1924: Best of So Money 2025: Money, Health, and Big Transitions in Midlife

What It Covers

Farnoosh Torabi revisits four conversations on managing money through midlife transitions including menopause healthcare gaps, divorce recovery, ADHD financial strategies, and navigating power of attorney for aging parents in sandwich generation caregiving.

Key Questions Answered

• •Menopause healthcare crisis: Over 1.3 million US women enter menopause annually, yet doctors receive minimal training—often just one chapter or week in medical school. The 2002 WHI study caused hormone therapy usage to plummet from 40% to 4% despite later revealed study flaws.
• •Divorce financial recovery: Elizabeth Cronise McLaughlan paid off $50,000 credit card debt in six months through Budget Dogs program, which included financial therapy addressing money psychology and self-sabotage patterns. She now teaches her kids to invest 30%, save 10%, live on 60% of income.
• •ADHD money management: People with ADHD are seven times more likely to become entrepreneurs but need dopamine-driven systems like overestimating bills monthly to create positive surprises. Traditional should-based advice fails because ADHD brains require emotional connection to future goals, not obligation-based motivation.
• •Power of attorney execution: Download free power of attorney forms immediately for all family members over 18, update every five years or after moves between states. Expect 90% of people face bank resistance when enforcing—plan for two-hour appointments and relentless persistence at every financial institution.