When I was growing up, the boys took shop, and the girls took home ec. The latter, as we would say today, stressed gender roles, and consisted of cooking, sewing, and the like. But real home economics should deal with household finances, budgeting, credit, and the like. It should help to prepare high school students for the real world.

That’s why in this episode of the podcast, I wanted to talk about how that should change, and has been changing in some schools around the country. To that end, I invited teacher and author Jake Cousineau onto the show to discuss how he is accomplishing just that!

In this episode you will learn:

• About how personal finance is taught in a high school in California
• About the importance of learning personal finance at an early age
• Why high schools should teach personal finance to seniors

There are many challenges that face people on the road to financial freedom, including credit card debt, student loans, and a loss of employment or reduction in income. Overcoming them can be a real struggle, but necessary in reaching financial independence.

But women, particularly widowed or divorced women, face particular challenges that need to be addressed in order for them to get back onto their financial feet. That’s why, in this episode of the podcast, I talk with Certified Financial Planner Maryann Keith on how she helps women with these issues.

In this episode you will learn about:

• Why Designating a Deceased Spouse’s IRA as Inherited is Important
• Dealing with Mortgages in the Deceased Spouse’s Name
• Accessing the Pension of a Spouse that Dies Before Retirement
• Financial Planning for When the Alimony Runs Out
• Educational Planning for the Children After Divorce