Intro to The Rock and Roll Financial Literacy Series

The Rock and Roll Financial Literacy Series

Somewhere among the dot-com crash, the housing crisis, and Madonna, Gen X missed the memo on financial literacy. And now, here we are—midlife, mortgage, maybe kids, maybe debt. We are definitely wondering: How the hell am I supposed to retire on a prayer?

If you are Gen X, you know the feeling (and probably sick of hearing it): We were raised on independence, mixtapes, and the myth that hard work alone would secure our future. We did not grow up with budgeting apps, TikTok finance gurus, or YouTube tutorials. We earned a paycheck and had to try to figure it out.

Spoiler alert: we did not.

Gen X faced significant financial setbacks – the recession, the shifts from pensions to 401(k)s – without those automation features. We had high debt burdens – student loans, mortgages – while caring for children AND aging parents.

We were too busy surviving these recessions, watching these pensions disappear, and navigating a job market that changed faster than our hairstyles in the ’90s. Our parents told us to “just save” but did not tell us how. Elders told us to “invest early” without mentioning what a mutual fund even was. Now, the world expects us to know how to retire, manage healthcare costs, and build wealth—while still paying off student loans and helping our kids do the same. However, all those factors combined makes it extremely difficult to recover financially and build wealth for retirement. Meanwhile, Millennials got apps. Boomers got pensions. Gen Z got TikTok tutorials.

We got AOL CDs and a vague sense of financial dread.

All we have left is a prayer that it will work out.

But here is the good news:
It is not too late.

If you have ever felt financially behind, confused, or just plain overwhelmed—you are not alone. You are in the right place. This is your backstage pass to clarity, confidence, and control.

Introducing the Gen X Financial Literacy Series

Quitting my full-time job to build Retirement Rockstars was a leap of faith—and a financial reality check. Suddenly, I had to face the numbers. No more autopilot. No more “I’ll deal with it later.” I had to look at my budget, my debt, and my retirement savings—and admit I had no idea what I was doing.

I created Retirement Rockstars because I am tired of watching Gen X get left out of the money conversation. We are not broken—we are just busy juggling careers, caregiving, side hustles, and second acts. We are craving real tools and real talk that leads to real financial transformation. I began to research these things like a madwoman. I read, asked questions, made spreadsheets and I created tools. Then I built a brand that helps other Gen Xers do the same—without judgment, jargon, or guilt. I call it “Gen X Financial Literacy Series”.

The Gen X Financial Literacy Series is for you if:

• You have avoided budgeting because it feels restrictive
• You are not sure how to invest—or if it is too late
• You are confused about retirement accounts, Social Security, or Medicare
• You have debt, doubts, and a desire to finally feel financially confident

Again, no shame. Just strategy. And maybe a little guitar solo.

Starting in October, through a series of blog posts that you can read at your own pace, I will dive into the stuff Gen X was never taught—but desperately needs to know. Each post will break down a key topic with:

• Clear explanations (no jargon, no judgment)
• Actionable steps you can take right now
• Tools, printables, and resources to help you move forward
• A little rockstar energy to keep it fun

The Gen X Financial Literacy Series is not a lecture. It is a jam session. You bring your questions. I will bring the riffs.

The Lineup (aka Your Financial Setlist)

What is coming:

1. Budgeting for Gen X – No guilt, just clarity
2. Debt Detox – Facing the numbers without the shame spiral
3. Investing 101 – It is not too late to start
4. Retirement Reality Check – Planning your next chapter
5.  Social Security & Medicare – What Gen X needs to know
6. Estate Planning – Why your will is not enough

7. Tax Strategy & Retirement Accounts – Roth IRAs, conversions, and more
8. Building Your Personalized Financial Plan – Forget the formulas
9. Risk Tolerance & Confidence Building – Find your financial style
10. Series Wrap-Up – You are not behind—you are just getting started

Each post will build on the last, helping you go from “I have no idea what I am doing” to “I’ve got this.”

 What Financial Literacy Actually Means

Let’s break it down. Financial literacy is not about being perfect. Financial Literacy is about being informed.

It means:

• Knowing where your money goes
• Understanding what you owe
• Making a plan for your future
• Asking questions when you do not understand
• Taking small steps that add up to big change

Financial Literacy is not about becoming a financial guru overnight. It is about ditching the shame and picking up the strategy.

Your First Step: The Gen X Money Checkup (Lite)

Before we dive in, grab your free printable:  The Gen X Money Checkup (Lite)

It is a simple, no-shame tool to help you:

• See where your money is going
• Track your debt

• Start planning for retirement
• Take action without overwhelm

DOWNLOAD IT HERE

It is designed to feel like a gift, not a punishment – something you can print, scribble on, and actually use. No spreadsheets. No guilt. Just clarity.

Let’s Talk About It

This series is not just about information—it is about transformation. Let’s make it interactive.

Drop me a line and tell me:

• What is one money myth you believed for way too long?
• What is one financial win you are proud of?
• What is one thing you wish you learned sooner?

Let’s bust the myths, celebrate the wins, and build something better—together.

Final Encore: You are Not Behind. You are Just Getting Started.

The universe has underestimated, overlooked, and underserved Gen X when it comes to financial literacy. It has not broken us. It has made us stronger, with greater resolve to catch up.

The Gen X Financial Literacy Series is your invitation to learn, grow, and take control of your financial future—with humor, heart, and a whole lot of grit. Grab your Money Checkup. Join the email crew. And get loud about your finances.

Because retirement is not an age—it is a vibe.
And Gen X? We are ready to turn it up.

***Usually, I ask you to leave a comment for me after a post. Due to, probably, my technological illiteracy, I have been unable to access the comments you post. If I have not responded to one of your comments, this is why and I apologize. Until I resolve this issue, please email your comments to me at retirementrockstars66@gmail.com. I REALLY would love to hear from you. And I will respond.

Until next time,

Sing for the laughter, sing for the tear,

Tia

Track #2 drops Saturday!