How to Make Sense of Goals You Set
Category: Financial Planning
An important part of building out a financial plan is determining goals. Goals help us look at a financial plan with the “end” in mind.
How to Construct a Good Investment Policy Statement
I wrote in a previous blog about the importance of having a well-written Investment Policy Statement (IPS). What should be in a well-written document?
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.
How the National Debt Affects You
Category: Financial Planning
The rising U.S. national debt has been a topic of conversation for many years and 2020 has magnified the focus on this issue.
How the “Little Guy” Really Wins in the Market
Don’t believe the lie that you don’t belong or that the keys belong to someone who won’t give them to you.
How Should an Investor Position Their Overall Investment Portfolio Now and in the Future?
Category: Investing » Asset Allocation
Right after, “What will the stock market do next?” the positioning question may be the most asked and re-asked question by investors of all types.
How One Client Lives a Meaningful, Generous Life
Category: Financial Planning » Charitable Giving
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.
How Much Should Associations Hold in Reserve Assets?
Category: Investing » Asset Allocation
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?
Do You Have a Financial Caddy?
Category: Financial Planning
A professional golfer would be incomplete without his or her Caddy. The same is true for you and your finances. I believe a good financial plan is incomplete without a Caddy, aka a Financial Advisor, to help you navigate life.
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?
Do Simple Better
A focus on the fundamentals is not just good advice for the sports world. It applies to many areas of our lives and certainly our finances.
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.
Do Headlines Cause You to Take Action?
Takeaways from a smattering of the headlines across a wide range of news sources in 2022 and early 2023.
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.
Diversification: Preparing for the Next Surprise
Probably only one thing is certain: The world is still full of surprises yet to be revealed. Is your portfolio diversified in preparation for the next one?
Discover the Real Meaning of Financial Independence
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
In my daily work with clients, the question often comes down to, “How much do I need to retire comfortably?” My usual answer is, “How long are you going to live, and what do you want to eat?!”