CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE IGHT NOW) CBS business analyst Jill Schlesinger joined Morning News to share practical financial wisdom, emphasizing the importance of having options when it comes to personal finance. Reflecting on consistent questions she receives from listeners, Schlesinger said, “Everybody wants to have a little bit more control over their financial destiny.” She noted that financial freedom isn’t just about retirement, it’s about understanding your current financial state and creating the ability to pivot when life changes. 

Schlesinger encouraged listeners to calculate their minimum financial needs, especially if they’re considering career changes or new life goals.

“Sometimes what you’ll find is, let’s say you’re making a lot of money right now. Let’s say you’re making you know you’re 2 individuals, and you’re making $200,000 a year together. Maybe if you made $150,000 in jobs you liked, much better. You could stay in those jobs longer and reach the same goals,” she explained.

Tools like retirement calculators can help people realize they might not need as much income as they assume, as long as spending and future needs are clearly understood. 

The conversation also touched on financial insecurity, with Schlesinger responding to concerns that many Americans are just two paychecks away from crisis. While hesitant to confirm exact numbers, she acknowledged the disparity. “We have a real gap between the bottom 40% and the next 60%,” she said, adding that it’s nearly impossible to build a safety net when living paycheck to paycheck.  

Listen to the full conversation here: