How to Think About Taxes in Retirement – Beyond Just Paying Less
Learn why many retirees focus on lifetime taxes, how different income sources interact, and what to be aware of as you approach retirement.
Webinar: Have You Secured Your Healthcare Coverage in Retirement?
Category: Financial Planning
Whether your 65th birthday is approaching, you are planning to retire soon, or you or a loved one are living with a disability, it's important to understand the nuances of Medicare coverage.
Medicare Enrollment: 3 Pitfalls to Avoid (and How to Plan Ahead)
Category: Financial Planning
Ashlee shares three common Medicare enrollment considerations - so you know what to watch for and what questions to ask.
Market Volatility in 2026: Don’t Let Headlines Drive Your Financial Plan | Financial Perspectives
In early 2026, concerning headlines feel nonstop and uncertainty can make investors wonder, "should I adjust my financial plan?" In this episode, Gretchen Muller and Kent Kramer discuss how to separate market noise vs fundamentals and share a planning-first approach to staying disciplined through volatility.
Take A Seat with Medicare: How Part A, Part B, Medigap and Part D Work Together
Category: Financial Planning
If you’re approaching Medicare eligibility, a clear understanding of its four parts can be incredibly helpful. In this blog, Ashlee, walks through Medicare’s structure and key considerations for new enrollees.
Chart of the Month – February
If you’ve noticed healthcare costs changing, you’re not alone. This post takes a look at premium growth vs. inflation since 1999.
2026 Fearless Article – “Financial Considerations for Women Facing Separation or Divorce”
Feeling overwhelmed by the financial side of separation or divorce? Brittany, outlines key considerations and practical steps that can help you get organized.
Lock Your Digital Doors: Steps to Help Protect Your Digital Life
Category: Financial Planning
Lock your digital doors! Just like securing your home, small habits can make a big difference. In her latest blog, Kate, shares practical steps to help protect your information.
Protect Your Home and Data with Cyber Insurance
Category: Financial Planning
Homeowner’s insurance is constantly evolving, and so are the add-on coverages that provide additional protection. Join Madelyn as she shares what this means in practice.
2026 Fearless Article – “Let’s Talk About Money: Three Tips to Get Started in 2026”
Category: Foster Group » Advertising
Get started talking about money: one coffee, one story, one question. Join Ashlee as she shares three tips to start the conversation today!
Why Market Highs Aren’t a Reason for Worry
Kent Kramer explores why market highs often trigger anxiety and how investors can cultivate educated optimism. Discover the psychology behind market fears, learn from historical trends, and understand our approach to portfolios.
Charitable Giving: Ending the Year with Purpose
Category: Financial Planning » Charitable Giving
Feeling called to give back as the year comes to a close? There are meaningful ways to support the causes you care about—beyond writing a check.
Have You Considered the Realtime Gratification of Warm Giving?
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
Consider the value of giving now—reaping the emotional rewards of seeing the impact of your gift firsthand, during your lifetime.
Year-End Giving Checklist: Make Every Gift More Intentional | Financial Perspectives
Category: Financial Planning » Charitable Giving
Year-end giving doesn’t have to be rushed or random. In this episode of Financial Perspectives, Director of Communications Gretchen Muller and Senior Lead Advisor Ashlee Vieregger walk through a practical year-end giving checklist to help you align your generosity with what matters most to you. They discuss “generosity languages,” how donor-advised funds could simplify giving across years, and ways to involve your family in leaving a legacy of generosity.
Chart of the Month – December 2025
Category: Financial Planning » Charitable Giving
Charitable giving strategies continue to evolve. This month’s Chart highlights how approaches to philanthropy have shifted over the past 15 years.
The Five Generosity Languages
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
Join Ashlee as she discusses five generosity languages that help each of us express our own unique ways to give.
Proactive Tax Planning: Don’t Let Taxes Happen to You
Category: Financial Planning
Proactive tax planning can offer greater clarity around your financial picture. Zach explains what it is and why it matters.
Elegant and Timeless Holiday Styling. Thoughtful Winter Décor
Category: Foster Group
Nostalgia and familiarity are often at the center of holiday decorating traditions. But there’s always room for weaving fresh ideas into the mix. We asked some of our favorite Des Moines area designers for inspiration.
What I Learned About Listening to My Heart
Category: Foster Group
Hear Jerry’s story about how life events can inform your heart and inspire change.
Generosity in Action with Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity
Category: Foster Group
Join us for a Q&A with Lance Henning, CEO of Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity.