Dollars and Sense: Creating Your Fulfilled Life

Watching an adult child take their first steps into independence can be exciting, rewarding, and sometimes challenging. How can parents provide support without creating dependency? What conversations should families have when adult children continue living at home after graduation or while searching for employment? In this episode, Nicole Romito welcomes back Joyce Marter, LCPC, CSP®, licensed psychotherapist, keynote speaker, and author of The Financial Mindset Fix, for a discussion about helping young adults transition into financial independence. They explore the realities many families face as housing costs rise and employment challenges persist. Joyce shares practical approaches for balancing support with accountability, creating healthy financial boundaries, encouraging responsibility, and fostering open conversations about money. Key takeaways: Creating clear expectations early can help reduce misunderstandings and family tension later on Balancing support and accountability helps young adults build confidence and financial responsibility Understanding the financial impact on parents is essential before offering long-term assistance Open conversations about money can strengthen family relationships and reduce financial stress Healthy boundaries encourage independence while preserving supportive parent-child relationships And more! Resources: The Financial Mindset Fix by Joyce Marter Episode 87: Talking to Kids About College Costs and Money Mindset with Joyce Marter, LCPC, CSP® Connect with Nicole Romito: LinkedIn: Nicole Romito MyPrivateVista.com info@myprivatevista.com Call: 312-831-4370 Connect with Joyce Marter: LinkedIn: Joyce Marter Website: Joyce Marter About Our Guest: Internationally renowned mental health thought leader and financial mindset expert, Joyce Marter, considers it her life’s purpose to spread the Mental Wealth; to remove the shame and stigma from both mental health and financial stress and provide a global audience with practical strategies and tools to heal, recover, thrive and prosper. Joyce enjoys travel and has visited over 20 countries, with Thailand, Turkey and Ukraine being some of her favorites. She welcomes opportunities to travel internationally to speak at large conferences or events. While she only speaks English, she has experience collaborating with a translator during her talks.

When aging parents or loved ones need more care, families often face overwhelming choices. How do you balance emotions with practical decisions? What resources exist to guide families through health, financial, and housing challenges? In this episode of Dollar$ And $ense, Nicole Romito speaks with Jennifer Beach, Advanced Aging Life Care Professional at Advocate For Elders, LLC. She shares her experiences helping families manage transitions, from coordinating medical care to evaluating senior living communities, while highlighting the importance of advocacy and planning. Key takeaways: The role of an aging life care professional in supporting families through medical, financial, and emotional transitions Why long-distance caregiving creates added challenges and how local advocates help bridge the gap The importance of having a second set of eyes and ears at medical appointments How to effectively evaluate senior living communities beyond the marketing pitch The value of accreditation, ethics, and professional background when choosing an elder care resource And more! Previous Episodes of Interest: Aging Parents: How to Start the Conversation – Part 1 (Ep. 74) Aging Parents: What We Learned Caring for Our Parents – Part 2 (Ep. 75) Connect with Nicole Romito: LinkedIn: Nicole Romito MyPrivateVista.com info@myprivatevista.com Call: 312-831-4370 Connect with Jennifer Beach: LinkedIn: Jennifer Beach Advocate for Elders About Jennifer Beach: Jennifer Beach has 25 years of experience working with and advocating for older adults and their families. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work from The Ohio State University and a Master of Arts degree in Sociology from Cleveland State University. Jennifer started her career working over 15 years with older adults with developmental disabilities. After additional training she soon began Advocate For Elders. Jennifer is a licensed, insured Social Worker and an Advanced Aging Life Care® Professional. Jennifer served as the Midwest Chapter President of the Aging Life Care Association and served 7 years on the Board of Directors. In 2018, Jennifer was honored as the recipient of the ALCA Midwest Chapter Outstanding Member of the Year Award. Jennifer is also a monthly contributor and author for Northeast Ohio Boomer and Beyond. IN 2022, she received first place in the Senior Issues Category at the North American Mature Publishers Association for her contribution to NE Ohio Boomer and Beyond.

Starting the conversation about a parent’s care isn’t easy, but it might be the most important discussion you ever have. In this deeply personal episode, Nicole Romito is joined by her Private Vista partners Jeff Toner and Steve Merdinger for part one of a two-part series on navigating the emotional and practical challenges of aging parents who can no longer live independently. Together, they reflect on their own family journeys and what they’ve learned from decades of guiding clients through this pivotal life moment. What to expect: Real stories of loss, transition, and tough family decisions When and how to start the conversation before a crisis strikes How power of attorney can (and should) come into play Navigating sibling dynamics and keeping your parents’ voice central And more! Previous Episodes of Interest: Annuities 101 with Steve Merdinger (Ep. 24) Finding Purpose Beyond Financial Independence with Jeff Toner (Ep. 57) Connect with Nicole Romito: LinkedIn: Nicole Romito MyPrivateVista.com info@myprivatevista.com Call: 312-831-4370 Connect with Steve Merdinger: LinkedIn: Steve Merdinger ChFC®, CFP® Connect with Jeff Toner: LinkedIn: Jeffrey Toner ChFC® About Jeff Toner: Over the 30 years of doing this work, Jeff has lived many lives through my clients. He has been with them in moments of great joy and cried with them during their times of sadness. He has taught and educated them, but more importantly, he has been taught and learned from them as well. As a father of three and business owner, Jeff enjoys an enriched life. He channels his time, talents, and energy between family and friends, clients and colleagues, as well as causes that provide a path for those without the opportunities he’s had. Now that Jeff’s children are becoming young adults, he is most excited to explore new directions for the next stages of his life. About Steve Merdinger: Steve has been a financial planner since the mid-80s, helping people consider priorities for themselves and their families, and then working closely with them to turn their hopes and dreams into reality. Before that, he worked in his family’s business, which gave him a unique understanding of the financial dynamics of family-owned businesses, including the issues of succession planning. As I look to my future, Steve hopes to become more involved with mentoring students — perhaps becoming a trainer with the Positive Coaching Alliance organization. He would like to carve out more time for meditating and maintaining his fitness and flexibility through Bikram yoga. And, of course, spending more quality time with his wife and two children.

What happens when a family business faces the question of “what’s next”? In this conversation, Nicole Romito sits down with Justin Albertson, Vice President of Client Services at The Family Business Consulting Group, to unpack the delicate balance of transitioning a business while preserving family relationships. Together, they explore why the family side of succession is often more complex than the legal or financial mechanics, and how thoughtful conversations can create alignment across generations. Justin shares real-world examples from successful transitions to tough moments of misalignment, highlighting the importance of open dialogue, clear expectations, and independent third-party guidance. What to expect in this episode: How to start the right conversations around succession and ownership Why alignment on family values and expectations matters as much as legal documents Lessons from families who navigated transition well and those who struggled The role of a “family constitution” in creating clarity across generations Connect with Nicole Romito: LinkedIn: Nicole Romito MyPrivateVista.com info@myprivatevista.com 312-831-4370 Connect with Justin Albertson: LinkedIn: Justin Albertson LinkedIn: The Family Business Consulting Group, Inc. The Family Business Consulting Group: Justin Albertson jalbertson@thefbcg.com 773-372-1349 About Our Guest: Justin Albertson is the Vice President of Client Services at The Family Business Consulting Group. With more than 20 years of experience in assessment, organizational effectiveness, leadership development, and executive coaching, he partners with families to strengthen relationships and create strategies that align business success with family vision.

What started as a simple hobby has grown into a source of joy, peace, and connection for one of Private Vista’s Client Service Associates, Sue Bolt. In this special lifestyle episode, Sue joins host Nicole Romito to share how birdwatching has become a grounding force in her life, from childhood memories with her father to creating new experiences with her grandchildren. Sue opens up about how this passion deepened during the pandemic, how it serves as a form of mindfulness and mental wellness, and how it’s evolved into meaningful multigenerational bonding. From photographing bald eagles to chasing elusive owls, her story is a reminder that fulfillment isn’t just about finances — it’s about finding purpose in everyday passions. What to expect in this episode: How birdwatching became a multigenerational tradition in Sue’s family The mental health benefits of finding peace in nature Rare bird sightings that still bring her joy Tips for anyone curious about birdwatching And more! Resources: Merlin Bird ID Connect with Nicole Romito: LinkedIn: Nicole Romito MyPrivateVista.com info@myprivatevista.com Call: 312-831-4370 About Our Guest: After many years in the banking industry, Sue shifted to wealth management in 2002. She is part of the Customer Service Associate team as well as the main liaison for all Private Vista’s institutional custodians. Sue takes pride in the strong relationships that she has built over the last 20+ years. Through her daily interactions with clients, she does her best to ensure that she is meeting their needs promptly. She also enjoys problem-solving and the many challenges that her job brings her each day. Sue loves the outdoors! Birds are her passion, both indoor birds and birds in the wild, so she has taken up bird and nature photography in her spare time. The peace and calm that forests bring her as she visits various locations looking for birds is a huge part of her Private Vista. Sue and her husband also very actively attend their grandchildren’s many sporting events and various other activities. The more time she can spend with their three adult children, their spouses, and their nine grandchildren, the better! Her Private Vista for future years is to have more free time to enjoy the outdoors and to be able to follow the grandchildren’s activities, wherever they may take them!

Some of life’s most meaningful moments aren’t about money—they’re about shared experiences. In part two of this special series, host Nicole Romito welcomes back luxury travel expert Byrd Bergeron to explore how intentional travel can create lasting family memories that become part of your legacy. Whether it’s grandparents bringing multiple generations together or parents planning once-in-a-lifetime trips for their children, Byrd shares insider tips for designing travel that feels personal, unforgettable, and worth every dollar. What to expect in this episode: Why one-on-one grandparent trips are becoming a legacy trend Creative ways to engage kids in the planning process How to design multi-generational travel that works for everyone Why planning makes all the difference (and saves money) And more! Connect with Nicole Romito: LinkedIn: Nicole Romito MyPrivateVista.com info@myprivatevista.com Call: 312-831-4370 Connect with Byrd Bergeron: Travel Byrds LinkedIn: Byrd Bergeron About Our Guest: Byrd is the CEO of a $ 13 million travel agency, revolutionizing the luxury travel space. Our innovative model redefines the role of travel agents by allowing them to focus on crafting bespoke experiences. At the same time, our specialized support staff manages the intricate details – from invoicing and dinner reservations to spa appointments and beyond. Our commitment to curating exceptional itineraries is unwavering. Every booking undergoes a meticulous triple-check process, ensuring flawless execution and unforgettable journeys for our discerning clientele. At the intersection of luxury and efficiency, we’re not just planning trips – we’re creating experiences that exceed expectations every single time.

Ever wondered how the bond market could be your secret weapon in times of economic uncertainty? Strap in as Nicole Romito hosts Bill Campbell from DoubleLine in an eye-opening discussion on the oft-overlooked bond market and its role during turbulent times. Bill dives into the complexities of the current economic landscape, unpacking the ripple effects of tariffs, debt management, and U.S. domestic policy on global markets. As this vibrant conversation unfolds, you’ll gain insights into how these factors can influence fixed income strategies and your investment portfolio’s stability. Unraveling Tariff Impacts and Market Volatility [00:07:37] Exploring Fair Reciprocation and Trade Goals [00:15:42] Navigating Bond Markets Amidst Policy Changes [00:24:15] The Global Currency Context and The Future of the Dollar [00:34:31] Connect with Nicole Romito: LinkedIn: Nicole Romito MyPrivateVista.com info@myprivatevista.com Call: 312-831-4370 Connect with Bill Campbell: LinkedIn: Bill Campbell DoubleLine About Bill Campbell: Bill Campbell is a Portfolio Manager at DoubleLine Capital LP, where he co-manages the DoubleLine Global Bond Strategy and serves as a permanent member of the firm’s Fixed Income Asset Allocation Committee. With a focus on Developed Markets, CEEMEA (Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa), and China, he plays a key role in shaping global fixed income strategy. Since joining DoubleLine in 2013, Bill has become a trusted voice in navigating complex macroeconomic environments and emerging market dynamics. Prior to his tenure at DoubleLine, Bill built a robust background in investment management. He held roles at Peridiem Global Investors as a Global Fixed Income Research Analyst and Portfolio Manager, and previously worked at Nuveen Investments and John Hancock Financial. Bill holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Economics and International Business, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in English from Pennsylvania State University. Known for his sharp analytical skills and global perspective, he continues to be a leading figure in fixed income investing.