What inspired you to do what I do?

My Dad.  My Father was in the business of estate planning…I had grown up with the ‘words' and listening to conversations about money and retirement and family planning and philanthropic contributions.  It was a natural for me.

What is one of your most exciting memories?

Skydiving!  (yes, I really did!)  I was coached by a man who, at the time, was a lead member of the Vision Quest Skydiving Team that had won all the global awards for formation skydiving.  There is nothing like it AND no words to describe it.  Yessss!!!….I did that every weekend for 2 years.  It is a very dangerous sport and wildly exciting!  My heart still pounds when I think of it!   (laughing out loud)

What do you do for fun?

I love movies.  Maybe because I lived in Los Angeles for so long but I enjoy so very much the ‘transporting' process that I go through when I am watching a good movie – you know?  That feeling of suddenly being somewhere else moseying through someone else's life and then suddenly, the movie is over and there you sit – I adore the sensation of all this……especially animation.

Good book recommendations?

Yes!   I am laughing because there are so many…The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle and The Vortex by Ester and Jerry Hicks and Love is Letting Go of Fear by Gerald Jampolsky,M.D.,
My Glimpse of Eternity by Betty Maltz……..so many more! 
I love to read.

What is something you can't live without?

Love and dark chocolate…(and not necessarily in that order!)

Best Advice?

Be light about life.  The purpose of our sojourn on this planet
was and is meant to be joyful…have fun!

Favorite childhood memory?

Weekends with my grandparents in the country…Eden, NY

Favorite place in Hendersonville:

DuPont Falls…I love going there early in the morning.

Describe yourself in one word:

Dependable.

Biggest challenge:

Staying in the ‘now'.

First job?

Modeling at age 11.

Biggest pet peeve?

When someone doesn't keep their word.

Proudest moment?

Ahhh…there are so many, I think I would have to say my first published article followed by a very ‘well-paid' speaking engagement with one of the major US accounting firms.

What is something you think Henderson County needs?

I think it would be a wonderful boost to our local economy if the residents AND business owners…whether here part-time or full-time did all their buying right here in the county.
In addition to Life Income Management ™ Melody also founded The 401kChoice®, a company specializing in financial education and service for plan sponsors (companies) who offer deferred compensation programs, primarily 401k's.  Melody has developed a unique approach to adult learning.  Her extraordinary skills have helped thousands of people better understand investments and the principles of personal money management.  "The plan participants (employees) who have a better understanding of the nomenclature of investments and investment principles and  how money and investments work'', says Melody, "are able to be more in control of their decisions and less fearful about the future. This leads to a higher confidence level and positively effects all areas of the person's life."

Her passion, enthusiasm, practical approach and dedication to financial education on retirement issues along with her fun loving nature have made her a sought-after speaker, educator and seminar leader.

Melody is a Registered Representative and holds NASD Securities Licenses Series 6, 63,
(Mutual Funds) as well as Series 7 License (Stockbroker) , and License Series 65 (Registered Investment Advisor). She obtained the Life Underwriter Training Council Fellowship designation (LUTCF) in 1985 and she is a Certified Annuity Specialist (CAS). Melody has authored numerous articles on retirement income management, publishes a semi-annual newsletter ‘Planning Ahead' which carries a national distribution and is in process of working on her first book .
 
Each month we feature an outstanding woman from Hendersonville, NC. Through these monthly features we hope that you will learn a little more about your friends and neighbors. 
Compiled by Merri Tyndall, Mountain Pie Company, 3400 Asheville Highway, Hendersonville, NC, 28791. Do you have a suggestion for "Knowing Me"?, a person to recommend? , perhaps you'd like to offer some recipes for the web site?
                                                                  Call 828-693-0501 or e-mail merri@ezfindone@aol.com
  Melody Juge, has been helping people plan ahead, financially speaking, for over 27 years.  She is the Founder and Managing Director of Life Income Management™ , a firm specializing in retirement income management.  "Creating income for life for people age 50 and over is what we do", says Melody.
Henderson County's Special Woman
Life Income
Management
TM
Be sure to visit Melody's website. http//www.lifeincomemanagement.com 
You may contact Melody at:
Email:  mjuge@fwg.com
Local phone:  828-697-0493
Toll free: 877-Mel-Juge