Financial Advisor Red Flags & Retirement Mistakes to Avoid After 50

How do you know if your financial advisor is truly the right fit?

What retirement mistakes should you avoid after 50? And what financial questions should you be asking before making major decisions?

In Part 2 of our conversation with Sharon Starkey, we get practical about financial planning, retirement, aging, and protecting your financial future.

Sharon shares the financial advisor red flags people shouldn't ignore—from feeling dismissed or unheard to having calls go unanswered or being told what to do without a meaningful recommendation.

We also talk about common retirement mistakes, the importance of saving consistently, tax questions to bring to your financial advisor, and why having the right professional network can make navigating Social Security and other complicated systems easier.

Plus, Sharon explains why financial planning should be a judgment-free experience and why something as simple as having a will and power of attorney can make a huge difference for your family.

Whether you're over 50, approaching retirement, already retired, or helping an aging parent navigate finances, this conversation is about more than money.

It's about confidence, clarity, independence—and ultimately, peace of mind.

In this episode:00:00 – Introduction & The Philosophy of Empowered Planning01:53 – Longevity in Financial Relationships06:36 – Empowering Independence and Freedom10:32 – Identifying Subtle Red Flags13:19 – Navigating Systemic Hurdles17:28 – Breaking Down the Financial Planning Process25:15 – Overcoming Judgment and Financial Shame29:34 – The Lightning Round & OutroIn partnership with Agewise Colorado:https://agewisecolorado.org/blog/empo...▶️ Youtube: https://youtu.be/nrKn_SQyT6g?si=9ORpoZCjnaLD0FCW🍎 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast...🔗 Visit our website & episode resources:http://bit.ly/EmpoweredElderPodcastGuests: Sharon Starkey, Financial Advisor🌐https://www.highlandswmg.com/Hosts: 🎙️ Tasha Beckman & Nicole Robilotto The Empowered Elder Podcast — where we talk about home, heart, and the next chapter of life.