Chart of the Month – October 2024
Is stock market growth a thing of the past? Headlines making predictions about this have come and gone, some turning out to be spectacularly wrong. Let’s take a look.
Financial Planning for Women: Preparing for a Longer Life Expectancy
We continually hear that women are statistically likely to live longer than men. While there is not a one size fits all financial plan, there are a few things you can think about as a woman.
When to Review Your Estate Plan
Being proactive with your estate plan helps to ensure that it will continue to serve your needs and wishes, providing clarity and security for you and your loved ones. Let's look at some examples of events and situations that typically require updates to your estate plan.
Wrong Thinking on Election & Markets
Kent Kramer examines the effects of an election season on investors. Drawing on historical data and behavioral economics, he emphasizes the importance of recognizing cognitive biases and staying optimistic.
Executive Compensation Strategies
Executive compensation at the C-suite level typically involves much more than receiving a salary and bonus. Let’s explore three types of executive benefits: deferred compensation, restricted stock, and stock options.
What is “The Good Life?”
Category: Foster Group
I’ve spent forty-plus years thinking and talking about “the good life” question. With clients, fellow advisors, my family and friends. And while definitive answers are not easy to come by, it’s clear that how we answer (or don’t answer) the question will have a significant impact on the life-defining choices we make, day after day, year after year.
What I Learned About the Nature of True Wealth
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
“Wealth” is a relative term. For many, if not most people, wealth has a lot to do with money. But there are those who have a lot of money who would gladly trade it for a happy marriage, or great health, or a clear conscience. The definitions of wealth are truly limitless, unique to each of us.
Invested in Women- Well Aged (and Well Read)
Category: Foster Group
Foster Group recently launched a new initiative called, “Invested in Women”. Invested in Women will provide opportunities for financial education, solutions, and connections in a variety of formats. In early October, we’ll be hosting our first book club and discussing the book, “Well Aged,” by Ralph Milton.
Chart of the Month – September 2024
Do you wonder why we invest in equities? Equities are an attractive investment for their growth characteristics, but they have also served as a hedge against inflation.
Top Four Questions About 401(k) Plans
Category: Financial Planning
Retirement planning is a journey, and it is natural to have questions along the way. Here are some of the most important questions clients often ask me as a 401(k)-plan advisor.
My Money Story
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
Have you ever considered how your thinking about money was formed? Recently, I took a stroll down memory lane to discover my own “money story,” how I came to think about money.
The Second Home: A Different Kind of “Bond” Investment
We need a different approach to evaluate an investment of the heart, a different kind of “bond” investment. An investment in joy requires a unique type of cost-benefit analysis.
Retiree Health Insurance Options Prior to Medicare Eligibility
Category: Financial Planning
Key health insurance options and considerations for retirees prior to Medicare eligibility.
How Should a Nonprofit Allocate its Investment Portfolio?
Let's review two industry studies, the NACUBO Study of Endowments and the Association Investment Policies, Practices and Performance. Each organization is different and has its own set of unique goals and challenges. Although this is the case, learning how other nonprofits invest can help ignite a meaningful conversation within your own organization.
Chart of the Month – August 2024
Category: Investing » Interest Rates
Is it Possible to Stop Worrying About Money? Yes!
Category: Foster Group
One of the most important things we do at Foster Group isn’t tangible. It’s emotional. Let's look at some things that you might worry about but wish you no longer had to worry.
Three Fun Budgeting Benefits
I’ve found some fun benefits to budgeting outside of the normal spend less, save more mantra.
Predictable Mistakes
We believe that investors increase their chances of success by avoiding predictable mistakes, those practices that sound like they should work but have been shown time and again to have very low probabilities of success.
Retirement: Living Well and Fully Living
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
Essential do’s and don’ts that could help you enjoy your retirement life to the fullest.
Six Key Benefits to A Close Advisor-Client Relationship
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
What are Key Benefits to A Close Advisor-Client Relationship? Let's look at a few that rise to the top.
Running and Saving: A Lot’s the Same!
Category: Financial Planning » Cashflow
My time in the financial industry has made me realize that saving is a lot like running. You do not necessarily always want to do it, but you know that it’s good for you and for your future.