#NewsYouCanUse - December 12, 2023

The #NewYouCanUse is a new article series where I share important reminders of what is going on in the world and how it affects women, underrepresented professionals, male allies, and the business we do in financial services and financial technology.

You are always welcome to add articles, thoughts, and meet new people through these discussions. Please be kind to one another when differences of opinions occur. It happens and helps us all think differently.

Here are this today's finds:

1?? New Year Resolutions List via Plum Healthy Fine

I know, I know. I was Pinteresting again. These goals are all health-related and after suffering back-to-back stuff with a sinus infection, upper respiratory infection, and now I have shingles...I have a very big reminder (again) on why our health is so important. I think this list has some really good ideas and always welcome more of them!

2?? Hey Dude, Pay Attention to This via FA Magazine

Ladies: If you don't think longevity planning is real, you need to read this article because the gap between women and men living just got a bit wider. "The gap in life expectancy between men and women in the United States grew to its widest in nearly 30 years, driven mainly by more men dying of COVID and drug overdoses, according to a new study in JAMA, Journal of the American Medical Association ." (And guys - take care of yourselves, please.) cc: Elizabeth A Moss , Joy Loverde

3?? When You Know Better, You Do Better via That Independent Girl

(My disclosure was in #1 above. I was Pinteresting. I know.) This list of 28 smart things to do to start a new life is not just a list. Implementing just a few things on this list can actually lead to positive change. I know - I have done many of them. I can't stress to you enough the importance of decluttering EVERYTHING you own. Not just clothes, that box of cords that you're never gonna use, and canned goods that have long expired. But things like your desktop files that you've not used in forever, duplicate records that just need merging in your address book, and organizing your marketing content, too. I will leave that to Niki Clark, FPQP? and Natalie Hales to comment on, though.

4?? We Are Old, But So Are Our Neighbors via Rethinking65

I used to think I wanted to live in an older community as I gulp aged. But, after reading this article about our neighbors aging, too, I'm starting to think it would be better for my longevity planning to have a house in a younger, more vibrant, space. (I really did want to get a golf cart and drive it around to go play bunco and bingo.) I'm pretty outgoing and honestly hadn't thought about my neighbors aging, too. I was thinking about a webinar we did in the Females and Finance Community on housing with Joy Loverde and Paul Nagle and welcome their input on this, as well.

5?? Are We Wasting Money? via SammyRabbit.com

I've had multiple conversations on X (previously known as Twitter) about wasted spending. I know in our home, Darrell Hickerson, MPT, COMT and I have completed a program streaming audit to downsize our 7+ services because it's gotten so ridiculous. We know we are not alone, which is the scary part if you think about how many families across America likely have multiple services, too. Are you all finding some of these issues coming up in your discussions with clients?

6?? To Say Something or Not via PressReader

(I love PressReader, by the way. You can usually read some of those paywall articles via their app. Love it!) That said, this article is very frustrating. Because it presents a common, pervasive problem women have in their career. "Do they risk retaliation in the office because a man claimed their work was his? Or, let the man take the credit." I can tell you right now as this sun is coming up and shining in my office that I never gave two hoots about retaliation. I live in the Midwest, also known as tornado alley and rural America... go ahead and retaliate: I AM THE STORM! We've actually talked about this very type of behavior in the Females and Finance Community and it's why we have the Male Ally Network? Programship at Females and Finance which Stoy Hall, CFP? of Black Mammoth helps lead. Reminder: male allies do not create these situations for others.

?? Who has thoughts to share?

?? What are your opinions?

?? Where can we make the biggest change happen first?

≠ When can we expect something to be different?

? How can we get started?

????♀? Why should others care about this stuff going on?

I work on these kinds of matters and more in the Females and Finance Community and welcome thought leaders who are in or serve the professionals of financial services and financial technology to reach out, join, and let's build a better landscape of professionals.

Stay well, friends.

Sheryl Hickerson

CEO & Founder - Females and Finance