Wealthy After 40: Personal Finance, Budgeting, Retirement Planning, Savings, Spending, Financial Freedom, and How to Retire for Gen Xers
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© 2025 Wealthy After 40: Personal Finance, Budgeting, Retirement Planning, Savings, Spending, Financial Freedom, and How to Retire for Gen Xers
Description
The Podcast That Helps Gen Xers Retire Up to 5 Years Sooner
Top 5% Personal Finance Podcast
You’ve worked hard for decades, but now the big questions are creeping in:
👉 Will I have enough to retire?
👉 Is it too late to start retirement planning?
Welcome to Wealthy After 40, the podcast for Gen X women and couples who want to feel confident and clear about how to retire, even if you’re starting late or feel behind on your retirement savings.
I’m Dalene Higgins, financial coach and creator of the Aligned Money Method. I help Gen Xers take control of their personal finances by building a money system that fits their values and lifestyle, so they can save consistently, manage budgeting with ease, and prepare to retire on their own terms.
Each week, you’ll get step-by-step guidance for retirement planning, smart budgeting strategies, and realistic ways to grow your savings, both your emergency fund and retirement savings, without overwhelm.
If you’re ready to stop stressing about money, build a financial plan you trust, and create a future you’re excited about, this podcast is for you.
Retirement isn’t out of reach. Let’s simplify your next steps with clear advice on how to retire, starting today.
Your first step is a financial reality check-up inside the Retirement Roadmap Session.
Book your free Clarity Connection Call at elevatefinances.us/connection to learn how the Retirement Roadmap Session will help you make retirement possible.
Visit my website at elevatefinances.us to learn more or share with me your thoughts, questions, and challenges related to retirement at hello@elevatefinances.us
157 Episodes
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In this episode, I am sharing why a budget is important in your retirement planning. I’m breaking down what a budget really is, why it matters for your retirement, and how you can start making one work for you today. By the end, you’ll know how to shift from seeing a budget as a punishment to seeing it as permission and the tool that will help you retire. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ What a budget really is (and what it’s not) ✅ Why budgeting is essential if you want to feel s...
If you’ve ever found yourself waiting for a “big fix” to get your retirement on track, you’re not alone. So many people believe they need one massive change to make up for lost time, but what really moves the needle is small, consistent actions you can start today. In this episode, I’m sharing 5 quick wins to help you build clarity, confidence, and unstoppable progress toward your dream retirement. In this episode, you’ll learn: ✅ Why consistency matters more than perfection in retirement...
You might think you’re behind, but what if I told you that starting late for retirement actually gives you an advantage? By your 40s and 50s, you’ve built wisdom, clarity, and life experience that your 25-year-old self simply didn’t have. That means the money decisions you make today are smarter, more intentional, and more powerful. If you’ve been worried that you’re “too late,” this episode will show you how your late start is actually the exact boost you need to create the retirement you’...
It’s not about when you started, it’s about when you decide to start, and the longer you wait in fear, the less progress you’ll make. Confidence begins with choosing to start today. In this episode, I will share 3 (actually 4) tips to help you make getting started late no longer a factor. What You’ll Learn: ✅ How to Embrace the Late Start ✅ The Importance of Starting Now ✅ 4 Tips For Overcoming the Late Hurdle ✅ How to Define Your Starting Point Send me your questions, thoughts, and take...
Maybe you’ve been telling yourself it’s too late, like the window closed years ago. However, I want to show you that it isn't. My client thought the same, and 6 months later ,she was actively taking steps to purchase her first investment property, 12 months sooner than she thought possible. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ My Client's Initial Struggles and Goals ✅ My Client's Financial Background and Challenges ✅ The Steps She Took to Financial Freedom ✅ How We Created Her Money Managem...
When it comes to saving for retirement, do you feel paralyzed by the big picture? Maybe you’re staring down $500K, $750K, or even $1 million and thinking, “That’s impossible.” The truth is, it’s not. The key is breaking those big goals into smaller, doable chunks. In this episode, I’ll share how my Milestone Method will help make your money goals tangible, actionable, and achievable. What you’ll learn in this episode: ✅ Why big retirement goals feel overwhelming (and how to fix it) ✅ ...
Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “I’ll never have enough to retire,” “I’ve got too much debt to pay off,” or even “It’s too late for me to catch up”? These thoughts feel true, but they’re actually myths that quietly keep you stuck. In this episode, I’ll help you uncover the sneaky stories your brain tells you to keep you “safe,” and how to start rewriting them so you can move toward the retirement you want. What you’ll learn in this episode: ✅ What limiting beliefs are and wh...
Do you have a retirement goal, but it feels fuzzy? This may be one area that, once you get clear and defined, you realize there is no stopping your progress. In this episode, I will share 3 steps to create more specific goals for your money journey What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ Why vague goals keep you stuck and how to shift them into clear statements ✅ Two key elements to make your money goals specific ✅ How to test if your goal is realistic (and what to do if it’s not) ✅ The ...
Clarity with where your money is going today is essential to you achieving your retirement goal. If you are worried about how to reach retirement or how to save enough money this episode will help you understand if you should be reducing expenses, paying off debt, or doubling down on savings. What you’ll learn: ✅ How to evaluate your current financial reality ✅ Why clarity matters before action ✅ A three point reflection every retirement plan needs ✅ Where your first focus shoul...
Ever feel like you’re falling behind financially no matter how hard you work or how much you accomplish? In this episode, I’m sharing the story of a client who went from stuck in comparison mode to building real confidence and momentum with her money. She was running a thriving business, yet felt like a failure because she kept measuring herself against other people’s retirement accounts, debt-free milestones, and dream vacations. The truth is, when you’re busy comparing your financ...
If you’ve ever thought, “What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I figure this money thing out?” Inside this episode, I dive into why smart, capable women still feel stuck, stressed about money, and behind when it comes to budgeting and saving. Spoiler: It’s not about more discipline or more knowledge, it’s about finding a budgeting system that fits who you are. What you’ll learn: ✅ Why budgeting and saving money the traditional way often doesn’t work for you ✅ How to stop feeling stressed ab...
You’re worried about retirement but yet you haven’t changed what you’re doing with your money. Are you hoping your retirement will magically work out, even though you don’t use a budget and you have no idea where your money’s going? In this episode, I’m calling out the real reason you’re stuck and the one step that can change everything. What You’ll Learn: ✅ Why being worried about retirement won’t fix a thing ✅ Why waiting can created a serious wall and not a set back ✅ The powerful ...
If saving for retirement feels like one big question mark, this episode is for you. In this episode, I am sharing 5 tips for saving for retirement specifically to help you save more. So if you’re looking for ways on how to save enough for retirement, these tips are for you. Some might sound familiar, but I promise a few will surprise you. What You’ll Learn: ✅ Why chasing the “perfect” strategy delays real progress ✅ How to save enough for retirement using small actions ✅ Tips for sa...
Feeling like you’re late to the savings game? I promise, it’s not too late. This episode is all about how to start saving for retirement. Whether you’ve saved a little or not at all, we’re going back to the basics so you can consistently save for retirement at 40. What You’ll Learn: ✅ Why saving for retirement at 40 (or even 50) is still possible ✅ The 4 S’s that help you be consistent with saving money ✅ How to start saving money for retirement with realistic steps ✅ How t...
Are you doing enough for retirement? You may be thinking, how do I start my retirement process. Retirement isn’t just about saving money there’s definitely some other things to know about retirement. In this episode, I share with you four (4) things you need to know about retirement planning that go beyond just contributing to your 401(k). What You’ll Learn: ✅ Why starting your retirement process early gives you more freedom and control ✅ A simple way to define your retirement vision and se...
Why am I bad with money? If you’ve ever asked yourself that question or told yourself “I’m just bad with money”, this episode is for you. The truth: it’s not a lack of tools or knowledge that keeps you stuck. More often, it’s shame. And that shame keeps you frozen, second-guessing every decision and avoiding the very habits that could help you grow. In this episode, you’ll learn: ✅ How to recognize financial shame or guilt and the difference ✅ Why saying “I’m bad with money” keeps y...
How do you stop overspending money even when you’re tracking and knowing where your money is going? Control happens at the decision-making stage not when you review your expenses and “see your overspending”. This episode will help you understand why knowing where your money goes isn’t the same as being in control and what you should do instead to help you stop overspending. What You’ll Learn: ✅ What is Overspending ✅ Are You Truly Overspending ✅ Why You Overspend Even Wh...
Thinking about investing for retirement? Don’t skip the most important first step. Before you put money in the market, you need a plan that protects your future and your peace of mind. If you’re wondering how to invest for retirement or where to start investing with little money, this episode will guide you through the three smart steps to take before you invest, so that your future growth is secure and sustainable. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ Why jumping into investing too soon ca...
If you feel like you’re late to the retirement game and don’t have much saved… you’re not alone. But here’s the truth. This isn’t just about balancing bills and savings anymore. You’re on a mission and every dollar you spend (or save) matters. The solution isn’t another tight budget. It’s clarity, alignment, and strategy. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: ✅ Why your retirement savings problem isn’t just about needing to “save more” ✅ The key mindset shift that helps you stop feeling restricted...
If you’ve ever thought, “I need a side hustle” or “What side hustle can I do?”, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical advice. My guest, Chloe Winstanley, shares how she turned her passion for crafting into a successful side business. What started as selling polymer clay earrings online during the pandemic has now grown into hosting multi-craft workshops in both New Zealand and Seattle. In this episode, you’ll learn: ✅ How to start a side hustle that aligns with your creativi...
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