Being a Counterintuitive Investor – Do Stock Markets Follow GDP?
It turns out GDP growth rates and stock market performance are not highly correlated in the way we would expect.
Elections and Your Money Q&A
Since we were unable to answer all of the questions asked during the live webinar, we'd like to share some of the questions and answers in written form.
The Biggest Risk to Investors Remaining in 2020?
Aside from COVID-19, what represents the biggest risk for investors in the second half of what is turning out to be a historic 2020?
Georgia, Political Majorities, & Markets
Unprecedented! That word had been used ad nauseam in 2020.
My Favorite Blog Posts and Podcast Episodes from 2020
Many of my favorite content pieces from 2020 reflect on the themes of uncertainty, risk, change, and remaining optimistic in the face of unsettling circumstances.
Do Small Company Stocks Like New Presidents?
In the three months since Joe Biden was elected President of the United States, small company stocks have risen more than 30%. Four years ago, Donald Trump was elected President of the United States and small company stocks went up almost 20% in the twenty-six days surrounding the election, from November 3rd to December 9th. Do small company stock investors just like new Presidents?
How to Avoid Tyrannically Urgent Yet Unimportant Investment Ideas
As we’ll see, each of these are real risks, because if they are unmanaged or unanticipated, they may cause investors to focus on the wrong things at the wrong times and lead to actions that may sabotage goals and portfolios.
Four Dimensional Mutual Funds Will Be Converted to Exchange Traded Funds on June 11th
Category: Investing
Four Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA) mutual funds that are held in after-tax accounts managed by Foster Group at Schwab and TD Ameritrade will be converted by DFA to Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) on Friday, June 11th.
Are You Afraid of (Market) Heights?
Investors have been experiencing some fear of heights recently. Many stocks and stock markets are at or near all-time highs. So, here’s the question investors need to ask themselves today, ”Do you think that stock markets 26 years from now will be higher or lower than they are currently, even if today is an all-time high?”
How to Start Talking with Kids About Money
Category: Financial Planning » Cashflow
A few weeks ago, I talked with our two kids – one a preschooler and the other a kindergartner – about money. Here are some starter topics for you to discuss with your kids.
Setting the Stage for Financial Health Early In Your Career
Category: Financial Planning » Cashflow
Earning your first paycheck is an undeniably exciting time. But do you know what to do with your pay? With three key steps, you can build good financial habits early.
Financial Health in the Prime of Your Career – It’s Time for a Check Up!
You’ve been working for several years now – you’re earning, saving, paying down debt, investing, and giving. What’s next?
Navigating Financial Health in Retirement
Category: Financial Planning
Planning for retirement is the journey of a lifetime – a marathon, not a sprint. But what happens after you cross the finish line? Read on for more on the art and science of navigating life after the working world.
Psychology and Wealth
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
The different ways people react to and treat wealth and finances is fascinating. Although not everyone can be put in a box, there are five main personality types when it comes to psychology and wealth: Neuroticism/Emotional Stability, Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, Extraversion, and Openness.
A Missed Vikings Game and My Emotional Spending
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
My husband and I bought tickets to see the Vikings play their final game of the regular season. We wanted to do something fun during the dark and cold days of January, and we wanted to do it together, without the kids. But...
Celebrating 50 Years of Equal Credit Opportunities for Women
Category: Foster Group
As a woman in finance, I often like to think about how far we, as women, have come. A lot has changed for women in finance in the last 50 years, and I hope to see even more changes in the next 50!
Tailoring Your Financial Plan to Match Your Goals
If you are a client of Foster Group and have met with your advisor recently, you may have discussed what’s important to you, what we are planning for as it relates to your goals, and what you hope to achieve.
What is a Fiduciary
Category: Foster Group
Money and Emotions
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
The first step to managing emotions in financial decisions is to understand the script or story you are telling yourself about money and where it came from.
Growing in Confidence
Category: Foster Group
I found that I often feel more confident if I do certain things: prepare, practice, pretend, and primp.