Intro

Willow was a debt-burdened single mother when she finished grad school. As a consultant, she was able to climb out of debt and build her business and earn a considerable wage. She isn’t a big spender but she grew up in a household with strict budget limitations, so she doesn’t know how to approach wealth.

Willow feels she is playing catch up compared to other people her age when it comes to wealth management. Yet, Willow’s reality of being in her forties and only now being able to think seriously about things like savings and retirement is very common. It can take years of building a career and raising kids before there's money available to start thinking about finances beyond everyday expenses. And the longer the wait, the more urgent the questions become.

In this episode, listen in as Sarah, a Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley, gives Willow actionable steps towards managing her finances and the reassurance she’s on the right track.

For more information about this episode and the topics covered, check out our episode page.

-----

Here's some important information about your relationship with your financial advisor and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC when using a financial planning tool. When your financial advisor prepares a financial plan, they will be acting in an investment advisory capacity with respect to the delivery of your financial plan. To understand the difference between brokerage and advisory relationships, you should consult your financial advisor or review our Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships brochure available at morganstanley.com/mymoney. You have sole responsibility for making all investment decisions with respect to your implementation of a financial plan. You may implement the financial plan at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, or at another firm. If you engage or have engaged Morgan Stanley, it will act as your broker, unless you ask it in writing to act as your investment advisor on any particular account. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates, and Morgan Stanley financial advisors or private wealth advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.

This material has been prepared for educational purposes only. It does not provide individually tailored investment advice. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments and strategies, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor. The appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor’s individual circumstances and objectives.

The returns on a portfolio consisting primarily of Environmental, Social and Governance – “ESG” – aware investments may be lower or higher than a portfolio that is more diversified or where decisions are based solely on investment considerations. Because ESG criteria exclude some investments, investors may not be able to take advantage of the same opportunities or market trends as investors that do not use such criteria.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is a registered Broker/Dealer, Member SIPC, and not a bank. Where appropriate, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC has entered into arrangements with banks and other third parties to assist in offering certain banking related products and services.

Investment, insurance and annuity products offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC are: NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | NOT A BANK DEPOSIT | NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY

CRC 5189018 (01/2023)