Childfree Life by Design
Childfree Life by Design is a podcast for people who are Childfree or permanently childless and thinking seriously about money, legacy, and what comes next. It tackles financial planning, estate planning, and life decisions for adults building a future without children and without a default script to follow.
Hosted by experts in financial and life planning, the show cuts through outdated assumptions about family, retirement, and aging. Conversations focus on utilizing wealth, solo aging, long-term care, relationships, and how to plan with clarity when you don’t have kids.
This isn’t about justifying your choices or debating labels. It’s about practical guidance for planning life without children making smart financial decisions, defining legacy on your own terms, and building support systems that actually work.
If you’re Childfree, childless, or planning without kids and want thoughtful, trusted education, this is where those conversations happen.
Disclosure: This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Please consult your professional advisors before implementing any ideas discussed. For full disclosures, visit Childfreewealth.com.
Childfree Life by Design
Navigating Your "Enough" in Retirement with Claudia, Ep 165
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:
- The Childfree Guide to Life & Money by Dr. Jay Zigmont, CFP®
