The Invisible Tax
Category: Financial Planning
One of the things married couples often do not consider in their planning is what I like to call the “Invisible Tax.”
Home Sweet Home, or an Investment?
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
Homes are commonly thought of as investments. It’s easy to see why. For most of us, it’s the single biggest thing on our balance sheets for years.
What This Year Reminds Us About Fixed Income
Category: Investing » Asset Allocation
This year has reminded us of the many important roles that fixed income can play in portfolios.
The Four Uses of Money
Did you know that there are just four uses of money? They are Owe, Grow, Give, and Live.
My General Contractor and I
Category: Financial Planning
That’s when I realized, constructing a basement wasn’t all that different from constructing a financial plan.
Stock Markets Are Positive This Year?
As this year exemplifies, stock markets have the tendency to do things we would never expect.
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 Spot Political Bias
Category: Foster Group
Being an advisor has helped me better appreciate differing political opinions. I have clients across the political spectrum. This gives me a chance to listen to and care for all my clients, no matter what side or opinion they take.
Five Things to Consider Before Referring Your Client to a Financial Advisor
Category: Foster Group
How do you ensure that you are making a good recommendation for your client, especially when you are putting your reputation on the line?
Markets Move. So Should You.
Category: Investing
The primary reason for portfolio rebalancing is to maintain the risk profile of the policy portfolio that the client has chosen. However, periodic rebalancing has the added benefit of ?buying low? and ?selling high?.
Making Time
Category: Foster Group
In our fast-paced, busy world, slowing down and taking the time to notice the things and people around you can be a challenge.
Even Your Finances Need Weed Whacking Sometimes
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
Financial planning can be a lot like that. The parallels to personal finance may not be point for point, but as the seasons change, so may assets on a personal financial statement.
3 Key Topics You Should Know from the Retirement Enhancement Act
Category: Financial Planning » Estate & Transfer Planning
While the News headlines the impasse with split government in Washington, the trade war, immigration, and the growing field of contenders for the White House, a substantial change in retirement plans is making its way through Congress.
The Goslings at Foster Group Have Got Me Thinking
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
We all will go through life seasons, and, with that, our ability to invest and what that ‘investment’ looks like will be different. No matter what season you’re in, don’t let it stop you from investing in something you care about.
The Power of Delegation for Executives
Are you making the most of the rewards for your hard work? Your organization benefits from your time, effort, and management skills, but does your family get the most from all that effort?
Money and Emotions
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
The first step to managing emotions in financial decisions is to understand the script or story you are telling yourself about money and where it came from.
Being a Counterintuitive Investor – Do Stock Markets Follow GDP?
It turns out GDP growth rates and stock market performance are not highly correlated in the way we would expect.
Alphabet Soup at Foster Group
Category: Foster Group
Our goal at Foster Group is to create an exceptional client experience. One way we try to achieve that is by having exceptional advisors.
457(b): The Good, The Not so Good, and The Not Good at All
Category: Financial Planning
457(b) plans can be a great vehicle for retirement savings if available, but they are often complex and come with restrictions 401(k) and 403(b) plans don't have.
High Profit vs Low Profit: The Returns Are In!
If higher returns are offered to riskier investments, why is it that companies with higher profits generate better returns? Aren�t these companies less risky?
Stuff I’ve Learned
Category: Financial Planning
Random, interesting stuff (at least to me!) I’ve learned since joining Foster Group.