Episodes

  • 529 Tips
    Aug 13 2025

    Welcome back to another edition of Women and Wealth! This week, Regina is coming at you with lots of tips for parents using the 529 plan to pay for college – as well as how you (actually) use the 529 to pay for college.

    Additionally, Regina shares her own experience using the 529, how she’s deployed it and what she’s learned along the way.

    With tuition bills just around the corner, this episode is a necessary refresher to make sure that your 529 (and your plan) is primed for success.



    Episode Highlights:

    0:00 - Introduction

    0:32 - Episode beginning, 529 plans

    2:25 - 529 plan earnings, how are they invested?

    5:09 - How account owners have control

    9:01 - 529 plans owned by grandparents

    11:07 - Withdrawals are free from federal taxes IF..

    13:05 - What is a non-qualified withdrawal?

    14:40 - How do we pay using the 529?

    19:32 - IRS Form 1099-Q
    23:25 - Call to Action



    ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS

    Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero. As an advocate for women’s financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money.

    Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News. She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse.

    As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth. She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families. Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals.



    CONNECT WITH REGINA

    Website: https://www.forgewealth.com

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth

    Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com

    Prior to investing in a 529 Plan investors should consider whether the investor's or designated beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other state benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors that are only available for investments in such state's qualified tuition program. Withdrawals used for qualified expenses are federally tax free. Non-qualified withdrawals may result in federal income tax and a 10% federal tax penalty on earnings. Tax treatment at the state level may vary. Please consult with your tax advisor before investing.

    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
  • Facing Debt Without Shame with Dr. Erika Rasure
    Aug 6 2025


    Welcome back to another edition of Women and Wealth – this week, Regina invites Erika Rasure on the show to explore the dreaded “d” word:

    Debt.

    It’s something nobody wants to be in – or have to deal with. Add on the shame and social stigma that can come with it, and you have a recipe for a seriously negative experience.

    Erika is the Chief Financial Wellness Advisor at Beyond Finance and her life’s work is helping people climb out of debt and build towards financial freedom. Her approach to the behavior and psychology behind money, debt and everything it encompasses – stands in stark contrast to many experts today.

    Together, Regina and Erika discuss her background, how she developed her skills in debt remediation, what exactly makes her different and why she does what she does. They also talk about her experiences as a professional woman as well as the struggles they both deal with in expanding financial literacy for everyday people.

    Episode Highlights:

    0:00 - Introduction

    0:31 - Episode beginning, meeting Dr. Rasure

    3:57 - Shame, lack of education and talking about it

    7:30 - How Erika starts with her clients

    11:31 - Getting help and the real costs of debt

    13:55 - “Figuring out” money

    17:09 - Where you can learn more about Erika

    17:48 - Struggles Erika faced as a professional woman

    21:00 - Erika’s vision of retirement

    25:03 - Action item

    26:35 - Episode wrap-up




    ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS

    Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero. As an advocate for women’s financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money.

    Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News. She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse.

    As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth. She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families. Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals.



    CONNECT WITH REGINA

    Website: https://www.forgewealth.com

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth

    Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com

    CONNECT WITH ERIKA RASURE

    Website: https://www.beyondfinance.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikarasure/



    Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org

    Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness.

    For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.

    This material was prepared by MFS Investment Management. MFS Investment Management is not affiliated with Forge Wealth Management, Private Advisor Group, or LPL Financial.

    Show More Show Less
    27 mins
  • 10 Key Facts About Social Security
    Jul 30 2025

    This week on Women and Wealth, host Regina Hess returns to a vital topic: Social Security. But this time, she’s breaking it down into 10 essential facts everyone should know before claiming benefits.

    Whether you’re approaching retirement or helping a loved one navigate the system, this episode will help you better understand how to make the most of what you’ve earned.

    It’s no secret that it can be complex from the outside looking in – with so many considerations surrounding the benefits themselves, from when you take them and how you execute that, to understanding what you may be entitled to as you approach retirement.

    This episode is designed to empower you with clarity and confidence as you plan your financial future so you can navigate this system with ease.



    Episode Highlights:

    0:00 - Introduction

    0:31 - Episode beginning

    1:05 - Things to keep in mind before claiming SS

    1:38 - Changes to your status can have an impact on your benefit amount

    2:02 - The year of your birth and..
    3:35 - Taking SS while working

    6:15 - Benefits paid to you as a spouse

    7:09 - Zooming in on your spousal benefit

    8:58 - If something happens to you..

    9:51 - Your benefits may be taxable

    11:57 - Be aware of certain types of income

    13:22 - Your SS statement is an estimate

    15:16 - Action item

    16:30 - Episode wrap-up



    ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS

    Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero. As an advocate for women’s financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money.

    Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News. She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse.

    As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth. She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families. Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals.



    CONNECT WITH REGINA

    Website: https://www.forgewealth.com

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth

    Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com



    Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org

    Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness.

    For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.

    This material was prepared by MFS Investment Management. MFS Investment Management is not affiliated with Forge Wealth Management, Private Advisor Group, or LPL Financial.

    Show More Show Less
    20 mins
  • Flip the Script on Money with Janine Mix
    Jul 23 2025

    Welcome back to Women and Wealth – in this week’s episode, Regina is joined by Janine Mix, business consultant, author and CEO of The Complete Boutique.

    Janine self-describes as “the opposite of Dave Ramsey for women and money”. This is indicative in her approach to growing income rather than cutting back and going without – hence the name of her book “Buy The Damn Coffee”.

    Janine shares her mission to financially empower those around her, how she became so involved and passionate about it, as well as unpacking some of these age old tropes around money and the negative feelings it brings.

    Additionally, she talks about her experiences launching her own business and the challenges she’s faced as a professional woman, her book and more!

    Episode Highlights:

    0:00 - Introduction

    0:31 - Episode beginning, intro to Janine

    1:16 - Her book and some other work she’s doing

    9:04 - The negative feelings around money

    10:49 - Where can people go to learn more about you

    14:28 - Some of the challenges Janine has faced as a professional woman

    19:21 - Janine’s vision for retirement

    24:21 - Action item

    25:29 - Episode wrap-up

    ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS

    Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero. As an advocate for women’s financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money.

    Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News. She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse.

    As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth. She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families. Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals.



    CONNECT WITH REGINA

    Website: https://www.forgewealth.com

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth

    Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com

    CONNECT WITH JANINE MIX

    Website: https://www.janinemix.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janinemix/

    Book Link: https://www.janinemix.com/book



    Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org

    Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness.

    For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.

    This material was prepared by MFS Investment Management. MFS Investment Management is not affiliated with Forge Wealth Management, Private Advisor Group, or LPL Financial.

    Show More Show Less
    27 mins
  • A Job Layoff... Now What?
    Jul 16 2025

    Getting laid off is stressful, but having a clear financial game plan can make all the difference.

    In this week’s episode of Women and Wealth, Regina breaks down exactly what to do when your paycheck stops.

    From emergency funds to unemployment, budgeting to retirement accounts, Regina walks you through step-by-step how to steady your finances and prepare for what’s next.

    If you or someone you know is facing a layoff, this episode is your financial survival guide.

    Episode Highlights:

    0:00 - Introduction

    1:24 - Do I have enough emergency funds?

    2:34 - File for unemployment

    3:29 - Creating a budget

    6:34 - Finding health insurance

    8:06 - Contact your creditors

    10:11 - Manage your retirement assets

    12:54 - Prepare for the job hunt

    15:14 - Some resources

    15:54 - Today’s key points

    17:51 - Action item



    ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS

    Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero. As an advocate for women’s financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money.

    Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News. She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse.

    As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth. She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families. Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals.



    CONNECT WITH REGINA

    Website: https://www.forgewealth.com

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth

    Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com

    Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org

    Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness.

    For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.

    This material was prepared by MFS Investment Management. MFS Investment Management is not affiliated with Forge Wealth Management, Private Advisor Group, or LPL Financial.

    Show More Show Less
    22 mins
  • From Finance to Fine Chocolate with Estelle Tracy
    Jul 9 2025

    In this week’s episode of Women and Wealth, Regina is joined by a very special guest that has a business that we can all aspire to have one day..

    Her very own chocolate shop. That’s right!

    Estelle Tracy IS living the dream – as founder of 37 Chocolates and a chocolate sommelier herself, Estelle brings a unique (and tasty) view of business ownership that we haven’t seen on Women and Wealth before!

    From her journey to founding 37 Chocolates and what pushed her to make the leap in the first place, to the personal challenges she faced, her delicious events and much more – Estelle shares what it’s like to achieve the perfect mixture of passion, purpose and your career!

    Episode Highlights:

    0:00 - Introduction

    0:40 - Intro to Estelle Tracy

    7:07 - More about Estelle’s events

    11:03 - “How did you transition to the chocolate business?”

    17:45 - Where you can learn more about Estelle

    18:04 - Challenges Estelle has faced as a professional woman

    ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS

    Regina McCann Hess, CFP®, CDFA®, is the Founder and President of Forge Wealth Management, with more than 25 years of experience guiding clients through wealth-building and life transitions—including divorce. She is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® and has completed the Amicable Divorce Professional Training and Collaborative Divorce Training, allowing her to support clients as they navigate the divorce process.

    Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero and host of the Women & Wealth podcast. Her insights have been featured across national platforms including Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, CBS Philadelphia, KTLA Los Angeles, FOX 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, and NTD Television.

    She’s also been quoted in top publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, USA Today, U.S. News & World Report, The Muse, and more. A sought-after speaker, Regina regularly presents at women’s networks, divorce and financial wellness events, and has been a podcast guest on Financially Intentional, Average Joe Finances, Money & Mortgages, and more.

    CONNECT WITH REGINA

    Website: https://www.forgewealth.com

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth

    Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com

    CONNECT WITH ESTELLE TRACY

    Website: https://37chocolates.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/estelletracy/

    Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.

    This material was prepared by MFS Investment Management. MFS Investment Management is not affiliated with Forge Wealth Management, Private Advisor Group, or LPL Financial.

    Show More Show Less
    27 mins
  • Handling Student Debt While Saving for Retirement
    Jun 25 2025

    In this week’s episode of Women and Wealth, Regina covers yet another difficult topic that many people—especially most recent college graduates—have to deal with:

    Student loans.

    These loans help make a college education possible for many Americans and can be a big part of the equation in launching your career. However, paying them off can be a tricky situation for young people trying to find financial footing—especially in today’s economy.

    Join Regina as she breaks down the current landscape of student debt but more importantly, what you can do personally, or recommend to others that are leaving college and entering the workforce. From striking the balance between repayment and saving, to creating a budget and how you can leverage your new role to help your retirement!



    Episode Highlights:

    0:00 - Introduction

    0:34 - Graduation season and student loans

    3:30 - Start contributing to plans as soon as your eligible

    5:02 - Creating a monthly budget

    10:32 - Take advantage of your company’s retirement plan match

    12:13 - Setup good habits, a new rule for student loans

    13:51 - More about company match (and how it impacts your future)

    20:29 - Action item and episode wrap-up



    ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS

    Regina McCann Hess, CFP®, CDFA®, is the Founder and President of Forge Wealth Management, with more than 25 years of experience guiding clients through wealth-building and life transitions—including divorce. She is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® and has completed the Amicable Divorce Professional Training and Collaborative Divorce Training, allowing her to support clients as they navigate the divorce process.

    Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero and host of the Women & Wealth podcast. Her insights have been featured across national platforms including Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, CBS Philadelphia, KTLA Los Angeles, FOX 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, and NTD Television. She’s also been quoted in top publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, USA Today, U.S. News & World Report, The Muse, and more.

    A sought-after speaker, Regina regularly presents at women’s networks, divorce and financial wellness events, and has been a podcast guest on Financially Intentional, Average Joe Finances, Money & Mortgages, and more.




    CONNECT WITH REGINA

    Website: https://www.forgewealth.com

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth

    Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com




    Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org

    Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness.

    For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.

    This material was prepared by MFS Investment Management. MFS Investment Management is not affiliated with Forge Wealth Management, Private Advisor Group, or LPL Financial.

    Show More Show Less
    23 mins
  • The Human Side of Accounting with Tevia Hoalst
    Jun 18 2025

    In this week’s episode of Women and Wealth, Regina is joined by Tevia Hoalst, owner and founder of TeKoda Accounting!

    Tevia is a catalyst for small business owners and entrepreneurs. She is passionate about empowering founders and business owners through giving them confidence in their numbers to make data-driven business decisions.

    In a nutshell: Tevia takes businesses to the next level with next level insights and firm guidance on the numbers.

    She sits down with Regina to talk more about TeKoda, her journey to where she is now – both as a mom and an owner – as well as sneak peek into her vision for retirement, some advice for other professional women and much more!

    Episode Highlights:

    0:00 - Introduction

    0:37 - Intro to Tevia

    3:10 - What companies and industries Tevia likes to work with

    6:49 - More on what Tevia does

    9:10 - “What’s your favorite thing about what you do?”

    11:43 - Where you can go to learn more about

    12:13 - Some of the challenges Tevia has faced as a professional woman

    14:40 - Tevia’s vision for retirement

    18:34 - Action item and episode wrap-up



    ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS

    Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero. As an advocate for women’s financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money.

    Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News. She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse.

    As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth. She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families. Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals.



    CONNECT WITH REGINA

    Website: https://www.forgewealth.com

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth

    Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com

    CONNECT WITH TEVIA HOALST

    Website: https://www.tekodaaccounting.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tevia-hoalst/

    Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org

    Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness.

    For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com.

    This material was prepared by MFS Investment Management. MFS Investment Management is not affiliated with Forge Wealth Management, Private Advisor Group, or LPL Financial.

    Show More Show Less
    20 mins