Kelly Financial: Saturday, November 8, 2025

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:12):
It is coming to us, So.

Speaker 2 (00:20):
Ladies and gentlemen welcome to Safe Money Strategies on WRKO.
I'm William Kelly and it's an honor to carry on
a family legacy rooted in real world values and practical advice.
Kelly Financial was founded in two thousand and three by
my parents, my late father Bill Kelly and my mother
Kelly Kelly and Braintree and Burlington, Massachusetts. Just two years later,

(00:41):
Dad launched Safe Money Strategies on WRKO as a no
nonsense callin radio show focused on common sense planning and
protecting wealth. Over the past two decades, Dad became a
pillar in New England finance, an engineer, turn entrepreneur, author
and philanthropist who believed in giving back and walking the talk.
Since twan five, our show has remained a Saturday morning staple,

(01:02):
offering insight and empowerment. Here at Kelly Financial, we help
steward over seven hundred million dollars across our affiliated business,
including more than five hundred million dollars managed by our
sec registered investment advisory, where fiduciary care and our family
first philosophy guides us on safe money strategies. You'll hear
candid conversations with the team, my mother Kelly, myself, advisors

(01:26):
Charlie Gable, Mike Ducett, Greg Workman, Greg Murray, my sister
Mary Madeline, and Tom Schlager. We live by two rules,
never quit and carry on, and we're here to help
you do the same when it comes to your money.
Stick around, take notes and join the conversation. To learn
more or get our free guides or schedule consultation, visit

(01:46):
Kelly Financial dot org or call us at eighty eight
eight hundred one eight eight one. This is Safe Money Strategies.
Next up Forever Young with Kelly Kelly and myself William
Kelly Junior.

Speaker 3 (02:02):
Safe Money Strategies with William Kelly and Kelly Kelly eight
hundred eighteen eighty one.

Speaker 4 (02:12):
Each week on Sake Money Strategies, we take a moment
to step back from the headlines and have a real conversation,
the kind you might have around the kitchen table. This
is a part of the show we call Forever Young
is where I sit down with my son, William Kelly Junior,
and we talk about life, what's going on in the world,

(02:32):
and our family and what really matters most when you're
planning for the future. Sometimes there's light, sometimes is thoughtful,
but it's always real.

Speaker 5 (02:42):
Good morning, William, how are you mom?

Speaker 1 (02:45):
I'm fantastic, Thank you for asking.

Speaker 2 (02:47):
And I'm sitting here in our recording studio and I'm
looking at order confirmation forum for William Kelly.

Speaker 1 (02:53):
Do you know what that means? Do you want to
tell the listeners?

Speaker 4 (02:56):
It means the book has been published and go into
prant Yeah.

Speaker 1 (03:01):
Baby, so we're very excited for that. It's been a
very eventful week.

Speaker 5 (03:06):
Has it not, Yes, it has.

Speaker 2 (03:09):
So I'm sure some of you remember that last Saturday
I spoke about my powerlifting.

Speaker 1 (03:12):
Competition, and you know, I'm not gonna lie. I was
a little nervous going up to it. It turned out
that it was a really good day.

Speaker 2 (03:19):
So in the morning you get there for rules briefing
and then it's squat time, and so you start with
your squat.

Speaker 1 (03:27):
You have three attempts.

Speaker 2 (03:28):
The highest lift I got was five hundred and twelve
pounds good lift, state record.

Speaker 4 (03:33):
Then for the.

Speaker 1 (03:33):
Bench press, I didn't make my third attempt.

Speaker 2 (03:35):
I made my second attempt, which was three fifteen three
hundred and fifteen pounds, also a state record. And then
finally for the deadlifts. I am a deadlift specialist. For
those who are not familiar with the deadlift, the weight
is on the ground, the bar bell is on the
ground with the plates attached, and your goal is to
lift it up and lock out your hips. So you

(03:57):
basically you bend down and you lift it up standing straight.
You don't bend down with the curved back. You've been
down with the straight back, and you lift with your
knees and all of that. So with proper form you
can do it safely. And I got six hundred pounds,
ladies and gentlemen, and I set a stid record and
I'm a second time state champion again.

Speaker 4 (04:16):
Congratulations, thank you very much. And I think it was
six hundred and one pounds. Thank you for correcting me.

Speaker 1 (04:22):
So that was six hundred and one pounds.

Speaker 4 (04:24):
You said you were going to try for the six hundred.
I looked at your trainers and said, is this safe?

Speaker 5 (04:33):
That was the first thing out of my mouth.

Speaker 2 (04:35):
And one of them, one of the people who are there,
one of our friends, he goes, I don't know, we're
gonna find out.

Speaker 4 (04:41):
Well, and the other one said, he's been training for this,
he's ready.

Speaker 1 (04:45):
It was a wonderful day.

Speaker 2 (04:46):
I made a lot of friends and over in general
fitness of Fall River, fantastic people, great community.

Speaker 1 (04:53):
I got to wrap Bullfrog Fit. That was great. That's
the gym where I'd like.

Speaker 2 (04:57):
To work at for a part time job and as
a powerlifting trainer. And so part of this was also
kind of building rapport. You know, I wanted to go
out and compete and kind of stamp my name a
little bit more into the power loafing community. And all
the refs were saying, yeah, you're coming back. You're coming back,
that's a fact. And so I've just been so blessed

(05:19):
to have this sport introduced to me. I'm so blessed
to just you know, have amazing people by my side.
I would say that the support did fifty percent of
the lifting. The other fifty percent was the training and
hard work and the muscles. So I really am blessed
to have this type of family and to have this
type of you know, this community.

Speaker 5 (05:38):
It's we're all very proud of you.

Speaker 2 (05:40):
Thank you very much. And as we know, the dav
event had just happened. That was a wonderful time. It
was great to see Jeff. It was good to represent
Kelly Financial Services. So I had to leave at five
point forty five and make it to iHeart Studios in
one piece and awake, and I did it somehow.

Speaker 5 (05:56):
Yes you did.

Speaker 1 (05:57):
That was a lot of fun. It was greased for everybody.

Speaker 2 (06:00):
And finally, today is the day where I go to
Bryant open house. Ladies and gentlemen, I'm going to college
to get more knowledge.

Speaker 1 (06:09):
We're going to Bryan's open house tonight.

Speaker 2 (06:11):
We're going to check out the school a little bit closer,
you know, probably meet some students and you know, we'll
see what.

Speaker 1 (06:17):
Type of thing they have going on there.

Speaker 2 (06:19):
But honestly, all in all, I've applied to a bunch
of different schools, good schools. I think Bryant University is
a place I want to go. I feel like I'm
locked in there. But you know what, before we you know,
put like a down payment or anything like that, I
think we need to go and check it out.

Speaker 5 (06:32):
Yes, yes, so, yes.

Speaker 1 (06:34):
Which we already have. We've gone on a tour.

Speaker 2 (06:36):
But it'd be good to be there at a different
time of the year and to kind of see it
while it's in busy season where everybody's act.

Speaker 1 (06:42):
So yeah, that would be much better.

Speaker 2 (06:44):
Yeah, and uh sign it for you, thank you, And
ladies and gentlemen, my mom is going to go work out.
She's going to start training at the gym where I
want to work. Are you excited? I am excited.

Speaker 1 (06:56):
This is gonna be a change. There's gonna be a
life lifestyle change for you.

Speaker 5 (07:00):
Yes.

Speaker 1 (07:01):
So, ladies and gentlemen.

Speaker 2 (07:02):
During the weekdays this week, I had done some shadow
hours and I'd worked with some older clients and these
folks were in their late seventies, mid eighties. And these
people are going to the gym and they're doing functional training.
They're doing squats, they're doing overhead presses, they're using machines.
And four to six months previous, they couldn't even sit down.

Speaker 1 (07:25):
And get back up independently. And now they're doing all
these things.

Speaker 2 (07:29):
Wow, And so you know there's more delivering extremely seeing
it firsthand. Extremely these people at this gym, they don't
just take into account the exercise, but they also take
into account the lifestyle, the nutrition, and they live it themselves.
Like I have to do a trainer test, I have
to do a physical fitness test, which is very intense.
I have to do a full comprehensive test. So I

(07:51):
have to understand material. I have to understand how to
put someone in a deficit. I need to understand programming, nutrition,
the major muscle groups in the body, and the scientific
name how they work. So it's a lot and I
have to learn. And I can't get a single thing wrong.
I have to do everything correct on the comprehensive test,
and I cannot fail anything on the fitness test or

(08:12):
elet to have to start all.

Speaker 1 (08:12):
The way over and wait three months.

Speaker 5 (08:14):
Wow.

Speaker 1 (08:15):
So it's just like taking the Series sixty five. You've
got to wait. He has a high standard for the
people who work there. It's very high. So I can
see that it's cool.

Speaker 5 (08:23):
I can see. Yes, that does not surprise me though.

Speaker 4 (08:26):
Well, William, you are working towards being the full package
on the finance side, the health side. I mean full package, baby,
thank you.

Speaker 1 (08:41):
I've still got a lot of work to do.

Speaker 2 (08:43):
I got a lot of work to do in my
company's got a lot of work to do with my powerlifting.

Speaker 1 (08:47):
I got some records.

Speaker 2 (08:48):
I want to go national. I want to break some
national records if I can get up there.

Speaker 5 (08:52):
So I don't know, know, Well, you're wise with your time.

Speaker 4 (08:55):
You spend a lot of time on Kelly Financial and
you amaze me.

Speaker 1 (09:00):
Thank you, well, you made me so You're half the credit.

Speaker 4 (09:04):
Well, thank you, William of course. Yeah, do keep us
on your dial. We've got a lot of great content
coming your way. Mike do Set and Greg Workman will
share how to turn required distributions into charitable giving and
how to ease financial stress and retirement. Mary, Madeline Kelly
and Greg Murray will tackle the RMD season head on

(09:26):
sharing smart YearIn strategies to help you avoid costly mistakes
and make the most of your retirement income. I will
be back with William and we will talk about confidence, clarity,
and living solo with strength, from housing and budgeting to purposeful.

Speaker 5 (09:44):
Planning for the road ahead.

Speaker 4 (09:46):
And of course we'll close the hour with some wit
and wisdom from the late Bill Kelly. His words continue
to inspire and guide us. That's a wrap for forever,
young Thank you for listening, and William, thanks, thank you
for joining me.

Speaker 5 (10:01):
We'll be back with more great content. I love you, honey, I.

Speaker 1 (10:04):
Love you too.

Speaker 3 (10:05):
MoMA Kelly Financial Services eight hundred eighteen eighty one.

Speaker 6 (10:19):
Okay, my friends, we all talk about planning for retirement,
but let's be honest. For most people, it's not the
numbers that keep you up at night.

Speaker 1 (10:27):
It's the fear.

Speaker 6 (10:29):
Fear of the market, fear of outliving your savings, fear
of the unknown. And that's why Kelly Kelly, the CEO
of Kelly Financial Services, wrote the book Retire Your Fear,
Plan Your Future.

Speaker 1 (10:42):
It is not your.

Speaker 6 (10:43):
Typical financial guide full of industry jargon. It's about the
reality so many retirees face life changes like widowhood, longevity,
even planning for your own future and how to navigate
them with clarity and confidence. For more than two decades,
Financial has helped you England families prepare for retirement through

(11:03):
education and sound financial planning. Now Kelly has gathered that
insight into one easy to read book, So take the
next step toward understanding your options. Call Kelly Financial now
eight eight eight eight hundred eighteen eighty one get your
free copy of Retire Your Fear, Plan Your Future eight

(11:24):
eight eight eight hundred eighteen eighty one or email Kelly
at Kelly Financial dot org.

Speaker 7 (11:33):
Welcome back to Safe Money Strategies, the show where we
talk about building retirement plans that work just as hard
as you do. I'm Mike du said, chief operating officer
at Kelly Financial Services, and I'm.

Speaker 8 (11:43):
Greg Workman and investment advisor here at Kelly Financial. Today, Mike,
we're going to talk about something that's both financially smart
and personally rewarding. Qualified charitable distributions or qcds.

Speaker 1 (11:57):
That's right, Greg.

Speaker 7 (11:58):
This time of the year, we get a lot of
questions from clients about charitable giving and tax strategies, and
one tool that tends to get overlooked but can make
a huge difference is the QCD.

Speaker 8 (12:08):
For listeners who may not have heard the term before it,
qualified charitable distribution is a way for individuals age seventy
and a half or older to give directly from their
IRA to a charity without that money ever being counted
as taxable income exactly.

Speaker 1 (12:26):
And that last part is key.

Speaker 7 (12:27):
Normally, once you reach age seventy three, the IRS requires
you to start taking required minimum distributions or rmds from
your IRA. Even if you don't need the money, you
have to take it and it's taxable, right.

Speaker 8 (12:41):
So for some retirees, those rm ds can push them
into a higher tax bracket. They can even trigger phase
outs on deductions or cause more of your Social Security
income to become taxable, but.

Speaker 7 (12:54):
With a QCD, instead of taking the distribution yourself, you
can have up to one hundred eight thousand per year.

Speaker 1 (13:00):
Go directly qualified charity.

Speaker 7 (13:02):
That means you satisfy your RMD but avoid the tax
hit because the money never passes through your hands.

Speaker 8 (13:08):
And that one hundred and eight thousand dollars limit is
per person, not per account, So if you and your
spouse both have IRA accounts, you can each make qcds
up to that limit, potentially donating a combined two hundred
and sixteen thousand and a single year.

Speaker 7 (13:25):
Now, Greg, let's break down how this works in practice.
The IRA custodian, Save Fidelity, Schwab or whoever holds your
account can send the money straight to the charity, either
electronically or by mailing a check.

Speaker 8 (13:38):
And it's important that the transfer goes directly from the
IRA to the charity. If the funds come to you
first and then you write a check to the charity,
it does not count as a QCD and it becomes
taxable income.

Speaker 1 (13:53):
Exactly, and timing matters too.

Speaker 7 (13:55):
Just like an rm D, the distribution has to be
completed by December thirty first, for it to count toward
that year's requirement. So if you're thinking about doing one
for twenty twenty five, don't wait until last week of
December to start the process.

Speaker 8 (14:08):
Now, let's talk about eligibility. Who can actually do this? Well,
you have to be at least seventy and a half
years old at the time the distribution is made. That's
not the year you turned seventy and a half, it's
literally after you reach that age.

Speaker 7 (14:24):
And qcds can be made from traditional iras, inherited iras,
or even certain inactive SEP or simple iras. Those are
employer plans that no longer receive contributions, but you can't
do qcds from active employer plans like four to oh
one ks or active SEPs.

Speaker 8 (14:41):
Another key point is that qcds only work with qualified
charities organizations recognized by the IRS under Section five oh
one C three, So that includes most public charities, religious organizations,
and educational institutions, but.

Speaker 7 (14:59):
Not everything that looks like a charity qualifies. You can't
make a QCD to donor advised funds, private foundations, or
supporting organizations. You also can't use a QCD to buy
something from a charity auction or pay a golf outing.

Speaker 8 (15:14):
That's right. You can't receive anything of value in return
for your donation. If you get a dinner, tickets, or
merchandise in exchange, that portion does not qualify.

Speaker 7 (15:26):
Let's touch on one of the biggest reasons people use qcds.
It's about managing your taxable income even if you're giving
you charity already. Doing it through a QCD can keep
your adjusted gross income lower. That's important because a lower
AGI can affect everything from Medicare premiums to the taxation
of Social Security benefits.

Speaker 8 (15:45):
And for retirees who don't itemize their deductions anymore since
the standard deduction increased after the twenty seventeen tax law,
a QCD can be especially valuable. You get the benefit
of charitable giving without the need to itemize.

Speaker 1 (16:01):
That's a great point.

Speaker 7 (16:02):
A lot of retirees give generously but don't see a
tax benefit because their standard deduction is higher than their
total itemized deductions. With a QCD, the money doesn't show
up as income in the first place, so you get
a direct benefit.

Speaker 8 (16:15):
Another advantage is that making qcds can gradually reduce the
size of your IRA. That means your required minimum distributions
in future years may also be smaller.

Speaker 1 (16:28):
It's like a double benefit.

Speaker 7 (16:29):
You're supporting causes you care about, and you're reducing your
long term tax burden on your retirement accounts.

Speaker 8 (16:35):
But as always, there are some limitations to keep in mind.
You can make a QCD larger than your R and
D for the year, but you can't carry the extra
amount forward to future years.

Speaker 1 (16:48):
And you can't double dip on tax benefits.

Speaker 7 (16:51):
If you make a QCD, you can't also claim it
as a charitable deduction. You're already getting the tax benefit
by keeping it out of your income.

Speaker 8 (16:59):
Another important distinction is between federal and state tax treatment.
Most states follow federal rules, but not all, so it's
worth checking with your tax preparer to confirm how your
state handles qualified charitable distributions.

Speaker 7 (17:15):
And while the process sounds simple, Greg, you and I
both know this is one of those areas where the
details matter. A wrong step like taking the distribution into
your checking account, can make the whole transaction taxable.

Speaker 8 (17:27):
That's why we always tell our clients coordinate with your
financial advisor, your IRA custodian, and your tax professional before
initiating a QCD.

Speaker 7 (17:37):
Exactly done correctly, it's one of the most tax efficient
ways to give, and as Fideli pointed out in their article,
it can allow people to make larger gifts than they
could through regular cash donations because those AGI limits on
charitable deductions don't apply here.

Speaker 8 (17:51):
So if you're seventy and a half in older and
you don't need all the income from your IRA, but
you're passionate about supporting certain causes, QUCD might be one
of the smartest moves you can make before year end.

Speaker 7 (18:04):
When we come back after the break, we'll switch gears
and focus on a recent Kiplinger study that found stresses
on the rise from many retirees.

Speaker 1 (18:12):
Stick with us. You're listening to safe money strategies with
Mike two said in Great Workmen, We'll.

Speaker 5 (18:16):
Be right back.

Speaker 3 (18:22):
Kelly Financial Services, eight hundred eighteen eighty one. I believe
that this nation should commit it so achieving.

Speaker 7 (18:30):
The goal of landing a man on the Moon and
returning him safely to the Earth six five, four, three
two one zero All engine round, look down a follow eleven.

Speaker 9 (18:47):
Remember those Apollo Moon missions, one of America's greatest adventures
and achievements.

Speaker 5 (18:52):
Too.

Speaker 9 (18:53):
The nation set a goal and then realized it. What
are your goals? At Kelly Financial Services. We've got the
right team and technology to help launch your retirement planning.
Let us help you set and reach your goals for
your greatest adventure and achievement. Call us at eight eight
eight eight hundred eighteen eighty one or visit us at

(19:15):
Kelly Financial dot org. Where do you want to land?
We're Tankuality Vapor Being have landed. We are Kelly Financial Services.
Come retire with us.

Speaker 4 (19:26):
I'm Kelly Kelly from Kelly Financial. Is your financial advisor
a fiduciary? In other words, are they legally required to
act in your best interest? My complimentary book, Retire Your Fear,
Plan Your Future explains what a fiduciary is and will
help you understand if an advisor is really putting you first.
For the book, call eight eight eight eight hundred eighteen

(19:49):
eighty one or email Kelly at Kellyfinancial dot org.

Speaker 5 (19:53):
We're Kelly Financial. Come retire with.

Speaker 3 (19:55):
Us The Money Wrap with Kelly Financial Advisors Greg Murray
and Mary Madeline Kerry.

Speaker 10 (20:03):
Hello, this is Greg Murray, singing Vice President and Chief
Compliance Officer at Kelly Financial Services. Joining me today is
Mary Madeline Kelly One of our wealth advisors. How are
you doing today?

Speaker 8 (20:13):
Hi? Greg?

Speaker 11 (20:13):
I am doing great. The New York City Marathon last
weekend was a huge success and my friend did even
better than she expected to. This course is extremely difficult,
so I am super proud of her.

Speaker 1 (20:24):
Next up is Tokyo next year.

Speaker 10 (20:26):
That sounds like a fantastic avenger. Will you be joining
her for this marathon as well? And more importantly, is
this marathon during ski season? I hear the skiing in
Japan is amazing.

Speaker 11 (20:35):
Absolutely not maybe someday, but not today, And yes it is.
My friend is not ski so I don't think I'll
be skiing in Japal this trip, unfortunately, but I'll definitely
be getting in as much New England pale as possible. Now,
moving on to an especially important subject because we're nearing
the end of the year, which means it's R and
D season. We're talking about required minimum distributions and the

(20:58):
big mistakes retirees to avoid so they don't end up
paying unnecessary taxes or penalties.

Speaker 10 (21:04):
That's right, Once you reach a certain age currently seventy
three under the latest rules, the IRS requires you start
taking money out of your traditional retirement accounts like iras
and four to one case. Whether you need that income
or not, the government wants to collect their tax dollars on.

Speaker 11 (21:19):
It exactly, and if you don't take the right amount
before the deadline, which is December thirty first each year,
you could face a pretty big penalty. That's why this
time of the year is so important for retirees to
double check their rm ds and their strategy.

Speaker 10 (21:32):
So let's talk about some of the biggest rm D
mistakes to avoid. Mistake number one, missing your deadline. The
IRS can charge up to a twenty five percent penalty
on the amount you should have taken out. That's one
of the steepest penalties out there.

Speaker 11 (21:44):
Yes, and it often happens with that very first r
and D Because the rule can be confusing. You're allowed
to delay your first one until April first of the
following year, but if you do, you'll likely end up
taking two r and ds in the same year, doubling
your income and potential taxes.

Speaker 1 (22:00):
Which brings us to mistake number two. Not planning for taxes.

Speaker 10 (22:04):
Rm d's count is income, and if you're already receiving
Social Security or pension benefits, those extra dollars can push
you into a higher tax bracket, or increase your Medicare
premiums exactly.

Speaker 11 (22:14):
Sometimes spacing out withdrawals throughout the year or coordinating them
with other income sources can help manage that tax hit
more efficiently.

Speaker 10 (22:21):
Mistake number three forgetting about old accounts. Many retirees have
a four oh one K from a former employer or
multiple irays scattered around. You aren't responsible for calculating each account.

Speaker 5 (22:32):
Properly, right, And here's a key rule.

Speaker 11 (22:34):
You can combine IRA R and DS and withdrawal from
just one IRA if you want, but each four oh
one K must have its own separate R and D
and that one catches a lot of people by surprise.

Speaker 10 (22:46):
Mistake number four overlooking sposal planning opportunities. If you're suposed
is more than ten years younger and the sole beneficiary,
the highers allows a different calculation that can reduce the
annual rm D amount.

Speaker 5 (22:57):
That's a great point.

Speaker 11 (22:58):
And then there's mistake number five missing charitable opportunities for
anyone who likes to support charities using a QCD. A
qualified charitable distribution is a fantastic tool. Once you turn
seventy into half yes, and.

Speaker 10 (23:11):
When you give directly from your IRA to a charity.
That amount can count towards your RMD without increasing your
taxable income. It's a win win if you don't need
the entire distribution for your own expenses.

Speaker 11 (23:21):
Exactly, a smart R and D plan can reduce taxes,
protect social Security benefits, and help manage Medicare costs, all
while ensuring you don't face penalties.

Speaker 10 (23:30):
So to recap the top RMD mistakes so avoid and
retirement are one missing the year end deadline, two ignoring
the tax impact, three for getting older retirement accounts. Four
not coordinating with sposal rules. Five overlooking charitable giving strategies.

Speaker 11 (23:46):
Perfectly said in the good News, every one of these
mistakes can be prevented with good planning and guidance, especially
if you catch them before December thirty first, that's.

Speaker 10 (23:55):
Right, So if you're approaching RMD age or you're already
taking distributions and want to be sure you're doing the
right thing, come see as at Kelly Financial.

Speaker 11 (24:01):
We can help you build a smart, tax efficient withdrawal
strategy so you can enjoy your retirement with confidence, not
anxiety about IRS penalties.

Speaker 10 (24:10):
Exactly. That's going to wrap things up today. I hope
you enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Speaker 11 (24:14):
Thanks Greg, you too.

Speaker 3 (24:15):
To get in touch with Greg Murray or Mary, Madeline Kelly,
or any member of the Kelly Financial team called at
eight eight hundred, eighteen eighty one. Safe Money Strategies with
William Kelly and Kelly Kelly call the team on eight
eight eight hundred, eighteen eighty one.

Speaker 4 (24:41):
When we becomes me, everything changes your day's, your decisions,
and even your sense of who you are. I'm Kelly
Kelly and this is Safe Money Strategies. I'm here with
my son, William Kelly Junior, and today we're talking about
how your retirement plan and your outlook can shift when

(25:03):
you find yourself on your own.

Speaker 1 (25:05):
Mom.

Speaker 2 (25:05):
That's such a powerful topic and I think a lot
of listeners can relate. Maybe they've lost a spouse, maybe
they're divorced, or maybe they've just lived independently for years,
but it's true, being on your own in retirement can
feel different, both emotionally and financially.

Speaker 4 (25:18):
Absolutely, and I can speak from experience. When Bill passed
away eight years ago, I was fifty five years old.
I went from running a business with my husband to
managing that same business alone and raising two children.

Speaker 5 (25:37):
William.

Speaker 4 (25:38):
You were only eleven years old, and it was a
season of change that tested everything I knew about planning,
about purpose, and about faith. What I learned is that
when life shifts suddenly, it's not just your income that changes,
it's your identity. You go from we to me, and

(26:03):
that can shake even the most organized person.

Speaker 2 (26:07):
Yes, and I've watched you rebuild them, not overnight, but
step by step. And that's what I hope people take
away from today's show. Whether you're widowed, divorced, or single
by choice, you can find stability again. It just takes
a plan and courage to face what's next. That's exactly right.

Speaker 4 (26:23):
A twenty twenty five Fidelity study showed that sixty seven
percent of Americans say their confidence in retirement planning has dropped.
And that's the sign of how much uncertainty people feel
right now. But the good news is planning restores control.
It gives you a sense of direction.

Speaker 5 (26:45):
Again.

Speaker 4 (26:46):
You can't plan for what you won't face, but once
you face it, you really can plan for anything.

Speaker 2 (26:54):
So where does someone start if they've always had a
spouse handled the financial side, Because I know that's a
reality for a lot of cops.

Speaker 4 (27:00):
It is many women and men to have deferred those
long term financial decisions to their partner. But once you're
on your own, that's the time to step forward and
take ownership. Confidence grows when you understand where your income
will come from social Security, pensions, savings, or investments. Start

(27:25):
by making a simple list. Write down what's coming in
and what's going out each month.

Speaker 5 (27:31):
Is not about perfection, is about awareness.

Speaker 1 (27:34):
That's good advice.

Speaker 2 (27:35):
And I saw a smart Asset study from twenty twenty
four that said forty percent of women who work with
a financial advisor feel very prepared for retirement. That's a
big difference compared to those trying to go it alone.
So guidance really does matter.

Speaker 5 (27:48):
It does, and so does mindset.

Speaker 4 (27:51):
You know, money anxiety often hide something deeper, grief, guilt,
or just fear of getting it wrong. I encourage people
to ask themselves a simple question, am I avoiding, assuming,
or acting only one of those leads to progress. You
don't have to be fearless, you just have to take

(28:13):
the next right step.

Speaker 1 (28:15):
I love that line, the next right step.

Speaker 2 (28:18):
It reminds me of how planning isn't just about numbers,
It's about getting your footing back emotionally exactly.

Speaker 4 (28:24):
It's about rebuilding confidence, and faith plays a big role
in that. For me, faith turned fear into focus. Once
fear gives way to faith, planning becomes an act of courage.
And that's true whether you're creating a new budget, updating beneficiaries,

(28:44):
or just sitting down with an advisor for the first
time since your spouse passed away.

Speaker 2 (28:49):
Right, and it's never too late to do that. Even
small steps like reviewing account ownerships, automatic payments, or updating
your financial calendar for the year can make a big difference.

Speaker 5 (28:58):
They really can.

Speaker 4 (29:00):
In fact, the more you organize, the freer you'll feel.
A recent nationwide study found that forty six percent of
single investors believe they'll need six hundred thousand dollars to retire,
but only eighteen percent.

Speaker 5 (29:17):
Have saved that.

Speaker 4 (29:18):
That's why planning early and planning realistically matters so much,
and that's where an advisor comes in. A good advisor
acts as a coach, not a controller.

Speaker 5 (29:30):
They listen before.

Speaker 4 (29:31):
They calculate, and they help you translate emotion into strategy
things like income longevity, survivor benefits, and tax smart withdrawals.

Speaker 2 (29:42):
It's like having a second set of eyes or maybe
a study hint.

Speaker 1 (29:46):
When you're trying to navigate your territory.

Speaker 5 (29:48):
That's right.

Speaker 4 (29:49):
When life changes, so should your plan and that's where
our team steps in. If you're navigating retirement on your own,
maybe for the first time, my book Retire Your Fear,
Plan Your Future was written for you. I devoted entire
sections to real life transitions like widowhood, gray divorce, and

(30:13):
funding your own retirement. Each chapter offers practical steps to
help you steady your emotions, find your footing, and replace
fear with focus. And remember, stepping into retirement alone doesn't
mean standing alone without knowledge, courage, and good counsel. Your

(30:33):
future is yours to shape and you're listening to Safe
Money Strategies on WRKO six eighty am. For more than
twenty two years, Kelly Financial Services has been helping New
England families protect what matters most. Call us at eight
eight eight eight hundred eighteen eighty one or visit Kellyfinancial

(30:56):
dot org.

Speaker 5 (30:58):
We'll be right back after this.

Speaker 3 (31:00):
US Safe Money Strategies brought to you by Kelly Financial Services.
Call eight at eight eight hundred eighteen eighty one or
visit Kellyfinancial dot org.

Speaker 9 (31:13):
Ready to enjoy your golden years without worry. At Kelly Financial,
we know retirement planning can be overwhelming. With more than
twenty two years of experience, our friendly team of advisors
makes it easy and stress free. Trust us to help
you create a secure and enjoyable future. For a free
initial retirement consultation, call eight eight eight eight hundred eighteen

(31:36):
eighty one or email Kelly at Kelly Financial dot org.
We're Kelly Financial. Come retire with.

Speaker 3 (31:42):
Us Safe Money Strategies with William Kelly and Kelly Kelly.
Call the team on at eight eight hundred eighteen eighty one.

Speaker 4 (31:52):
Ye, welcome back to Save Money Strategies. I'm Kelly Kelly
here with my son, William Kelly Junior. Today we're continuing
our conversation about how your retirement plan changes when you're
on your own, and how to build not just financial stability,

(32:14):
but emotional strength and independence.

Speaker 1 (32:18):
You know, mom, this topic has really hit home for
a lot of people.

Speaker 2 (32:21):
After the break, I was looking at some research you mentioned,
and I saw that nearly twenty eight percent of Americans
over age sixty five now live alone. That's about sixteen
million people according to Kiplinger. That's a huge part of
the population navigating this stage of life solo.

Speaker 4 (32:35):
It really is, and that number keeps growing every year.
So let's start with one of the biggest questions we hear,
where should I live?

Speaker 8 (32:45):
Home?

Speaker 4 (32:46):
Is more than just financial security, it's emotional security. But
there comes a time to ask, does my home still
fit my life? Or do I feel like I'm serving
the house instead of it me that's so true.

Speaker 2 (33:02):
I've heard clients say that their house feels too big,
too quiet, or too much to take care of, but
they're afraid of the idea of downsizing, like it means
giving up something exactly.

Speaker 4 (33:11):
I like to think of it not as downsizing but
right sizing, creating a home that fits your new season
of life. For some, that's a condo near family or
a smaller house that's easier to manage. For others, it
might mean exploring active adult communities or even shared living

(33:33):
arrangements with a trusted friend or relative. What matters is
that your home gives you comfort. It gives you community
and peace of mind, not stress.

Speaker 2 (33:46):
And for a lot of people, that decision ties right
into budgeting right because housing is usually the biggest line
item in retirement.

Speaker 4 (33:53):
It is, and that's why planning ahead makes all the difference.
When you're living on your own, every dollar needs direction.
One simple approach I like is the fifty to thirty
twenty rule. Fifty percent of your income for needs, thirty
percent for wants, and twenty percent for savings or debt reduction.

(34:14):
But of course that can be adjusted depending on your
stage of life and goals, and with inflation still impacting retirees,
is worth remembering that it now takes about twenty to
twenty two percent more than it did in twenty twenty
just to maintain that same lifestyle.

Speaker 5 (34:33):
So every few months.

Speaker 4 (34:34):
Reassess your spending, reassess your subscriptions, insurance, discretionary costs, and
make sure your money aligns with your priorities.

Speaker 1 (34:45):
That's smart. It's not about restricting joy.

Speaker 2 (34:47):
It's about making sure you know where your money goes
so you can decide where your life goes.

Speaker 4 (34:51):
Exactly, and don't forget to budget for joy, travel, grandkids, hobbies, giving.
Those are the things that keep you feeling alive and connected.
But part of living solo and strong also means preparing
for the what ifs. A state and health care planning

(35:11):
are essential. The reality is that seventy percent of retirees
will need some form of long term care, and singles
don't have an automatic decision maker. You need both a
power of attorney and a health care proxy. And I
know this part isn't fun to think about, but less
than one in four Americans. Only twenty four percent have

(35:35):
a will according to caring dot COM's twenty twenty five survey.
That's a concern, especially for those living alone.

Speaker 2 (35:44):
Right, and those documents protect you and the people you
care about. It's a gifted clarity for your family.

Speaker 5 (35:50):
It really is.

Speaker 4 (35:51):
Preparation isn't about worry, It's about peace and beyond paperwork.
I always tell people to consider long term care insurance
or hybrid policies that combine protection and flexibility. The goal
isn't to predict every detail, it's to remove uncertainty and

(36:12):
lighten the burden later.

Speaker 1 (36:13):
I like that.

Speaker 2 (36:14):
You always say planning is about freedom, not fear, and
that kind of ties into something else. We talked about
connection because living alone doesn't mean being isolated.

Speaker 5 (36:22):
Yes, and that's such an important point.

Speaker 4 (36:25):
There's a wonderful study from Everyday Help that found strong
social ties can actually slow biological aging. Isn't that something
staying socially active is one of the best investments you
can make in your health. Join a faith group, volunteer,
mentor or even just keep a circle of friends and

(36:49):
neighbors who check in on each other. I call that
your retirement tribe, your team for the next chapter of life, and.

Speaker 1 (36:58):
It doesn't have to be complicated.

Speaker 2 (37:00):
Even little routines lunch with a friend, joining a book club,
or volunteering one day a week create structure and purpose.

Speaker 5 (37:06):
Exactly.

Speaker 4 (37:08):
The best investment you can make is in relationships that
return joy, because no portfolio can replace purpose and purpose
is what keeps people thriving, not just surviving through this
stage of life. Now, let's talk about how professional guidance
fits in. A good advisor helps synchronize your lifestyle goals

(37:32):
with your financial reality. We help clients design income plans
that reflect how they want to live, not just what
they've saved. It's about clarity, security, and simplicity.

Speaker 2 (37:46):
That's what I love about what we do. You've always
set our goals and just to grow assets. It's to
help people feel secure and supported.

Speaker 5 (37:53):
That's right, You've done the hard work.

Speaker 4 (37:55):
Facing your future now is about making it work for you,
and that's why having a fiduciary advisor, a clear plan,
and a supportive community can make all the difference. If
you're planning for retirement on your own, my book Retire
Your Fear, Plan Your Future, can help you get started.

(38:18):
It explores real life transitions into widowhood, great divorce, and longevity,
and offers practical, faith based steps for building confidence and independence. Retirement,
for one, doesn't mean you're on your own. It means
you're free to design the life you want on your terms.

(38:40):
And remember, every good plan begins with a conversation. You're
listening to Safe Money Strategies on WRKO six eighty am.
For more than twenty two years, Kelly Financial has been
helping New England families protect what matters most. Call eight
eight a m eight eight hundred eighteen eighty one or

(39:03):
visit Kellyfinancial dot org.

Speaker 5 (39:06):
Stay with us.

Speaker 4 (39:07):
We've got more financial content coming your way.

Speaker 3 (39:13):
Safe Money Strategies brought to you by Kelly Financial Services.
Call eight eight eight eight hundred eighteen eighty one or
visit Kelly Financial dot org. Welcome back to Safe Money Strategies.
I'm Mike Ducett, and with me as always is Greg Workman.

Speaker 1 (39:29):
Greg.

Speaker 7 (39:29):
If we take a step back from the nuts and
bolts of tax strategies, Let's talk about something very human,
financial stress, and how it's creeping into more folks lives
than you might expect.

Speaker 8 (39:40):
Absolutely, Mike. In fact, a recent Kiplinger Personal Finance article
titled The Surprising Trick to Stop Money Stress before it
starts found that seventy percent of Americans say they feel
anxious about money. That statistic is huge, and it underscores
a hidden retirement where even if you have a nest egg,

(40:02):
if you're worrying about it instead of using it confidently,
you are potentially paying.

Speaker 1 (40:08):
A price exactly.

Speaker 7 (40:09):
Some of the stress comes from everyday pressures, inflation, market swings,
rising costs of healthcare and housing, but for those in
or near retirement is an added layer. Concerns about outliving money,
needing to depend on social security, watching required minimum distribution
squeeze your choices. In another Kiplinger article, they found that
seventy percent of retirees say that financial stress is at

(40:32):
an all time high.

Speaker 8 (40:33):
And when stress goes up, it doesn't just affect your mood,
it affects your decisions. The article points out that financial
stress can shrink your cognitive bandwidth. Meaning when you're constantly worried,
you may make reactive decisions instead of strategic ones.

Speaker 7 (40:51):
Right, And when you're in retirement, you don't want reactive
You want calm, thoughtful, strategic planning. You want to be
in the driver's seat, not fighting the data board of lights.
So let's talk about why.

Speaker 1 (41:02):
This matters, and then what you can do about it.

Speaker 8 (41:05):
Let's start with why it matters. First, inflation and cost
of living pressures. When it feels like everything's more expensive groceries, utilities, housing,
it adds to the sense of urgency. The Kiplinger Seven
Ways to Manage your Financial Stress article noted that with
inflation high and costs rising, many folks are stressed simply

(41:28):
trying to make ends meet.

Speaker 7 (41:30):
Second, uncertainty about retirement income. If you're approaching or in retirement,
you may ask will my portfolio last?

Speaker 1 (41:38):
What if the market drops? What if I need long
term care?

Speaker 7 (41:41):
Those unanswered questions fuel anxiety, and anxiety drains the ability
to plan proactively.

Speaker 8 (41:46):
Third, complexity, Retirement planning isn't just save and invest anymore.
It's about sequence of withdrawals, tax efficiency, healthcare costs, state plans,
legacy objects. That complexity itself is a stressed driver, and
the more unresolved are unscheduled items you have, the more

(42:09):
that stress tends to build.

Speaker 7 (42:10):
Up, which brings us to the key point. If you're
stressed about money, it's not just a psychological issue, it's
a financial planning issue, and solving it means removing some
of the uncertainty, making things more visible, more navigable.

Speaker 8 (42:23):
That leads us to the what can you do about it? Part?
The article recommends a very practical habit they call quote
unquote worry time, a dedicated block of fifteen minutes once
a week to run through your money worries and concerns.
That may sound simple, but the point is you give
yourself permission to worry on purpose, so that outside of

(42:46):
that time you are free to act. I like that.

Speaker 7 (42:49):
It's akin to a scheduled check in with your finances
rather than carrying the nag and worry.

Speaker 1 (42:54):
All the time.

Speaker 7 (42:55):
So let's walk through a few actionable steps you can
take right now.

Speaker 8 (43:00):
No One, schedule your money check in. Pick a consistent
time each week or bi weekly, say Sunday afternoon, our
Thursday morning, when you're relaxed, set aside fifteen minutes. Use
it to review your numbers. Ask what is my biggest
concern right now? What can I control? And what is
out of my control?

Speaker 7 (43:20):
Step two create or revisit a stress list and an
action list. During your check in, write down what's on
your mind. Will inflation eat my income? Our RMD is
going to bump me up in tax brackets? What if
I'm still working at age seventy? These go on you
stress list. Beside each ask what can I act on immediately?

(43:42):
If it's reduced portfolio risk, then schedule a meeting with
your advisor. If it's what if long term care is needed,
then schedule a review with your planning team.

Speaker 8 (43:50):
Step three build buffer and clarity. One of the root
causes of stress is uncertainty. Having a clear income plan,
knowing where your rmds or withdrawals come from. Having a
liquidity runway. In other words, cash or low risk assets
for near term needs can ease the pressure. The article

(44:12):
emphasized that when retirees structure, where a retirement plan built
not just on growth, but on real life risks inflation, longevity,
and taxes, there's stress levels tend to drop.

Speaker 1 (44:26):
Step four.

Speaker 7 (44:27):
Use tools like our workbook Safe Money Strategies. If you
feel like you're doing okay, but you still lie awake
thinking about what IFFs. Then this workbook helps you map
your whole retirement income plan, when to take social Security,
how to sequence withdrawals, how to think about taxes, how
to tie in charitable giving, how to reduce your cash flow.

Speaker 8 (44:46):
Stress exactly the act of writing down your what ifs,
mapping a strategy, and seeing where you stand. That process
itself reduces financial stress because you move from what ifs
to here's what we'll do, and when you've done that,
anxiety tends to drop.

Speaker 7 (45:04):
And finally, step five, review regularly. Stress doesn't vanish when
you do one check in The environment changes, market shifts,
health changes, family situations evolve. What stressed you six months
ago might not be the same thing today.

Speaker 1 (45:20):
Keep the habit of review.

Speaker 8 (45:22):
So to recap. We've talked about why financial stress is rising,
especially for retirees and pre retirees. We've explored the mechanics
of how stress affects decision making, and we have offered
practical steps to combat it.

Speaker 7 (45:38):
And the key takeaway if you're feeling stressed about your finances,
you're not alone, but you also don't have to sit
with anxiety with the structured approach, you can regain clarity, control,
and peace.

Speaker 8 (45:48):
Of mind, which brings us to our call to action.
If you haven't yet picked up our Safe Money Strategies workbook,
now is the time. Use it as your planning company.
Work through the questions, map your income and your risk profile,
identify your stress drivers, and schedule your next step. Reach

(46:10):
out to us at Kelly Financial Services to request your copy.
Let's help turn your worry into strategy and actionable plans.

Speaker 1 (46:19):
That's right.

Speaker 7 (46:19):
You've heard us talk about all the pieces tax efficiency, retirement, income,
charitable giving, a state planning, but what pulls them together
is the one that often gets ignored.

Speaker 1 (46:29):
How you fail.

Speaker 7 (46:30):
If your money plan keeps you up at night, it's
time to upgrade.

Speaker 8 (46:33):
Thank you for tuning in today. We'll be back again
next week with more on how to protect your retirement,
your income, and your peace of mind. With that, I'm
Greg Workman.

Speaker 7 (46:44):
And I'm Mike du Said, join us next week for
more safe Money strategies.

Speaker 6 (46:52):
Joining us now, as she always does at this time.
She is the co founder, CEO, president of Kelly Financial Services,
and yes, that is her wonderful name.

Speaker 1 (47:06):
Kelly Kelly Kelly.

Speaker 5 (47:10):
How are you.

Speaker 4 (47:12):
Good morning, Jeff, I am good. You know this time
of year we all start thinking about gratitude and how
we can get back to the people and causes we love.

Speaker 5 (47:23):
But one of the most meaningful gifts.

Speaker 4 (47:25):
We can ever give isn't.

Speaker 5 (47:27):
Wrapped in paper or tied.

Speaker 4 (47:29):
With a bow, is the clarity and comfort that come
with a well prepared estate plan. At Kelly Financial, we
have an informative investor guide called the Greatest Gift. Outline
your wishes with an estate Plan. It helps families organize
their assets, named decision makers, and outline their wishes so

(47:50):
loved ones are not left guessing. You'll also find simple,
smart gifting strategies to bless your family and your favorite
charities while protecting your retirement income.

Speaker 5 (48:02):
And your own peace of mind.

Speaker 4 (48:04):
To get your free coffee, just give us call or
email us at Kelly at Kellyfinancial dot org. Jeff, have
a wonderful weekend, My best of Grace and the kiddos,
and Happy Halloween.

Speaker 6 (48:16):
Happy Halloween, all the best to you and everyone at
Kelly Financial. Okay, my friends. For your free copy of
the year end checklist and action plan, call Kelly now
eight eighty eight eight hundred eighteen eighty one, or if
you prefer, you can email her directly Kelly at Kellyfinancial
dot org. Kelly at Kellyfinancial dot.

Speaker 3 (48:39):
Org Safe Money Strategies at eight eight hundred one eight
eight one.

Speaker 4 (48:56):
This week on Safe Money Strategies, we turn What's Again
to the wit and wisdom of Bill Cally, sharing a
story that speaks to perseverance, faith and family roots.

Speaker 5 (49:09):
From the monasteries of.

Speaker 4 (49:10):
Saint Bridget, to the humble homes of Ireland and finally to.

Speaker 5 (49:15):
The fields of bailey Brook Farm.

Speaker 4 (49:17):
Bill reflects on what it truly means to be Irish, resilient,
faithful and grateful.

Speaker 5 (49:24):
Here's Bill Kelly.

Speaker 12 (49:28):
What are the most important values I've learned as a
result of being Irish? Perseverance and the ability to fight back.
The social, economic and political issues we're dealing with today
are the same types of issues that confronted my ancestors
in Ireland. An interesting part of Irish history goes back
to Saint Patrick and Bridget. Saint Bridget created a series

(49:51):
of monasteries in Kildare, Ireland. She was given her orders
from Saint mel who I believe was the nephew of
Saint Patrick. She set up monaies for both men and
women who flocked to them during one of Europe's darkest periods,
when the culture was under assault, Its history and literature,
its very underpinnings were being burned. Muslims were attacking from

(50:13):
every direction. So people would go to the monasteries in
Ireland to study, prey and write. They would translate and transcribe,
and the monasteries founded and built by Saint Bridget of
Kildare preserving writings that would later become the foundation not
only of Irish culture but also a significant part of
Western civilization. Many miraculous things happened in those monasteries. The

(50:36):
census was a terrible weapon in Ireland. Its main use
was to find out how many people were in a
home so the government could steal their resources and then
deal with them after they had robbed them of their
property and their dignity. If there were fewer Irish to
contend with, the British could take more of the land
and dedicate it to the Queen. England was a colonizing nation,

(50:57):
constantly on the lookout for more territory to control. In
the crosshairs were India, North America, Canada and the Virgin islands.
To colonize these areas and send out forces, the British
had to have supplies, so they've plundered Ireland for lamb meat,
wool and potatoes. Ireland became a place where the British

(51:18):
could rape the land and rape the people. They took
more and more, until eventually, in the eighteen thirties and
eighteen forties it began to backfire. It backfired because Ireland
sank to such a level of impoverishment that it couldn't
sustain the demands of the Crown or even support its
own people. There wasn't enough food. One million people starved

(51:39):
and millions more left. Ireland was broken by the filthy Cromwell.
Most Irish families had a one room home with a hearth,
and sometimes they would keep a farm animal in the
house with them so nobody could steal it. They would
sleep in cradles and bunks. That's what they went through.
Although you may see a lot of wonderful movies such

(52:00):
as Darby O'Gill and The Little People and the Quiet
Man their fairy tales at best, it was a tough
time for the Irish and nobody cut them a brake.
There was a sport in Ireland. For the British constables
and sheriffs. That sport was eviction and it was a
spectator sport. The only piece of equipment needed was a
pole about thirty feet long with a pick at the end.

(52:22):
The idea was to climb onto people's roofs and stick
the pole through the thatching in an effort to stab
whoever was in the way. When people saw the spears
coming through the roof, they would run out of the house.
As soon as they escaped, the British would bar the doors.
Then the sheriffs would go in, throw out all the
furniture and board up the doors. Anyone who tried to

(52:43):
return would be arrested. So some people lived in the
brush and some lived in caves. I have pictures of
some of my cousins standing in front of a cave
in the late eighteen fifties. That's where they lived when
the British came around. Their hope of coming to America
was a distant dream. The people who did make it
to our country thought they were in paradise because there

(53:04):
was food and plenty of work, though it was tough work.
I have a picture of my grandmother Kelly Her maiden
name was Moore, from the Donnybrook district in Dublin. My
Kelly ancestors came from Roscommon, Ireland. They went to Liverpool,
England to work in the mills because their fare was paid.
Once they saved up some money, they came to America.

(53:25):
From eighteen fifty one to eighteen seventy nine, various Kelleys
came from Roscommon to America via Lancashire and Liverpool. Some
of the Kellys ended up in the Springfield and Ludlow areas.
The Murphys wound up in Providence. We had arrived in
this wonderful place called the United States. Providence was the
jewelry capital of the world. There were many factories for

(53:49):
jewelry and silver place settings. My grandfather had a factory
in which they enameled emblems. In nineteen twenty seven, there
were signs on the horizon that didn't bode well for
anyone who owned a jewelry factory in Providence. The financial
markets collapsed in the late twenties and early thirties. Providence
was hit hard. Middle class people stopped buying jewelry. You

(54:12):
couldn't eat jewelry. Gramp got on his feet again through
hard work and was eventually able to help my parents
buy bailey Brook Farm. Growing up on bailey Brook Farm
was a far cry from the lives of our Irish ancestors.
You couldn't describe us as rich financially, but our riches
came from elsewhere. We had dogs, we had cats, we

(54:34):
had food, we had bicycles, we had hand me down shoes,
and we had the inevitable sock bag. Whenever someone did
a wash and the socks didn't match up, he or
she would put the odd socks in a bag. Imagine
seven kids, and every month or so we would go
through the sock bag and match up the stray pears.
We also had a rag bag of old sheets, towels

(54:54):
and cloths that we used for all sorts of things.
That's how we lived. We seven children had paper roots
starting at age eight or nine. On those routes, we
got to know people and were able to work and produce.
By doing that, we learned things. Was it a perfect life, No,
it wasn't. We had our problems. Did we get through
them unscathed? For the most part, we did. But there's

(55:15):
a lot of nicks on my soul that I know,
love and prayer will help heal. That's the reason my
religion assumed such an important role in my life. It's
given me an open invitation for forgiveness and renewal. My
childhood is now a distant dream, alive with fields, sunny days,
winter snow drifts, playtime and family dinners. What did we learn?

(55:36):
We learned that you had better try, you had better
respect your teachers, and you had better behave in church.
We worked on the farm, we went to school, and
we loved our teachers. At home we slept with a
pile of puppies. Have I made mistakes, sure, but I
pray about those all the time. Today at dawn, I
drove back to the farmland we once occupied. The hen

(55:56):
coops have been replaced by stylish residences. Our front step
is gone. Others now inhabit the hills of home those
we knew are no longer present. But it was a
magical place for a boy to grow up in.

Speaker 3 (56:12):
We'll call Kelly Financial Services eight eight eight eight hundred,
eighteen eighty one.

Speaker 4 (56:18):
I'm Kelly Kelly from Kelly Financial. Whether you're in your sixties, seventies,
or eighties, financial advice is important when it comes to
preserving your nest egg. We have a free investor guide
called Designing your Fiscal House to Weather the Elements, which
highlights the steps needed to build a balance portfolio. For
the guide, call eight eight eight eight hundred eighteen eighty

(56:40):
one or email Kelly at Kellyfinancial dot org.

Speaker 5 (56:44):
We're Kelly Financial. Come retire with.

Speaker 3 (56:47):
Us safe money strategies with William Kelly and Kelly Kelly.
Go to Kelly Financial dot org.