The World Needs Better Investors
Truly successful investing—whether in the market, your children, your community, or yourself—demands deeper, less quantifiable considerations. In this article, Kent invites you to think about
OBBBA Explained: What the 2025 Tax Bill Might Mean for You | Financial Perspectives
Category: Financial Planning » Charitable Giving
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed July 4, 2025, updated tax law: rates extended, new $6K senior deduction, higher SALT cap with limits, charitable deduction floor, and a $15M estate exemption. This month, Marcus Iwig joins Kent Kramer to explain what these updates mean — and why most taxpayers may see only modest impact.
Nearly 1,000 Pages of Tax Law—Here’s What Actually Matters
Category: Financial Planning
In his latest blog post, Caleb Brown breaks through the clutter of Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill. What you need to know about all the changes and how they could affect your tax situation.
Chart of the Month – September 2025
It’s easy to get lost in the sheer size of government finances — and what they might mean for you. In Michael's latest blog post, he breaks down some of the complexities.
Women Live Longer – What That Could Mean for Your Estate
Category: Financial Planning » Cashflow
Let's discuss what you need to consider if you become a surviving spouse with a focus on estate considerations.
AI Explained: Hype vs. Reality | A Conversation with Stephen de Man, Dimensional Fund Advisors
Category: Foster Group
AI is everywhere in the headlines — but how much is hype, and what’s real? Stephen de Man of Dimensional Fund Advisors joins Kent Kramer to explore AI’s history, opportunities, risks, and how to start using it responsibly.
Inherit $100 and Advance to Go!
Before taking action on your inheritance, here are three things to consider.
Chart of the Month – August 2025
Category: Financial Planning » Estate & Transfer Planning
Many Iowa farms are likely to change hands over the next 20 years. Learn why preparing now can help protect the legacy and livelihood of Iowa’s family farms.
Don’t Get Into A “Rut” with Estate Planning! Three steps for Better Outcomes.
Category: Financial Planning » Estate & Transfer Planning
Check out these three steps to avoid an estate planning “rut” which will help ensure that your wishes are carried out and give your heirs and fiduciaries a better understanding of your intentions.
5 Market Downturns and the Surprising Lessons We Learned | Financial Perspectives
This month, Kent Kramer tackles the question, 'Is it different this time?' by analyzing what’s different and what's the same in market downturns. He discusses historical market declines, the catalysts behind them, and the importance of maintaining long-term optimism despite short-term volatility.
All-Weather Investing: Preparing Your Portfolio for Any Market
Summer travel reminds us that even the best-laid plans can run into unexpected storms. The same is true for investing—your portfolio should be prepared to weather whatever the market forecast brings. Let’s take a look at how to help you stay on course.
Teaching — and Learning from — Our Kids: What Kind of Spender Are You?
As a financial planner and a parent who didn’t grow up with the benefit of family financial literacy, I’m always looking for creative ways to teach my kids about money. Read more to see how a simple family trip revealed three unique spending styles.
Chart of the Month – June 2025
Asset Class Returns – Can We Just Pick the Winners?
The Gift of Fandom—and Financial Wisdom
What do investing and being a loyal sports fan have in common? More than you might think. Read on to discover how the ups and downs of fandom can mirror the journey of long-term investing—and why both are worth the ride.
Women Live Longer- What That Means for Income Planning
On Average, women tend to live longer than men. What does that mean when it comes to retirement planning and income?
How Much Income Do I Need in Retirement? | Financial Perspectives
How much will you really need in retirement? And how do you make it last? This month, Kent Kramer and Marcus Iwig discuss forecasting expenses, managing investments for income, and handling life's curveballs in retirement.
Am I OK? Building Income Safety Into Your Portfolio
Market periods like these have a way of making virtually everyone ask the questions, "Am I okay? Is my financial plan going to survive these latest seismic events?" Kent Kramer looks at historical worst-case scenarios and how they could be used to inform your financial plan.
Chart of the Month – May 2025
When it comes to future performance, you don’t always get what you pay for. Let’s take a closer look.
How to Use the Dollars: Building Your Income Stream
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
Retirement is exciting—but having a well-thought-out distribution strategy could help ensure your money lasts. Let’s explore the key considerations for crafting a smart plan that works for you.
Creating Your Paycheck in Retirement
Category: Financial Planning » Cashflow
What’s your plan to create a paycheck in retirement? In this blog, we’ll break down a few key ways to bridge the income gap that retirement can bring.
Harnessing Optimism
Category: Foster Group
Want to live a longer, healthier, and happier life? Research shows that optimism isn’t just wishful thinking—it can be a powerful strategy for resilience and progress. Read to discover why optimism matters and how you can cultivate it in your own life.