Your Financial Game Plan with Tia Tidd

EPISODE 46

tia tidd adriane stuebs higher hope podcast interview — Tia Tidd and Adriane Stuebs sit down to record an episode for the *Higher Hope Podcast*

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Your Financial Game Plan with Tia Tidd from Heckmann Financial Group

In this insightful interview, financial advisor Tia Tidd shares essential guidance for women to plan wisely for their financial future. From starting honest conversations about money with spouses and children to organizing critical documents and passwords, this episode breaks down practical steps for building long-term financial security.

Listeners will learn how to prepare for life’s unexpected events—such as illness, divorce, or death—while also gaining tools for estate planning, financial literacy, and wealth management.

Whether you’re just starting your financial journey or looking to strengthen your legacy planning, this conversation offers clear, actionable advice to help you feel more confident and prepared.

**Listen to Higher Hope Episode 46 – Your Financial Game Plan**

Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. You should not consider any such information as a substitute for professional advice. Always consult with a licensed professional regarding your specific financial situation before making any investment decisions.

What does “Financial Peace” Look Like?

The goal for many is Financial Peace or Financial Independence, but what does that actually look like?

At Heckmann Financial, Tia describes “Financial Peace” as the freedom to spend your time without financial worry.

To get the most life out of all the saving you’ve done.

It’s the freedom to do the things that bring you joy without worrying about money.

So how do we get there?

Women Need to be Part of the Financial Conversation

First of all, women need to be part of the financial conversations.

In many marriages, the rhythm is for the man to primarily take care of the finances. Some women feel intimidated by financial conversations because they don’t understand the jargon, they feel more comfortable managing the home and children, and they trust their husband to steward their finances well.

But situations like becoming a widow, illness, or divorce can leave women with a responsibility they’re not prepared for–during a time they’re also experiencing grief and heartache.

While we cannot prepare our hearts fully for loss, women can use wisdom to prepare financially for the future-without fear, shame, or overwhelm.

How to Prepare Before a Crisis Happens

Open conversations with your spouse and a trusted financial advisor are crucial pieces of financial stewardship. If you don’t yet have a financial advisor you trust, that should be a top priority.

This includes four primary areas:

Estate Planning
Financial Advising
Tax Management
Risk Management

Meet with professionals to help you get your wishes clearly communicated in writing. This includes setting up your:

Will
Financial Power of Attorney
Healthcare Power of Attorney
Possibly a Trust based on your situation (consult a professional attorney to discuss if this makes sense for you)
Life Insurance
Property and Casualty Insurance (possibly)
Consider how the beneficiaries on your accounts are set up (Is it just in one person’s name? Payable upon death? etc.)

Review your financials and situation together with your financial advisor on an annual basis because things often change over a year!

And definitely know your passwords! There are password vault tools that can store your passwords and information for you.

This will help everyone stay informed and prepared.

The “If Something Happened Tomorrow” File

What essential documents should every woman (and husband) know how to access?

Bank accounts and checkbooks
Retirement accounts
Investment accounts
Life insurance policies
Mortgage information
Property deeds
Vehicle titles
Wills and trusts
Healthcare directives
Social Security information
Password storage systems
Monthly bills and automatic withdrawals

Who to Contact After Losing a Spouse?

If you currently have an advising team, ask them this question: What does it look like for you to coordinate on my behalf if my husband were to pass away?

It’s essential to have someone who will coordinate everything on your behalf. If they don’t, Tia advises you to get find a new advisor who does coordinate on your behalf.

Who does a grieving widow call after losing a spouse if she doesn’t have someone to coordinate on her behalf?

Funeral Services
Life Insurance Company or Financial Advising Team to pay for the funeral
Estate Planning Attorney regarding your will
CPA or Tax Professional

It’s important to know who and how to contact these professionals.

Plan for “Cognitive Protection“

Women statistically live longer and are more vulnerable to:

Cognitive decline
Financial exploitation
Loneliness
Scams
Decision Fatigue

When people retire, they are often gifted 40 hours each week! If your’e not intentional, it’s easy to slip into sitting around watching daytime television for hours every day, which can contribute to cognitive decline and loneliness.

So what can women (and men) do to protect against some of these things?

Have a plan to keep busy and involved with family, friends, and hobbies
Have honest conversations with your family and financial team to steward well and avoid scams
Be social! Have conversations with family, neighbors, friends, and volunteer in your community
Get active every day with things like brisk walking, swimming, cycling, resistance training, and balance training
Keep learning! Learn new hobbies and skills like playing an instrument, learning a language, crocheting, play new strategy games, etc.
Eat whole foods like vegetables, fruits, fish, whole grains, legumes, and olive oil while avoiding lots of processed foods and sugars

What Can Women Start Doing Today?

This doesn’t have to be overwhelming or done all at once. Pick one thing at a time and take a small step at a time toward the bigger picture of being financially prepared.

Over time, your financial plan will be put in place and you will be closer to your financial peace goal with each action step.

Here are ten things women can start doing to start putting their financial game plan into place:

Attend financial meeting with a friend
Learn how household bills are paid
Create a secure password system
Build emergency savings
Understand retirement income services
Review beneficiaries yearly
Have honest conversations about aging
If you have children, write a letter of intent about the things you’re passing down to them
Create a “master information file”
Ask questions without embarrassment

Put Your Financial Game Plan into Action

Before reaching that goal of financial peace or independence, you have to put in the legwork up front. It can be tedious and time-consuming, but it’s so worth it down the road to have these things prepared before an unfortunate event like death, illness, or divorce occurs.

Stewardship is one of the deepest forms of care we can offer the people we love.

Want to Connect with Tia Tidd?

Contact Tia Tidd at Heckmann Financial in Middleton, Wisconsin

Phone: (608) 716-7065

Email: tiana.tidd@nm.com

Or connect with Tia on LinkedIn

ABOUT TIA:

Tia Tidd was born and raised in Madison, WI. She is 1 of 6 kids, so she knows what it’s like to grow up in a full house! She graduated from the University of WI – La Crosse in 3 years with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Spanish. She currently works as a Private Wealth Advisor at Heckmann Financial.

Tia has spent her professional career with Northwestern Mutual in many different areas, learning the ins and outs of recruiting, development, and financial planning. She has found a passion for teaching and watching others succeed both in their personal lives and financial lives. Tia knows the impact that a sound financial plan can have in people’s lives!

Tia is married to her high school sweetheart, Zach. They live in Waunakee, WI, with their young son and Australia Shepard. When she is not working, you can find her spending time with her husband and family. In the summertime, you can catch them at the gym, playing pickup volleyball, golfing, or going to sporting events for her siblings. In the winter, you’ll find them hitting the slopes or trying out a new supper club. When she is not out and about, she is likely sipping on a cup of coffee cozied up at home, watching a comedy show or movie.

Adriane Stuebs – Podcast Host, Owner and Broker of Shine Realty

Scripture Inspiration

“Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.” ~Matthew 7:24

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Higher Hope Podcast Cover Image host Adriane Stuebs

**About the Higher Hope Podcast**

Higher Hope shares heartfelt conversations with everyday people–moms, professionals, creatives–who live out their faith in every season of life. Whether you’re walking through a season of uncertainty or simply seeking inspiration, this show is here to uplift and remind you that hope is never out of reach.

Tune in and join a growing community grounded in faith, strengthened by stories, and united by the unwavering power of hope.

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