Money Roots

About the Guest(s):Amy Irvine is the CEO and founder of Rooted Planning Group, a financial planning firm dedicated to helping individuals and families achieve their financial goals. With years of experience in the financial industry, Amy has built a reputation as a trusted advisor and advocate for financial literacy. Her expertise spans areas such as debt management, budgeting, savings, and investment strategies. As the host of the podcast "Money Roots," Amy shares invaluable financial insights and tips to empower individuals in managing their finances more effectively.Episode Summary:In this episode of "Money Roots," Amy Irvine, the insightful CEO of Rooted Planning Group, dives into a rich tapestry of financial guidance relevant to both new graduates and seasoned investors alike. With 2026 mid-year approaching, Amy touches on pivotal topics including financial tips for recent graduates, strategies to protect against inflation, and a deeper understanding of market volatility and risk. By breaking down complex financial concepts, she provides listeners with actionable advice to bolster their financial resilience and prosperity.Amy begins by celebrating the monumental achievement of graduating, acknowledging the transition into financial independence. She outlines essential financial tips for grads, focusing on debt management, budgeting, saving, and investing. She emphasizes the significance of early and consistent saving, saying, "Study after study have showed if you start saving when you're 22 years old...those years of early savings are really critical." Shifting gears, Amy explores investment options to combat inflation, from TIPS and commodity mutual funds to equities and REITs, while stressing the importance of a diversified portfolio. Finally, she clarifies the distinction between market volatility and risk, encouraging investors to align their strategies with their financial goals.Key Takeaways:Financial Independence for Grads: Understand the importance of managing debt, creating a budget, saving early, and starting to invest, even with small contributions.Combat Inflation: Consider investment options such as TIPS, precious metal funds, and REITs to hedge against inflation, while maintaining a diversified portfolio.Understanding Risk: Differentiate between market volatility and market risk to make informed investment decisions.Start Saving Early: The power of compound interest can't be overstated; starting to save at a young age can drastically impact long-term financial health.Diversification is Key: Always strive for a diversified portfolio as a proactive strategy against unpredictable market shifts.Notable Quotes:"It is a moment of shift...this is a major change in somebody's life when they graduate from high school and college.""While you do this, be sure to pay attention to interest rates and make a plan for how to handle payments each month.""Start with savings consistent, you know that like monthly amount, put it aside in a place that you don't even notice it.""Volatility is a normal part of investing, but not all volatility equals risk.""It's important to break down these, these two key concepts of market volatility and risk because they are two different key concepts."Resources:Rooted Planning Group Website: Visit Rooted Planning GroupMonarch Money: Recommended financial tracking tool for budgeting.Rule of 72: Technique for estimating investment doubling period.TIPS, REITs, and Commodity Mutual Funds: Various investment vehicles discussed to combat inflation threats.Important Investment Considerations:TIPS: Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities, or TIPS, are purchased in multiples of $100 and are issued with terms of 5, 10, and 30 years. They may also be sold on the secondary market, where pricing is determined by supply and demand.Precious Metal Funds: Precious metal funds can experience significant price fluctuations, and initial costs may be high.Commodity Funds: Commodity funds are not appropriate for everyone. Certain market conditions may create a substantial risk of loss, so investors should carefully consider the potential risks before purchasing.REIT Funds: REIT funds hold Real Estate Investment Trusts in their portfolios and are subject to risks such as liquidity concerns and property devaluations due to adverse economic or real estate market conditions. These funds may not be suitable for all investors and can be sensitive to interest rates, national and local economic conditions, property tax rates, and other factors. Changes in real estate values or economic downturns may negatively affect issuers in the real estate industry. Stock markets are also volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, economic, or other developments.Engage with this episode for insightful financial strategies, and ensure to stay tuned for more enriching content on "Money Roots." Each episode is crafted to empower your financial journey and support your life events with robust fiscal planning.

About the Guest(s):Maddy Roche - Maddy handles all marketing, growth, and prospect engagement for Childfree Trust® - the first nationwide medical and financial POA, executor and trustee representation service for the Childfree population. She understands the challenges of being Childfree as it relates to estate planning and is passionate about educating her community about ways to prepare.Before joining Childfree Trust®, she was XYPN’s first employee and host of XYPN's podcast Behind the Advisor. In her previous roles as Vice President and Executive Business Coach, she helped build and lead the departments that deepen XYPN’s membership value.Maddy has seen, heard, and helped thousands of financial planners throughout their entrepreneurial journeys with energy, expertise, and compassion.Episode Summary:In this enlightening episode of Money Roots, host Amy Irvine is joined by Maddy Roche, Chief Growth Officer at Child Free Trust, for an in-depth discussion on a timely financial planning topic: estate planning for child-free individuals. Maddy's expertise comes to the forefront as they explore the common misconceptions surrounding estate planning for those without children, emphasizing the need for a structured plan to safeguard one's legacy. This conversation is critical for the 25% of Americans who lack children, whether by choice or circumstance.The conversation delves into the innovative solutions offered by Child Free Trust, a groundbreaking initiative poised to fill the "fiduciary void" faced by child-free adults. By January, the organization will officially provide nationwide services as medical power of attorney, financial power of attorney, executor, and trustee, uniquely catering to the 15 million Americans over 55 without children. Amy and Maddy discuss the substantial need for such services and how the digital platform will facilitate critical information sharing across all 50 states, ensuring individuals have someone to rely on in times of medical emergencies, cognitive decline, or death. This episode shines a light on the future of estate planning, presenting options for those who previously had limited solutions.Key Takeaways:Child Free Trust offers the first nationwide estate planning service tailored for individuals without children.Estate planning isn't just about preparing for death; it's also about emergency preparedness for medical situations and cognitive decline.The service covers all 50 states, providing comprehensive solutions that include medical and financial power of attorney, executor, and trustee roles.Many child-free individuals face the "fiduciary void," lacking a designated representative to act on their behalf amid emergencies.Maddy emphasizes the importance of removing emotional biases in decision-making, opting for professional, impartial third-party services.Notable Quotes:"A lot of people say, oh, it must be so easy to plan for estate planning purposes when you don't have kids. I'm like, yeah, like, who do you leave your stuff to? It's actually a big problem." – Amy Irvine"There are 25% of Americans that don't have kids either by choice or by circumstance." – Maddy Roche"15 million Americans over 55 don't have children. It's a huge market; it's a huge underserved market in so many ways." – Maddy Roche"We really try to neutralize some of this ahead of time, and working with a planner like you can help." – Maddy Roche"This takes that out and there's continuity, so it doesn't matter if there's any health events, there's that continuity of care that continues." – Amy IrvineResources:Child Free Trust – Offering estate planning services tailored for child-free individuals.XY Planning Network – Where Maddy Roche previously provided her strategic planning expertise.The comprehensive insights provided by Amy Irvine and Maddy Roche in this episode of Money Roots highlight the critical importance of estate planning for child-free individuals. To gain a deeper understanding of this transformative service and its impact, be sure to listen to the full episode and stay tuned for more important discussions from the Money Roots podcast.

About the Guest(s):Paula M. Jones has been practicing law for almost 25 years.  After a decade at large international law firms, she opened her own practice in 2016.LinkedIn - Paula M Jones, EsqHer domestic estate work includes wills, trusts, powers of attorney, living wills and beneficiary designations.  She employs marital, residuary, disclaimer, dynasty, asset protection, grantor-retained annuity and intentionally defective grantor trusts, as well as family corporations to protect and preserve assets for many generations. She represents trustees and beneficiaries of trusts in trust-related matters.  Her Orphans’ Court practice includes trust reformations, trust mergers and divisions, terminations, accountings and audits. She represents parties in negotiations to avoid fiduciary litigation.Her work with international clients includes efficient planning in regard to U.S. estate and gift taxation, qualified domestic trusts, residency determinations, tax treaty applications, pre-immigration planning for non-resident aliens coming to the United States, expatriation tax planning for residents and citizens leaving the United States, administration of estates of foreign individuals with U.S. property and other related matters.  She has represented many individuals in regard to foreign account and asset compliance issues.Paula is currently an adjunct professor at Western New England University School of Law where she teaches International Estate Planning.  She has guest lectured at Columbia University, Temple University School of Law’s Masters of Laws Program and Rutgers University School of Law.  She lectures frequently for organizations such as the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Society for Human Resource Management and the American Bar Association, as well as local estate planning councils.Paula has authored several articles in respected industry journals such as Trusts and Estates, AICPA’s Tax Advisor and the ABA’s Practical Tax Lawyer. In addition, she developed a workshop on estate planning basics, titled “Will Power: Wealthy or Not, Your Estate Matters.” The companion book was published by The Graduate Group.Paula is admitted to practice in the State of New York, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the State of New Jersey, the U.S. Tax Court and the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania.Episode Summary:In this episode of the Money Roots podcast, host Amy Irvine engages in an enlightening discussion with Paula Jones, the esteemed owner of Jones Estate Group. With a robust background in international and domestic estate law, Paula delves into the intricacies of cross-border estate planning. She offers valuable insights into the roles her firm plays in estate planning, particularly emphasizing the importance of having a qualified team comprising estate attorneys, financial planners, and immigration lawyers when considering dual citizenship or cross-border living.Throughout the podcast, Paula addresses key issues associated with holding assets across different countries and the complex scenarios faced by individuals with multinational ties. Her discussion includes an exploration of residency determinations, tax treaty applications, and the vital significance of qualified domestic trusts in safeguarding assets. Paula’s practical advice caters to a growing audience interested in international living, offering concrete steps to ensure seamless estate planning while navigating diverse legal systems.Key Takeaways:Having a qualified team of advisors, including an estate attorney, financial planner, and immigration lawyer, is crucial for cross-border estate planning.Qualified Domestic Trusts (QDOTs) are essential for non-citizen spouses to avoid hefty estate tax bills in the U.S.The concept of residency for estate tax purposes is distinct from income tax residency and can vary significantly across international treaties.Trusts may not be recognized by all countries, thus understanding local laws is vital to maintain estate planning efficacy.Ongoing estate plan reviews are recommended every 3-5 years or after significant life changes, especially when acquiring assets in different jurisdictions.Notable Quotes:"I'm part of the team, I'm part of the advisors team. They still need to work with an advisor, they still need to work with an immigration attorney.""If you're a U.S. citizen and you decide to go live in Portugal somewhere, you still need to file your U.S. income tax return.""People do all kinds of things and they move all kinds of, of places because they need family, a support system.""It's reality and this is life. And, you know, I'm not going to feel bad because I'm not the first person someone decides to call.""If you have a connection to another country, you can go ahead and elect that other law."Resources:Jones Estate Group: Jones Estate Group WebsiteWestern New England University School of Law: Western New England Law (Note: specific URLs are not mentioned in the transcript.)LinkedIn - Paula M Jones, EsqTune into the full episode to dive deeper into the nuances of international estate planning and to benefit from Paula Jones's extensive expertise. Stay connected with the Money Roots podcast for more insightful conversations that help keep your finances grounded and future growing.

About the Guest(s):Jaelyn Vickery is the founder of Dimensional Wealth, and the host of the F3 podcast, which stands for Financial Fitness Finesse. She is a licensed clinical therapist as well as a renowned financial therapist. Jaelyn has excelled in connecting the sometimes-complicated dots between food and finance, with a particular focus on consumer psychology. With a background as a collegiate athlete, Jaelyn combines her experiences in mental health and financial management to help clients explore their consumption patterns and emotional relationships with money. Her passion includes guiding people through the ‘C3 Cycle’—compulsion, consumption, and control—a method she developed to help individuals navigate their financial and emotional landscapes.FacebookInstagramLinkedInEpisode Summary:Dive into an enriching conversation on Money Roots with Amy Irvine as she talks with Jaelyn Vickery, a multi-faceted expert in the field of financial therapy and mental health. As a founder of Dimensional Wealth, Jaelyn enlightens listeners on the intriguing intersection between food and finance, and how consumer psychology plays a crucial role in daily decision-making. With insights into both individual and collective financial behaviors, this episode will spark revelations on how listeners perceive and interact with money in their lives.Jaelyn Vickery delves into key aspects of her methodologies such as the ‘5 Reps to Wealth’ to help achieve total well-being. Her approach incorporates the various dimensions of wellness, using them as tools to manage both financial and emotional challenges efficiently. From the importance of pausing to assess personal goals to understanding how emotions translate into financial decisions, this episode is packed with insights. Learn how the principles of financial therapy can support healthier money habits and emotional stability in culturally driven consumer societies.Key Takeaways:Connection Between Food and Finance: Jaelyn draws parallels between food and finance, shedding light on how both aid in hitting pleasure points and are deeply embedded in survival instincts.5 Reps to Wealth Framework: This model incorporates eight dimensions of wellness, helping to create balance and abundance in one's personal and professional life.C3 Cycle: Understand the compulsion, consumption, and control cycle, which aids individuals in recognizing and transforming unhelpful consumption habits.Enoughism: Addresses the perpetual chase for more, illustrating the importance of defining ‘enough’ in personal and professional contexts.Therapeutic Collaboration: Discusses the synergy between financial therapists and advisors in addressing emotional and financial health.Notable Quotes:"Money is just emotions disguised as numbers.""Too often, we achieve so much on paper, but realize so many aspects of our lives have diminished.""Life is not basic... the human experience is abundant and beautiful.""What is right is actually within your own control of design.""Working with me, you'll learn how to find those moments of pause very quickly."Resources:Jaelyn Vickery's Website: JVIC.com - Find services, resources, and contact information.F3 Podcast - Hosted by Jaelyn, available wherever you get your podcasts.Dimensional Wealth - Visit the company's site to learn more about their offeringsListen to the full episode to gain exclusive insights into establishing a balanced and wealthy life by intertwining emotional well-being with financial stability. Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on the Money Roots podcast.

About the Guest(s):Amy Irvine is the host of the podcast "Money Roots" and is a seasoned expert specializing in financial planning. Amy is known for her down-to-earth approach, making money conversations relatable and rooted in personal goals. Her expertise lies in designing a fulfilling financial life, especially focusing on retirement planning that aligns with one’s personal and emotional well-being. With a mission to educate and simplify complex financial topics, she aims to empower individuals to take control of their financial future.Episode Summary:In this insightful episode of Money Roots, Amy Irvine delves into the intricacies of designing a fulfilling and meaningful life in retirement. Through an exploration of the traditional life phases of education, work, and retirement, Amy challenges listeners to think outside the box and consider a more integrated approach to their life's journey. Rooted in her financial expertise, she emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning, balanced living, and finding personal fulfillment beyond traditional career achievements.Throughout the episode, Amy highlights the essential need for continuous learning, meaningful work, and rewarding leisure activities, promoting a holistic approach to retirement preparation. She references Richard Bowles's concept of the 'three boxes of life' and incorporates insights from Dr. Phyllis Moen of the Cornell Retirement and Well-being Study. This discussion encourages listeners to unbox their lives, balancing different facets such as intellectual pursuits, work passion, and leisure activities that resonate personally, thus crafting a retirement that is both satisfying and joyous.Key Takeaways:Lifelong Learning: Retirement should be viewed as an opportunity for continued learning and personal growth, rather than a mere cessation of work.Unboxing Life: Traditional phases of education, work, and retirement can be more fulfilling when integrated and balanced throughout life.Personal Fulfillment: It's crucial to engage in activities during retirement that are personally meaningful and joyful, rather than just remaining busy.Purpose and Leisure: Retirement offers a unique chance to redefine what leisure means to you, emphasizing activities that feel like a 'mini-vacation.'Holistic Planning: Consider all aspects of life, including intellectual, work, and leisure pursuits, to achieve a balanced and rewarding retirement journey.Notable Quotes:"The blessings for which we hunger are not to be found in other places or people.""We have to learn to balance learning, work, and leisure in every stage of our lives.""For some people, that is an exciting prospect and for others, it's a very frightening one.""Make sure the things that you're doing not just in retirement obviously, but right now... are bringing meaning.""Retirement planning should be a lifelong regime rather than a later life concession."Resources:Cornell Retirement and Well-being Study: Insights by Dr. Phyllis Moen on planning a fulfilling retirement.Richard Bowles's Three Boxes of Life: A framework for understanding life phases.Tune in to the full episode to delve deeper into Amy Irvine's unique perspective on crafting a fulfilling and balanced retirement. Stay connected for more enriching content on "Money Roots," where we help you keep your finances grounded and your future growing.

About the Guest(s):Amy Irvine is a seasoned financial planner and host of the Money Roots podcast. She is the founder of Rooted Planning Group, where she offers comprehensive retirement and financial planning services. Amy is known for her approachable and relatable style, making complex financial concepts accessible to a broad audience. Her focus on aligning financial strategies with personal goals helps clients navigate significant life transitions effectively.Episode Summary:In this episode of Money Roots, hosted by Amy Irvine, the focus continues on retirement planning with part two of the Retirement Design series, exploring the crucial concepts of transition management. Amy discusses the "Three Rs of Successful Transitions": Resourcefulness, Resiliency, and Renaissance Spirit. These traits are essential for anyone navigating the uncertainties of retirement.The episode delves into how each of these traits can be developed and nurtured to facilitate a smooth shift into retirement. Amy emphasizes that retirement is not just a financial change, but a social and personal one as well. Key aspects like the creativity of resourcefulness, the adaptability of resilience, and the enthusiasm of a Renaissance spirit are explored in-depth, with examples of how they manifest in real-life scenarios. The episode is a valuable guide for preparing emotionally and mentally for retirement's complex landscape.Key Takeaways:The Three Rs: Understanding the essential traits of Resourcefulness, Resiliency, and Renaissance Spirit can help navigate life transitions, particularly retirement.Holistic Planning: Retirement planning involves more than just finances; social and personal aspects play critical roles.Real-life Applications: Examples and questions help listeners identify how they can apply these traits to past transitions and future planning.Change Adaptation: Emphasizes the importance of flexibility and openness to change as constants in retirement planning.Future Episodes: Hints at future discussions on balancing life during retirement transitions in upcoming episodes.Notable Quotes:"Resourcefulness is about making the most of what we have and always looking for effective and creative ways to reach goals.""Resiliency is the ability to bounce back from a loss, disappointment, or other difficult situations.""A Renaissance spirit involves having a zest for life and learning, with diverse and in-depth interests pursued with wonder, adventure, and fun.""Overcoming challenges and taking advantage of opportunities are key elements of a successful transition in retirement.""Change is the only constant in our lives, and how we respond to it will profoundly affect the decisions we make."Resources:Rooted Planning Group: WebsiteFor a deeper understanding of the important strategies discussed in this episode and how you can prepare for a fulfilling retirement, listen to the full discussion. Stay tuned for more insightful content from the Money Roots podcast series.

About the Guest(s):Amy Irvine is the CEO and founder of Rooted Planning Group, a financial planning firm focused on providing personalized and strategic financial advice. With extensive experience in the financial sector, Amy has become a respected voice on issues related to retirement planning, particularly concerning the unique challenges faced by women. Her work emphasizes the importance of integrating financial goals with a client's holistic life vision.Episode Summary:In this episode of "Money Roots," Amy Irvine delves into the intricacies of retirement planning with a particular focus on women's unique financial challenges and opportunities. Speaking from her experience delivering a session at a women's conference, Amy addresses the disparities in planning for retirement between men and women, spotlighting the importance of early preparation and proactive strategy adjustment. With a compelling call for envisioning a financially free future, Amy intertwines practical advice with empowering insights.Throughout the episode, key topics include the gender pay gap's impact on savings, the significance of career breaks for caregiving, and the influence of longer life expectancies on financial planning for women. Discussions emphasize the importance of developing a comprehensive approach tailored to each stage of life—from young professionals to retirees and single women. Through data-driven observations, listeners are encouraged to rethink their approach to retirement by focusing on satisfaction, adaptability, and informed decision-making in financial strategies to ensure lasting security during retirement.Key Takeaways:Early engagement in retirement planning can alleviate uncertainty and ensure a financially secure future for women, who face unique career and financial challenges.Women should be acutely aware of the gender pay and savings gap that can compound over a lifetime, affecting their long-term financial health and retirement readiness.Utilizing a "Wheel of Life" to assess personal satisfaction across multiple life domains can guide effective planning towards a balanced and fulfilling retirement.Different stages of life, such as young professionals, established families, and retirees, demand tailored financial strategies and targeted goals to maximize benefits and safeguard savings.Women need to actively advocate for themselves in the workplace, recognizing and addressing factors like menopause and caregiving that may influence career progression and financial stability.Notable Quotes:"I've learned that making a living is not the same as making a life." – Amy Irvine"Retirement is one of the longest vacations of your life, so it's critical to address it early.""Women often face career breaks for caregiving, impacting both earnings and retirement savings.""Sit with the word retirement and think about what emotions it brings—excitement, restlessness, fear—all can be present together.""Women are great savers but often don't know what to do with the money. Investing wisely is key."Resources:Rooted Planning Group: Rooted Planning GroupMaya Angelou's quote on making a living versus making a life.The Wheel of Life tool from Money Quotient for personal satisfaction assessment.To gain in-depth insight into women's retirement planning and to learn practical strategies for various stages of financial life, tune in to this episode of "Money Roots." Stay updated with our podcast series for more enriching financial guidance and discussions.Links referenced in this episode:moneyquotient.comCompanies mentioned in this episode: Rooted Planning Group Corning Community College Money Quotient

About the Guest(s):Amy Irvine is the CEO and founder of Rooted Planning Group, a financial planning firm tailored to providing holistic and innovative financial solutions. With over 20 years of experience in the financial industry, Amy has traversed roles across trust companies, the fiduciary sector, and a credit union’s investment management division. A graduate in accounting, she later received her bachelor's degree in financial planning and pursued further education to earn the CFP designation. Recognized for her expertise and commitment to client-centric service models, Amy is particularly passionate about helping Gen X professional women with complexity in their financial planning needs.Kate Welker is a significant member of the Rooted Planning Group, closely working with Amy Irvine. Her professional journey is interwoven with Amy’s as they both have a history of academic and professional encounters. Kate interviews Amy, ushering a deep dive into Amy's entrepreneurial evolution.Episode Summary:In this engaging episode of "Money Roots," Amy Irvine, the CEO and founder of Rooted Planning Group, flips the interview script as she becomes the focal point of an inspiring entrepreneurial chronicle. This special episode opens a window into Amy’s unique journey from her early days in accounting to establishing a transformative financial planning firm. Presented through an insightful dialogue with her colleague, Kate Welker, listeners are taken on a decade-long journey illustrating Amy's transition into entrepreneurship, characterized by resilience, strategic pivots, and a client-centric vision.Embark on a captivating exploration of Amy Irvine’s professional voyage where she recounts her gradual shift from the corporate structure to founding Rooted Planning Group in 2015. Tapping into her diverse experience across trust companies and a credit union, Amy articulated a business model to serve underserved demographics, notably Gen X women. Her venture met challenges, particularly the financial strains and the emotional burdens of evolving her business in an industry heavily reliant on asset management. Through candid anecdotes, Amy sheds light on the lessons learned, the initial struggles, and the pivotal moments, ultimately paving the way for Rooted Planning Group's successful establishment and continued growth.Key Takeaways:Amy Irvine shares her transition from working within established firms to launching Rooted Planning Group and maintaining its client-centered approach to financial planning.The initial years of entrepreneurship were marked by financial constraints and emotional struggles, where Amy and her family embraced a minimalist lifestyle to support the business.The decision to charge a flat fee was made to cater to Gen X professional women, offering financial planning services without asset-based fees.Amy stresses the importance of managing both the fear of failure and planning for potential success when launching a new business.Key moments in Amy’s journey illustrate the necessity of resilience and adaptability in overcoming unexpected challenges and learning from diverse professional experiences.Notable Quotes:"I loved what I did, but I didn't love how I was doing it.""What's the worst that's going to happen? You're going to have to go get a job.""We thought we had said enough side. But in reality, oh gosh, we really didn't.""It forced me to go down this path of...actually starting her absolute own firm.""I wanted this business model to succeed because I believed in it."Resources:Rooted Planning Group - Official website to learn more about the services offered by Amy Irvine's financial planning firm.This episode provides invaluable insights into the entrepreneurial path of Amy Irvine, filled with real-life learnings and guiding reflections. To dive deeper into her story and explore part two of this fascinating interview, listen to the full episode and stay tuned for more from Money Roots.