A Few of My Favorite Things
Almost everyone has a few of their favorite things. One of my top questions to ask friends and clients is, “What are some of your most treasured memories and keepsakes?”
When Market Volatility Creates Opportunity
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
The first half of 2022 has proven to be challenging for investors. Being an investor during volatile markets isn’t easy, but there are a few strategies to consider in order to make the best of a difficult situation.
Speeding Tickets & Investing
Recently, I received a gift from the Iowa State Patrol in the form of a speeding ticket. In reflecting on this experience, it occurred to me that I took an unnecessary risk to attain something I didn’t need and ended up sacrificing money I didn’t have to lose.
Optimistic Pessimists? | Financial Perspectives
Category: Investing
Sometimes being double minded is a problem. But could being optimistic and pessimistic at the same time be a good thing for an investor? Surprisingly, the answer may be yes!
Optimistic Pessimists? | Financial Perspectives (In a Minute)
Category: Investing
Sometimes being double minded is a problem. But could being optimistic and pessimistic at the same time be a good thing for an investor? Surprisingly, the answer may be yes!
Chart of the Month – June 2022
There are nearly two job openings for every unemployed worker with labor statistics showing 11.4 million job openings compared to 5.9 unemployed workers as of April 30, 2022. This mismatch between jobs and workers means that workers have options, including leverage to ask for more pay.
Dividing Finances in Divorce
Category: Financial Planning
If you or someone you know is going through the divorce process, make sure they have the right team in place to guide them throughout with the entire process. As a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA), I can help walk through the complexities.
Making the Best of It | Financial Perspectives
Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks
It continues to be a volatile period for investors in stock and bond markets around the world. And while the news, like the weather, has seemed a little gloomy this spring, summer is around the corner and maybe it’s time to make the best of it! In today’s edition, Matt Moklestad, Lead Advisor – Institutional, discusses tax loss harvesting.
Are You Checking Your Accounts Every Day? Stop it.
Does it help or harm the average long-term investor to peek at their own accounts or pay attention to the market every day?
What’s In Your (Charitable) Toolbox?
Category: Financial Planning » Charitable Giving
Our vision at Foster Group is to influence thousands of individuals, families, and organizations with wise financial counsel while encouraging the pursuit of meaningful living and generous giving. One of the ways we like to do this is by expanding our clients’ giving toolbox.
Your Goals Steer the Direction of Your Financial Plan
Category: Financial Planning
In financial planning, goals are important. There are different planning strategies we implement for different types of goals, and it is crucial for your advisor to understand how you plan or hope to use your money in the future.
Your Legacy Can Be More Than Money
Category: Financial Planning » Estate & Transfer Planning
In the end, your legacy is the lasting influence of the gifts you give, both during your lifetime and when you are gone. What do you want yours to be?
DraftKings Knows More About You Than You Know About You
For 12 seconds, consider what a company knows about you and their own profitability if they are willing to offer you a $500 risk-free bet to get started. That’s what DraftKings just promised me in a commercial. Sounds awesome, doesn’t it? OK, the 12 seconds are up. What did you come up with?
What Really is the Annual Enrollment Period?
Category: Financial Planning
Hopefully, you have read my first two blogs that talked about Medicare Supplement and Drug plans and the difference with Medicare Advantage plan designs. The last of this series will talk about the Annual Enrollment Period and what can really happen here.
Equilibrium Markets in the Time of COVID
Over the years, Foster Group has utilized a number of mutual funds and exchange traded funds managed by Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA). DFA was founded in 1981 on the idea of making academic investment research and empirically based portfolio management accessible to investors. In this article, Professor Kenneth French describes how markets responded to the events surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
Planning and Puppies 101
Category: Financial Planning » Cashflow
I bought a puppy back in April, and it has been one of the most challenging things of my adult life. Training a new puppy is hard work and takes a lot of intentionality and thought. The same can be said about building a financial plan. I have a few tips that might help others avoid my mistakes.
Two Dimensional Mutual Funds Will Be Converted to Exchange Traded Funds on September 10th
Two Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA) mutual funds that are held in after-tax accounts managed by Foster Group at Charles Schwab and TD Ameritrade will be converted by DFA to Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) on Friday, September 10th.
Two Dimensional Mutual Funds Will Be Converted to Exchange Traded Funds on September 10th
Two Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA) mutual funds that are held in after-tax accounts managed by Foster Group at Charles Schwab and TD Ameritrade will be converted by DFA to Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) on Friday, September 10th.
You Will Have Forgotten Monday, July 19
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
By the time you read this, you will have most likely forgotten today. My guess is that you won’t remember what went on this day. You might remember a feeling or thought you had when you heard what was happening in the stock market. But then, you sent an email, mowed your lawn, took your dog on a walk and ate something healthy, like broccoli, for dinner.
Medicare Advantage Plans: What is Joe Namath Really Talking About?
Category: Financial Planning
In 2006, the Federal government created an alternate design in the Medicare market to complement supplement plans and stand-alone prescription drug plans. They’re called Medicare Advantage plans. Although the start was a bit rocky, carriers have learned and grown with their plan designs. Here are some of the most talked about design concepts of the Medicare Advantage plans.