Saturday, October 17th. Medicare's Future, Courageous Money Conversations, and Ageless Confidence

Hey, Lisa, I read something recently, and it really got me thinking about what it means to be included in a financial relationship.

So I thought this would be a great discussion to have with you.

It was specifically about couples and financial advisors, and the advice was actually surprisingly basic.

All right, get this.

Look at both spouses.

Ask both spouses questions.

Don't let the more dominant person continually answer for the other.

Make sure that both people understand what's happening.

And, you know, I'm sitting here thinking, wait a minute, that's not really a financial planning issue.

That's an inclusion issue because you can invite someone into a meeting without actually inviting them into the conversation.

That's exactly right.

You know, inclusion isn't simply giving someone a seat at the table.

It's making sure that they have a voice at the table and then being intentional about hearing both perspectives.

So presence is physical and inclusion is purposeful.

Oh, and on the other side of the table, we know it.

You better believe it.

I mean, if I'm sitting there and I'm invited along with my partner and you've got an advisor across the way patting themselves on the back because I actually came, I know if I'm being included or not.

So, you know, great, great.

They're both there.

But who does the advisor actually look at? Who gets asked the questions? Who gets the more complicated explanation? Who gets interrupted? That's a huge one.

And who does the advisor turn to when it's time to make a decision?

Oh man, these little small interactions really speak volumes because inclusion means being intentional about how we engage, not making assumptions about who understands more or who leads or who makes the decisions.

Our job isn't just to advise the couple, it's to make sure each person feels valued and heard.

Oh, you know what? Spot on.

So this isn't automatically about husband and wife, because sometimes the wife's the money person.

Hey, Lisa, I read something recently, and it really got me thinking about what it means to be included in a financial relationship.

So I thought this would be a great discussion to have with you.

It was specifically about couples and financial advisors, and the advice was actually surprisingly basic.

All right, get this.

Look at both spouses.

Ask both spouses questions.

Don't let the more dominant person continually answer for the other.

Make sure that both people understand what's happening.

And, you know, I'm sitting here thinking, wait a minute, that's not really a financial planning issue.

That's an inclusion issue because you can invite someone into a meeting without actually inviting them into the conversation.

That's exactly right.

You know, inclusion isn't simply giving someone a seat at the table.

It's making sure that they have a voice at the table and then being intentional about hearing both perspectives.

So presence is physical and inclusion is purposeful.

Oh, and on the other side of the table, we know it.

You better believe it.

I mean, if I'm sitting there and I'm invited along with my partner and you've got an advisor across the way patting themselves on the back because I actually came, I know if I'm being included or not.

So, you know, great, great.

They're both there.

But who does the advisor actually look at? Who gets asked the questions? Who gets the more complicated explanation? Who gets interrupted? That's a huge one.

And who does the advisor turn to when it's time to make a decision?

Oh man, these little small interactions really speak volumes because inclusion means being intentional about how we engage, not making assumptions about who understands more or who leads or who makes the decisions.

Our job isn't just to advise the couple, it's to make sure each person feels valued and heard.

Oh, you know what? Spot on.

So this isn't automatically about husband and wife, because sometimes the wife's the money person.