Smart Planning 101

In this short episode, nationally recognized pet planning expert Peggy Hoyt shares the "one thing" she wishes EVERY pet owner would do when it comes to planning for their pets. Pet trust, pet legacy planning. Read show notes: www.SmartPlanning101.com/13 Listen to the full interview: www.SmartPlanning101.com/10

The continuation of executive leadership coach Steve Frank's family story of his mother's Alzheimer's diagnosis and treatment. What you will learn in this episode: -Steve continues the story of the emergency move of his mother out of the house to an Alzheimer’s memory care facility; -How many Alzheimer’s patients are healthy in body and what the effect of that may mean financially to families; -Steve’s experience when his mother insisted on coming living with him instead of remaining at the facility and what he learned was the correct way to cope with this; -The challenges of how the effects of anesthesia affect an Alzheimer’s patient; -How, despite the intention and promises to never sell their parent’s house, that is what happened and how that ultimately was the right thing for his parents; -How, despite his mother’s apparent lack of recognition of most things, she consciously attempted to refuse food; -Steve’s feelings on letting go; -How long term care insurance played a major role in his family’s experience; -How generational feelings, especially relating to what generations see as issues of “pride” can obstruct or change financial decision-making; -The pain of breaking promises but how breaking those promises may be the best thing to do; -His experience as a member of the "sandwich generation" of moving his mother to a long term care facility at the beginning of the week and his son to his college dorm room at the end of the week; -And the biggest lessons to be learned from making hard decisions! Learn more, comment and read the show notes: www.SmartPlanning101.com/12

Even though wills are one of the, if not the, most familiar legal document there is, the fact of the matter is, most people don’t really understand how they work. Unfortunately, wrong information gets perpetuated by the talking heads of conventional wisdom…and bad decisions are made as a result. Is a will right for you? Are you sure? This episode is about getting rid of some of these misconceptions. I (Nicole) talk about 5 of the most common things people don't know about wills, and why they are crucial to smart planning. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: -Why a will is your ticket into probate court -How wills create a perfect situation for predators that may be interested in what you're leaving behind (no privacy for your loved ones!) -Why what your will says is often not what actually happens -How wills are of limited use - and don't do anything for you during life -How the ultimate cost of a will is much higher that you probably realize Read show notes, get our free report: www.SmartPlanning101.com/11

Even though for many, pets are as dear as children, the laws definitely don't see it that way. Unless you plan, your pet is no more important, legally, than a piece of furniture. That being said, Americans seriously love their pets! According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, 63% of American households have pets. A survey conducted by the American Animal Hospital Association shows that 57% of pet owners say that, if stranded on a desert island, they would prefer their pet as their sole companion. In 2012, we collectively spent $53 BILLION dollars on pet care. Men spend, on average, more than women! 5 BILLION is spent on pet gifts! Despite the fact that we love our pets so much, most people fail to plan. This simple fact is part of the reason that it is estimated that approximately 3.7 million animals were euthanized in the nation’s shelters in 2008. Don't let this happen you your vulnerable loved one! Join me as I discuss pet planning with nationally renowned expert and author of All My Children Wear Fur Coats - How to Leave A Legacy For Your Pet, Peggy Hoyt, as she offers some great tips on how to properly plan for pets, and really gives perspective on why it is important -- even if you think that you "already have it taken care of." Read the show notes, and learn more: www.SmartPlanning101.com/10

In this continuation of my discussion with nationally recognized expert on VA Improved Pension, Jim Swain, we continue to discuss the dangers of recommendations and the use of financial products such as annuities for VA Improved Pension (and estate) planning, as well as when you should see an attorney to discuss this benefit, how your financial power of attorney is usually wrong but needs to be right when doing planning, when family members need to start getting involved, why seeing a specialist is so important, and more. To read the show notes and learn more about VA Improved Pension, visit: www.SmartPlanning101.com/9

Learn more about how we can help our elderly Veterans, or their spouses, widows and widowers, that are in need of long term or at home care with a little known, but extremely valuable benefit: the Veteran’s Improved Pension (which is commonly known as “Aid & Attendance”). Jim Swain, a nationally recognized expert on VA Improved Pension planning, discusses with host Nicole Wipp in this episode: -Jim’s background, and why this area of law is very satisfying (how much we can help people!) -What the Veteran’s Improved Pension is (a benefit people call “Aid & Attendance”) -What the Veteran’s Administration will tell you about qualifying for the benefit (and why they’re WRONG) -How the written and unwritten rules play into getting this benefit for people -What it takes to get qualified for the benefit -What a family member or spouse should do if they are told they have too much money to qualify -The dangers of allowing a financial planner, annuity salesperson or insurance person to get you/a loved one qualified for Veteran’s Improved Pension – how it can cause financial, tax, and inheritance problems To hear part 2 of this interview, subscribe to our podcast! Read the show notes and learn more by visiting: http://www.smartplanning101.com/8

Certified Exit Coach Bill Black discusses how approaching retirement for business owners can be a time that is difficult, especially when you're used to working. At the same time, however, it is a great opportunity to "re-wire" and do the things you've always wanted to do. The key? Smart Planning! Listen to Bill's entire interview: www.SmartPlanning101.com/5

Leadership Coach Steve Frank's "Smart Minute" planning tip is revealed when he discusses taking a leadership role in long term care issues for parents, in light of his experience as both a professional executive leadership coach and his personal experiences with his mother's Alzheimers. Listen to Steve's entire interview, and read our show notes: www.SmartPlanning101.com/2

Bill Black from ExitCoachRadio.com shares the "10 Common Threads of Business Exit Planning" with Nicole; how and why exit planning for business owners is crucial (especially business owners over the age of 50) and how you can maximize your exit by ensuring a smooth, hassle-free, and most importantly LUCRATIVE exit strategy!

What is the Smart Planning 101 Podcast all about? In this short episode, host Nicole Wipp discusses why she started this podcast, what you can expect, and the importance of Smart Planning!

Nicole gives advice to anyone contemplating divorce about keeping your head on straight, planning for the rest of your life, understanding what divorce DOESN'T do for you, who you need on your team, and more.

Steve Frank, an executive leadership coach and CEO of Evolution 360, discusses his family's journey after his mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. In this interview, he tells us about the challenges the family faced, which -over and above caring for mom - including managing legal and financial issues, helping his father cope with the emotional toll and ultimately the physical toll of caregiving, how to make decisions about impossible issues without creating self-doubt and family conflict, and why taking a leadership role in times of healthcare crisis is crucial.

In this episode, host Bert Martinez from Money for Lunch podcast (and soon to be published author of the book "Created to Succeed") interviews Nicole Wipp. In this interview, he asks Nicole several great questions, like - what is the difference between estate planning and elder law? At what age should people be thinking about this? How can people protect their assets? Why should we (or our parents) be planning for long term care - what are the financial effects? Nicole and Bert also discuss the problem with avoiding thinking about these things (things we don't like to think about) - the lack of planning and what it can do for our loved ones. Finally, Bert realizes that it is time for him to update his own plan!