Category: finance and retirement

We celebrated our 250th Roundtable meeting with a truly special guest. Diane Harris is an award-winning journalist, a speaker and an author with an expertise in personal finance and financial wellness. She’s a New York Times contributor, a former editor-in-chief of Money Magazine, and a former deputy editor of Newsweek.

Our conversation with Diane covered everything from retirement planning to solo aging, and included a sneak peek at some articles she’s currently working on.

Said Diane, “Wherever you are right now, there are things you can do to improve your financial situation.”

STARTING SMART, NO MATTER YOUR AGE

It’s never too late to take control of your finances. Small steps like bumping up retirement contributions or cutting unused subscriptions can boost savings and confidence. Prioritizing spending, building an emergency fund, and rethinking financial support for adult children can all strengthen long-term security.

SOLO AGERS NEED A PLAN

Aging without a built-in support system requires proactive planning. From naming a younger, trustworthy emergency contact to building a financial team, solo agers benefit from having structure in place. Creating a safety net helps reduce vulnerability and ensures future decisions are handled with care and clarity.

PRINT EVOLVES, DIGITAL EMPOWERS

Print media isn’t gone—it’s just different. It now offers depth, prestige, and a tactile experience digital can’t match. Meanwhile, embracing digital opens doors to innovation and connection. The key takeaway? Senior living communities can learn from media: diversify, adapt, and meet audiences where they are.

THE RETIREMENT DANGER ZONE

The five years before and after retirement are critical. Market volatility, health shifts, and lifestyle changes can seriously impact long-term financial health. Whether you’re retiring solo or as a couple, this window requires careful planning, flexibility, and often the guidance of a trusted financial advisor.

ADVISORS AS AGING GUIDES

Financial advisors do more than manage investments—they help people navigate big life transitions, like moving into senior living. From evaluating entrance fees to unlocking home equity, their insight ensures decisions align with clients’ goals, resources, and the lifestyle they want in their next chapter.

Varsity’s Roundtable is a weekly virtual gathering of senior living marketers and leaders from across the nation. For updates about future weekly Roundtable gatherings, submit your name and email address here. 

Diane Harris is a former editor-in-chief of Money Magazine and a former deputy editor of Newsweek. She’s an award winning journalist, a well-traveled speaker and an expert in personal finance and financial wellness. She also recently wrote an article for the New York Times about solo agers and planning for retirement when you’re on your own.   

On a recent episode of Varsity podcast, Roundtable Talk, Derek and Diane talked about solo aging (and the classic mistake that many solo agers make when choosing a proxy), financial longevity, how retirees can plan for healthcare costs and easing into retirement by keeping a hand in the workforce, not your whole body. 

Here are some fresh perspectives from that conversation: 

WHAT ADVICE FROM EXPERTS SOLO AGING STOOD OUT TO YOU?

It was a fascinating topic. I was really surprised to learn how large a population solo-agers are. What was most valuable in terms of advice was that solo-agers face the same issues as everyone else, but without someone to rely on, they need different solutions. 

The experts stressed to me that solo-agers have to approach planning with an extra layer of intentionality and urgency. That phrase really stuck with me. It’s not that the issues are different—it’s that different circumstances may dictate different solutions.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE UNEXPECTED BENEFITS OF SOLO AGING?

I’m so glad you asked that. A recent AARP study found that when solo-agers were asked about their experience, the top three responses were all positive—independence, satisfaction, and happiness. And the number one benefit? Freedom.

There’s a great advantage to not having to run your decisions by someone else. If you want to travel, you can. You don’t have to compromise. You don’t need permission. There’s a lot of joy in having the freedom to shape your life exactly the way you want.

WHAT STRATEGIES CAN LATE SAVERS USE TO MAXIMIZE THEIR RETIREMENT FUNDS?

Wherever you are, there are steps you can take. The number one regret people have is not saving sooner or saving enough. But even if you got a late start, you can catch up.

If you have a workplace retirement plan with a match, make sure you’re contributing enough to get the full match—it’s free money. If you’re over 50, take advantage of catch-up contributions. And if you’re between 60 and 63, starting next year there’s going to be an even larger catch-up contribution available.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF?

Be bolder. Every time I’ve taken a big risk, it’s rewarded me. If I could go back, I’d tell myself to take that year abroad, to move to a different part of the country, to not be so bound by golden handcuffs. I’d remind myself that richness in life isn’t just about money—it’s about experiences.

Want to hear more from Diane? Check out the full episode of Roundtable Talk for more fresh perspectives. Watch new episodes of Roundtable Talk on the Varsity website and on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeartRadio.