Chart of the Month – Apr 2022
Housing affordability is trending in the wrong direction. Take a look at our chart of the month showing housing affordability over the last 50 years.
Webinar: Uncertainty in Ukraine (and Beyond)
How do we deal with uncertainty in a globally connected world? Uncertainty is nothing new. It's an ongoing factor in global markets that can be embraced and often managed in investment portfolios. In this webinar, we will cover: potential impacts of Russia and Ukraine on your portfolio, the ripple effects of the war on inflation, interest rates, oil, and continuing market volatility, thoughts on what you could consider doing now, and updates regarding ongoing developments.
How Much Should Associations Hold in Reserve Assets?
A common question among nonprofit associations is how much they should hold in reserve assets. There is a “rule of thumb” that associations should hold six months of operating expenses in reserve. Is this common rule of thumb common practice?
Market Madness
There is just something about the NCAA Men’s and Women’s College Basketball Tournament. There is tremendous excitement in many families and workplaces as tournament brackets are filled in with predictions about the outcomes of 67 games over a three-week period.
Can You Ever Have Enough?
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.
Why Index Funds Don’t Work for Some People
Index funds are popular investment tools for good reason. They are low cost, effective ways to capture market return. Choosing to use index funds is only half the battle though; you must use them correctly to truly benefit.
Inflation – How High & How Long? | Financial Perspectives
Spring Clean Your Financial Plan
You can’t have spring without spring cleaning. As you tackle your home, yard, and other spaces this year, your financial plan might also need to be spruced up. Here are a few tips to clean up your financial plan this spring.
July 26th, 2021 Financial Perspectives – ESG Investing Pt 1
Cryptocurrency: Not for the Faint of Heart
Will cryptocurrency replace the $20 bill in your pocket? Will the decentralization/digitization of currency end up solving anything? Will it be of long-term value? Or will it end up being only a place for speculators to try and capitalize on the sentiment of others? Anyone wanting to allocate to cryptocurrency should understand the inherent uncertainty and volatility of this relatively new digital commodity.
Teaching Your Kids to Invest Early in Life
One of the concerns I continually hear from the clients I work with is whether the next generation can handle money well. The only way to know is to give them an opportunity. Helping them invest early and often will teach them discipline, patience, how to manage their emotions and the power of compound interest. All of it is essential learning on the path to financial independence . . . and many other things in life, as well.
How One Client Lives a Meaningful, Generous Life
At Foster Group, we encourage our clients to live lives of meaning and generosity, and some of our clients embody this. Of all the amazing stories I’ve heard, the following has impacted me most deeply.
Umbrella Insurance Is Just a Catch All Policy, Right?
Guest Blogger Tim Hibbing. Umbrella policies are becoming more and more popular in our litigious culture.
How Will You Pay for Long-Term Care?
Chances are, you’ve heard about long-term care insurance, but have you asked yourself if you need it?
I Lead a Team of Financial Advisors, Here are 5 Reasons Not to Hire One
I love the place I work, I love the people I work with, and I think the work we do is almost always worth the money people pay us. Despite the fact I value all these things, I’ve come to realize there are some good reasons not to work with us.
June 21, 2021 Financial Perspectives
Four Dimensional Mutual Funds Will Be Converted to Exchange Traded Funds on June 11th
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.
I Want to Be Like Them
Stories like this spread and inspire others to be generous.