Shows
EmpowHER by SYM Financial AdvisorsFrom Nursing to Quantum Healing: A Journey of Compassion and Technology with Saghi TogashiIn this episode of EmpowHER, host Michelle Hipskind sits down with Saghi Togashi, a quantum energy and Reiki energy facilitator. Saghi shares her journey from nursing to computer science to holistic healing. After experiencing challenges in the nursing field due to empathy overload, Saghi transitioned to computer science but always harbored a desire to help others. Her path led her to discover a quantum energy device that merged her technological background with her passion for healing. Through intuitive and compassionate work, Saghi assists clients in raising their vibrational energy levels for better health and resilience. She plans to train...2024-04-0956 minEmpowHER by SYM Financial AdvisorsEmpowering Homeownership: Navigating Mortgages and Market Trends with Tina BennettIn this episode featuring special guest Tina Bennett from Hallmark Home Mortgage, they delve into the intricacies of mortgage debt, discussing factors like interest rates, refinancing, and the importance of seeking guidance from a mortgage professional. Through an insightful conversation and practical advice, this episode empowers people to make informed decisions about their finances and homeownership. About our guest, Tina Bennett: Tina Bennett is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in the mortgage industry, currently serving as a Branch Manager and Senior Vice President at Hallmark Home Mortgage. With a passion f...2024-02-1329 minEmpowHER by SYM Financial AdvisorsWhat you Should Know About the Messy Middle of Life Limiting IllnessesWe live longer but our capacity is diminishing and in practical care giving it’s not always clear who is making the decisions from day-to-day. As a financial advisor, I work with clients everyday who live in the gray space with their loved ones. This is the messy middle, where caring for those who are perfectly capable one day but then slowly diminishing the next is a confounding effort. I am always encountering professionals who enlighten me to better ways to navigate what I call the scary “C”s, caregiving, confusion, chaos, and capacity. – Michelle Hipskind, CFP® In this ins...2023-12-2831 min
EmpowHER by SYM Financial AdvisorsStrategies for Protecting Your Family with Medicaid Featuring Lindsay KolerThis podcast episode discusses Medicaid planning and how it can be used as an asset protection tool rather than just a last resort. Lindsay Koler, an elder law attorney, explains how Medicaid assessments and proper planning can help couples protect their homes and retirement accounts. She emphasizes getting powers of attorney updated and doing Medicaid planning well in advance of needing long-term care. We look at whether someone needs help with activities of daily living like feeding, dressing, taking medication to qualify for long-term care. - Lindsay Koler This week on Th...2023-10-2548 minEmpowHER by SYM Financial AdvisorsEnsuring Your Pets are Cared For After You're GoneIn this quick but packed full of information episode, Michelle discusses the importance of including plans for your pets in your estate planning. Many households now have companion animals, so it is crucial to consider what will happen to dogs, cats, or other pets if their owners become unable to care for them or pass away. Michelle recommennds speaking with your estate attorney about setting aside funds and establishing guardians for your pets. She also suggests utilizing local animal rescues, shelters, and foster programs that can provide temporary or permanent care for pets when needed. The key takeaway is...2023-10-0503 minEmpowHER by SYM Financial AdvisorsUnderstanding Hidden Nuggets within the SECURE ActWe have a quick tactical nugget for you on this latest episode of the EmpowHER podcast. In this episode, Michelle Hipskind focuses on dissecting the changes brought about by the 2019 SECURE Act, with particular emphasis on the elimination of the "stretch IRA," which imposes a 10-year limit for withdrawals for those inheriting IRA accounts. However, the podcast also sheds light on exceptions like qualified charitable distributions for beneficiaries close to 70 and a half years old. "Let's say that you are 65. A parent or an aunt, uncle, someone older than you passes away and leaves you a...2023-09-2102 minEmpowHER by SYM Financial AdvisorsEmpowering Young Women in Sports: Life Lessons from Softball with Erin EhlerMeet Erin (Rethlake) Ehler, head coach of the Huntington University Women’s Softball program. Listen in while she and Michelle talk about the challenges facing young women today and how we can empower them to be independent, confident and successful individuals. Erin speaks with experience having played college softball for a Division 1 program and earned the title of Miss Indiana Softball while in high school. Today, Erin coaches young women in the sport and in life drawing parallels to the education and development Michelle provides women with their money. Hear them talk about the challenges and dangers of...2023-08-0340 minEmpowHER by SYM Financial AdvisorsFinancial Wisdom Across Generations: Lessons Learned and Regrets Avoided with Rickie Kohne and Laura Murray In this episode we have an energetic conversation across two generations. Michelle is joined by mother and daughter Rickie Kohne and Laura Murray as they take a look into their personal experiences and insights on financial management. Laura and Rickie share the valuable lessons they learned from their parents, emphasizing the importance of living within their means and prioritizing savings. Both women stress the need for open communication and trust within relationships, acknowledging the role of financial advisors in providing guidance and peace of mind. They discuss the challenges of budgeting, sharing humorous anecdotes and reflecting on th...2023-07-2030 min
EmpowHER by SYM Financial AdvisorsHow Much Do I Need to RetireMichelle Hipskind, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and overseer of the Empower Women's Financial Education Program, discusses the question, "How much do I need to retire?" She emphasizes why there is no one-size-fits-all answer and that it depends on factors such as what the retiree wants their retirement to look like, what they can control, and what they cannot control. Other considerations include replacing cash flow, managing debt, accounting for taxes and healthcare expenses, dealing with inflation, and accounting for discretionary expenses. Michelle recommends working with a financial advisor to build a financial plan that maps out a retiree's goals, anticipated ex...2023-07-0611 min
EmpowHER by SYM Financial AdvisorsUnlocking the Mystery of Nonprofit Finances: Your Donations' Impact on Operations Uncovered with Carrie Minnich Carrie Minnich is a Partner at DWD CPAs & Advisors and is in-charge of the Nonprofit Services Team. She earned both a Bachelors degree in Financial Accounting (Cum laude) and a Master of Accountancy from Manchester College. Carrie has been with the firm since 2004 and has been a Director since 2017. She specializes in audits, reviews and compilations of financial Statements for nonprofit organizations. Michelle and Carrie discuss various aspects of non-profit organizations. They delve into types of financial contributions, distinguishing general operations, specific programs, and significant projects like capital campaigns. Carrie provides insight into donor restrictions and the...2023-06-1552 min
EmpowHER by SYM Financial AdvisorsInheriting Financial RelationshipsInheriting Financial Relationships In this episode of the EmpowHER Podcast, Michelle Hipskind, a certified financial planner, discusses the phenomenon of women inheriting investment portfolios and being dissatisfied with their financial advisors. She notes that 70% of women who inherit responsibilities for an investment portfolio want to switch to someone they are more comfortable with. Michelle provides five important questions to ask a financial advisor to ensure transparency and to guarantee that the advisor is acting as a fiduciary. She emphasizes that it is important to have a good relationship with your financial advisor, and women have t...2023-06-0108 min
EmpowHER by SYM Financial AdvisorsNavigating the Nightmare of Probate: Understanding Tax Law and Estate Planning with Heidi AdairNavigating the Nightmare of Probate: Understanding Tax Law and Estate Planning with Heidi Adair Heidi Adair is a partner at Beers Mallers whose legal practice is focused in the areas of Estate Planning and Elder Law. She is certified as an Estate Planning & Administration Specialist by the Indiana State Bar Estate Planning and Administration Specialty Certification Board. Heidi regularly advises clients regarding the protection of assets through the use of advanced Estate Planning and Elder Law planning. She has counseled numerous families regarding wills, Revocable Living Trusts, and the funding of those trusts, Medicaid, and n...2023-05-1840 min
SYM Financial Advisors PodcastDo you know where your money goes when you're gone?Join SYM Financial Advisor Michelle Hipskind in a story-filed, engaging discussion about the value of making sure you have the proper beneficiary designations on your bank accounts and other assets. What the topic lacks in glamour, it makes up for in importance! www.sym.com The opinions expressed herein are those of SYM Financial Advisors (“SYM”) and are subject to change without notice. This material is not financial advice or an offer to sell any product. SYM reserves the right to modify its current investment strategies and techniques based on changing market dynamics or client needs. SYM is an inde...2018-08-2826 min
SYM Financial Advisors PodcastPaying to earn, paying to save - Understanding fees in the Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plan worldA few dollars here, a few dollars there - over the course of years and decades, these dollars add up. Still, most retirement investors - and retirement plan sponsors – have little or no idea how much of their retirement savings is lost each quarter to fees. Join Tom Ackmann, SYM Vice President and Qualified Plan Advisor, and Michelle Hipskind, Financial Advisor, for a succinct and sometimes surprising "inside look" at the workings of fee structures within retirement plans. In this podcast, Tom and Michelle help you to follow the money, to better understand who is earning what, and making it...2018-03-0620 min
SYM Financial Advisors PodcastI'm responsible for WHAT? Understanding fiduciary roles in your company's retirement planI'm responsible for WHAT? takes you behind the scenes of the legal obligations associated with caring for Americans' retirement monies. Understand what you, as a plan sponsor, can expect from your advisor, your TPA, and others, and how to optimize your plan structure to get the best for you and your employees. Join SYM Financial Vice President and Retirement Plan Advisor Tom Ackmann and Financial Advisor Michelle Hipskind for a short but eye-opening peek behind the curtains. What you learn may save your company, and your employees, valuable time and dollars. www.sym.com The opinions expressed herein are...2018-02-1318 min
SYM Financial Advisors PodcastEmployer-Sponsored Retirement Plans - The awesome potential in plan designAre you responsible for choosing a new retirement plan for your company? Are you responsible for evaluating your current one? SYM Financial Vice President and Retirement Plan Advisor Tom Ackmann and Financial Advisor Michelle Hipskind offer valuable insight into factors to consider so your plan fits your needs. From employee retention to maximizing owner benefits, tune in to this podcast hear straightforward advice designed to serve the best interest of you - the plan sponsor. Retirement plans can accomplish a wider set of objectives than most business owners realize, so don’t miss this chance to tune in and le...2018-01-2421 min