Finding Your Next Step in the Midst of Financial Chaos
“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying ‘I will try again tomorrow’.”
Last week, I posted some thoughts about parenting on Twitter, in response to a friend in the financial industry announcing that he and his wife are expecting a daughter.
To be clear - he had solicited advice about raising girls in the post. (Yes, I know better than to give unsolicited opinions about parenting! 😅) So I jumped right in with the first thought that came to mind:
“Raising strong, independent women is likely going to be the hardest thing I’ll do.”
And on God, I mean it.
Parenting has been a journey of continuous deaths and rebirths. So many times, I’ve hit the end of myself—the end of my patience, my strategies, and the tools I thought I had mastered. After many moments of still waking up the next day, still putting one foot in front of the other, I've now learned that those necessary “endings” are the beginning of something new—a time to let go of what no longer works and trust that I’ll uncover a new set of skills to meet the challenge.
I don’t know what’s harder: the dying or the trusting.
Things rarely go as planned with teenage girls. My barbell strength doesn’t matter in the court of their opinions. Their sky-high expectations of the life they deserve to live feel impossible to meet. I’ve had more than a few sleepless, tearful nights wondering if I’m modeling and teaching them what they need most. Wondering if I've given them the things they need to make it in this life. Wondering if they'll have the resilience needed to find their way once my shelter and strength can't cover them. So many wonderings.
Exhibit A: The End = The Beginning
For a long time, I thought resilience was about toughness: pushing through no matter what. But life—and parenting—has shown me that resilience is more nuanced. It’s not just about pushing forward. Sometimes, it’s about knowing when to pause, adapt, and begin again.
And importantly—as I continue to learn—resilience becomes stronger within the context of joy and connection:
Resilience and Financial Success
Resilience isn’t just a parenting skill—it’s a life skill. And no matter how old we are, life has a way of testing it.
For instance, I once met with a woman in her mid-50s—a nurse who dreamed of retiring in the near future. She and her husband had big plans: to travel, enjoy their “go-go” years with the grandkids, and check other items off their lifetime bucket list.
But as we talked, she shared how the last few years had upended those dreams. Inflation had quietly chipped away at their savings. Healthcare costs had blindsided them. And the day-to-day expenses they thought would ease up in retirement were instead becoming a source of stress.
Her goals for retirement felt like they were slipping away. She had spent sleepless nights running numbers, replaying past decisions, and wondering why she couldn’t figure it out on her own. She had always prided herself on being self-reliant for all these years, and being able to figure it out no matter what—so why did this now feel so impossible?
After months of stress, she finally reached out. Her first words?
“I don’t even know where to start.”
You’re Not Alone
Whether you’re 16, 56, or somewhere in between, life doesn’t always go as planned. Sometimes, it feels like the tools we’ve always relied on suddenly stop working, leaving us at a loss for what to do next.
For many women in their 50s and beyond, this moment comes when they look at their finances and wonder:
Did I save enough for retirement?
How do I protect myself from outliving my money?
What should I prioritize when everything feels urgent?
The good news? You don’t have to navigate these questions alone. And just like parenting, resilience in your financial life isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about taking the first step forward.
A Framework for Peace
If you’re feeling lost, here are three steps to help you regain clarity and control:
Step 1: Acknowledge Where You Are
The first step is to pause and take stock. Reflect on these questions:
What’s causing me the most stress?
What’s actually working well?
Where do I need help?
Writing these answers down can bring surprising clarity.
Step 2: Focus on What You Can Control
Prioritize Essentials: Start with the basics—housing, food, healthcare, and transportation. Map out your monthly expenses to identify areas for savings.
Prepare for the Unexpected: Build a small cushion for surprise expenses, even if it’s just a few dollars a month.
Maximize Income Streams: List all sources of income, from Social Security to pensions or part-time work. If additional income is needed, explore creative options like consulting or renting out unused space.
Step 3: Ask for Help
Reaching out can feel vulnerable, but it’s also a powerful act of resilience. A trusted financial planner can help you map out your next steps with confidence. If you’re unsure where to start:
Ask for Recommendations. Friends or family might know someone great.
Look for Credentials. A Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) can provide expertise and guidance.
Interview Advisors. The right professional will answer your questions without judgment or pressure.
Resilience in Action
The woman I mentioned earlier didn’t solve everything overnight. But by taking that first step, she started to see progress. Together, we:
Organized her finances.
Adjusted her spending.
Created a plan to handle future healthcare costs and get back on track with her retirement vision.
Most importantly, she found peace in knowing she wasn’t alone.
Your Next Step
Whatever your financial concerns—whether it’s preparing for retirement, navigating a major life transition, or just wanting to ensure you’re on track—I’m here to help.
💡 Your next step forward could be as simple as starting a conversation.
Click here to schedule a free consultation.
Or, send me a message with your biggest financial question. You don’t have to have it all figured out—I’ll help you take the first step.
You’ve Got This
Resilience isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about having the courage to start again when things don’t go as planned. And it's stronger when you lean into your trusted community.
Let’s work together to create a plan that gives you confidence in your financial future.
With Warmth & Strength,
~Jess
P.S. If you know someone who could benefit from this newsletter, please forward it. A little nudge might be all they need to get started. 🙏
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