Building better financial habits is less about willpower and more about understanding how your brain works. In this episode, Dr. Jay Zigmont, CFP®, and Fiona Waller, MSW, LCSW, CFP® dive into the behavioral side of personal finance, exploring why all-or-nothing thinking keeps you stuck, how to make progress visible, and what the science of habit formation teaches us about lasting change.

Drawing from Dr. Jay's background in adult learning and Fiona's training as a therapist, this conversation goes beyond spreadsheets and investment strategies to tackle the messy, gray area of human behavior. If you've ever wondered why you keep repeating financial patterns you inherited or why your budget never seems to stick, this episode offers practical tools to help you build habits that actually support the intentional Childfree life you're designing.

Key Takeaways:

• All-or-nothing thinking sabotages progress: The mindset of "be the best or don't do it at all" keeps you stuck at extremes and prevents you from making meaningful progress in the messy middle ground where real change happens.
• Financial success is 80% behavioral: The hard work of personal finance isn't in the spreadsheets or investment calculations. It's in understanding your behaviors, mental models, and the voices in your head that drive your financial decisions.
• Starting small creates sustainable change: Rather than attempting major overhauls that lead to failure, focus on getting 1% better each day or making one small improvement at a time to build momentum without burnout.
• Naming your internal voice creates distance: Identifying whose voice is in your head and why it's there allows you to acknowledge its role in getting you this far, then consciously choose to take it from here on your own terms.

Episode Hosts:

Dr. Jay Zigmont, CFP® - Founder & CEO of Childfree Wealth®, Childfree Trust®, & Childfree Insights. Author of "The Childfree Guide to Life and Money." Dr. Jay's background in adult learning brings a unique behavioral focus to financial planning.

Fiona Waller, MSW, LCSW, CFP® - Childfree Wealth Specialist® at Childfree Wealth®. Fiona brings a unique perspective as a former therapist, focusing on the intersection of mental health and money using a trauma-informed background to help clients align their financial and life plans with their values.

About Childfree Life by Design:

Childfree Life By Design is dedicated to helping Childfree individuals thrive by providing resources, guidance, and community. We recognize that when you've made a decision roughly 75% of the population doesn't make, conventional wisdom simply doesn't apply to you. Our mission is to help you design a life that works for you, covering everything from finances and relationships to career decisions and building support networks that will actually be there when you need them.

Connect with Us:

Ready to design your ideal Childfree life? Connect with our financial planning team at childfreewealth.com or learn more about estate planning at childfreetrust.com

Join the conversation on social media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childfreeinsights
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChildfreeInsights/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/childfreeinsights
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChildfreeInsights

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational & entertainment purposes. Please consult your advisor before implementing any ideas heard on this podcast...

Welcome to a brand new era! After two and a half years as the Childfree Wealth® Podcast, we're excited to introduce Childfree Life By Design. This isn't just a rebrand; it's an expansion of our mission. While finances remain a cornerstone, we're now diving deeper into relationships, career decisions, and designing a life that works for you. In this special relaunch episode, hosts Bri Conn and Dr. Jay Zigmont introduce the expanded team.

Key Takeaways:

• The rebrand expands the mission: Childfree Life By Design goes beyond financial planning to cover relationships, career pivots, healthcare navigation, community building, and finding meaning on your own terms.
• Traditional planning doesn't work for Childfree people: The financial planning industry is built around funding college educations and passing wealth to the next generation, leaving Childfree individuals without tailored resources.
• Childfree planning is actually more complex: End-of-life planning, long-term care, and determining who makes decisions when you can't advocate for yourself require more intentional planning without children.

Meet the Team:

Dr. Jay Zigmont, CFP® - Founder & CEO of Childfree Wealth®, Childfree Trust®, & Childfree Insights. Author of "The Childfree Guide to Life and Money."

Bri Conn, CFP® - Customer Experience Manager at Childfree Trust® and co-host. Bri joined the Childfree space after connecting with Dr. Jay while studying to become a CFP® professional.

Fiona Waller, MSW, LCSW, CFP® - Childfree Wealth Specialist® at Childfree Wealth®. Fiona brings a unique perspective as a former therapist, focusing on the intersection of mental health and money using a trauma-informed background to help clients align their financial and life plans with their values.

Scott Barnes, CFP®, TPCP®, CLTC - Associate Advisor at Childfree Wealth®. Scott is the go-to expert for long-term care strategies and tax planning questions.

Maddy Roche - Chief Growth Officer at Childfree Trust® and responsible for all sales & marketing initiatives.

Alli Gage - Chief of Staff at Childfree Insights. Alli is the behind-the-scenes coordinator who ensures all organizations operate in an orderly fashion across the board.

About Childfree Life by Design:

Childfree Life By Design is dedicated to helping Childfree individuals thrive by providing resources, guidance, and community. We recognize that when you've made a decision roughly 75% of the population doesn't make, conventional wisdom simply doesn't apply to you. Our mission is to help you design a life that works for you, covering everything from finances and relationships to career decisions and building support networks that will actually be there when you need them.

Connect with Us:

Ready to design your ideal Childfree life? Connect with our financial planning team at childfreewealth.com or learn more about estate planning at childfreetrust.com

Join the conversation on social media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childfreeinsights
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChildfreeInsights/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/childfreeinsights
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChildfreeInsights

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational & entertainment purposes. Please consult your advisor before implementing any ideas heard on this podcast...

We've reached the final episode of the Childfree Wealth podcast hosted by Bri and Dr. Jay, CFP®! It's been an incredible two-and-a-half-year run with 171 episodes published and over 100,000 downloads, and we couldn't be more grateful for this community.

So, to celebrate all the amazing things that have happened, the whole Childfree Wealth team—Bri, Dr. Jay, Scott, and Fiona—joins us for a special episode to share wins, battle it out with some hilarious holiday finance trivia, and drop some major news about the future of the podcast.

Note to Listeners: The podcast is NOT going away! It is simply changing names to Childfree Life by Design and launching with a new episode on January 1st. Stay subscribed!

🔹 Celebrating Our Wins

🔹 Holiday Finance Trivia

🔹 Rapid-Fire Holiday Q&A

🔹 Amazing Stats & Listener Impact

🔹 The Future is Now! Stick around to the end as we reveal the exciting rebrand and relaunch — you won't want to miss what's next!

About Childfree Life by Design:

Childfree Life By Design is dedicated to helping Childfree individuals thrive by providing resources, guidance, and community. We recognize that when you've made a decision roughly 75% of the population doesn't make, conventional wisdom simply doesn't apply to you. Our mission is to help you design a life that works for you, covering everything from finances and relationships to career decisions and building support networks that will actually be there when you need them.

Connect with Us:

Ready to design your ideal Childfree life? Connect with our financial planning team at childfreewealth.com or learn more about estate planning at childfreetrust.com

Join the conversation on social media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childfreeinsights
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChildfreeInsights/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/childfreeinsights
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChildfreeInsights

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational & entertainment purposes. Please consult your advisor before implementing any ideas heard on this podcast...

Caring for aging parents is a universal experience, but for the Childfree, the dynamics are completely unique. In this episode, Dr. Jay sits down with Beth Pinsker, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and retired MarketWatch columnist, to discuss her new book,

My Mother's Money: A Guide to Financial Caregiving. They share personal stories and professional insights on navigating the emotional and financial challenges of becoming a financial caregiver.

Tune in to learn how to prepare for the unexpected and ensure you can care for the people you love without derailing your own financial future.

Timestamps:

🔹01:00 - Why being Childfree doesn't mean you're parent-free

🔹02:00 - The surprising impact a parent's financial plan can have on yours

🔹03:00 - The challenging question of how much help is too much

🔹04:00 - Setting healthy boundaries with parents

🔹06:00 - The emotional difficulty of the parent-child role reversal

🔹08:00 - The stress of managing caregivers and staff

🔹09:00 - Why you might want to hire a professional care team

🔹11:00 - Why single women are often the best at planning ahead

🔹13:00 - The hard decision of living with a parent

🔹18:00 - The nightmare of dealing with banks and power of attorney

🔹26:00 - Don't put your important papers in a safe deposit box

🔹27:00 - The "death file" and where to put your important papers

🔹29:00 - Beth's biggest takeaway from her book

Connect with Beth:

🔹Beth’s website: https://bethpinsker.com/

🔹Purchase her book:

🔹Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethpinsker_ny/

🔹LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bpinsker/

Mentioned in this episode:

🔹How to add a legacy contact in Apple: https://support.apple.com/en-us/102631

🔹Google inactive account manager (Android): https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/3036546?hl=en

🔹Childfree Trust®: https://childfreetrust.com/

About Childfree Life by Design:

Childfree Life By Design is dedicated to helping Childfree individuals thrive by providing resources, guidance, and community. We recognize that when you've made a decision roughly 75% of the population doesn't make, conventional wisdom simply doesn't apply to you. Our mission is to help you design a life that works for you, covering everything from finances and relationships to career decisions and building support networks that will actually be there when you need them.

Connect with Us:

Ready to design your ideal Childfree life? Connect with our financial planning team at childfreewealth.com or learn more about estate planning at childfreetrust.com

Join the conversation on social media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childfreeinsights
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChildfreeInsights/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/childfreeinsights
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChildfreeInsights

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational & entertainment purposes. Please consult your advisor before implementing any ideas heard on this podcast...

Join us for a fascinating conversation with Don, a disciplined saver who's embracing the "Die With Zero" philosophy but finding it hard to shift gears! We dive into his journey of planning generous gifts to family and charities now, rather than later, and the mental gymnastics required to actually spend the money he's so diligently saved. We also tackle the nitty-gritty of optimizing investments, navigating healthcare, and the unique estate planning considerations for those who are Childfree. Get ready for some honest talk, a few laughs, and actionable insights on truly living your best life with your wealth.

🔹 1:35 Identifying key recipients: Veteran's causes, St. Jude's, and nieces

🔹 3:15 Gifting to nieces: Monetary gifts without preconceived notions

🔹 4:40 Exploring 529 plans vs. Roth for a grandniece's college fund

🔹 8:44 Don's significant philanthropic goals: $100,000 to Tunnel to Towers

🔹 12:07 Navigating healthcare: HSAs, high-deductible plans, and the VA

🔹 17:40 The mental challenge of spending after years of saving

🔹 20:35 Optimizing investments: HSA in stock, international exposure, and ditching high fees

🔹 37:43 Estate planning for solo agers: Trustees, power of attorney, and avoiding single points of failure

Mentioned in this Episode:

- Die with Zero by Bill Perkins https://bookshop.org/p/books/die-with-zero-getting-all-you-can-from-your-money-and-your-life-bill-perkins/15130122

- NokBox

- The Purpose Code by Jordan Grummet, MD

- Essential Retirement Planning for Solo Agers by Sara Zeff Geber, PhD

- Living the Golden Life: Solo Aging Strategies with Dr. Sara Zeff Geber, Ep 130 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2002436/episodes/16368024

About Childfree Life by Design:

Childfree Life By Design is dedicated to helping Childfree individuals thrive by providing resources, guidance, and community. We recognize that when you've made a decision roughly 75% of the population doesn't make, conventional wisdom simply doesn't apply to you. Our mission is to help you design a life that works for you, covering everything from finances and relationships to career decisions and building support networks that will actually be there when you need them.

Connect with Us:

Ready to design your ideal Childfree life? Connect with our financial planning team at childfreewealth.com or learn more about estate planning at childfreetrust.com

Join the conversation on social media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childfreeinsights
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChildfreeInsights/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/childfreeinsights
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChildfreeInsights

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational & entertainment purposes. Please consult your advisor before implementing any ideas heard on this podcast...

What does it really take to plan your taxes to - and through - early retirement?

In this week's episode, Dr. Jay sits down with Certified Financial Planner® and author Cody Garrett to unpack the key ideas from Cody’s new book, Measure Twice, Money Once. Together, they explore how intentional tax planning can turn early retirement from a financial dream into a sustainable reality.

From understanding how tax brackets shift when your income changes, to strategically timing Roth conversions and managing healthcare costs before Medicare — they cover it all. You’ll also hear practical, values-based advice on aligning your tax and income strategies with the kind of life you actually want to live.

Whether you’re five years from early retirement or already there, this conversation will help you create a tax strategy designed for freedom, flexibility, and purpose.

We'll Cover:
00:00 — Welcome and why early retirement tax planning matters
04:32 — The three stages of tax planning: before, during, and after retirement
10:48 — Roth conversions: when they make sense (and when they don’t)
18:25 — Managing healthcare costs before Medicare eligibility
27:10 — Building a tax-efficient income plan for the long run

Mentioned in this Episode:
- Get Cody's book here: https://www.measuretwicemoney.com/book
- Get Dr. Jay's book "The Childfree Guide to Life and Money" here: https://childfreewealth.com/childfree-guide/
- Learn more about Childfree financial www.childfreewealth.com
- Learn more about Childfree Trust: https://www.childfreetrust.com

About our Guest: Cody Garrett is an advice-only financial planner, educator, and founder of Measure Twice® Money, where he helps DIY investors make informed financial decisions aligned with their values. He also leads Measure Twice(R) Planners, an educational community for financial planners. Cody's insights have been featured by The Wall Street Journal, Barron's, Forbes, and CNBC. He's a frequent guest on personal finance podcasts, including ChooseFI, The Long View (Morningstar), and Bogleheads on Investing.

Connect with Cody here: https://www.linkedin.

About Childfree Life by Design:

Childfree Life By Design is dedicated to helping Childfree individuals thrive by providing resources, guidance, and community. We recognize that when you've made a decision roughly 75% of the population doesn't make, conventional wisdom simply doesn't apply to you. Our mission is to help you design a life that works for you, covering everything from finances and relationships to career decisions and building support networks that will actually be there when you need them.

Connect with Us:

Ready to design your ideal Childfree life? Connect with our financial planning team at childfreewealth.com or learn more about estate planning at childfreetrust.com

Join the conversation on social media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childfreeinsights
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChildfreeInsights/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/childfreeinsights
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChildfreeInsights

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational & entertainment purposes. Please consult your advisor before implementing any ideas heard on this podcast...

Ever wonder if you truly have enough to retire, or if your long-term plans are actually achievable? This week, we dive deep with Claudia, a bright, resourceful, and wonderfully human individual who, despite a significant net worth, finds herself grappling with the emotional side of financial independence. We tackle her core question: should 60% of her portfolio be in fixed index annuities? But as always, we dig beyond the numbers to uncover the real questions: What life does she truly want to live, and what's holding her back from embracing it?

🔹1:05: Navigating market fluctuations and the unexpected shifts in retirement timelines (including a cancer diagnosis that changed everything).

🔹3:16: Unpacking Claudia's dream retirement in Arkansas, from free university courses to attending sports games.

🔹8:50: The surprisingly emotional struggle with leaving a high-paying job, even when you're financially ready.

🔹10:47: A jaw-dropping revelation about Claudia's net worth and the incredible possibilities it unlocks.

🔹18:51: The complexities of estate planning for childfree individuals, including supporting loved ones without enabling poor financial habits.

🔹36:14: The profound mental shift from "can I retire?" to "what do I want to do in retirement?"

🔹49:00: Exploring "encore careers" and how meaningful part-time work can enhance your retirement joy (and budget!).

🔹53:45: The unique challenges and solutions for "solo agers" and ensuring your wishes are honored, chips and all.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating retirement decisions, seeking financial clarity, or simply trying to align their money with their ideal life. You'll hear how the "math is the easy part" and why understanding your "head trash" is crucial to unlocking true financial freedom.

Mentioned in this Episode:

- Childfree Trust®

- The Childfree Guide to Life & Money by Dr. Jay Zigmont, CFP®

About Childfree Life by Design:

Childfree Life By Design is dedicated to helping Childfree individuals thrive by providing resources, guidance, and community. We recognize that when you've made a decision roughly 75% of the population doesn't make, conventional wisdom simply doesn't apply to you. Our mission is to help you design a life that works for you, covering everything from finances and relationships to career decisions and building support networks that will actually be there when you need them.

Connect with Us:

Ready to design your ideal Childfree life? Connect with our financial planning team at childfreewealth.com or learn more about estate planning at childfreetrust.com

Join the conversation on social media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childfreeinsights
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChildfreeInsights/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/childfreeinsights
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChildfreeInsights

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational & entertainment purposes. Please consult your advisor before implementing any ideas heard on this podcast...

Today, Bri Conn, CFP® and Dr. Jay, CFP® dig into what it really means to retire as a Childfree person—and why it might not look like what you’ve been told. Whether you're dreaming of beaches or terrified of boredom, this episode helps you get real about what comes after work.

🔹 00:40 – When retirement chooses you
🔹 02:00 – Why retiring to something matters more than retiring from something
🔹 04:00 – Test-driving retirement before you commit
🔹 06:15 – The “Retirement Smile” and how spending changes over time
🔹 10:00 – Why the 4% rule might not apply to you
🔹 14:30 – Taxes, RMDs, and IRMA—oh my!
🔹 18:45 – How to plan for retirement abroad without tax surprises
🔹 23:30 – Why most people could’ve retired earlier (but didn’t)

Whether you’re a “never work again” dreamer or just want to know your options, this is your sign to make a plan before life forces your hand.

Mentioned in this episode:

🔹Navigating Your "Second Half of Life": FIRE vs. FILE and Accessing Your Money Early, Ep 162 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2002436/episodes/17816731

About Childfree Life by Design:

Childfree Life By Design is dedicated to helping Childfree individuals thrive by providing resources, guidance, and community. We recognize that when you've made a decision roughly 75% of the population doesn't make, conventional wisdom simply doesn't apply to you. Our mission is to help you design a life that works for you, covering everything from finances and relationships to career decisions and building support networks that will actually be there when you need them.

Connect with Us:

Ready to design your ideal Childfree life? Connect with our financial planning team at childfreewealth.com or learn more about estate planning at childfreetrust.com

Join the conversation on social media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childfreeinsights
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChildfreeInsights/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/childfreeinsights
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChildfreeInsights

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational & entertainment purposes. Please consult your advisor before implementing any ideas heard on this podcast...