Thank you to everyone who attended the 10th annual Money Matters Women’s Conference. We feel that this year’s conference was a smashing success!
Along with sharing the morning with amazing women – like you, we also had the opportunity to learn from the experts.
Smedley Financials’ Chief Investment Strategist, James Derrick, shared his view of what is happening in the market and how to make sense of it all. He reminded us to stay focused on what we know and provided this insight: Warren Buffett was driving through Omaha in 2009 when a friend asked how we would bounce back from the economic devastation. He answered that Snickers was the top-selling candy bar in the 1960s and the top-selling candy bar in 2009. In 2025, guess what the top-selling candy bar is now? Snickers! In other words, don’t get caught up in short-term market volatility and news headlines. Focus on your end goal.
Nathan Croxford, attorney and partner at Voyant Legal, shared the secrets of rock-solid estate planning. He used a treasure box as an example of a trust. We put important things in this treasure box (trust) to protect them from probate. Such as deeds to real property – your home, vacation home, rental properties, etc. Listing the trust as beneficiary on life insurance policies and bank accounts. Owner of non-retirement investment accounts, transfer stocks, and bond certificates.
Nathan summed up a default estate plan like this: Probate is a lawsuit you file against yourself after you die, with your own money, for the benefit of your creditors. When viewed in this light, it is clear that we all need a solid estate plan!
We rounded out the morning with a couple of fun classes.
Kim Walker, an ACSM Exercise Physiologist, taught us how strength and movement can enhance our longevity. We had the opportunity to personally see how easy it is to add stretching and moving to daily living – even from a chair. You don’t have to carve out hours at the gym. In Kim’s words, longevity = a long, healthy, and fulfilling life. It is built through habits that promote physical vitality, strengthen mental resilience, and enhance overall well-being. Small, consistent actions today lead to a healthier, stronger future!
Jill Shelton taught us how to create beautifully decorated sugar cookies, and we even got to try our hand at making our own using techniques taught by Jill. It required patience and a steady hand. I’m not sure about anyone else, but my cookie didn’t make it home. It was soft and delicious. You can view Jill’s designs on her Facebook page jillybcreations.
