Give. Laugh. Love.
Category: Financial Planning
Legacy is a strange topic. We all think about it, but it means something different to everybody. How do you want to be remembered?
Three Ways to Teach Kids Important Financial Skills
Category: Financial Planning
Whether you’re a business owner or not, here are three ways to start talking about money and building financial skills with your children or grandchildren while they’re young.
Three Commonly Missed Opportunities by Executives
Category: Financial Planning
I’ve had the opportunity to work with a number of executives over the years and have found some commonly missed financial opportunities.
Financial Health in the Prime of Your Career – It’s Time for a Check Up!
Category: Financial Planning
You’ve been working for several years now – you’re earning, saving, paying down debt, investing, and giving. What’s next?
Have You Considered a Cash-Balance Plan?
Category: Financial Planning
Many business owners are looking for more tax-friendly ways to save for retirement. A cash balance plan could be the answer.
Balance Sheet Liquidity: What Is It? How Do I Approach It?
Category: Financial Planning
I am extremely fortunate to work with many different types of clients. Some of my favorite clients are the owners of privately owned businesses. There are always opportunities to have conversations that go well beyond managing investments.
Secure Act 2.0 Offers a New Retirement “Lost & Found”
Category: Financial Planning
A few weeks ago, my colleague, Matt Moklestad, shared a blog about 8 changes from the SECURE Act 2.0. While many of the changes in this legislation are beneficial for employers, there is a lot in this act that is also going to be very beneficial for plan participants.
Hiring a Financial Advisor May Improve Your Odds of Success
Category: Financial Planning
Over the years, I have found it helpful to hire experts to do things or guide me through areas of life which are too difficult or time consuming. Hiring a financial advisor may be just what you need in 2023.
Brock Purdy and the Importance of Inconsequential Decisions
Category: Financial Planning
One seemingly small decision that no one thought would matter made a significant difference for the Bay Area team and its fans...
Building a Framework for Family and Charitable Gifts
Category: Financial Planning
Recently, a colleague and I sat down with a married couple who is on the cusp of making significant wealth transfer and philanthropic decisions that will impact their family for generations to come. Naturally, their first question was, “Where do we start?”
Financial Risks That Are Not in the News
Stock market risk is the primary focus of the financial news. The reason is simple. The scarier the headline, the more eyes are attracted to it.
Party of 4 – Estate Planning Basics to Celebrate
Category: Financial Planning
Break out the cake, ice cream, and party hats because it’s time to celebrate National Estate Planning Week!
Three Categories of Risk for Retirement Income
Risks can often feel much different to retirees. The overarching risk for retirees is that something takes place that results in a permanently lower standard of living. Retirement researcher, Wade Pfau, has identified three major categories of risk for one’s income in retirement.
Iowa Income Tax Changes Have an Impact in 2022
Category: Financial Planning
One of the significant changes in the tax reform bill signed by Governor Reynolds on March 1, is the eventual elimination of federal tax deductibility for determining taxable income. Iowa was one of the few remaining states that allowed taxpayers to deduct federal taxes to determine their state income taxes.
Happy 401(k) Day! Yes, It’s a Holiday!
Category: Financial Planning
Happy National 401(k) Day! As we take today to celebrate 401k’s, it’s important to consider the increasing challenges employees in our country face when it comes to retirement readiness.
How to Start Talking with Kids About Money
Category: Financial Planning
A few weeks ago, I talked with our two kids – one a preschooler and the other a kindergartner – about money. Here are some starter topics for you to discuss with your kids.
Selling a Business Is Just as Tough as Owning One
Category: Financial Planning
Owning and operating a business is a tough task. Selling a business is equally difficult. If you’re a business owner, the odds are that you haven’t put together a plan to do this. It doesn’t have to be this way.
Spending That Can Wreck Retirement
Category: Financial Planning
In more than a decade of working with clients, I’ve discovered that one thing tends to do more damage to financial plans than any other.
How Much Life Insurance Protection Is Enough?
Category: Financial Planning
Life insurance is an important component of a financial plan. An early death can create severe hardships for the surviving family if the proper amount of insurance is not in place. The recommended amount of life insurance will vary from family to family depending on a variety of factors.
Preparing Your Heirs for the Great Wealth Transfer
Category: Financial Planning
Over the next 25 years, approximately 45 million U.S. households are primed to pass an estimated $70 trillion in wealth to their heirs. Here are three simple ideas to get you started on a rewarding family governance journey.
Cars, Planes, and Market Crashes
Category: Financial Planning
Since becoming a pilot about 6 years ago, I’m often asked about plane crashes. If you are an investor, the odds of enduring a market crash are almost 100%. Just as I have to do when flying, at Foster Group, we plan ahead for a market correction by using sound planning and investing.