Financial Planning for Life Transitions: Navigating Changes with Confidence

Why This Episode Is a Must-Listen

Life's big transitions—marriage, career shifts, supporting family, divorce, or reinventing life purpose—inevitably test both our emotions and our finances.

This episode of Inspired Money explores practical strategies and real-world wisdom for navigating these pivotal moments. Whether you're planning for an uncertain future or actively rebuilding after change, this conversation with a panel of renowned experts offers actionable advice, hard-won insights, and plenty of encouragement.

Don't miss this masterclass on making smarter money moves through any transition.

Meet the Expert Panelists

Dr. Preston D. Cherry is a financial psychologist, CFP®, and author of Wealth in the Key of Life, known for helping individuals align their money with their values through his Life Money Balance® philosophy. As Founder of Concurrent Financial Planning and Director of the Financial Planning Program at UW–Green Bay, he blends financial expertise with emotional insight to guide people confidently through major life and wealth transitions. https://www.concurrentfp.com

Mariko Gordon, CFA, CFP® is the CEO of Uzume LLC, where she provides financial planning and consulting services to individuals and families. She previously founded and built Daruma Capital Management into a $2.5 billion firm with a distinctive, non-traditional approach to investing. With over 30 years of experience as a small-cap stock picker, she now helps clients navigate personal finance, entrepreneurship, and life transitions, drawing from her deep expertise in business, investing, and her multicultural heritage. https://marikogordon.com https://www.uzumellc.com

Jackie Cummings Koski is a CFP® professional, Accredited Financial Counselor, and award-winning financial educator who achieved F.I.R.E. in her 40s after overcoming poverty, divorce, and single motherhood. She is the author of F.I.R.E. for Dummies and co-host of the "Catching Up to FI" podcast, using her expertise to help people build financial literacy and pursue financial independence at any life stage. https://www.finomenalwoman.com

Jacqueline "JaQ" Campbell is Founder and CEO of Alexander Legacy Private Wealth, where she leverages decades of experience—rising from a high school intern at Comerica's Private Bank to leading a $1.8 billion investment team at Chase Wealth Management—to guide clients and mentor the next generation of advisors. Passionate about community impact, diversity, and inclusion, she serves on multiple boards while embodying her philosophy as a mother, innovator, and philanthropist. https://www.alprivatewealth.com

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Key Highlights

1. Communication & Transparency are Essential in Relationships
Preston D. Cherry and Jackie Cummings Koski stress that honest, ongoing conversations about money, before and during life transitions, are non-negotiable. Building shared financial goals, scheduling regular money meetings, and understanding differences in financial background ("money genealogy") help partners maintain unity and autonomy. "If you agree that the household is the mission, you can better understand each other's paths," emphasizes Preston D. Cherry.

2. Preparing for a Career Pivot Means More Than the Numbers
Mariko Gordon explains that major changes like launching a business demand both runway and emotional readiness. She highlights the importance of clarity around your cash flow, having a contingency plan, and not feeling like a failure if you need to pause or pivot, "sometimes you don't have to commit financial scorched earth devastation." Jacqueline "JaQ" Campbell adds that curating a personal board of directors and mentors is just as critical as financial systems.

3. Multi-Generational Support Requires Boundaries and Education
For those "sandwiched" between supporting children and aging parents, Jacqueline "JaQ" Campbell and Jackie Cummings Koski agree that prioritizing your own retirement and empowering others through financial literacy are keys to sustainable support. Rather than being an ATM, strive to be your parents' and children's CFO: educate, plan, and let loved ones learn through their own financial decisions.

4. Navigating Solo Transitions: Give Yourself Grace
Loss and divorce are as much emotional events as financial ones. Jackie Cummings Koski and Jacqueline "JaQ" Campbell underline the necessity of seeking support, taking time to process grief, and acting strategically, updating financial documents, gathering your advisory team, and setting new goals. Preston D. Cherry shares, "Allow yourself the space to heal… you don't need permission to take it for yourself."

Call-to-Action

Pick one transition, current or upcoming, and write down the single next financial action that would bring you more stability. This week, take that first step, whether it's organizing documents, reviewing beneficiaries, or scheduling a money conversation. Progress starts with one action!

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Find the Inspired Money channel on YouTube or listen to Inspired Money in your favorite podcast player. Andy Wang, Host/Producer of Inspired Money