How Women Use Money With Intention in Retirement

In this episode of 'Get Ready: Before Life Happens,' host Tony Stewart interviews Eric Blake, founder of Blake Wealth Management and host of the Simply Retirement Podcast, about the unique financial challenges and opportunities women face in retirement. Eric shares his personal origin story rooted in the resilience of the women in his life—his single mother and grandmother, a widow for nearly three decades—highlighting how these experiences inspired his mission to empower women to take intentional control of their finances. The conversation dives into the 'great wealth transfer,' where trillions in assets are expected to shift to women due to inheritance, divorce, and longer life expectancy, making financial literacy and proactive planning more critical than ever. Eric emphasizes that women often manage money with purpose—aligning it with values, family, and life goals—rather than chasing abstract wealth. He critiques the traditional financial industry for overlooking women, advocating for advisors who listen, educate first, and treat clients as partners in the journey. The episode concludes with powerful takeaways: money is a tool, not a scorecard; it's never too late to start; and intentional, values-driven planning leads to a more fulfilling retirement journey. The discussion also explores how caregiving gaps, pay disparities, and lack of inclusion in financial conversations leave women vulnerable, especially after widowhood. Eric stresses the importance of women demanding a seat at the table in financial planning, challenging advisors to be proactive in engaging them. He shares that many widows leave their financial planners, often seeking female advisors—but more importantly, they seek someone who listens and understands their emotional and practical needs. The episode underscores that retirement isn't an end, but a new beginning, and that financial confidence enables women to live on their own terms. Eric’s advice centers on education, progress over perfection, and redefining money as a vehicle for life’s most meaningful experiences.