Running to Retirement
Stay diversified, and stay the course. That’s good advice for both runners and investors.
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.
Let’s Make 2023 a Year of Savings Inflation
Category: Financial Planning
The rising cost of living recently has led the IRS to raise the 2023 contribution limits for employees with 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans, and the federal government's Thrift Savings Plan.
Building a Framework for Family and Charitable Gifts
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?”
Chart of the Month – Nov 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.
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.
Six Key Ideas for Navigating Markets for the Rest of 2022
Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks
Over the next few months, both leading up to and immediately following the election, the winners and losers are going to seem omnipresent on the news, social media, even in the “entertainment” industry. So, here are six key ideas to keep in mind as you navigate the remaining months of 2022.
Party of 4 – Estate Planning Basics to Celebrate
Break out the cake, ice cream, and party hats because it’s time to celebrate National Estate Planning Week!
Chart of the Month – Oct 2022
Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks
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.
Things You Can Do Today to Be Ready for Retirement
Category: Financial Planning
We often see a lot in the news about how many people aren’t prepared for retirement. But saving for retirement in a 401k doesn’t have to be scary or complicated.
Purpose Before Portfolio
Are you making investment decisions in light of the game you really want to win?
Still Searching for the One?
You do not need to pick the next big winner in order to have a successful investment experience. As a matter of fact, behaving as if this were possible is an almost certain way to have a terrible investment experience. What are the hallmarks of a more successful approach?
All I Want for Christmas Is a Budget
Category: Financial Planning » Cashflow
Planning your gift-giving budget for the holidays may give you a little more freedom and a little less stress. Here are a few ideas of how you can plan ahead … for next Christmas, of course!
Let Charitable Giving Take the Sting Out of Taxes
Category: Financial Planning » Charitable Giving
Foster Group has a number of philanthropically-focused team members who can walk you through the integration of charitable intent with your financial plan. There are several ways to give, save taxes, help worthy organizations, and leave a legacy both through heirs and non-profit organizations.
Inflation Aware Investing
You know the old saying, “What goes up must come down.” Currently everything seems to be going up at the same time.
10 Obstacles to Investing – and How to Overcome Them
In the following article David draws on his years of experience talking with investors and academics alike to address some common hesitations all investors face from time to time.
What You Need to Know About Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Recently, the Department of Education announced some changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program because of the impact of COVID-19. Now, more than ever, it’s important to seek professional help related to these matters.
Game Saving Plays for 2021 Financial Planning
Once the proverbial game clock expires on December 31st, our financial decisions are, for the most part, locked in. There’s no going back. Here are some suggestions to consider for your savings and/or to mitigate the tax bite for 2021.
Do I Have Portfolio Exposure to China?
In recent weeks, China has been a part of US financial headlines for a number of reasons. At Foster Group, we believe in globally diversified model portfolios. We invest our equity portfolios across domestic markets, international markets, and emerging markets. Our models have equity exposure to over 51 countries.
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.
Barbell Portfolios Can Be Hard To Hold On To
Barbells work great at the gym because they put weight on a bar in such a way that it’s balanced, leaving room in the middle for someone to use it to workout. We often see portfolios that are designed like a barbell at the gym: lots of risk in one account and lots of cash or very short-term securities in another. In aggregate, it might produce some balance, but the reality is that it can create some real challenges.