Diversifying Away the Troubles with Tariffs
How do tariffs impact your investment portfolio? Kent Kramer takes a look at the latest tariff policies, market volatility, and why diversification is key to managing uncertainty.
On Investing: the Triumph of the Optimists
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
Stock markets have a long history of rewarding optimistic, long-term investors despite periods of volatility. Curious about the data behind it? Read to learn more!
Investing Wisely for the Marathon
Investing, much like running a marathon, requires strategy and discipline. The temptation to chase short-term gains or follow the crowd can be hard to resist—but it often leads to burnout and disappointment. So how do you stay on track and set yourself up for long-term success?
The Troubles with Tariffs | Financial Perspectives
How do tariffs impact your investment portfolio? This month, Kent Kramer discusses the latest tariff policies, market volatility, and why diversification is key to managing uncertainty.
Chart of the Month – March 2025
Category: Investing
Selecting a top-performing fund or manager is easier said than done, no matter the asset class. Let's look at why.
Cyber Coverage
Category: Financial Planning
For years we’ve suggested cyber coverage to all our business clients. What started with businesses moved over to the personal insurance world via home, auto, or umbrella policies. Now almost every policy we write includes some sort of cyber coverage. Let's explore the ins-and-outs of cyber insurance for you personally.
A Family Friend’s Close Call with a Cyber Scam
Category: Financial Planning
Tech support scams and phishing attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making it crucial to stay vigilant. A recent incident involving a family friend highlights how easily fraudsters can gain remote access to a victim’s computer, install malware, and steal sensitive information. Read more to learn what to do if someone you know is compromised and discover actions to take to help stay secure online.
Why Your Financial Review Meetings Are as Important as the Dentist Appointments
Category: Financial Planning
Let's dive into why your financial review meetings are as Important as the dentist appointments.
Webinar: Financial Security Starts with Cybersecurity
Category: Foster Group » Event
As scammers become increasingly sophisticated, cyber threats are on the rise. Learn strategies for protecting your personal and financial information.
Two Ideas for Year-End Tax Savings | Financial Perspectives
Category: Financial Planning » Charitable Giving
In this special edition of Financial Perspectives, Kent Kramer is joined by Foster Group advisors Marcus Iwig and Caleb Brown as they share essential year-end tax planning tips. Discover how to make tax-efficient charitable donations from your IRA, maximize deductions by combining multiple years of giving, and convert pre-tax retirement accounts to Roth IRAs.
Chart of the Month – November 2024
When we examine the historical relationship between equities and cash, it becomes evident that while cash may offer safety and short-term stability, equities tend to outperform over time. For long-term investors, remember that your plan should influence the portfolio and that reacting to market conditions is not a wise reason to change your plan.
What’s Next?
Category: Foster Group
Recently, I came across a TedX talk that featured Dr. Riley Moynes. After retiring from the financial industry, he wrote a book called,” The Four Phases of Retirement”.* Because the talk was helpful for me, I wanted to share the four phases with you.
“My Portfolio is Doing Well / Poor Compared to What?”
Merriam Webster defines a benchmark as “something that serves as a standard by which others may be measured or judged”. For investors, the question to ask is what should be my standard, my benchmark, in determining the success or failure of my overall investment portfolio?
Webinar: Elections & Your Money
How will the election affect your financial life? In this webinar, learn how financial markets might react and how you might be tempted to respond.
How Deep Is Your Bullpen?
Category: Financial Planning » Charitable Giving
You can’t have a championship team without a deep bench at your disposal. Foster Group takes the same approach, while we have a dedicated advisory team for every client we also have advisors with various skill sets that we can pull out of the bullpen and into a meeting at the right time.
You Can Be Crazy, Just Don’t Be Stupid
Category: Foster Group
Are you restless with your current career? Here are some steps to help you plan for a “crazy” career change and set some smart guardrails.
A Rude Awakening — You Need an Estate Plan Today!
Just as the McCallisters left Kevin behind in their rush to the airport, without a Will, Trust, or Powers of Attorney in place, you risk leaving your loved ones unprotected and unprepared when you don't have an estate plan. Don’t delay—make your estate plan today!
What Are You Waiting For? | Financial Perspectives
This week, Kent Kramer discusses how the upcoming election is influencing financial decisions, with 63% of Americans deferring choices until after the results. Despite political uncertainty, markets have shown resilience, highlighting the importance of optimism and staying informed for navigating uncertain times.
Chart of the Month – October 2024
Is stock market growth a thing of the past? Headlines making predictions about this have come and gone, some turning out to be spectacularly wrong. Let’s take a look.
Financial Planning for Women: Preparing for a Longer Life Expectancy
We continually hear that women are statistically likely to live longer than men. While there is not a one size fits all financial plan, there are a few things you can think about as a woman.
When to Review Your Estate Plan
Being proactive with your estate plan helps to ensure that it will continue to serve your needs and wishes, providing clarity and security for you and your loved ones. Let's look at some examples of events and situations that typically require updates to your estate plan.