Give. Laugh. Love.
Legacy is a strange topic. We all think about it, but it means something different to everybody. How do you want to be remembered?
Is Fear the Only Thing to Fear? | Financial Perspectives
Fear can grab us and demand a response, such that fear itself can become the real danger. This week, Kent Kramer explores how fear and bad news can impact investing and some simple steps you could consider to avoid emotional investing.
Chart of the Month – Apr 2023
Category: Investing » Fixed Income / Bonds
"Why would anyone buy a 5-year bond at 3.5% when you could get a 1-year bond at 4%?"
"Why don't I put all my money in a 4-month T-bill and make 4.9%?"
Investments Are Long-Term; Brackets Are Short-Term.
As the NCAA tournament wraps up, many sports fans are reflecting on their brackets, winning their office pools, and bragging rights with friends. Similarly, others focus on their investments and trying to predict which stocks will perform the best. We may think of these as two separate worlds, but there are numerous similarities between the two.
Bad News
Is the title to this blog supposed to be clickbait? Of course it is. That is the point of this blog. Bad news sells.
Breaking Down the Banking Headlines: Part Two | Financial Perspectives
Category: Investing
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.
CoreWealth Brochure
Category: Foster Group » Collateral
Foster Group CoreWealth - helping you define and achieve your personal vision.
Three Ways to Teach Kids Important Financial Skills
Category: Financial Planning » Charitable Giving
Whether you’re a business owner or not, here are three ways to start talking about money and building financial skills with your children or grandchildren while they’re young.
How Much Should I Have in Stocks? | Financial Perspectives (In a Minute)
Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks
Many people like the idea of higher expected returns that stocks may produce, but the higher return potential comes with more risk. This week, Kent Kramer walks us through a possible approach to understanding how much of your portfolio could be invested in stocks.
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?
Having Faith When It’s Scary
Market volatility can sometimes be downright scary. The other day, I read that the quarter ending June 30th was the 16th worst quarter in the history of the stock market. Even worse, the first quarter was bad too, making it one of the very worst six-month periods in nearly a century. How does an investor respond?
Spending That Can Wreck Retirement
Category: Financial Planning » Cashflow
In more than a decade of working with clients, I’ve discovered that one thing tends to do more damage to financial plans than any other.
Is Now a Good Time to Invest? | Financial Perspectives (In a Minute)
A popular question investors often ask is whether NOW is a good time to invest. This week, Kent Kramer talks about what is happening in markets now, and in the past, and what investors may want to know.
Is Now a Good Time to Invest? | Financial Perspectives
A popular question investors often ask is whether NOW is a good time to invest. This week, Kent Kramer talks about what is happening in markets now, and in the past, and what investors may want to know.
Chart of the Month – Aug 2022
The housing market has been hot since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prices have soared and the interest rate to borrow money for those homes has been at historically low levels. But what is happening now?
How Much Life Insurance Protection Is Enough?
Category: Financial Planning
Life insurance is an important component of a financial plan. An early death can create severe hardships for the surviving family if the proper amount of insurance is not in place. The recommended amount of life insurance will vary from family to family depending on a variety of factors.
Recession “Reaction”
Plenty of arguments exist as to why we will be and/or already are in a recession. However, there is good news out there that isn’t readily reported.
Preparing Your Heirs for the Great Wealth Transfer
Category: Financial Planning » Charitable Giving
Over the next 25 years, approximately 45 million U.S. households are primed to pass an estimated $70 trillion in wealth to their heirs. Here are three simple ideas to get you started on a rewarding family governance journey.
Bear Markets and Life Jackets
Category: Investing » Asset Allocation
For anyone invested right now, it feels like we’re sinking. But just as boats have lifejackets to keep you afloat, your financial life should have its own lifejackets in place to help keep you from sinking in bear market times like these.
Cars, Planes, and Market Crashes
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
Since becoming a pilot about 6 years ago, I’m often asked about plane crashes. If you are an investor, the odds of enduring a market crash are almost 100%. Just as I have to do when flying, at Foster Group, we plan ahead for a market correction by using sound planning and investing.