With the average age of a widow being 59 years old we can’t overlook this important conversation on financial preparedness. Today my guest, Gayle Blachura talks all things financial with the focus on widows. How can we be prepared for the unexpected status of widow?
Gayle is a partner, CFP professional, and financial advisor with Financial Security. Securities are offered through Financial Security Management, a member of FINRA and SIPC. Gayle can be reached at gayle@gofsg.com or 757-431-1414. Or visit their website at www.gofsg.com.
This brief conversation between Gayle and I is focused on how to be as prepared as possible should the unexpected happen. This is not a deep dive because as you’ll hear, finances are very individualized and every widow’s goals and needs are different.
The reason I wanted to have this conversation is because based on the statistics, women outlive men. I saw today that the average age of a widow is 59. But that statistic is not a recent one and I think we can all agree that covid has left behind many widows, a lot of young widows. The chances of not being a widow, well, they’re just not in our favor.
And I know you’re probably thinking, she’s being morbid and this is not something I want to think about. However, it’s worth having this difficult conversation, talking about the topic no one wants to talk about. I want to soften this topic so that women will take action, making sure they’re as prepared as they possibly can be for something I pray they never experience.
My only request is that you don’t look the other way. I never imagined I’d need to be thinking about it. Even when God prompted us to make a will and estate plan, my husband and I were planning for many many years down the road. We talked in the context of 80+ years and to honest that is the way it should be done. However, unbeknownst to either of us within 6 months those plans would be put into action. My husband was only 52.
Here are a few of the questions I asked Gayle:
What is a wise thing a woman should do right now with regard to financial preparedness?
What is the number one mistake women make with regard to their financial future?
What are some factors that come into play when trying to take on the bulk of financial health, solo?
What about the woman who does not understand financial matters, what is a simple starting point?
Let’s listen in to all that Gayle has to share so that this important topic of widows and financial preparedness becomes easier to talk about and take action.
“Gayle is a partner, CFP professional, and financial advisor with Financial Security. Securities are offered through Financial Security Management, a member of FINRA and SIPC. Gayle can be reached at gayle@gofsg.com or 757-431-1414. Or visit their website at www.gofsg.com.
Bio:
Gayle O’Brien Blachura, CFP®, Vice President
With over 25 years in financial services, Gayle combines her experience with her training as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and her devotion to helping clients achieve their financial goals and dreams.
After several successful years in banking, Gayle sought a more personal, hands-on approach to assisting clients. In 2000, she joined Financial Security Group and earned her designations as Registered Financial Consultant, Professional Financial Planner, and ultimately, her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification. She honed her skills working alongside her father, Robert O’Brien, a former U.S. Navy commander, and one of the founding partners of Financial Security. She was admitted as an equity partner in the firm in 2014, the first women to be so selected.
Gayle is a past president of the Financial Planning Association’s Hampton Roads Chapter, as well as lifetime member of the Million Dollar Round Table. One of her passions is serving on the board of directors of Atlantic Shores Christian schools. She also lends her time to conducting financial seminars and teaching financial classes to high school students.
Gayle and her husband, Mark, live in Virginia Beach and have two children.
Transcript: https://www.happyscribe.com/transcriptions/51af909719c3458387d57debbc88cf48/edit_v2
