WLA recent publication

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Financial literacy is a lifelong education.

Read this short piece published in Talking Trends online magazine on June 6, 2022, in which is embedded a short video clip, about the importance of consistent teaching of financial literacy at every age.

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Families often think that they’ve communicated much more (or sometimes much less) than they actually have about their wealth to their children.

Please read this short article in Talking Trends online magazine published on May 19, 2022.  There’s a brief video clip embedded in the piece as well.

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Done right, allowances are a great way to teach children not only the difference between wants and needs, but also rudimentary budgeting skills and the satisfaction that comes with the responsibility of giving back.

Read this short piece published in Impact online magazine on April 21, 2022 in which is embedded a short video clip.

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I spoke at a virtual meeting of the Tacoma Estate Planning Council on January 11, 2022. Many groups now enjoy virtual access to speakers that they otherwise could not, without the outlay to reimburse travel expenses. If you are planning a virtual event, let’s hop on a call and explore whether I might be a good speaker for your event!

Please read this short article in Point of View online magazine published on February 15, 2022 with the story behind why I call my talk, A Hard Look at the Soft Issues, as told to the Tacoma Estate Planning Council.  There’s a brief video clip embedded in the piece as well.

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Wealth Legacy Advisors LLC, thought partner to families of wealth and their trusted advisors, and its CEO Susan R. Schoenfeld, have been selected as a finalist for the prestigious Family Wealth Report Awards 2022. The award winners will be announced at a gala on May 4, 2022.

Wealth Legacy Advisors was named as finalist for the following awards:

* LEADING INDIVIDUAL AWARD – SUSAN R. SCHOENFELD – something special should mark out this individual working in the private client world.
* WOMEN IN WEALTH FAMILY OFFICE AWARD – SUSAN R. SCHOENFELD – an inspiration to female clients and colleagues.
* OUTSTANDING THOUGHT LEADERSHIP – SUSAN R. SCHOENFELD – made an outstanding contribution to thought leadership in wealth management.

Showcasing ‘best of breed’ providers, the Family Wealth Report Awards recognize those have demonstrated innovation and excellence during the past year.

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Some of you may know that I spent the 4th quarter of 2021 recovering from multiple stress fractures in my hip and sacrum sustained while running my first-ever half-marathon in mid-September. For those interested, I did finish, and even medaled! Fortunately, I was able to avoid surgery, but only with being zero-weight bearing for 6 weeks, followed by 10% weight bearing for the better part of another month, then partial (50%) weight bearing, etc. The good news is that I’ve finally turned the corner, and believe that in the coming weeks I will be able to discard my crutches completely.

As you might imagine, I’ve had plenty of time to think and reflect during my convalescence, and the start of a new year seems like an ideal opportunity to share some of my lessons learned. They are not new year resolutions per se, more like past year reflections:

Practice random acts of kindness: This injury, and my resultant time sitting in a wheelchair, and then walking with crutches, has taught me enormous empathy for those for whom physical disability is not a temporary condition. Every crack in the sidewalk or uneven paving at curb ramps is potentially hazardous. It has also taught me overwhelming appreciation for the kindness of strangers. New Yorkers get a bad rap for their attitude, but special thanks to the airport wheelchair staff, the construction worker who came down off his scaffolding to move a pylon for me to pass in my wheelchair, and countless nameless bystanders who opened doors for me and offered other random acts of kindness.

“Health is the greatest gift” (Buddha): The pandemic has taught us all that the old maxim, “When you have your health, you have everything. When you do not have your health, nothing else matters at all,” is indeed true. Too many people worldwide lost their lives or suffered debilitating symptoms from the coronavirus. Compared to them, I know I shouldn’t complain. I may not have been able to walk unassisted, but I was able to breathe comfortably, spend time safely with friends and family, and even travel a bit.

Sleep Matters: For about a month during my convalescence, I couldn’t sleep at night. I got cranky, irritable and even lost my usual upbeat optimism. Thankfully, the issue seems to have resolved, but I’ve learned how important getting enough sleep is to my positive attitude and overall sense of well-being.

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff: The little annoyances of life are just that, little annoyances. Countless small tasks and projects of life were put on the back burner while I was unable to focus on them. Other details became primary concerns, like managing doctor appointments, X-rays, MRIs, physical therapy, etc. Most of those small tasks are still undone, and I can focus on them with a clear head and the realization that they didn’t need to be accomplished urgently.

Double Down on Priorities: I cannot begin to express my overwhelming gratitude to my amazing husband who became my primary caregiver, in addition to my lifelong sun, moon and stars. A public ‘Thank You’ is the very least I can do. I am so grateful to my family and my family-by-choice for their love, caring and support during this time and always. You are my priority.

Life is Too Short: This last one is really the corollary to and outgrowth of the other 5 on my list, but it bears repeating. Life IS too short. My wonderful husband reminds me of that all the time while encouraging me to spend more time on the things that give life pleasure and meaning.

Wishing you and those you love a healthy, safe, happy and meaningful 2022!

Published by Impact online magazine, January 10, 2022.

 

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I spoke at my second in-person LIVE conference since Covid, at Opal Group’s excellent Family Office & Private Wealth Forum West in beautiful Napa, CA on October 20-22, 2021, where I presented on Family Governance, and also hosted a private closed-door session for families and family offices on governance and succession planning.

Please read this short article in Talking Trends online magazine published on December 6, 2021 about my comments on Communication in Family Governance from my panel presentation on Family Governance. There’s a brief video clip embedded in the piece as well.

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I spoke at my second in-person LIVE conference since Covid, at Opal Group’s excellent Family Office & Private Wealth Forum West in beautiful Napa, CA on October 20-22, 2021, where I presented on Family Governance, and also hosted a private closed-door session for families and family offices on governance and succession planning.

Please read this short article in Impact online magazine published on November 10, 2021 about my comments on Family Constitutions from my panel presentation on Family Governance. There’s a brief video clip embedded in the piece as well.