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Monday, April 20, 2026

For high-net-worth families, the intersection of retirement security and lifelong care planning demands a precise, layered tax strategy — one that protects your wealth, honors your intentions, and preserves your child's eligibility for...

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

April marks the start of Financial Literacy Month, a nationally recognized movement to promote and support financial understanding in children and teens. For many, it's a fantastic opportunity to teach and connect with their children...

Thursday, March 26, 2026

This presentation was hosted by PLAN of PA. Moderator: Christine Pontecorvo Speakers: Joanna Craney, ChFC®,ChSNC®, WMCP®, Carolyn Humphrey, RICP®,TPCP®, WMCP®, CLF®, Empowered Financial Strategies

Friday, March 6, 2026

As we wrap up International Women’s Month, we think about our mission of being advocates for our clients. Our goal is to help them become educated, confident & financially successful. As a pair of successful Female Financial Advisors,...

Monday, February 2, 2026

As you approach retirement, managing cash flow becomes increasingly important. Spending today is a leading indicator of spending tomorrow, so for pre-retirees, understanding and controlling your cash flow matters.

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Monday, January 5, 2026

As we step into 2026, goal setting is more than a productivity exercise—it’s a way to be intentional with your time, energy, and resources. Here are 3 key areas to set goals in 2026.

Thursday, September 4, 2025

It’s back to school time and here at EFS we understand the importance of education.  This month we highlight the designations that Carolyn and Joanna have earned through hard work and an unwavering commitment to continued education.

Monday, June 2, 2025

Retirement planning takes on a unique dimension when you have a child with special needs. At EFS, we specialize in blending retirement income planning with special needs planning, creating a comprehensive approach.

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

At Empowered Financial Strategies, we believe in building lasting relationships rooted in trust, understanding, and yes—sometimes tail wags. It’s our pleasure to introduce the newest member of our team: Hayden, an energetic and...

Monday, March 10, 2025

A Crucial Component of Financial Planning for Families Raising a Child with Special Needs Written March 10, 2025 Joanna Craney, ChFC®,ChSNC®, WMCP® |Founder/ Partner/ Special Needs Planner |Empowered Financial Strategies Raising a...

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Join us in congratulating the analytical arm of EFS, as she celebrates her 18th anniversary as a financial advisor. Carolyn’s degree was in Mathematics with a concentration in economics and computers. After years of working in another...

Monday, January 20, 2025

As the new year begins, many of us feel a renewed sense of determination to improve our lives. Among the most important resolutions we can make is to take control of our finances. Financial security doesn’t just happen—it requires...

Friday, October 25, 2024

In this webinar, Joanna Craney, ChFC®,ChSNC®, WMCP® Founder/Partner/Special Needs Planner of Empowered Financial Strategies, and Karen Carr, Outreach Specialist at the PA Treasury, join together to provide information regarding the PA...

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

The Interconnection of Retirement Income Planning & Estate Planning A Holistic Approach to Your Financial Future

Friday, August 9, 2024

Empowered Financial Strategies and Cypress Support Strategies teamed up to host this very important topic of housing in the special needs community.

Monday, August 5, 2024

The markets have become quite volatile as of late. This is what happened last week.

Friday, December 1, 2023

Navigating Gifting and the Medicaid Lookback. You have worked, saved and invested.  You may have family, friends or a non-profit you want to leave a legacy to.  Do you Gift now so you can see the impact?  Do you build an...

Friday, November 10, 2023

Retirement is a time of freedom and exploration. However, it is important to plan carefully for your later years with the aim that you have the best possible quality of life. When planning for retirement, you should be thinking of how...

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Randy will share her legal expertise on how she works with families to make sure families are set-up correctly and avoid the common estate planning mistakes she has seen many families make.

Wednesday, September 6, 2023

I know, I know.  You think about life insurance all the time, don’t you?  You are fascinated by all the ways it can serve you and your family.  You discuss it at cocktail parties.  No?  I guess that might...

Wednesday, August 2, 2023

In the journey of entrepreneurship, every business owner reaches a point where they must consider what will happen to their business when they're no longer running it. Whether it's due to retirement, a career shift, or an unforeseen...

Wednesday, July 12, 2023

Estate planning is a crucial aspect of financial management that ensures the smooth transition of assets from one generation to the next. While it may seem daunting, proper estate planning allows individuals to safeguard their...

Thursday, June 22, 2023

Have you heard of Bag Lady Syndrome?  Do you or the women in your life have it?  According to the 2013 Women, Money and Power Survey by Allianz[1], there is a good chance you or the ladies in your circle do. ...

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

How do we define a Successful Retirement? At Empowered Financial Strategies, we help clients build their path towards, and through, their Ideal Successful Retirement. We follow a 7-step process.

Thursday, April 6, 2023

Join Joanna Craney, ChFC®, ChSNC®, WMCP®, Founder of Empowered Financial Strategies, for an interview with Adam Earl, President of National Care Advisors. The mission of this organization is to create and implement a...

Saturday, April 1, 2023

Affordable, safe housing is one of the most crucial aspects of a person’s life, especially if that person has a disability.  Here are some general considerations to keep in mind when formulating a plan.

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

March 8th is International Women’s Day.  Over the years women have fought for equality, the right to vote and equal pay.  This day was first marked in 1911 with more than one million people celebrating in Austria,...

Saturday, February 11, 2023

Interview with Danielle Scott-Griffith, MSW, LSW, Executive Director of The Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund. The mission of this organization is to lighten the burdens and lifts the spirits of families caring for children living with illness

Thursday, February 9, 2023

As a parent or guardian, you want to ensure that your child with special needs will remain financially secure even when you are no longer there to provide support. Given the significant, ongoing expenses involved in your child's care...

Saturday, February 4, 2023

In the final days of 2022, Congress passed a new set of retirement rules designed to make it easier to contribute to retirement plans and access those funds earmarked for retirement.The law is called SECURE 2.0, and it's a follow-up to...

Monday, January 30, 2023

What does the bond market know that the Fed isn’t telling us?Fed officials recently have said that short-term rates will need to climb to over 5 percent to bring inflation under control. But in the table below, you can see that...

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

One of the most underestimated costs to a business is losing employees, especially key employees critical to the success of your business.  According to a study done by Society for Human Resource Management “employers will...

Friday, December 16, 2022

We all have stories that drive our behavior, our judgements and biases.  As a financial planner and life long wonderer of what makes people tick, I am always fascinated by our money stories.  What generates your money...

Wednesday, November 16, 2022

How do you build a fun, meaningful holiday for your family and friends without having to eat Ramen noodles and peanut butter through February or worse, having to pay even higher credit card interest rates until the debt is paid off? 

Monday, November 14, 2022

Interview with Chris Russell, Founder and Executive Director of Fitness4Focus, a place for people with cognitive and developmental disabilities to go to find strength, confidence, a sense of independence and achieve their maximum potential.

Friday, November 11, 2022

Monday, October 24, 2022

Greystone Manor Therapeutic Riding Center of Lancaster County, PA has been enhancing the lives of the disability community since 1981 through equine-assisted activities. Listen to learn how equine-assisted activities can benefit!

Tuesday, September 20, 2022

Interview with Lisa Butler, Program Manager and Josh Field, Founder, of The Next Steps (TNS) Program, in paving a pathway to create sustainable models of independence for individuals with disabilities.

Tuesday, September 20, 2022

Joanna Craney, ChFC®, ChSNC®, WMCP®, interviews Josh Kershenbaum, Esq. attorney dedicated to helping parents of children and adults with special needs navigate their divorces through Mediation and Collaborative Practice.

Monday, July 25, 2022

Join Joanna Craney ChFC®, ChSNC®, Co-Founder of Empowered Financial Strategies, for an interview with Christy Holland, Executive Director of PLAN of PA, a care management and trust administration organization.

Wednesday, July 13, 2022

Blog by Carolyn A Humphrey, RICP, WMCP CLF - Co-Founder Empowered Financial Strategies, Advocate for Financial Education / Goals include daily exercise, clean eating and being the best Spouse, Aunt and Dog MomWritten May 9,...

Monday, July 11, 2022

Women & Finance:  Leading with education first, EFS helps women nurture their financial confidence factor.  – By Carolyn Humphrey, RICP®, CLU®As we wrap up International Women’s Month, we think about our...

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Joanna Craney, ChFC®, ChSNC®, interviews Risa Paskoff, Executive Director of Aaron's Acres, a year round therapeutic recreational program for individuals with disabilities ages 5-21.

Wednesday, May 25, 2022

Linda Bean, Community Outreach Coordinator from the Kelly Ann Memorial Fund, interviews Joanna Craney, ChFC®, ChSNC®, Partner & Special Needs Planner of Empowered Financial Strategies to answer questions around special needs...

Friday, May 6, 2022

Our communities are making strides every day for gender equality, and yet when it comes to having a seat and a voice at the table, we see women shut down and walk away. 

Wednesday, May 4, 2022

How can your home support your superpowers--or not? Find out what it means for a space to be sensory accessible, and how you can boost your family's quality of life through simple sensory adaptations.

Saturday, September 18, 2021

Joanna Craney, ChFC®, ChSNC®, gives a glimpse into how she works with her clients, how her and Carolyn met and formed EFS, and discusses her work in the special needs community.

Friday, May 28, 2021

With 2020 in the rear-view mirror, all adults eligible for vaccines and the number of Covid-19 cases lower and trending in the right direction, it feels like there is light at the end of the tunnel. I am dating myself, but as I type...

Monday, April 12, 2021

So much has changed over the past ten years that many of the plans we made just don’t look the same as they once did. The reason is that we are all making financial decisions independently and people don’t realize how these...

Friday, April 9, 2021

The start of spring marks not only a good time for cleaning your house and garden, but is also an opportune time to clean up your finances and get things in better order. Done right, it should make your life easier throughout the rest...