Ep. 7 - "Plan Ahead" with Jean Chatzky

This is episode (7) of our special nine-part series entitled Plan Ahead. Our hosts Julie Flakstad & Dr. Taz Bhatia, welcome Jean Chatzky - CEO and Founder of HerMoney, journalist, author, and former financial editor of NBC’s Today Show. The conversation addresses both the practical and emotional aspects of financial planning, especially for women in their 40s and 50s. Chatzky shares insights into why financial planning is inherently challenging, particularly due to human behavioral tendencies, and emphasizes the importance of understanding personal "money types" to overcome financial roadblocks.

Here are some of the themes we discuss …

• What ‘planning ahead’ means in our 40s + 50s: Jean offers perspective on why we’re not necessarily wired to plan ahead ahead, how planning ahead has evolved, and what we should be thinking about today.
• Emotional and Behavioral Aspects of Money Management The episode underscores that money management isn’t just numbers—it’s tied deeply to emotions and behaviors, and understanding this connection can help individuals make better, less reactive financial decisions.
• Understanding Personal “Money Types” She explains that one of the first steps to planning ahead is to better understand your relationship with money and finances. Jean recommends taking a money personality quiz (see link below) to provide insight on why you are the way you are, and, if you’re in a relationship, how your partner is wired too.
• Building an Emergency Fund Jean highlights the importance of a dedicated emergency fund (aka the “oh shit” fund) for life’s unexpected expenses, including tips on how much we should have saved for unforeseen circumstances.
• Empowering Women in Financial Decision Making The conversation explores how many women in midlife feel unprepared to handle or even talk about personal finances, the need to insert oneself in financial conversations, and advice on how to take a more active role in managing day-to-day finances.
• Setting Realistic Financial Goals Jean offers valuable benchmarks for savings and retirement, insight on how to talk more openly with your partner/spouse about your future goals, and broader perspective on how to avoid FOMO relative to what one can and can’t afford.

About Our Guest, Jean Chatzky

Jean Chatzky, CEO and co-founder of HerMoney is the former financial editor of NBC’s Today Show, a coach on the PBS show Opportunity Knocks, a New York Times and Wall Street Journal best-selling author, the financial ambassador for AARP and the host of the HerMoney podcast. Through decades of reporting on personal finance, she learned that a) the jargon-filled speak of the financial industry was created (largely by men) to sell you stuff you don’t need, and b) if you eliminate the jargon there is absolutely no rocket science to money. She knows that a full, successful financial life is within every woman’s grasp — and with the HerMoney team, she’s on a mission to help you get it.

Connect with Our Hosts and Conversation Partner!

Jean Chatzky

• HerMoney Podcast 
• Books 
• Speaking 
• Website: https://jeanchatzky.com/ 
• Instagram: @jeanchatzky

Resources noted

• www.investingfixx.com 
• Money Type: Money Personality Quiz

Julie Flak