Are you prepared for the Great Wealth Transfer?

The Great Wealth Transfer is about to happen: $124 trillion moving from baby boomers to the next generation over the next two decades. But there's one problem.

Here’s what’s inside:

• Women will inherit $124 trillion (but may not be ready)

• Why 401(k) investors are ditching stocks for bonds

• Social Security check is stuck in limbo

• Why your auto insurance is ridiculously expensive

P.S. If you want to talk through your own finances, you can book a free 1-hour coaching call here ☎️

Women will inherit $124 trillion. Most aren’t prepared.

The Great Wealth Transfer is happening. Over the next 23 years, $124 trillion will pass from baby boomers to heirs, widows, and charities. Women are set to receive 70% of it, according to Bank of America.

That sounds like good news, except for one problem: many women aren't financially prepared to manage it.

Financial experts highlighted what they call the "confidence gap" in financial planning. A JPMorgan study found that 60% of men take the lead on long-term financial plans, compared to just 25% of women. It's not about knowledge — it's about confidence to take an active role in growing investments.

Women often absorb damaging money stories from childhood, face caregiving responsibilities that disrupt careers, live longer (meaning higher healthcare costs), and deal with pay inequity that compounds over decades. These factors create a perfect storm of financial insecurity.

If this hits home for you, here's what you can do:

💜 Schedule a "money date" this month: Block 2 hours to review all accounts, investments, and insurance policies. Know what you have, where it is, and how to access it. If your partner handles finances, make them walk you through everything.

💜 Ask the inheritance question: If you're expecting to inherit money, have an honest conversation with your parents now. What assets exist? Where are the documents? Who's the executor? It's awkward, but it's necessary.

💜 Start small with investing: Open a Roth IRA and automate $50-100/month. Watch it grow. The confidence comes from doing, not from reading about it. You don't need to be an expert to start.

💜 Find your money community: Join a financial planning group, follow financial educators who resonate with you, or work with an advisor who specializes in working with women. You're not alone in this.

Building a financial plan that works for your life? We can help with that. Book a free 1-hour coaching call here.

Why 401(k) investors are ditching stocks for bonds

401(k) investors are pulling money out of stocks and piling into bonds. September saw a mass exodus from stocks to safer assets like bonds, stable value funds, and money market accounts.

On 20 out of 21 trading days in September, net flows favored fixed income over equities. Bond funds attracted 39% of new money, while large-cap stock funds saw 38% of outflows. Even as the S&P 500 hit record highs, investors chose safety over growth.

What's driving the shift? A few things: the looming government shutdown, ongoing job market weakness, and general economic uncertainty had people spooked. Some investors were probably rebalancing after stocks gained 13% year-to-date. Others might have been panic-selling.

Here's the problem: financial advisors consistently warn against trying to time the market. You risk selling low and missing the recovery. If you move to bonds right before stocks surge, you lock in opportunity cost. And if you're young with decades until retirement, you're giving up serious growth potential.

What this means for your money:

💰 Don't panic sell: If you're more than 10 years from retirement, time is your biggest asset. Market dips are buying opportunities, not exit signals.

💰 Check your allocation: If you haven't looked at your 401(k) in years, now's the time. Are you actually in the right funds for your age and risk tolerance?

💰 Target-date funds exist for a reason: If you're constantly second-guessing your choices, a target-date fund automatically rebalances as you age. Set it and forget it.

💰 Bonds aren't risk-free: Yes, they're safer than stocks, but they come with lower returns. In high inflation environments, bonds can actually lose purchasing power.

Not sure if your retirement strategy makes sense? We'll help you stress-test it. Book a free 1-hour coaching call here.

Social security check is in limbo

The government shutdown just delayed the annual Social Security cost-of-living adjustment announcement. Originally scheduled for last Wednesday, it's now pushed to October 24.

About 70.6 million people rely on Social Security benefits, and the projected 2.7% COLA increase likely won't keep pace with rising costs (especially healthcare). The problem? COLA is calculated using the Consumer Price Index, which doesn't account for expenses typical to older Americans. Lawmakers have proposed switching to a senior-specific index (CPI-E), but that legislation keeps stalling.

Meanwhile, Social Security's trust fund will only pay full benefits through 2034. After that, it drops to 81% unless Congress acts.

What you need to know:

💜 Benefit adjustments will still happen: Despite the delay in announcing the COLA, Social Security confirmed that retirement and SSI benefits will adjust on January 1, 2026 as planned.

💜 If you're decades from retirement: Don't count on Social Security being your primary income source. Build your savings like Social Security might not exist at current levels.

💜 If you're near retirement: Run the numbers on when to claim benefits. Delaying from 62 to 70 increases your monthly payment significantly, but only if you can afford to wait.

💜 If you're currently receiving benefits: Budget conservatively. A 2.7% increase might not keep pace with your actual expenses, especially if healthcare costs are rising faster than the CPI accounts for.

Need help building a retirement plan? Book a call here.

Why your auto insurance is so expensive (and what to do about it)

Full coverage auto insurance typically costs between $1,500 and $2,200 annually. If you're paying more than that, you're not alone… but you also don't have to accept it. Here’s a full guide.

Auto insurance premiums vary wildly based on factors both within and outside your control. Your driving record, credit score, location, age, and even the type of car you drive all impact what you pay. Some insurers jack up rates after just one claim, while others penalize you for letting coverage lapse, even briefly.

Need help optimizing your budget to save on specific expenses? Book a free 1-hour coaching call here.

 Worth the Click This Week

💰Why year-end is Roth conversion season: Financial advisors typically wait until Q4 to execute Roth conversions because you have a clearer picture of your income. But there are exceptions to this rule. Here's when to convert earlier. Read the strategy »

💼 Small business sentiment weakens: Small business owners are increasingly worried about inflation and revenue as economic uncertainty persists. Despite some optimism, concerns are mounting. Read the findings »

🏦 How much do you really need to retire?: Planning to retire at 62? Here's what the numbers say about retirement savings benchmarks and whether you're on track. Crunch the numbers »

💼 The conversation you need to have with your parents: 43% of boomers have zero retirement savings. If your parents are among them, you need to know now and not when they're facing eviction. Learn how to navigate this »