Mornings with Missy: Emily Oldham Talks Credit Cards – Confidence – and Creating a Financial Plan That Works
On this week’s episode of Mornings with Missy, host Missy Nash welcomed financial advisor Emily Oldham of Edward Jones in Okmulgee for a candid, practical conversation about money—why we avoid talking about it, why we shouldn’t, and how a clear plan can transform not just our finances, but our peace of mind.
From credit card debt and investing fears to women’s unique financial challenges and the power of starting young, the discussion was packed with real-world advice for anyone—whether you’re just beginning your career, building a business, or approaching retirement.
The $6,500 Wake-Up Call
Early in the conversation, Emily shared a statistic that often surprises young adults: the average credit card debt for Americans under 35 is around $6,500. While that number may not sound overwhelming at first glance, it becomes significant when paired with high interest rates and tight monthly budgets.
“For someone on a fixed income,” Emily explained, “$6,500 is a lot—especially when interest keeps compounding.”
Credit card debt can quietly erode financial progress. Without a strategy to address it, high-interest balances can prevent people from saving for retirement, buying a home, or building emergency reserves. That’s why one of the first steps in financial planning is simply understanding where you are.
First Steps: Assess, Then Plan
When a new client walks into her office, Emily doesn’t immediately start talking about stocks or retirement projections. Instead, she begins with foundational questions:
Do you have steady income?
Are you tracking what you spend?
Do you have a budget—and do you stick to it?
Are you contributing to a 401(k)?
Does your employer offer matching contributions?
Are you eligible for a Roth IRA?
“We assess where you are today,” Emily said. “Then we talk about where you want to be.”
Whether the goal is retirement, paying off debt, saving for a home, or building a business, the process is the same: identify the destination and create a roadmap. Sometimes that includes automation—setting up consistent transfers to savings or retirement accounts. Sometimes it means accountability, such as encouraging clients to call before making major purchases.
“It’s still your money,” Emily emphasized. “You make the final decision. But sometimes you need a partner to remind you of your goals.”
Breaking the Fear Barrier
Surprisingly, studies show that people dislike visiting their financial advisor almost as much as going to the dentist. Fear, intimidation, embarrassment, and uncertainty keep many from seeking help.
Some assume they don’t have “enough” money to justify working with an advisor. Others feel ashamed about debt. Many are intimidated by investment terminology.
Emily’s approach is simple: education and judgment-free conversation.
“If you don’t know what you’re doing with your money each month, or you feel uneasy about retirement—even if you’ve been saving—call someone,” she urged. “Don’t stay in a fog.”
Importantly, Emily does not charge for an initial consultation, removing yet another barrier for those hesitant to reach out.
Women and Wealth: Unique Challenges
Because Mornings with Missy speaks primarily to women, the conversation dove deeper into financial realities women face.
Women typically:
Live 5–7 years longer than men.
Take more career breaks for caregiving.
Earn less over a lifetime due to employment gaps.
Often spend more on child care.
Contribute less to Social Security because of interrupted earnings.
As a result, women often need to save more aggressively and more consistently.
“For every dollar a man saves, women may need to save $1.10 or $1.20,” Emily explained.
The wage gap isn’t always about unequal pay for the same job. Often it’s about time away from the workforce, career interruptions, or working in traditionally lower-paying professions.
The takeaway? Start early. Be consistent. Understand your numbers.
Investing Isn’t Gambling
One of the most common fears Emily hears is about the stock market.
People see headlines about volatility and assume investing equals risk. But Emily encourages clients to zoom out.
Since the beginning of the stock market, there have never been more than two consecutive years where the market finished negative—even after major crises like the Great Depression, world wars, 9/11, or the pandemic.
“American businesses adapt,” she said. “They reconfigure. They figure out how to make money again.”
For long-term investors—those with a three-year-plus horizon—market downturns can actually present opportunity. Diversification through mutual funds or exchange-traded funds helps manage risk rather than relying on individual stocks.
And keeping too much cash in savings accounts can be equally risky. Inflation steadily reduces purchasing power if money isn’t growing.
“If you have $100 today and it’s not earning interest, it may only buy $94 worth of goods next year,” Emily noted.
Business Owners: Track Everything
As an advisor who enjoys working with entrepreneurs, Emily emphasized tracking both time and money.
“How much is it costing you to attract a customer?” she asked. “And are they coming back?”
Sometimes products or services cost more to maintain than they generate in revenue. By evaluating return on investment consistently, business owners can streamline operations and improve profitability.
Financial planning isn’t just about retirement—it’s about strategy, sustainability, and smarter decisions today.
Teaching the Next Generation
One of the most powerful parts of the discussion focused on educating young people.
If a 22-year-old saves just $100 per month in a diversified growth account and stays consistent, compound interest can work wonders over decades.
Emily encourages parents to:
Teach children about saving early.
Explain compound interest.
Bring young adults to financial consultations when they get their first job.
Help them understand 401(k) options and employer matches.
Practice asking about pay and benefits confidently during interviews.
“HR hands them a packet and says, ‘Here’s your 401(k),’” Emily said. “Most kids don’t know what that means.”
Coaching builds confidence—and long-term financial security.
A Fiduciary Standard
Emily also highlighted the importance of working with a fiduciary—an advisor legally obligated to act in the client’s best interest.
“Not all financial advisors are fiduciaries,” she explained. “We have a legal obligation to recommend what’s best for you.”
That distinction matters when it comes to transparency and trust.
Knowledge Is Power
The central message of the episode was simple: Avoiding money conversations doesn’t make problems disappear.
Whether you’re:
Carrying debt
Starting a business
Saving for retirement
Raising children
Recovering from divorce or loss
Preparing for caregiving responsibilities
A financial plan brings clarity and control.
“Almost every big decision in life has a financial component,” Emily said.
Having a trusted partner to walk through those decisions—without judgment—can relieve anxiety and create momentum toward meaningful goals.
As Missy concluded, “Knowledge is power. Having a plan frees you up to accomplish more of what you want for your family.”
For viewers with specific financial questions, Missy invited them to drop comments or send direct messages for future episodes.
Because when it comes to money, the most powerful step isn’t knowing everything—it’s being willing to start the conversation.
#MorningsWithMissy #WomenAndMoney #FinancialPlanning #EdwardJones #RetirementPlanning #InvestSmart #CreditCardDebt #FinancialConfidence
