Episode 3: Linda Polwrek of Polwrek Financial

Host: John Thompson

Guest: Linda Polwrek, CFP®, CDFA®, RICP®, MBA

Episode Summary: In this episode of Nurturing Success, John Thompson sits down with Linda Polwrek, a seasoned financial planner with multiple designations, including CFP®, CDFA®, and RICP®. Linda shares her journey into financial planning, how she built a successful practice while empowering women, and the importance of tax planning in today’s volatile market. They also discuss the benefits of liability management and how Linda has integrated these strategies into her work with clients, especially women navigating life transitions like divorce or widowhood.

What You'll Learn:

• Linda’s journey into financial planning and her experience working with her two sons in the business
• How Linda developed her niche in empowering women to achieve financial confidence
• The importance of tax planning in retirement and how to use tools like Roth conversions, QCDs, and donor-advised funds
• Recommended software for financial planners, including HolistaPlan and eMoney
• Linda’s client engagement process and how she segments her clients based on assets and engagement levels
• How Linda integrates liability management, including mortgage and reverse mortgage strategies, into her clients' financial plans

Timestamps:

• [00:00] Introduction to the episode and guest, Linda Polwrek
• [01:00] What Linda is grateful for: Family, business growth, and working with her sons
• [02:30] How Linda’s sons joined her practice and the evolution of their involvement
• [04:00] Empowering women in financial planning: Linda’s passion for helping women take control of their finances
• [06:30] Advice for advisors considering focusing on a specific niche
• [08:00] What consumers should focus on right now: Tax planning as a priority
• [09:30] Tax strategies Linda uses with clients: Roth conversions, QCDs, and more
• [10:30] Financial planning software: HolistaPlan, eMoney, and others Linda uses in her practice
• [12:00] Linda’s client engagement process and how she segments clients
• [15:00] Handling clients that may no longer fit within your practice
• [17:00] The increasing interest in reverse mortgages and liability management
• [19:00] Linda’s approach to leveraging debt in financial planning
• [21:00] Final thoughts for advisors: The importance of getting a financial plan and encouraging women to enter the profession

Resources Mentioned:

• HolistaPlan: Tax Planning Software
• eMoney: Financial Planning Software
• FP Pathfinder: Financial Planning Decision-Making Tool

Connect with Us:
Reach out to Linda with your questions or feedback. Polwrek Financial

Follow us on social media for updates and more insights. @smplmortgage

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, share, and subscribe to Nurturing Success for more insights from industry leaders. Stay tuned for the next episode, where we continue to explore successful financial strategies and practices. If you are interested in being our next guest, reach out to jack@smplmortgage.com to get scheduled.