choices, attitudes, and relationships that help us stay purposeful, resilient, and engaged through life’s later transitions.
Scott Fisher, co-author and co-founder of The Aging Wisely Project joined me on the Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast to talk about The Aging Wisely Project which draws on the life journeys of 52 elders between the ages of 70 and 96.
We explored the five GRASP skills: Gratitude, Resilience, Active Practices, Self-Integrity, and Purpose and how these learnable habits can help people nav...
How Your Money Story Shapes Your Financial Decisions
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How does knowing your money story change the financial decisions you make?
Kevin Feig, founder of Walk You To Wealth, financial advisor, educator, and author of Walk You To Wealth joined me on the Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast to talk about how to evaluate financial advice, why advisor compensation matters, and how childhood experiences influence financial decisions.
Key takeaways
Understand how childhood experiences shape your money story and financial decisions.Combine financial knowledge with an understanding of how you think and behave around money...How Kids Learn About Money by Making Real Choices
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What changes when children get to practice making money decisions for themselves?
In this episode, Tony Steuer talks with Braden Cobb, founder of Kidz Economy, about why financial education should be an ongoing experience, how children learn from their own decisions, and why everyday money conversations can help prepare them for the future.
Key takeaways
Give children opportunities to make age-appropriate money decisions and reflect on the results.Start with foundational ideas such as needs versus wants, saving...How to Build the Retirement That’s Right for You
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How can a clear view of your money help you build the future you want?
Barry Cothran joined me on Get Ready Before Life Happens to talk about why many people have a visibility problem rather than an income problem when thinking about retirement and how a written financial plan can replace uncertainty with knowledge and hope.
Key takeaways
🔹 Start by understanding where your money goes.
🔹 Define the retirement lifestyle that matters to you...
Why Human Connection Matters in the Age of AI
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How can AI create more time for the human connections that help businesses grow?
Derrick Kinney joined me on this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens to talk about using technology to create more time for clients and customers and focusing that time on the problems they want help solving. While AI can make businesses more efficient, human connection helps people feel understood.
While the conversation centers on financial advisors, the lessons apply to anyone who serves others: understand the problem, communicate simply, and become the...
Making Financial Planning Work for Women
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Women need financial planning that reflects real life.
Cary Carbonaro, author and CFP joined me on the Get Ready Before Life Happens podcast to talk about making financial planning work better for women. Cary shares why advisors need to listen first, educate clearly, and understand the real-life path behind the plan.
Key Takeaways
How to Create Your Forever Paycheck
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Retirement confidence grows when your savings become reliable income.
Jean Chatzky joined me on the Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast to talk about her new book, The Forever Paycheck. Jean explains why retirement planning needs to move beyond accumulation and focus on turning savings into income that can last for life. This conversation is about decumulation, annuities, spending confidence, women and retirement, values, and creating more freedom in the years ahead.
Key Takeaways
How to Have Better Money Conversations
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Better money conversations start with curiosity, structure, and a willingness to learn together.
Sheila Schroeder, author of “It’s Time to Talk: A Woman’s Guide to Navigating Money Conversations” joined me on the Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast to share practical ways to start money conversations and create a safe place to ask questions, and understand each other’s money stories with partners, parents, siblings, advisors, and family members.
Key Takeaways:
How to Help Your Parents As They Age
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Helping parents as they age starts with better conversations, clearer plans, and realistic expectations.
Elliott Appel, founder of Kindness Financial Planning and author of How to Help Your Parents As They Age joined me on the Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast to share practical ways families can talk about aging, understand wishes, organize documents, plan for care, and set healthy boundaries.
Key Takeaways
How to Build a Better Relationship With Money
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Your relationship with money shapes how you think, feel, give, and make decisions.
Ellen Rogin, CPA, CFP®, Author, Speaker and consultant joined me on Get Ready Before Life Happens to talk about building a healthier, more intentional relationship with money. Ellen shares how money beliefs are formed, why early money memories matter, and how generosity, visualization, and self-awareness can create more confidence and possibility.
Key Takeaways
Retirement Is More Than Money
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Retirement is a life transition, not just a financial event.
In this episode, Tony Steuer talks with Andrea Maizes, author of Your Next Edit, about planning for life after work with intention.
Andrea shares why retirement often involves identity, purpose, connection, time, family expectations, and experimentation. Her message is clear: do not wait until you retire to figure out what comes next.
Key Takeaways
How Small Savings Habits Build Financial Resilience
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Savings is an important step on the road to financial resilience.
Andrew Gall, Head of Savings and Economics at the Building Societies Association and a leader of UK Savings Week joined Tony on the Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast to talk about why saving is about more than pounds and pence. It is about habits, confidence, security, choices, and giving your future self more options.
Key Takeaways
Life Settlements and What to Do When a Policy No Longer Fits
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What if there were more options for your life insurance than you realized?
Lisa Rehburg, life settlement broker joins Tony on Get Ready Before Life Happens to talk about what people should know when a life insurance policy no longer fits. Lisa explains how life settlements work, why reviewing your options matters, and how to make more informed decisions before letting a policy lapse or surrendering it.
Key Takeaways
How Financial Infrastructure Turns Income Into Empowerment
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Income creates options when it is supported by strong financial systems.
Kahlilah Dowe, CFP®, founder of TrueWealth Solutions, joined me on Get Ready: Before Life Happens to talk about how education, structure, goals, and values can build confidence and economic empowerment.
Key Takeaways
Financial education builds confidence and expands opportunity.Strong systems help income support long-term goals.Knowing your numbers creates financial peace.Liquidity, goals and systems create stability.A financial do-over can begin with one courageous step.Your money s...Why Talking About Money Secrets Builds Financial Confidence
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Money shapes our choices, relationships, and confidence.
On this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens, I sit down with Wally Luckeydoo, educator and founder of Money Secret. We explore why money conversations matter, how anonymous money secrets help people feel less alone, and why financial literacy works best when it includes emotions, behavior, and real life.
Key Takeaways
Money conversations build trust and confidenceMoney secrets reveal the emotions behind financial decisionsSharing money stories helps people feel less aloneFinancial literacy d...Why Estate Planning Matters Sooner Than You Think
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Life can change quickly. Planning ahead, having the right conversations, and using tools like trusts can help protect what matters most.
Will Spencer, founder of Rest Easier joined me on Get Ready Before Life Happens to explore why estate planning is important for everyone, how families can protect assets from disappearing over time, and why early money conversations create more clarity and confidence across generations. Will shares practical ways to simplify planning, update beneficiaries, and help families prepare before life happens.
Key Takeaways
...Why Journaling May Be Your Most Valuable Skill
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Your story is one of your greatest assets.
Jed Collins, author of Fourth & Goal: An NFL Memoir, Grit, Survival, & Stories From Inside My Helmet joined me on the Get Ready Before Life Happens podcast to explore the power of journaling, why reflection helps shape personal growth, and how authenticity becomes even more valuable in the age of AI. Jed shares lessons from football, failure, entrepreneurship, and financial education, along with why capturing your story can help you better understand yourself, your goals, and the value you bring to t...
How Cognitive Biases Shape Your Money Decisions
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The way we think shapes the way we spend, invest, and make decisions.
Colin Hodge, founder and author of Outrageous Startup Growth joined me on this episode of the Get Ready Before Life Happens podcast to explore how psychology impacts financial decisions, why cognitive biases shape more of our lives than we realize, and how slowing down can help us make clearer and more intentional choices. Colin shares insights on growth mindset, entrepreneurship, AI, and the hidden forces that influence how we think, spend, and respond to risk.
How to Create an Aging Plan Before Life Happens
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Aging planning starts with conversations.
Lauren Clough, Co-Founder and CEO of bQuest joined me on the Get Ready Before Life Happens podcast to explore why aging plans matter, how early family conversations create clarity, and the important role financial planners and care professionals play in helping families navigate caregiving decisions. Lauren shares practical insights on aging in place, building support systems, and creating a plan that aligns with a family’s wishes and values.
Key Takeaways
Aging planning begins with understanding a person’s wishe...Better Money Conversations, Better Decisions
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Phil Weiss, Founder of Apprise Wealth joined Tony on this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens to talk about how understanding your financial situation, aligning your resources with your values, and having regular money conversations can help you navigate major life changes with more confidence and intention. Life transitions require clarity and confidence.
Key Takeaways
Your money story shapes how you make financial decisions.Knowing your financial situation helps you see what’s possible.Moving from your accumulation (saving) phase to your spending (decumulation) ph...What 300 Conversations Taught Me About Financial Readiness
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What can 300 conversations teach us about making thoughtful financial decisions and preparing for life?
After 300 conversations with guests from around the world, I’ve learned that access to financial information is only the beginning.
In this special solo episode, I share the Six Principles of Financial Readiness, a practical framework for connecting financial information with our goals, responsibilities, relationships, and real lives.
I explore why curiosity matters, how to recognize what may be missing, and what it...
Does It Make Sense? A Better Way to Make Spending Decisions
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A simple pause can change your financial life.
On this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens, I spoke with Karen Holland, founder of the nonprofit Gifting Sense and creator of the DIMS “Does It Make Sense?” Score Calculator.
We explore how slowing down leads to better decisions, why mindful friction improves spending, and how the DIMS framework helps you evaluate purchases with clarity. Karen shares how
to understand trade-offs, avoid common buying mistakes, and build habits that support long-t...
Talk About Money Now So You’re Ready When Life Happens
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Money conversations build clarity and confidence.
On this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens, I spoke with Tricia Daniel, TEDx speaker and founder of the Starting Over Wealth Network about how early, open money conversations create confidence, reduce fear, and help families stay prepared through life’s changes. Tricia shares how to overcome shame, communicate with clarity, and build a plan that supports both you and the people you care about.
Key Takeaways
🔹 Talking about money...
Why Do You Feel Behind Even With a Good Income?
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You can earn a solid income and still feel uncertain about your next financial step. This episode shows how to build clarity, confidence, and momentum.
On this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens, I sit down with Sandra Park, founder of Prosperous Panda and host of the Engineer Her Path Podcast.
We explore how earning more creates opportunity, and how clarity, identity, and communication turn that opportunity into progress. Sandra shares how to advocate for your value, strengthen your negotiation skills, and...
What Still Makes You Valuable in an AI-Driven World
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Your value grows when you learn how to combine AI with what only you can do as a human.
Nikki Barua, author, speaker and CEO & Co-Founder of FlipWork joined me on Get Ready Before Before Life Happens to talk about how AI is transforming how we work, earn, and create value.
Nikki shares how individuals and advisors can stay relevant by reinventing themselves, developing AI fluency and focusing on the skills that remain distinctly human. From empathy and judgment to action and accountability...
Every Money Decision You Make Sends a Signal
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Your money decisions show what matters most to you.
Cecile Biccari, sustainable finance specialist and author of Your Money and the World, joins me on the Get Ready: Before Life Happens Podcast to talk about sustainable finance, impact investing, and how everyday choices about spending, saving, investing, and giving can influence the world around us.
Cecile shares how sustainable finance connects everyday financial decisions with real-world impact. We also explore how to align money with your values, how environmental, social, and governance factors shape investment decisions, and why early...
Why Financial Confidence Takes More Than Just Money
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Financial success grows when your money aligns with the life you truly want.
Danqin Fang, CFP®, CFA, RLP®, founder and CEO of Wealth Beyond Math joined Tony on this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens to talk about how holistic financial planning evolves through a process of awareness, clarity, and alignment. Even people who appear to have everything in place often feel held back by fear, scarcity, or limiting beliefs.
This conversation explores how understanding your relationship with money helps you make more intentional decisions an...
Can You Learn Money in 2 Minutes a Day?
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Small, daily habits can turn financial confusion into confidence.
Emily Boxall, Founder of the 2Mins App joined Tony on this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens to talk about how gamification and bite-sized learning can transform financial education.
From quirky characters to two-minute lessons, Emily shares how making money more approachable, interactive, and judgment-free can help people build confidence and lasting financial habits.
Key Takeaways
Financial education works best when it is simple and a...Do People Make Better Money Decisions With Logic or Emotion?
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The best financial decisions happen when emotion opens the door and logic helps shape the plan.
Bill Comfort and Maxwell Schmitz joined Tony Steuer on this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens for a lively debate about whether people make better insurance and financial decisions through numbers and probabilities, or through a clear understanding of the real-life impact on the people they love?
This conversation explores where emotion, logic, and lived experience intersect, and why the best planning conversations need all three.
How to Build a Healthier Relationship With Money
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Money works best when it supports the life you want to live.
Dana Miranda, author, content creator, and money writer joined me on Get Ready Before Life Happens to talk about what it means to build a healthier, more empowering relationship with money.
We explored why traditional money advice often misses the lived experiences of women, people of color, and LGBTQ communities, and how understanding financial tools can replace fear with confidence and choice.
Key Takeaways
How Do You Know Who to Trust for Financial Advice?
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Financial decisions are becoming more complex every year. This episode explores how to find trusted expertise, ask better questions, and build confidence in the advice you follow.
Tom Dickson, founder of the Financial Experts Network joined me on this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens to explore why trusted expertise matters in today’s complex financial world, how advisors can better serve clients through collaboration and lifelong learning, and why understanding a person’s background and credentials is essential before following financial advice.
Recognizing Financial Abuse: How to Protect Yourself and Find Hope
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Financial abuse often leaves no visible signs. Recognizing the signs can be the first step toward protecting yourself and finding hope.
Sandhya Gopal, divorce financial planner joined Tony on Get Ready Before Life Happens to explore the warning signs of financial abuse and what women can do to protect themselves during major life transitions.
They discuss how financial control can be subtle and invisible, the importance of access to cash and trusted support, and how small steps and community can help move someone...
How Curiosity Helps Rewire Your Relationship With Money
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Better money decisions begin when we slow down enough to understand ourselves.
On this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens, Tony sits down with DonJay Rice to explore how curiosity, reflection, and emotional awareness can help rewire the way we think about money.
From scarcity mindset and workaholism to gratitude and values alignment, this conversation highlights how financial healing begins with asking better questions and taking one small step at a time.
Key Takeaways
<...Why Families Need to Talk About Money Before It’s Too Late
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The most important inheritance conversations are about trust, context, and relationships.
Emily Bouchard, TEDx speaker, founder of Family Focused Wealth, and host of the Wealth Coherence Podcast joins Tony on the Get Ready Before Life Happens podcast to talk about why families need safe, transparent conversations around money, trust, and inheritance.
They explore how trust, communication, and shared values help families build resilience, prepare beneficiaries, and reduce the emotional impact of inheritance and loss.
Key Takeaways<...
What It Really Takes to Settle an Estate
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Being named executor is more than a title. It’s a responsibility most people are not prepared for.
Julie Rains, author and storyteller joined me on this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens, to talk about the realities of settling a parent’s estate and what it truly means to serve as an executor.
Drawing from her personal journey, Julie shares practical lessons around cash flow, access to accounts, beneficiary designations, financial institutions, and why family conversations before a loss are one of t...
How Early Money Conversations Shape Financial Behavior
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What you learn about money as a child can shape your decisions for life.
On this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens, Tony talks with Dr. Bilal Pandow about how childhood experiences shape lifelong money habits, why even highly educated people struggle with financial decisions, and how simple, consistent conversations can help build confidence and better financial behaviors over time.
Key takeaways
🔹 Behavior is a central component of financial literacy, rather than just understanding concepts.
<...How to Build Financial Confidence in a New Country
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How do you build financial confidence in a new country?
It starts with learning how money works where you are.
On this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens, I spoke with Bisola Tijani, the Whiz Queen, about building financial confidence when navigating a new country, learning how money works in a different system, and taking ownership of your financial future.
Key Takeaways
🔹 Learn how money works where you...
Why Authentic Communication Builds Better Relationships
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It’s easier to be yourself, and that’s what builds real trust.
On this episode of Get Ready Before Life Happens, I spoke with Derek Pollard, founder of Constellar Creative, about why authentic communication is the foundation of strong relationships.
We explored how finding your voice, staying curious, and focusing on small human moments can help you build trust and communicate more effectively in a digital world.
Key takeaways
🔹 Authentic communication builds trust through...
