Your Insights

Most of us have heard the stories about famous people who died without a will or other estate planning documents: Aretha Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Howard Hughes, and even Abraham Lincoln all passed away without leaving documents to guide their heirs as to the disposition of their estates.

One of the most memorable scenes in the movie City Slickers is when Curly, the crusty ranch foreman (played by Jack Palance) explains to Mitch, one of the city dudes (played by Billy Crystal) what really matters most in life. Turning toward the inquisitive greenhorn, Curly holds up an index finger. “This,” he says. “Your finger?” Mitch asks. Curly goes on to explain that the secret of life is knowing what your “one thing” is: the thing that matters most—that lies at the center of everything else you do and are. “So,” Mitch asks, “what is the one thing?” “That’s what you gotta figure out,” Curly replies.

As Baby Boomers continue to age, more and more of them are facing the reality of life without a spouse. Because of women’s statistically longer life expectancies, many Boomer women will be forced to adapt to widowhood, with all the new responsibilities and liabilities that entails. Finally, because many in this generation grew up with the assumption that “the money is the man’s business,” large numbers of recently widowed Boomer women are confronted with a steep learning curve with respect to their finances.

According to a recent survey by Nationwide Retirement Institute, two-thirds of the owners of small- and medium-sized businesses in the US expect a recession within the next six months. And of that two-thirds, a strong majority expect such a recession to be as severe as the Great Recession of 2007–09.

For parents and grandparents who want to give the next generation a leg up in life, providing funding for education costs is typically a high priority. But it’s not getting any cheaper. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the cost to obtain a degree at a public four-year institution has nearly tripled since 1980.

Whether you’ve been a grandparent for a single day or two decades, you’ve probably already realized that there’s not much you wouldn’t do to help your grandchild. Especially for those with significant means, making informed decisions about how much and what type of help is most beneficial for a grandchild involves thoughtful planning, good communication, and careful consideration of financial, tax, and other implications.

A 2022 study by insurer Northwestern Mutual reveals some interesting interrelationships between attitudes and habits toward finance and general wellness. Conducted by the Harris polling organization, the survey asked 2,500 respondents age 18 or older a series of questions regarding their feelings about finances and also about key indicators of emotional wellness. What researchers found was that those who viewed themselves as financially disciplined or who worked with a professional financial planner reported significantly better levels of happiness and confidence. They also indicated enjoying better sleep.