The Soloist’s Guide to Life and Money with Dr. Jay Zigmont

In this episode of The Navigating Solo™ Podcast, Ailene Gerhardt is joined by Dr. Jay Zigmont, PhD, CFP®, and founder of Childfree Wealth, the first life and financial planning firm dedicated to serving child-free and permanently childless individuals. Dr. Jay shares his groundbreaking approach to financial planning that centers on the unique needs and priorities of the child-free community, challenging traditional planning assumptions that prioritize marriage, children, and intergenerational wealth transfer.

Dr. Jay discusses how systemic biases in financial planning often fail solo agers and child-free individuals, leading to advice that doesn’t align with their values or goals. He highlights the importance of starting with a life plan—what you want your legacy and impact to be—and aligning finances to support those aspirations.

Listeners will gain insights into:

• How financial planning for the child-free community differs from traditional models.
• The societal stigmas and systemic biases child-free individuals face and how they affect financial planning.
• The importance of redefining legacy, shifting away from genetic inheritance, and prioritizing personal and community impact.
• Key questions to ask when choosing a financial planner, including how their approach adapts to child-free lifestyles.
• How simplifying finances can lead to more joyful and meaningful lives.

Dr. Jay also introduces his forthcoming book, The Childfree Guide to Life and Money, which offers practical strategies and insights for child-free individuals to build fulfilling lives on their terms.

Key Takeaways:

• Traditional financial advice often assumes marriage, children, and wealth transfer, making it ill-suited for child-free and solo individuals.
• Starting with a life plan allows individuals to define their purpose, values, and impact, shaping financial decisions accordingly.
• Child-free individuals have unique opportunities to reallocate wealth and resources during their lifetime to causes and experiences that matter most to them.
• Simplifying finances can free individuals to pursue fulfilling careers and lifestyles, emphasizing joy and meaningful contributions.

About Dr. Jay Zigmont: Dr. Jay Zigmont holds a PhD in Adult Learning from the University of Connecticut and an MBA. He is a Certified Financial Planner™ and founder of Childfree Wealth, a life and financial planning firm serving child-free individuals. Dr. Jay is also the author of the forthcoming book, The Childfree Guide to Life and Money, available December 2024. His expertise has been featured in Fortune, Forbes, MarketWatch, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and more.

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Connect with Dr. Jay:

• Website: childfreewealth.com
• Email: [e-mail]
• Facebook: ChildfreeWealth
• LinkedIn: childfree-wealth
• Book: The Childfree Guide to Life and Money: Make Your Finances Simple So Your Life Without Kids Can Be Amazing

Connect with Host Ailene Gerhardt, BCPA, CSA:

• Beacon Patient Solutions LLC: BeaconPatientSolutions.com, Email: [e-mail]
• The Navigating Solo Network™: