My husband didn’t expect to be diagnosed with esophageal cancer at age 34. I didn’t expect to become a widow at age 35.

However, this is the path life laid before us.

While it’s hard to call it a silver-lining, we were fortunate in that I was always our family’s breadwinner. I paid the bills, filed the important documents and knew the ins and outs of our insurance policies. That didn’t make a bad situation better, but it meant I was able to avoid much of the confusion and many of the mistakes that can be made when someone is thrust into handling finances during a stressful situation.

Unfortunately, not all women are as fortunate. In extreme cases, some find themselves faced with a crisis and no idea where their money is located or how to access it.

Now, I’m not suggesting you take over the family finances from your husband, but all women – of all ages – should be prepared to step in and take the reins as needed.

You Never Know When Life Will Surprise You

My husband died after three years of hoping and praying modern medicine would work a miracle. His esophagus was removed, and he endured months of chemotherapy and radiation only to have the tumor come back and eventually close off his windpipe. In the end, his death wasn’t unexpected, although it still strangely felt that way.

My mom had the opposite experience. In the course of one week, my 74 year-old dad went from feeling a little under the weather to being rushed to the emergency room to coming home with hospice and passing away.

While I had always taken care of my family’s finances, my mom, quite frankly, didn’t have a clue. Money was solely my dad’s domain. Fortunately, I helped prepare their taxes so even though she didn’t know what accounts they had, I did.

It doesn’t matter how old you are. Death, divorce and disability all come calling when you least expect them so don’t wait to be prepared.

If you aren’t already involved in your family finances, here are five simple ways to be informed without stepping on your spouse’s toes or looking like you’re attempting to take over his territory.

Ask for a List of All Accounts and Online Passwords

Regardless of who actually pays the bills, both spouses need to know where and how to find the household assets.

Ask your husband to write a list of all your family’s accounts along with their numbers and any passwords or PINs needed to access them. Keep this information in a secure place where you can easily access it if needed.

Review Statements Regularly

Make a point to look over all financial statements on a regular basis. Pay particular attention to your main checking account to become familiar with how much money is coming in and which bills need to be paid monthly.

Since many households have quarterly or annual bills as well, ask your spouse to write those down for you.

It’s not unheard of for someone to lose a house for missing a property tax payment so you want those details in case anything should happen to your spouse. Store this information along with your bank account numbers.

Familiarize Yourself with Family Insurance Policies

You’ll also want to understand the insurance policies that cover you and your spouse. If your husband is still working, he may have disability, health and life insurance through his employer. If he’s retired, he may have a private health plan or Medicare as well as a privately purchased term or whole life policy.

Introduce Yourself to Your Insurance Agent and Financial Planner

If your family has an insurance agent or a financial planner, you don’t want to be meeting him or her for the first time when you’re in the midst of a crisis. Instead, accompany your husband to his next meeting with these professionals or pick up the phone and call them yourself.

It doesn’t need to be a long conversation. Simply introduce yourself and explain that you wanted to touch base since you’re in the process of going over the family finances.

Make a Will and Keep a Copy

Writing a will might not sound like fun, but without one, an estate could spend months, if not years, being sorted out by the courts. It’s especially important if you have a blended family, previous spouses or a large amount of assets.

Get your and your husband’s wishes on paper to minimize your odds of having to referee a contentious family debate in the middle of your grief.

These five steps are simple ways to get a big picture view of your family finances. If your husband balks at sharing any of this information, you may have deeper issues to address – ones that may require a visit to a competent counselor.

No one knows when they will find themselves alone and in charge of the checkbook. Be grateful if your husband is willing to do the money management now but be ready to do it yourself when he is no longer able.

Has someone that you know had to take over their family finances after losing her husband? What advice would you give to the other women in our community who may be facing a similar situation? Please join the conversation.

Is there anything better than getting your hair cut and/or colored, leaving the salon and feeling like a supermodel? No, we don’t think there is. But because of the current climate, seeing your hairstylist might not be as easy and getting your split ends cut off or your roots done might just be a quick in-and-out appointment without all the fun. That’s one reason why we’re so obsessed with actors and influencers who switch up their look on a dime. We’re jealous, sure, but it’s also aspirational AF. So, we’re rounding up the best celebrity hair makeovers of 2021 as they come so you can drool with us.

Though, it’s not just about drooling over these looks. Saving this page and referring back to it at the hair salon can help you decide if curtain bangs or a bob is right for you. Hairstylists actually love when you show them photos because they can get a real feel of the vibe you’re looking for and can adjust the look into something that suits your wants and needs. This goes for color, too. Did you ask for balayage when you really meant a shadow root? It’s easier to just give examples of what you want.

Some of these celebrity looks aren’t permanent. Stars love to play around with wigs, extensions and faux bangs. But there’s nothing wrong with that. Real or faux, we’re taking inspo from our favorites to figure out our next look for 2021 and beyond.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

Source: Instagram

Kristen Bell

It seems like Bell is dressed up in character to film a TV show or movie but we’re loving these piecey bangs on her and we hope she keeps them up IRL.

Source: Instagram

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

While filling us in on the Covid-19 relief package, AOC showed off her adorable new haircut. When followers commented saying they loved the chop, she replied, “Let’s not start another national crisis over it, right?”

Source: Instagram

Gigi Hadid

The model mom returned to the runway, walking in the Versace fall 2021 show. Hairstylist Panos Papandrianos wrote “Ginger for Gigi” on Instagram, making us believe he really did dye the model’s hair this gorgeous red shade for the occasion.

Source: Instagram

Olivia Rodrigo

The ‘Drivers License’ singer jumped on the curtain bang trend thanks to hairstylist Clayton Hawkins. They’re subtle but make a big difference in her look. One interesting note: Sabrina Carpenter has them too.

Source: Instagram

Lana Condor

The actress looks so great in this pastel pink wig, maybe she’s considering doing it IRL? “Get ‘Anyone Else But You; to 5 mil streams and I’ll keep it,” she wrote on Instagram. Though, she told STYLECASTER last year, “I don’t know that I’d ever dye dye my hair. I think my mom would kill me, you’d know?”

Source: Instagram

Ashley Graham

The model had everyone thinking maybe she got a pixie cut but her hair is actually the result of new growth post hair loss. “Postpartum baby hairs come through!” she wrote on Instagram.

Source: Instagram

Emma Roberts

A new color and cut for the birthday girl! “Emma always looks and feels her best blonde,” said her hairstylist and Nine Zero One co-founder Nikki Lee. “We decided to keep her a warm blonde and went for a ’90s supermodel vibe. With a new baby and a big birthday, we went out with a bang! Lisa Satorn added extensions for length and fullness. I kept her haircut free and flowing with piecey layers around the face.” Lee keeps her client’s hair healthy with the In Common 3 Step Treatment System ($105 at In Common).

Source: Instagram

Katy Perry

Why not start with one of the biggest hair chameleons? Though she’s been ultra-blonde for a while, we can’t help but miss a brunette Katy Perry. It’s classically chic and fits her personality. So, when we saw these photos of backstage at Jimmy Kimmel Live, we were so excited to see the long brown hair. But it seems it’s a wig and she’s already back to blonde.

Teresa Giudice’s Metallic Dress

Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 11 Episode 5 Fashion

Teresa Giudice is sizzling in here silver metallic dress. You can never go wrong with a simple mini dress, like this one. Especially for hot summertime events. And you know what pairs best with a summer time outfit? A summer time drink such as, yep you guessed it, pineapple vodkas. Sometimes you have to do what you gotta do in order to taste look good and drink the pineapple juice buy the dress.

Sincerely Stylish,

Jess

Click Here To See Her Topshop Metallic Dress

Photo: @teresagiudice

Originally posted at: Teresa Giudice’s Metallic Dress

Margaret Josephs’ Floral Track Pants

Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 11 Episode 5 Fashion

Margaret Josephs’ floral track pants and t-shirt are a LOOK. A look into my future that is, because I am 100% going to recreate it to the best of my abilities. Even down to the iced coffee in a wine glass, I mean so iconic. How can anyone not?!

The statement track pants that give the illusion of being in fancy pants- sold. The casual and comfy Elton John tee- sold. Unfortunately they both are literally sold and sold out. Thankfully the Style Stealers below are just as wonderful and my gift to your song closet.

Sincerely Stylish,

Jess

Click Here To See Her Pam & Gela Fineline Floral Track Pants

Click Here To See Her Daydreamer Elton John Tee

Originally posted at: Margaret Josephs’ Floral Track Pants

Many women believe that they are not entitled to Social Security if they are divorced. The truth is, you can get Social Security on your ex-spouse’s record, under certain circumstances, even if you have been divorced for many years.

There are two U.S. Social Security benefits you may be entitled to – spousal support and survivor benefits. If you qualify and your ex is still living, spousal support is 50% of his payment amount. If he is deceased, survivor benefits are paid at 100%. This applies if you are not eligible for benefits on your own work record or your payment will be relatively low.

To Qualify for Spousal Support When Divorced

• You must have been married for 10 years or more
• You must be divorced for at least two years
• You must be unmarried
• You must be 62 or older
• Your ex-spouse must be eligible for benefits
• Benefits on your record must be less than the spousal benefit

No matter how long ago you were married, if it was for 10 years or more, you may qualify for spousal benefits. If you remarry, in most but not all cases, you will not be eligible. Death, divorce, or annulment may be exceptions.

If you have reached your Full Retirement Age (FRA), you will receive 50% of your ex-spouse’s payment amount. If you have not, your payment will be reduced as much as 25%. For example, if your ex-spouse’s payment is $2,000 per month, at FRA you will receive $1,000 per month. At 62 your monthly payment will be reduced to $750.

If you choose to apply early, the reduction in your payment amount is permanent. You’ll need to consider the timing carefully as your decision has life-long consequences.

The Social Security law was written in 1935, when most women didn’t work. Today, the majority of women have earned enough on their own record to qualify for Social Security benefits. In many cases, 100% of your own benefit will be higher than 50% of your ex-spouse’s. If that is the case, you will not be eligible for spousal support. You may be able to collect survivor benefits later on, if your ex-spouse’s benefit was higher than yours.

If you are not sure you qualify, call Social Security or visit a nearby office. Be certain and get what you are entitled to. You may really need those extra dollars later on in life.

To Qualify for Survivor Benefits When Divorced

• You must have been married for 10 years or more
• You must be at least 60 years old
• You must not remarry before the age of 60
• Your ex-spouse must have been eligible for benefits

You may have been married right out of high school and divorced for decades. It doesn’t matter. If you were married for 10 years or more you may still qualify for survivor benefits.

Social Security has an extensive database, but they may not have information on a marriage that occurred 30-40 years ago. Regardless of how much time has passed, it is worth investigating to see if you are entitled to a larger payment. You will need to have your marriage certificate and divorce decree as proof of your eligibility.

We all know that, in general, men earn more than women. Even if you haven’t seen your ex for 20 years, if he earned more than you, you may be entitled to a higher monthly payment. So, though you may qualify on your own work record, check to see if you can get an additional amount from your ex-spouse’s record.

You can apply for survivor benefits at age 60. Two years sooner than spousal benefits. But as with spousal support, if you apply before your FRA the amount of your payment will be reduced. If you begin collecting at age 60, your payment is automatically reduced 28.5%.

A quirky thing here is that Full Retirement Age for survivors is slightly different than for retirement. It may be earlier than you think, and it’s important to know so you don’t miss out on any payments.

With survivor benefits you can do what is called “Claim and Switch.” You can claim survivor benefits at age 60 and later switch to your own benefit. You would do this because you can collect on your ex’s record while benefits on your own account continue to increase (about 8% per year). If you wait until age 70, your own monthly payment amount will be at its maximum and may exceed the survivor benefit you are receiving. Social Security will pay you the higher of the two amounts.

If you remarry before the age of 60, you will forfeit benefits on your previous marriage. If you wait until after 60, you will be able to receive those payments indefinitely. Your new spouse can receive payments on his own record at the same time, if he qualifies.

Survivor benefits are complicated, and many factors are considered to determine your payment amount including the age of the worker at the time of death, the number of years worked, and the level of his contributions. It is recommended you contact the Social Security Administration for information based on your personal situation. You cannot determine survivor benefits alone.

It is important to note that both spousal support and survivor benefits are subject to the earnings test. If you work and receive SS payments, there is a penalty for earning more than $15,720 per year if you have not reached your FRA.

Spousal support and survivor benefits can be critical in determining your financial status and quality of life. Many women struggle financially in their later years. We can’t foresee the future. Therefore, it is paramount that you are receiving all that you are entitled to so that you can have as much as possible when you may need it most.

Do you feel like you are financially prepared for retirement? What questions about Social Security or retirement planning do you have? Please join the conversation.

Disclaimer: Everyone’s financial situation is unique, so please check with your financial professional before making any changes to your tax, retirement or investment strategies. None of the information in this article should be considered financial advice.