My Favorite Blog Posts and Podcast Episodes from 2020
Many of my favorite content pieces from 2020 reflect on the themes of uncertainty, risk, change, and remaining optimistic in the face of unsettling circumstances.
February 8, 2021 Financial Perspectives
After 3 weeks of GameStop stories, it seems like the game may be stopping or at least slowing down. The question remaining is who made money and is the market any worse for wear when the dust settles.
What Can You Do Before the 2021 Tax Deadline?
Even though the 2020 calendar year ended, it doesn't mean the tax year has completely ended. There are a handful of items to consider before the April, 15th tax filing deadline.
January 29, 2021 Financial Perspectives
What game is being played between Reddit and Wall Street? This week we explore what's been going on with GameStop stock and how short selling works.
While You Were Sleeping
Imagine that you fell asleep at the beginning of the year and woke up at the end of 2020. When you wake up, there are some things that would immediately feel different.
Important Updates on IRA Tax Reporting
Category: Financial Planning » Charitable Giving
It is the taxpayer’s responsibility to keep records of distributions made to charity and contributions to their IRA and account for those on their tax return.
Foster Group’s Updated Response to COVID-19
Category: Foster Group
Nearly a year after it started, COVID-19 continues to drive headlines and heavily impact our lives and work. We want to provide you with an update as to what Foster Group is doing to ensure the safety of our clients and our team.
More Stimulus Aid on the Horizon
Category: Financial Planning
On January 14th, President Biden presented his plan, titled the American Rescue Plan, for the next round of economic aid related to the ongoing pandemic.
January 25, 2021 Financial Perspectives
Four years ago, Donald Trump was elected President of the United States and small company stocks went up over 20% in three months post-election. In the three months since Joe Biden was elected President of the United States, small company stocks are up over 30%. Do small company stock investors just like new Presidents?
CFP or ChFC, What’s the Difference?
Category: Foster Group
Knowing the educational scope of a specific designation will help you feel comfortable that the financial advisor you are working with has the knowledge and experience to help you pursue your goals.
Don’t Let Creditors Crack Your Nest Egg
Category: Financial Planning
Colin Hendricks of BrownWinick Law Firm shares some tips on creditor protection planning for professionals.
Money Can’t Buy Happiness, or Can It
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
The book Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending by Elizabeth Dunn & Michael Norton has changed the way I think and feel about spending. It’s based on academic research that identifies ways that spending can increase our joy, something I didn’t think possible before reading this book!
Single Stock- Too Much of a Good Thing
Category: Financial Planning » Closely Held Business
Executives often have a significant portion of their wealth in their company stock. For retiring or retired executives, or those who have more than their holding requirements, we work to determine how much, if any, they should continue to hold and how to tax-efficiently decrease their exposure as needed.
Keep Three Buckets in Your Retirement Boat
One way to improve your investment experience is to walk through our lifeboat drill. Brad Rempe shares three 'buckets' to include.
Satisfying Your Tastes and Preferences for Investing and Dining
If you were asked to describe what you liked about your favorite food, where would you start? If you were asked to describe what you would like in your investment portfolio, what would you emphasize?
Who Run the World? Girls!
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
Women currently influence nearly half the wealth in the United States and will likely influence 75% of the wealth by the year 2030.
Not Flavor-of-the-Month Financial Planning!
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
Foster Group does not raise a pumpkin spice flag in the morning to check the wind direction before offering prescriptive advice.
Thoughts on Life and Leadership from Nine of Des Moines’ Best
Category: Foster Group
I went to the Business Record’s 90 Ideas in 90 Minutes Event. Nine people were given the opportunity to speak. They shared up to ten of their best ideas for life and leadership. I’ve compiled my Top Nine list in alphabetical order.
The Future is Uncertain. Better to Prepare than Predict.
Because I work for Foster Group, a firm dedicated to truly caring for the financial lives of those we serve, a lot of the conversations we have with regard to this uncertainty relate to money
Tax Planning Strategies For 2019: How Can You Act Now?
Dave Farnsworth of McGowen Hurst Clark Smith explains a few different ways you could reduce your tax liability in 2019.�
The Time Might Be Right to Refinance Your Mortgage
Category: Financial Planning » Cashflow
If you’ve financed your house with a 30-year or 15-year mortgage in the last six years, odds are you’re paying a higher interest rate than today's rate.