Business Owners, Beware of the “Missing Middle”
Category: Financial Planning
For many family businesses, the lack of clear succession plans is the most significant challenge.
Tailoring Your Financial Plan to Match Your Goals
Category: Financial Planning
If you are a client of Foster Group and have met with your advisor recently, you may have discussed what’s important to you, what we are planning for as it relates to your goals, and what you hope to achieve.
The Promise of Small Beginnings
Category: Financial Planning
Spring and it's emerging signs of life are great reminders of how many things in our lives start small. But with a little attention year after year, small things can grow to become meaningful and enjoyable contributions to our lives and the lives of others.
What I Learned On The Road To The House on the Lake
Category: Financial Planning
In my life, I’ve always been a goal setter. You may be a goal setter, too. If you’re like me, you set goals on an annual basis. It may be hard to get going, but being purposeful about taking those first steps will produce results and help propel you from one success to the next. So where do you start?
Passing on the Spirit of Generosity in a Tax Smart Manner
Category: Financial Planning
If you are giving to charities now or plan to in the future, you may possess the “Spirit of Generosity.” How do you pass that “Spirit of Generosity” on to your children and/or grandchildren?
Leave the Gift of Giving as part of your Estate Plan
Category: Financial Planning
One of the best strategies for charitable giving is to open and fund a Donor Advised Fund (DAF).
Rates, Prices and Inventory: The Entire Housing Market Explained in About Two Minutes
Category: Financial Planning
The unprecedented relationship between a breakneck rise in home prices, a tripling in interest rates and historically low inventory levels have painted a landscape in housing that’s never been seen before in history. It’s a cautionary tale for some, and a once-in-a-generation opportunity for others, depending on your perspective. Let’s dive in.
Five Ideas for Charitable Tax Savings
Category: Financial Planning
Five ideas for integrating your finances and your philanthropy.
Retirement Happiness
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
What are the primary drivers of a happy retirement and overall wellness?
How Tax Strategy Fits into Your Financial Plan | Financial Perspectives
Category: Financial Planning » Closely Held Business
Tax strategy plays an important role in financial planning, but the right approach depends on your specific goals, timeline, and overall plan. In this episode of Financial Perspective, Gretchen Muller, Marcus Iwig, and Michael Westphal discuss how tax considerations can affect retirement planning, business sales, farm ground, stock compensation, account types, and investment implementation. The key takeaway: taxes matter, but they should be considered within the context of a broader financial plan.
How Thoughtful Tax Planning Could Help You Keep More of What You Earn
Category: Financial Planning
Tax planning can help create more flexibility over time. Melissa, explores a few strategies and considerations in her latest blog.
From Brackets to Breaks: Is Tax Planning Really Worth the Effort?
Category: Financial Planning
Explore how tax planning strategies could be aligned with your income, assets, and long‑term goals. Marcus shares why personalized approaches often lead to more informed financial decisions.
The Real Benchmark for Your Portfolio: Your Required Rate of Return
Category: Financial Planning
Portfolio success isn’t always about beating the market. Zach Dalluge, explains how understanding your required rate of return could reshape how you think about investing and portfolio risk.
Generational Wealth: Passing Down Values, Meaning, and Perspective
Category: Financial Planning
Generational wealth is no longer just about assets. Gretchen Muller shares how wealth transfer today includes passing down values, meaning, and financial perspective.
Planning for Inflation: What You Can, and Can’t, Control | Financial Perspectives
Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks
In retirement planning, some variables you can control, and others you can’t. Inflation is often an overlooked variable. In this episode of Financial Perspectives, Gretchen Muller, Director of Communications, and advisor Ben Berger walk through the "retirement equation" and use Monte Carlo modeling to stress-test a hypothetical plan against a 5% inflation shock. Ben also shares examples of adjustments that can help keep purchasing power on track.
Webinar: Pass Wealth and Wisdom to Your Family
Category: Financial Planning
This webinar explores how to successfully transfer wealth -- and the wisdom that comes with it -- from one generation to the next.
What Are Trump Accounts? Benefits, Features, and Tax Considerations
Category: Financial Planning
Confused about Trump Accounts? Here’s a clear breakdown of what they are, how they work, and what to watch.
Don’t Skip Lunch – Why What Happens After a Family Meeting Matters
Category: Financial Planning
Family meetings matter. But what happens after can make a meaningful difference. Ashlee Vieregger shares why you may want to keep the conversation going over lunch.