Financial Risks That Are Not in the News
Stock market risk is the primary focus of the financial news. The reason is simple. The scarier the headline, the more eyes are attracted to it.
Things to Ponder This Holiday Season
Category: Foster Group
At Foster Group, the most important thing we do is help our clients have peace of mind. The planning, investing and conversations that lead to peace of mind vary from client to client. The benefits, however, are similar.
Every Investor’s Real Question: “Am I Going to Be Okay?”
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
In my time working with clients, there is one question asked more than any other, “Am I going to be okay?”
What Does the World Require of You?
Category: Foster Group
When I was in my early 20’s, I attended a lecture I haven’t forgotten. I don't remember much. But I remember the question it encouraged me to consider: “What does the world require of you?”
Planning for Future Healthcare Expenses
Category: Financial Planning
"What is worth insuring?" The answer almost always boils down to how much you'll have to pay to insure the thing you don't want to lose -- whether it's your mustache, your fantasy football player, your home or your health.
Do Headlines Cause You to Take Action?
Takeaways from a smattering of the headlines across a wide range of news sources in 2022 and early 2023.
Positive Planning Opportunities in a Negative Market
Category: Financial Planning
Strangely, a down market and the response of the government to it has created potential planning opportunities that wouldn’t have otherwise been there.
My Top 9 + 1 from Morgan Housel’s The Psychology of Money
Morgan Housel, author of The Psychology of Money, spent some time with us last month. Here are my takeaways.
Accountability: The Key to Unlocking Financial Independence
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
For more than 20 years, I ran competitively. Last year, I spent three to four months training consistently and failed to reach one of my goals.
No Better Time to Deploy Your Donor Advised Fund
Category: Financial Planning » Charitable Giving
One of the best vehicles to help our clients meet their charitable giving goals is a Donor Advised Fund (DAF). Having a DAF in place for times like these is important to help meet the needs of your community.
Teaching Your Kids to be Grateful and Giving
Category: Financial Planning » Charitable Giving
Most of the time, it is not so much how we directly “teach” our kids about the value of money but rather how we model and speak about money around them.
Who Is Your Team’s Financial General Manager
No matter what the circumstances, during the good and the difficult times, it is in our best interest to seek guidance on the most important aspects of our lives. Consider hiring a "General Manager" to help you with your finances.
Focus on What You Can Control
At Foster Group, we focus on what we can control and embrace uncertainty. So, when it comes to your financial plan, what are the areas we can help you control?
Set It and Don’t Forget It
Working with a financial advisor is a great start to having someone inventory and help you keep track of the beneficiaries, or lack of, on your accounts.
Alphabet Soup
Category: Financial Planning » Charitable Giving
Many industries use acronyms. Financial services are no different: QCD, RMD, DAF, and IRA to name a few. They each have their own rules and guidelines. We enjoy working with clients on a daily basis to help make sense of these terms.
When Lightning Strikes
Category: Financial Planning
Is your financial plan ready to weather a storm? Will you be caught off guard, as we were just weeks ago, or are you prepared? One of the advantages of working with a Financial Advisor is that he or she will build a plan that takes into account the inevitability of future storms.
What If…
Category: Foster Group
What if my spouse is gone tomorrow? What if I live to 110? What If I want to retire as soon as possible? What if I have a Long-Term Care event? Where do you seek guidance, clarity, and understanding on your financial plan to help address these questions?
Hiring a Financial Advisor May Improve Your Odds of Success
Category: Financial Planning
Over the years, I have found it helpful to hire experts to do things or guide me through areas of life which are too difficult or time consuming. Hiring a financial advisor may be just what you need in 2023.
Do You Have an All-Weather Portfolio?
While no portfolio is designed to perfectly handle every scenario, we believe that thoughtful planning, combined with evidence-based portfolio construction, can help investors achieve a higher probability for long-term success in various market conditions.