Hello Smart Ideas Readers!

Welcome to September: The Actual Season of New Beginnings

As I write this, I’m sitting in what used to be the organized chaos of our family home, still processing the profound quiet that settled in after dropping my son off at UC Boulder last week. The drive home was when it really hit me – not just that summer was over, but that an entire era had quietly closed.

September has always meant new beginnings, but this year it feels more like a quiet revolution for me. While my son is learning to navigate dorm life and college independence, I’m learning something equally challenging: how to let this next chapter of my own life unfold while keeping my focus on what I want to accomplish, even just in the rest of this year.

You may want to ask yourself these questions too:

•  Am I in line with my goals for 2025? If you’re like me, you might be realizing that some of those ambitious January intentions got buried under beach reads and vacation planning. The good news? We still have four solid months to make things happen.
  
• What do I have left to do? This isn’t about panic or self-recrimination. It’s about taking honest inventory. What would make you proud to accomplish before we flip the calendar to 2026?
  
•  How will I get it all done? Here’s where September’s magic kicks in. September doesn’t come with the pressure of January’s resolutions – it comes with the wisdom of experience and the energy of a season that rewards preparation.

Ready to make the most of these next four months?

Betty

New Podcasts this month – we dropped TWO!!

Both podcasts in August tackle challenging life transitions that many prefer to avoid discussing, yet both offer essential guidance that could profoundly impact your future.

The first episode addresses the financial complexities of “gray divorce” – separation after age 50 – revealing how proper planning and professional guidance can mean the difference between financial security and devastation in retirement. In this essential episode, Betty Wang and financial expert Audrey Morrison examine real-world cases where professional guidance saved divorcees from financial devastation.

What you’ll discover:
✨ How to split complex assets
✨ The truth about Social Security benefits in divorce
✨ Real cases where professional guidance saved retirement funds
✨ Why mediation often preserves more wealth than litigation
✨ Common myths that could cost you thousands

The second explores an even more universal taboo through death doula Kim Burnett’s work, showing how conscious preparation for end-of-life can transform our final chapter into a meaningful journey rather than something we simply endure.

Key insights from our discussion:

✨ The vital role death doulas play in providing emotional support and guidance
✨ Why end-of-life planning is about honoring your values, not just logistics
✨ How to navigate difficult family dynamics when emotions and viewpoints clash
✨ The importance of conscious dying – transforming life’s final chapter into a meaningful personal journey
✨ Breaking cultural barriers to have open, honest conversations about our final wishes

🎙️ Listen to both on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or @bettyfinancial on YouTube!

What I’m watching:  

Tennis time, people! The US Open is here and I’m so excited! There’s just something magical about those late summer nights at Flushing Meadows (thankfully I’m 2 hours behind in CO). The crowds get loud, and you never know who’s going to pull off the upset of the tournament. I’m ready to yell at my TV and cheer for my favorite Coco Gauff and see if Alcaraz can win another men’s major. Stock up on snacks and make some Honey Deuces!

What I’m reading:

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy

OK – here me out:  The book is set on this wild island near Antarctica where Adad and his three kids are basically the last people left, taking care of the world’s biggest seed bank. Then this mysterious woman washes up on shore during an intense storm, and suddenly everyone’s suspicious of everyone else – and the secrets start spilling out. It’s fascinating how McConaghy mixes climate change fears with intense family drama. I couldn’t stop reading – it’s a moody thriller but the writing is gorgeous and we all like to read about someone else’s dysfunctional family!

#Financial Check-in: Money Confidence for 2025

As 2025 moves on, I’m always here to schedule a conversation to ensure you have both the confidence and clarity needed to move forward purposefully. Just let me know!

Disclosures: BW Financial LLC dba BW Financial Planning is an Investment Adviser registered with the State of Colorado. All views, expressions, and opinions included in this communication are subject to change. This communication is not intended as an offer or solicitation to buy, hold or sell any financial instrument or investment advisory services. Any information provided has been obtained from sources considered reliable, but we do not guarantee the accuracy or the completeness of any description of securities, markets or developments mentioned. We may, from time to time, have a position in the securities mentioned and may execute transactions that may not be consistent with this communication’s conclusions. This communication is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, accounting and/or tax advice. Should you have any questions and/or issues in these areas, please consult your legal, tax and/or accounting adviser.