
How to Manage Money When Experiencing Grief
- March 11, 2021
- by Chelsea
- Download on Apple Podcasts
- Listen on Spotify
Why You've Got to Listen to This Episode...
Today I’m talking with author and founder of Still Kickin, Nora McInerny. Nora became a widow at a young age. While grief hit her like a freight train, she still managed to find cracks of light through communities like the Hot Young Widows Club and Still Kickin. This foundation is the fulfillment of her late husband’s dream to help families find support in hard times.
We’re talking about the impact of grief on your brain and body, and the practical financial advice Nora has for anyone else walking out a similar journey.
Moments You Don't Want to Miss
- [3:23] Why humor has become a way for Nora to find those cracks of light in the middle of grief
- [12:07] Find out about the financial situation Nora and Aaron were facing when he got sick
- (20:59] Check out the emotional and financial resources Still Kickin offers
- [26:53] These are the ways Nora is paving a new path with her finances (and what she’s having grace on herself for)
- [39:52] This is permission for you to release all expectations on yourself while you’re grieving
- [43:39] Chelsea’s Top Takeaways
Are You Protecting What Matters Most?

Grab our free Financial Emergency & Estate Planning Checklist to make sure you’re prepared for anything life may throw at you!
Key Takeaways to Help You Manage Your Money While Experiencing Grief
As always, we’ve rounded up our top three takeaways to summarize what we believe are the core points to remember from Nora.
1 - Grief Has No Timeline
2 - Negotiate Your Medical Bills
Medical bills are often big and scary. Don’t think you have to pay them all at once, especially if it will add more stress to your financial life right now.
If you have the mental space, review your medical bills and look for errors or fraud. Listen to Episode 91 with Angel Cellucci for exactly how to do that. If you don’t have the mental space and your bills are significant, there are people you can hire who will review the paperwork and negotiate for you.
Often that is much cheaper than just trying to pay it all to avoid any more phone calls, which can be very stressful after a loss. These people can find ways to reduce those bills or help you get on a payment plan.
3 - Get Your Finances Organized As Soon as Possible
This includes setting up a Family Emergency Binder, getting a proper will, and having enough life insurance. Nora mentioned the pain it was to gain access to Aaron’s different accounts when she didn’t have his passwords or know where all his bank accounts were. Anyone who hasn’t faced grief or loss can sit and imagine how difficult it would be to unravel paperwork like that.
But when you add the weight of grief and the exhaustion that goes with it, that task is almost impossible. Hopefully you never need these things, but having them in place will offer so much peace of mind.
Links & Resources Mentioned
- Grab your copy of No Happy Endings
- Don't forget: It's Okay to Laugh (Crying is Cool Too)
- And then there's: The Hot Young Widows Club
- Find out more about Still Kickin'
- Get started with You Need a Budget (YNAB)
- Grab your FREE Family Emergency Preparedness Checklist
- Be prepared for the unexpected with the Family Emergency Binder
- Blog Post: Losing My Husband and Financial Security to an Unexpected Death
- Episode 91: How to Identify Fraud to Save Money on Health Care
- Listen to the Podcast: Terrible Thanks for Asking
- Join the Motivated Mama Society today!
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