Foster Group - Financial Planning Insights

Breaking Down the Banking Headlines: Part One | Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks

By Matt Abels

03/21/2023

With the banking industry and markets continuing to be leading topics in the news, many investors are asking, “What is going on? Is this something to be worried about? Should I be taking action?” In this special edition of Financial Perspectives, Matt Abels and Michael Westphal provide context and insights to those questions. Tune in next week for part two, where we’ll be joined by Jim Plagge, President and CEO of Bank Iowa.

Breaking Down the Banking Headlines: Part Two | Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing

By Matt Abels

03/27/2023

With the banking industry and markets continuing to be leading topics in the news, many investors are asking, “What is going on? Is this something to be worried about? Should I be taking action?” In this special edition of Financial Perspectives, Matt Abels and Jim Plagge, President & CEO of Bank Iowa, provide context and insights to those questions.

Brock Purdy and the Importance of Inconsequential Decisions

Category: Financial Planning

By Ross Polking

02/02/2023

One seemingly small decision that no one thought would matter made a significant difference for the Bay Area team and its fans...

Building a Framework for Family and Charitable Gifts

Category: Financial Planning » Estate & Transfer Planning » Advanced Techniques

By Ashlee Vieregger

11/10/2022

Recently, a colleague and I sat down with a married couple who is on the cusp of making significant wealth transfer and philanthropic decisions that will impact their family for generations to come. Naturally, their first question was, “Where do we start?”

Business Owners, Beware of the “Missing Middle”

Category: Financial Planning » Closely Held Business » Business Entities

By Ashlee Vieregger

03/26/2024

For many family businesses, the lack of clear succession plans is the most significant challenge.

Can You Ever Have Enough?

Category: Financial Planning » Retirement Planning

By Jason Brown

03/28/2022

There is always more stuff to do or buy. There are always more “what if’s” for which to account. It’s a rare creature who has found contentment in what they already have, a person who no longer searches for the next thing or feels empty because of what they do not have.

Can Your Lifeboat Stay Afloat

Category: Investing » Asset Allocation

By Foster Group

02/17/2017

CARES Act Q&A

Category: Financial Planning » Cashflow

By Kent Kramer

04/17/2020

Kent Kramer and Zach Dalluge answer some important questions about the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Carrot Cake, Portfolios, and Recipes that Deliver!

Category: Investing » Foster Group Investment Principles » Align Purposes and Portfolio

By Kent Kramer

09/27/2019

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Chart of the Month – March 2024

Category: Investing » Foster Group Investment Principles » Accept Uncertainty

By Michael Westphal

03/07/2024

Many people are apprehensive about the markets, whether we’re in a bear market or a bull market. The fear of a market correction is always present.

Chart of the Month – May 2022

Category: Investing » Costs

By Ryan Lamoureux

05/05/2022

Since the beginning of 2020, checkable deposits have quadrupled, giving consumers the ability to continue spending and withstand increased prices. What does this mean for inflation and prices in the future?

Chart of the Month – May 2023

Category: Investing » Foster Group Investment Principles » Accept Uncertainty

By Michael Westphal

05/04/2023

In investing, a key consideration is the time horizon. There is a general perception that investing is a risky proposition, but this risk can be mitigated by holding investments for longer periods.

Chart of the Month – May 2024

Category: Investing » Foster Group Investment Principles » Avoid Predictable Disappointments

By Michael Westphal

05/02/2024

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.

Chart of the Month – Nov 2022

Category: Investing » Foster Group Investment Principles » Accept Uncertainty

By Michael Westphal

11/03/2022

The past fifteen years have been phenomenal for U.S. stocks. They've outperformed international stocks by close to 200%. Unfortunately, no one can predict when international stocks will outperform U.S. stocks, or vice-versa.

Chart of the Month – Nov 2023

Category: Investing » Factors / Premiums » Duration / Term (Fixed Income)

By Michael Westphal

11/06/2023

How Do Treasuries Lose Money? US Treasury bonds are generally regarded as safe. Sometimes they’re referred to as “risk-free” assets. This is a bit of a misnomer.

Chart of the Month – Oct 2022

Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks

By Ryan Lamoureux

10/14/2022

As an investor, perspective is important. At the end of the day, a diversified, low cost, properly allocated portfolio based on your financial plan is what matters.

Chart of the Month – Oct 2023

Category: Investing » Foster Group Investment Principles » Accept Uncertainty

By Ryan Lamoureux

10/10/2023

Have you ever said to yourself “If I would have just bought that stock, I would be set!” Or “How did I not see this coming? I was watching this stock years ago!” Or maybe “I should have never sold that stock!”

Chart of the Month – Sept 2022

Category: Investing » Alternative Investments » Commodities

By Michael Westphal

09/08/2022

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, gas prices spiked to a nationwide peak of $5.02/gallon on June 13, 2022. Since then, the price of gas has been coming down, but the discussions about it have not slowed at all.

Chart of the Month – Sept 2023

Category: Investing » Economics

By Michael Westphal

09/05/2023

The current state of the housing market has left many puzzled. In a scenario where interest rates are soaring, one would naturally anticipate a decline in housing prices. Surprisingly, this anticipated correction has yet to occur.

ChatGPT & The Big 8 | Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing » Foster Group Investment Principles » Accept Uncertainty

By Kent Kramer

06/12/2023

With the biggest tech companies regaining stock market leadership, it’s understandable why investors and the media are attracted to these stocks. However, it’s tempting to forget how these same companies’ stock prices performed in 2022. This week, Kent Kramer shares some investment lessons to be learned from this AI/big tech story.