Life after loss
Kathleen Volk Miller lost her husband unexpectedly. Learn why she believes planning is so critical.
In a series of video interviews, Kathleen Volk Miller, Drexel University professor and writer, spoke with UBS about losing her husband, Don, unexpectedly, leaving her with three then-young children. She explores how overwhelming the financial burden was to shoulder on her own, why planning is critical and why women need to stop romanticizing money to ensure that they have secure financial footing.
Volk Miller also delves into how things may have changed for women, but not as much as we think—both in the classroom and in the real world.
"My husband and I had full financial transparency"
In part one of a six part series, Volk Miller discusses how the financial burden was overwhelming when she lost her husband, exploring why it is important for women to plan, even if you have full financial transparency with your partner.
"Money wasn't my top concern"
In part two, Volk Miller speaks about how money wasn't her top concern after losing her husband, leaving her widowed with three then-young children. She said that when he passed, neighbors, friends and family generously lended support in the forms of casseroles and cards to their favorite therapists, yet no one broached the topic of money.
"Stop romanticizing money"
In this video, Volk Miller says that she's "concerned for young women," in regard to their financial lives with partners, and implores them to "stop romanticizing money," by allowing their partners to take the lead when it comes to planning.
"Adulting is hard"
In the fourth video of our series, Volk Miller discusses how students of both genders could benefit from "adulting" classes, in order to learn how to be financially literate, saying that "financial planning should be right up there with English 101."
"She could be saving"
In the fifth video, Volk Miller discusses her two daughters to showcase how even those just starting out after college could be saving, but often just don't know it is a possibility on a starter salary.
"Things haven't changed that much"
In the final video of our six part series, Volk Miller explores why so much has changed for women, and yet so little has changed as well, as she speaks about her life in academia and why classroom dynamics may be telling about how younger women still largely defer to male students.
