Paula Andrea DeLucia shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Paula Andrea , thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
People often think retirement planning is just about numbers, charts, and rates of return. But for me, it’s never been just about the money. It’s about people their stories, their fears, their goals, and the life they dream of living when they finally have the freedom to do so.
When I work with someone, I want to understand their “why.” Why they make certain choices, why they worry about certain things, and what truly brings them peace of mind. I spend time exploring not just where they are financially, but who they are as a person because that’s where the real planning begins.
Many times, my work turns into helping clients rediscover themselves, start new ventures, or heal from past setbacks. Lately, my heart has been focused on women who are starting over after divorce something very close to me, because I’ve walked that road myself. I know what it’s like to rebuild from the ground up, to find strength again, and to believe in a new beginning. Helping others do the same has become one of the most meaningful parts of what I do.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Paula Andrea DeLucia, founder of Life Future Wealth. I’ve had the honor of writing for Voyage Magazine before, and I’m also a Forbes contributor. For years, I co-hosted a financial radio show, which really sparked my love for educating and empowering people to take control of their financial future.
What I do goes far beyond retirement planning. I combine financial expertise with genuine life coaching helping clients not only understand their money, but also the emotions, beliefs, and experiences behind it. I often say I bring a real human touch to finance, something that’s often missing in this industry.
I’ve built a team of top experts who help my clients and their families navigate all aspects of life from financial planning to legal guidance, real estate, and more. You’ve heard of Angie’s List well, my clients like to call it Andrea’s List because I connect them with trusted professionals who truly care.
What makes Life Future Wealth special is that I meet people where they are. I never turn someone away just because they don’t meet a certain minimum. There’s always something we can do to help someone take the next step toward a stronger, more confident future.
After going through my own divorce and rebuilding my life, my mission has expanded to include helping women who are starting over finding their voice, their strength, and their financial independence again. It’s not just about wealth it’s about rebuilding life with purpose, faith, and heart.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Going through my second divorce completely changed how I see life and myself. It was something I never imagined would happen to me, especially in my 50s. I had to start over, rebuild, and face the reality that even with all my financial knowledge, my own life had turned upside down. I took a financial hit, and for a while, I felt like an imposter. How could I talk to others about protecting their finances and creating a meaningful life when mine had just fallen apart?
It was a humbling and vulnerable season. The moment that truly shifted everything for me was when I had to sell my home. Friends showed up some to help me fix the hardwood floors, others to paint, clean, and pack. They came with one shared goal: to help me not just emotionally, but financially, knowing I was trying to save every bit I could.
I’ve always been the one offering help, not asking for it. But this time, I had no choice but to receive it. And in that moment, surrounded by people who loved me, I saw the world differently. I understood what true friendship, faith, and community really mean. It reminded me that strength doesn’t always look like having it all together sometimes, it’s found in the grace of letting others lift you when you can’t do it alone.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
It happened the day my son looked at me and said, “Mom, why did you stop posting your videos?”
He had noticed that I had gone quiet on social media something I usually used to share financial education and encouragement. I realized something even in my pain, he was still watching me. I was still his role model. And I didn’t want him to see a mother who gave up. I wanted him to see a woman who stood back up.
So, I went back to therapy trauma therapy and started peeling back the layers of my pain. I learned about my own fears and patterns, and why I kept attracting certain kinds of people into my life. It was hard work, but it was healing work.
One of my mentors told me, “Use your pain to help others.” And that reminded me of my first moment of clarity years ago sitting in my car, crying after finalizing the QDRO from my first divorce when I promised myself I would help the next Andrea who was facing heartbreak and financial chaos at the same time.
That promise came full circle. My pain became my purpose. And now, helping others rebuild their lives especially women starting over gives everything I went through meaning.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
Oh, there are a few! Let’s keep it real.
One of the biggest lies I hear is that you always need more money that it’s never enough. That kind of thinking keeps people chasing numbers instead of peace of mind. I often remind my clients of a wise truth from Ecclesiastes 7:12: “For wisdom is a protection just as money is a protection, but the advantage of knowledge is this: wisdom preserves the life of its owner.”
Money is a tool a powerful one but its real purpose is to give you income so you can do what truly matters. It’s about time: time to do what you love, time to live your purpose, and time to be present for the people and experiences that make life meaningful.
Another big one? The old “buy and hold” strategy. That might work when you’re in your 30s or 40s, still working and contributing to your accounts but it doesn’t hold up when you’re over 50 and approaching retirement. It can take eight years or more to recover from a major market downturn. If you’re drawing income during that time, you may never fully recover. That’s why preservation and strategy become absolutely critical the closer you get to retirement.
And here’s another uncomfortable truth the advisor who helped you in your early accumulation years isn’t always the right person to guide you through retirement. Just like no one doctor treats all illnesses, no one financial professional can specialize in every phase of your life. As you enter your retirement years, you need someone who understands distribution, tax planning, and how to protect what you’ve worked so hard for.
At Life Future Wealth, that’s what we focus on helping people transition from building wealth to preserving and living it with confidence, wisdom, and purpose.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What will you regret not doing?
I will regret not helping not using my voice and experience to lift others, especially women. Too many women are at a financial disadvantage simply because they’ve had less access, less confidence, or less guidance than men when it comes to money. I want to help change that. I want to see women elevate their lives and their families by learning how to take control of their financial future. I want to guide them to fix their future to rebuild after a divorce, to find strength again, and to create a new identity when life no longer looks the way they imagined. Watching women rise again, stronger and more confident, is one of the most fulfilling parts of my work.
I’ll also regret not inspiring others who look or sound like me to step into spaces that might feel intimidating like finance where you constantly have to prove your value and expertise. Representation matters. If my story can make one woman believe she belongs in that room too, then it’s worth it. And if there isn’t a seat at the table for her, I’ll tell her what I’ve learned: grab a chair and make room for yourself in that space.
I would regret not being authentic, because that’s my essence. It’s what allows me to connect with people in a real way heart to heart, not just numbers to numbers.
And most of all, I would regret not living as a woman of faith. My faith grounds me, guides me, and gives everything I do meaning. Without it, I’d feel empty and without purpose.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lifefuturewealth.org
- Instagram: lifefuturewealth
- Facebook: Life Future Wealth
Image Credits
Marlana Semensa
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