Value vs Growth – What does that Mean?
Have you heard the words, “value” and “growth,” when it comes to investing? Let’s face it: These words are often misunderstood and poorly utilized.
The Older & Wiser AI: The Market’s Aggregate Intelligence
Has Artificial Intelligence been causing you anxiety, or made you wonder about the trustworthiness of investment markets? Be reminded that “educated optimism is an antidote for anxious uncertainty”.
Retirement Happiness
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
What are the primary drivers of a happy retirement and overall wellness?
Chart of the Month – May 2024
While cash may offer stability and security in the short term, the DFA Returns Web chart from 1926 through February 2024 suggests that the growth potential in stocks offers a higher rewarding investment opportunity in the long run.
Five Ideas for Charitable Tax Savings
Five ideas for integrating your finances and your philanthropy.
Rates, Prices and Inventory: The Entire Housing Market Explained in About Two Minutes
Category: Financial Planning
The unprecedented relationship between a breakneck rise in home prices, a tripling in interest rates and historically low inventory levels have painted a landscape in housing that’s never been seen before in history. It’s a cautionary tale for some, and a once-in-a-generation opportunity for others, depending on your perspective. Let’s dive in.
Embracing Uncertainty
Educated optimism is an antidote for anxious uncertainty, and it can be of great help in enabling investors to embrace the uncertainty that is with us all the time.
Leave the Gift of Giving as part of your Estate Plan
Category: Financial Planning » Charitable Giving
One of the best strategies for charitable giving is to open and fund a Donor Advised Fund (DAF).
Passing on the Spirit of Generosity in a Tax Smart Manner
Category: Financial Planning » Charitable Giving
If you are giving to charities now or plan to in the future, you may possess the “Spirit of Generosity.” How do you pass that “Spirit of Generosity” on to your children and/or grandchildren?
The Corporate Transparency Act is Here: What you Need to Know
Category: Financial Planning
Several frequently asked questions regarding the CTA and its new reporting requirements that will impact millions of business entities and, more specifically, their owners.
Is Leasing Right for You?
October was the worst month for new car sales at his dealership in over ten years. In fact, only about 10% of car buyers that month were electing to lease new vehicles and typically, leasing is less expensive than buying. What’s going on here?
Preparing the Next Generation: Three Keys to a Long-Term Mindset
Category: Financial Planning » Closely Held Business
How do we prepare our young people to lead and do it quickly?
The Joy of Generosity
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
In my experience, the joy of generosity is not dependent on monetary value or other objective measures of size or significance. Generosity done well always has the potential to bring joy to both givers and receivers.
What I Have Learned From My Journey of Generosity
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
Being generous is a practice that seldom is mastered, takes continuous practice, and must be learned over and over again.
Why should you have a budget?
The word, budget, can induce fear and anxiety for some people. But I would argue that creating a budget and being disciplined in the process creates more freedom and flexibility than the alternative.
Chart of the Month – December 2023
Category: Investing » Diversification
This year, we have seen a runup in several large names, mostly in the technology space. They have been dubbed the “Magnificent Seven” by financial news publications. Why might this matter to an investor?
Money, Happiness, & Meaning
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
We’ve all heard the adage, “Money can’t buy happiness,” but the truth is more nuanced. Let's dig into the research.
Our Favorite Book & Podcasts of 2023
Category: Uncategorized
“What books would you recommend?” “What podcasts do you listen to?” At Foster Group we often get asked questions like these. Here’s a short list of some recent responses from our team.
Have You Come to Terms with the Reality of Your Retirement?
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
People come to terms with the fact they will one day retire. Maybe not in the next year or two but sometime in the next five. Often, it’s a reality they’ve been denying.
How to Use Your Deferred Compensation Plan
For most of us, it’s that time of the year when we make benefits elections for next year. These are important decisions.
Past Performance is Not Indicative of Future Results
Category: Foster Group
“Past performance is not indicative of future results.” Most people think of investing when they hear or read the sentence above, the ultimate statement of caution. What do you think of this statement when it comes to baseball?