Episode: 296 - Creating Your Dream Retirement with Dalene Higgins
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Introduction
Worried about retirement and unsure where to start? You're not alone. Many feel uncertain about their financial readiness or whether they’re on track for their retirement dreams. In this engaging conversation, Dalene Higgins, a financial and retirement lifestyle coach, shares her expertise on building a clear, confident path toward retirement, no matter where you’re starting from.
Dalene Higgins' Background
With 32 years in government service and a passion for finance, Dalene transitioned to financial coaching after realizing her calling: helping others, particularly Gen Xers, tackle debt and prepare for retirement. Her approach blends budgeting, goal-setting, and practical strategies for achieving a fulfilling retirement.
Navigating Retirement Challenges
Many people feel retirement is out of reach due to economic pressures or immediate financial burdens. Dalene helps clients create realistic retirement plans while visualizing their ideal lifestyle—whether that’s traveling, seasonal homes, or local adventures. Her guidance turns uncertainty into actionable steps.
Shifting Negative Perspectives
Dalene emphasizes breaking free from the negativity surrounding finances. Using values-based exercises, she helps clients refocus on attainable goals, proving that with the right mindset and approach, financial freedom and retirement security are possible.
Crafting a Plan
Ready to take retirement planning seriously? Dalene encourages starting with a clear vision and understanding your current financial picture. By aligning expenses with personal goals, she equips clients with the tools to create a stable, purpose-driven retirement.
Understanding Your Retirement Options
Retirement savings options can be confusing. Dalene recommends starting with accessible resources, like an employer’s 401(k), and educating yourself about available options to make confident decisions. She stresses the importance of informed planning over relying on hearsay.
The Role of Financial Advisors
Dalene highlights the importance of education in financial planning, helping clients decide whether to manage their finances independently or with the guidance of a trusted advisor. Her goal is to empower individuals to take charge of their financial futures with confidence.
Budgeting with Intention
Dalene’s simple yet effective budgeting techniques start with identifying your recurring obligations. Listing bill due dates helps uncover overlooked expenses and realign spending with priorities, laying the groundwork for mindful financial management.
Conclusion
Achieving financial stability is less about income and more about intentional spending aligned with personal goals. Dalene’s and Debt Free Dad’s success stories showcase how anyone, regardless of income, can secure a fulfilling retirement through planning, education, and focus.
Resources Mentioned
The Totally Awesome Debt Freedom Planner https://www.debtfreedad.com/planner
Connect With Brad
Website- https://www.debtfreedad.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thedebtfreedad
Private Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/lifewithoutpayments
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/debtfreedad/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@debt_free_dad
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@bradnelson-debtfreedad2751/featured
Thanks For Listening
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We LOVE feedback, and also helps us grow our podcast! Please leave us an honest review in Apple Podcasts, we read every single one.
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Connect with Dalene Higgins: https://www.elevatefinances.us/
Resources Mentioned
The Totally Awesome Debt Freedom Planner https://www.debtfreedad.com/planner
Connect With Brad
Website- https://www.debtfreedad.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thedebtfreedad
Private Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/lifewithoutpayments
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/debtfreedad/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@debt_free_dad
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@bradnelson-debtfreedad2751/featured
Thanks For Listening
Like what you hear? Please, subscribe on the platform you listen to most: Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Tune-In, Stitcher, YouTube Music, YouTube
We LOVE feedback, and also helps us grow our podcast! Please leave us an honest review in Apple Podcasts, we read every single one.
Is there someone that you think would benefit from the Debt Free Dad podcast? Please, share this episode with them on your favorite social network!
Transcript:
ith work which will hopefully work itself out, and so he's on that path, which I know individuals can be there as they're trying to progress and trying to move ahead. We have to take a step back, so just looking for those areas that you can improve or keep a hold of some money just for a little while.
Brad Nelson:
Yeah, yeah, I love that, and even just that little win that person gets it feels so good, especially when you're used to just losing all the time. You're finally hey, I got to win Like it feels really great. Can you share? Um, what do you feel has been, at least for your clients, the biggest area in their budget, where they save the most money?
Dalene Higgins:
Um, so the way I walk them through, we do just three categories so bills, spending, everything else that's left over, and so for most of my clients, with the exception of two that have come to me for debt relief help, we've saved $400 to $1,000 a month, and these are individuals that are not making six figures. So it doesn't matter how much you're earning, it's how much you actually do with it. And so, taking that, and then I love to talk about stability. You know, creating that financial stability. Who is expecting money from you? We talked about the monthly, but who's expecting it from you next month? You know, in the quarter, or here's a big one, and I know this is going to release a little bit later, but when we're recording, Christmas is around the corner. What are you doing to prepare for that? So, and I know, when you know money is strapped, you're like I just can't do it, I just don't know how to do it. That's something you can achieve, you know. Strive to do and set some money aside every single month, if you can.
Brad Nelson:
Yeah, yeah, and I love that you bring that up. So you're saying people who make less than six figures are improving their finances and are saving for retirement. Yes, there you have it, see, and I wanted our listeners to hear that, because there's so many people out there that have this mindset that I got to make all this amazing money, or six figure income, in order to be successful. And we just don't see that here and you're not seeing in your practice either. Exactly, no, no, that's incredible. Well, dailene, it was awesome having you here. Okay, where can people learn more about you? I know you mentioned you have a podcast and other resources that you have. What can you give our listeners?
Dalene Higgins:
So yeah, my podcast is wealthy after 40. They can come listen there. My website is wwwelevatefinancesus. Everything is on there about me, how I serve you know the different offers and programs that I have. I'm also over on Instagram at elevate underscore finances.
Brad Nelson:
Awesome. Well, dailene, thank you so much for being here and giving us some expert advice. Thank you, appreciate it All right, guys, if you want to pay off debt, you want to save more money, you want to take control of your finances and start seeing those amazing results in just as little as 30 to 60 days, all you have to do is head over to debtfreedeadcom, click on the green button at the top of the page and we're going to show you how you can get started today. Let's talk about death, baby. Let's talk about your money. Let's talk about all the good things, all the bad things that may be. Let's talk about death. Let's talk about death. Tune into Death, Free Death. Tune into Death, free Death. All right, that sound means it's time for the celebrations of the show, and today we are kicking it off with Paige.
Brad Nelson:
Paige says since joining Roots in July of 2023, so at the time of this recording, talking about 15 months or so, she said she paid off about $14,322 in debt. I have $1,100 in my savings and I also have $1,100 in a dog emergency fund, $500 saved in my car emergency fund and $200 saved in my Las Vegas vacation fund. Paige, such great progress in 15 months. You've come so far. You've worked really hard. We are really, really proud of you, nicolette.
Brad Nelson:
I had a goal to only eat from my fridge this week and I made it happen. Nicolette, that's such a great win. It's so easy just to give up and go out to eat, nicolette. Way to stay committed to that. That's great, brenda. I paid for a new laptop without going into debt, brenda. That's such a great budgeting saving and a proactive win. Such a great budgeting saving and a proactive win. Such a great job. Hey, as always, guys, congratulations to all of you guys who are taking a stand for your financial life and you're wanting better. Hey, we get that. Getting out of debt isn't easy, but with our help and with your consistency and discipline, we promise you guys, this will be some of the best work that you guys do in your entire life.
Announcer:
Thanks for joining us on today's show and we will see you guys in the next episode. Thanks for listening to the Debt-Free Dad podcast. Connect with us on Facebook, tiktok, youtube and Instagram Just search Debt-Free Dad. If you found value in today's episode, please leave us a rating and review. We so appreciate it. For resources, show notes and links mentioned in today's show visit debtfreedadcom. Catch you next week.
