Why I Built My Own Investing Plan (While My Financial Advisor Son Dodged My Calls)

I didn’t grow up talking about investing or the stock market.
I grew up trying to stretch a dollar — not trade one.

But here I am at 55:
Investing in dividend ETFs, poking around my IRA, and Googling “What does JEPI mean?” at midnight.
Not because I always wanted to. Because I had to.

And here’s the part that makes it funny… or maybe just ironic:

My son is a financial advisor.
A real one. Big firm. Suit. License. The whole deal.

And yet… when I ask for help?
He doesn’t answer his phone.

So why did I finally take control?

Because I got tired of waiting.
Tired of “It depends” when I needed a real answer.
Tired of feeling like investing was this secret club — and I was still stuck outside, even with an expert in the family.

So I decided something:

I didn’t need Wall Street.
I needed a real woman’s playbook — one that explains things in plain English, doesn’t talk down to me, and isn’t afraid to say: “Look, I’m still figuring it out too.”

What I’ve Learned About Investing (The Hard Way)

I didn’t take a course. I didn’t grow up with CNBC playing in the background.
I just started paying attention. And here’s what finally clicked:

Feeling confused doesn’t mean you’re not smart.
It means no one ever taught you in a way that made sense.
That ends here.

“Time in the market” beats “timing the market.”
My money grew more just by staying put than from any flashy moves.
Turns out, patience really is a strategy.

Dividends can actually pay you monthly.
(Looking at you, JEPI 👀)
I used to think income from stocks was something “finance people” talked about.
Now I see it land in my account — and I get it.

Roth vs. Traditional actually matters.
One taxes you now. One taxes you later.
And once I understood when I’d rather pay Uncle Sam, I finally made a move that felt smart for me.

What My Son Did (and Didn’t) Say

Now don’t get me wrong — I love my son. He’s smart, responsible, and actually enjoys spreadsheets (bless him).
But when it comes to helping his mama with money? Let’s just say… he’s a little evasive.

Here’s how most of our conversations go:

• “Well, it depends.”
• “That’s kind of complicated.”
• “I’m in a meeting — I’ll call you later.” Narrator voice in my head: No, he won’t.

I don’t blame him.
I think he’s afraid to say the wrong thing or mess something up for me.
But here’s the truth:

I don’t need perfect answers.
I just need real ones — in plain English, without the ego.

So when he didn’t call back, I did the next best thing:
I started calling myself back.
Reading. Asking questions. Making moves.

And now I’m sharing what I’m learning — not because I’ve got it all figured out, but because I finally stopped sitting on the sidelines.

The Truth About Investing After 50

I may not have a finance degree, but I do have experience — the kind that comes from clicking buttons, making mistakes, and learning what works for me.

Here’s what I’ve come to believe — not because someone told me, but because I’ve lived it:

• You don’t have to understand everything to start.
  You just have to start with what you do understand — and build from there.
• Income from investments is real.
  Watching dividends show up in my account feels like magic I created — not someone else.
• Growth takes time — and courage.
  My accounts didn’t change overnight. But I did.
• The stock market isn’t just for men, suits, or tech bros.
  It’s for women like me — like you — who are done feeling left out of the money conversation.

I’m still learning.
But I’m not stuck.
And that, to me, is the difference between feeling powerless… and finally feeling in control.

The only thing scarier than investing… is not investing.

Ready to Come With Me?

I’m launching a brand-new YouTube series called:
“Finance for Women 50+ — From the Financial Advisor’s Mom.”

It’s not stuffy.
It’s not salesy.
And it’s definitely not full of jargon.

It’s real talk about real money — the kind that helps you understand your IRA, build dividend income, dodge IRMAA surprises, and finally feel like you’ve got this.

There’ll be lessons. Laughter. Maybe even a few “oops” moments.
But most importantly? There’ll be clarity and confidence — from someone who’s in the trenches with you.

First episode drops this week.
Subscribe here so you don’t miss it — and forward this to the sister, daughter, or best friend who’s still waiting for her finance guy to call her back.

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