S207: Safety in Your Finances with Penny Forward

In this episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, host Kim Wardlow continues the safety series with a deep dive into financial safety and independence. Joining her are Chris Peterson, Founder and CEO of Penny Forward, and Liz Botner, Board Member, Financial Educator, and Accessibility Advocate. Together, they explore how education and confidence can empower individuals who are blind or have low vision to take control of their finances.
Listeners learn how to recognize and prevent financial fraud, the importance of monitoring financial activity, and practical strategies for maintaining independence even with trusted helpers. Chris and Liz share common scams targeting seniors and people with disabilities, early warning signs of financial abuse by trusted individuals, and steps to reclaim financial autonomy.
They also discuss accessible financial tools and apps like YNAB (You Need A Budget), Empower, and Excel, plus services Penny Forward offers—from online financial courses to one-on-one counseling and benefits planning. The conversation closes with an encouragement to speak up when something feels wrong and to pursue financial literacy as a form of empowerment and protection.

Contact Info
Guest Organization:
Penny Forward
Email: [e-mail]

Aftersight Contact:
Website: www.aftersight.org
Email: [e-mail]
Phone: [phone]
Producer: Jonathan Price, Podcast & Program Producer, Aftersight

Show Credits
Host: Kim Wardlow
Guests: Chris Peterson & Liz Botner, Penny Forward
Producer: Jonathan Price
Show: Navigating Life with Vision Loss — An Aftersight Original Podcast

Chapter Markers
00:00 – Welcome and Introduction
01:10 – What Financial Safety Means to You
04:30 – Origins of Penny Forward
07:10 – Confidence, Education, and Financial Independence
09:30 – Avoiding Vulnerability and Building Awareness
11:50 – Common Scams and Red Flags
14:20 – Recognizing Fraud from Trusted Individuals
19:00 – Monitoring Accounts and Credit Reports
21:40 – Steps Toward Independent Financial Management
26:10 – Accessible Banking and Budgeting Tools
31:00 – Penny Forward Services and Workshops
33:20 – How to Seek Help and Speak Up
38:00 – Closing Thoughts and Resources