Inspiring my "widowed sisters" and their advisors
Kathleen M. Rehl, Ph.D., CFP®, CeFT®
My Story from the Heart
When my husband died it felt like a big part of me died, too. I lost the love of my life and the dreams we had shared for our future. But that bitter unhappiness was the beginning of my new life ahead. After his passing, I wanted to use the gifts I had been given to help my âwidowed sistersâ and their advisors.
This quest became my personal calling, my new purpose to assist other women after the death of their spouse. It began with writing a guidebook for widows. Today it continues as I encourage advisors to work effectively with widows . . . helping these women feel financially secure as they move forward on their own, but not alone.
Sharing Insightful Expertise and Experience
Dr. Kathleen Rehl is a leading authority on widows and their financial issues. A widow herself, she's passionate about inspiring other widows and their advisors. Kathleen is the author of the multi-award-winning book, Moving Forward on Your Own: A Financial Guidebook for Widows. She's frequently invited to speak at industry meetings and conferences, in addition to events sponsored by advisors, foundations and other non-profit groups.
Kathleen's work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Kiplinger's, Money, U.S. News & World Report, CNBC, Reuters, USA Today, AARP Bulletin and many more. The U.S. Army uses her guidebook in their Survivor Outreach Services centers worldwide.
After 17 years of providing personal financial advice, she now speaks, teaches and writes in her firm, Rehl WEALTH Collaborations LLC. Kathleen is also on the faculty of Sudden Money Institute and serves as Dean of Women at the Purposeful Planning Institute.
Kathleen has walked the walk about which she speaks and writes . . . focusing on women who have loved and lost inspiring them to move forward on their own . . . yet not alone. Her core values shape practical ideas and tools that assist professionals to understand and serve widowed clients well.
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I established the Moving Forward on Your Own Family Foundation to assist widows and their children--through grants to nonprofits that benefit widows. I'm grateful to advisors, organizations and corporate firms who sponsor my speaking events. Part of their sponsorship payments go to my foundation. Likewise, a portion of guidebook sales is added there.
It's highly gratifying to "invest" and multiply money in this special way. I agree with Winston Churchill, who said,
"We make a living by what we get.
We make a life by what we give."
It's true that giving pays rich dividends to the giver. Helping to make a difference in the lives of others is a meaningful way for me to turn passive gratitude into active gratitude. Plus, I find that the more I express my gratitude by sharing with others
. . . the more I receive to be thankful for. Just works that way! We've given these nonprofits one or multiple grants from our MFoYO Foundation--42 grants as of 7/2022.
· Beauty for Ashes Worldwide Inc.
· Chicago Police Memorial Foundation
· Domestic Violence Services Inc. (Wellspring)Ch
icago Police Memorial Foundation
· Evangelical Lutheran Church in America-Women's Ministries
· Life Path Hospice--Chapters Health System
· Life Path Hospice--Chapters Health System
· Livingkindness FoundationFoundation
· Liz Logelin Foundation
· Modern Widows Club
· New Life Village, Inc.
· Soaring Spirits Foundation
· Modern Widows Club
· New Life Village, Inc.
· Soaring Spirits Foundation
· Soroptimist Foundation
· The Widows Journey
· Trinity Lutheran Seminary
· White Rainbow Project
· Widow Connection, Inc.
· Trinity Lutheran Seminary
· White Rainbow Project
· Widow Connection, Inc.
· YMCA
Our first grant bought treadle sewing machines for widows in Africa. They learn to sew for themselves and their children. Plus, they make items to sell, financially supporting their families.