What a Difference a Year Makes
On March 23, 2020, the S&P 500 tumbled another 3%, culminating a near 34% drop over that same month. The Dow Jones hovered around 19,000. Gains from the past few years were gone.
American Rescue Plan: Aid Begins Hitting Accounts
Category: Financial Planning
Most notably, the bill included another round of direct payments to Americans, many of whom have already received the $1,400 (individually), plus per spouse and dependent/s.
March 22, 2021 Financial Perspectives
Many indicators say the US and global economy are growing at rates faster than expected. Most of this is welcome news given the past 12 months. But is there a danger the economy could overheat? Inflation continues to be on the minds of some, should it be on yours as well?
Foster Group Recognized as a 2021 Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award Winner
Category: Foster Group
Gallup recognized Foster Group as a 2021 Exceptional Workplace Award winner. This marks the fourth consecutive year the team at Foster Group has received this award.
YOLO, Meme, and EMH: What’s Your Investment Style?
Guest Blogger, Marlena Lee, PhD. While it’s not the intended victim of the YOLO traders, will the efficient market hypothesis be a casualty of these events? The answer depends a lot on your definition of efficient markets.
It’s Worth the Trip!
We had completed our hike successfully, and the challenges made it more memorable and satisfying. The same is true for all of us as investors.
Are You Investing or Playing a Completely Different Game?
Category: Investing
Investing in the market is not about getting rich quick. It’s not led by FOMO, the fear of missing out. Ideally, it’s not driven by fear or greed at all. It’s patient, thoughtful, intentional and guided by a long-term vision of success.
Don’t Leave Your Last Round to Chance
I certainly would argue that building a business is more than just a dice game, but both involve risk. How you fill out your scoresheet in Yahtzee is a good example of what business owners might decide to do with their business profits.
March 8, 2021 Financial Perspectives
In 2020 interest rates hit an all-time low, and now interest rates are on the move again. It seems like investors are taking notice. This week, Matt Moklestad looks at interest rates, bonds, and inflation expectations.
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.
Cheers to Johnny D!
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
Looking back on the six or so years I knew Johnny D, two big themes emerge from his life that are worth us carrying forward.
Retirement is Just the Start!
Category: Financial Planning
We often find ourselves seeking the “finish line” where we no longer need to earn more income. But when it arrives, many folks find they have only just begun to impact the world the way they want.