Wrong Thinking on Election & Markets
Kent Kramer examines the effects of an election season on investors. Drawing on historical data and behavioral economics, he emphasizes the importance of recognizing cognitive biases and staying optimistic.
Executive Compensation Strategies
Executive compensation at the C-suite level typically involves much more than receiving a salary and bonus. Let’s explore three types of executive benefits: deferred compensation, restricted stock, and stock options.
What is “The Good Life?”
Category: Foster Group
I’ve spent forty-plus years thinking and talking about “the good life” question. With clients, fellow advisors, my family and friends. And while definitive answers are not easy to come by, it’s clear that how we answer (or don’t answer) the question will have a significant impact on the life-defining choices we make, day after day, year after year.
What I Learned About the Nature of True Wealth
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
“Wealth” is a relative term. For many, if not most people, wealth has a lot to do with money. But there are those who have a lot of money who would gladly trade it for a happy marriage, or great health, or a clear conscience. The definitions of wealth are truly limitless, unique to each of us.
Invested in Women- Well Aged (and Well Read)
Category: Foster Group
Foster Group recently launched a new initiative called, “Invested in Women”. Invested in Women will provide opportunities for financial education, solutions, and connections in a variety of formats. In early October, we’ll be hosting our first book club and discussing the book, “Well Aged,” by Ralph Milton.
Chart of the Month – September 2024
Do you wonder why we invest in equities? Equities are an attractive investment for their growth characteristics, but they have also served as a hedge against inflation.
Top Four Questions About 401(k) Plans
Category: Financial Planning
Retirement planning is a journey, and it is natural to have questions along the way. Here are some of the most important questions clients often ask me as a 401(k)-plan advisor.
My Money Story
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
Have you ever considered how your thinking about money was formed? Recently, I took a stroll down memory lane to discover my own “money story,” how I came to think about money.
The Second Home: A Different Kind of “Bond” Investment
We need a different approach to evaluate an investment of the heart, a different kind of “bond” investment. An investment in joy requires a unique type of cost-benefit analysis.
Playing Jazz and Your Finances
Category: Financial Planning » Cashflow
Successfully playing jazz starts with fundamentals. The same is true of our personal finances.
Chart of the Month – July 2024
Category: Investing » Asset Allocation
International Stocks – Are they necessary?
Monte Carlo Analysis & Your Retirement
Category: Financial Planning » Cashflow
Let's look at the Monte Carlo analysis and what it has in common with your financial plan.
The Significance of an Emergency Fund
Category: Financial Planning » Cashflow
An emergency fund is not merely about setting money aside; it's about cultivating peace of mind and stability when life throws unexpected challenges your way.
The Magic of Writing a Letter
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
How the magic of writing a letter could help convey your intentions to a beneficiary.
Chart of the Month – June 2024
No one can time the market and determine when those best months will occur. The best months are surprisingly random. More important than timing the market is time in the market.
Three Tips to Help Set Yourself up for Retirement
Category: Financial Planning » Cashflow
Retirement. It’s something everyone thinks about at some point in their lives. When I see or hear about the people who have retired most effectively, three themes stick out to me. Let’s dive into them.
Updates to the State of Iowa 529 plan
529 plans can be a great way to save for future education costs for your loved ones. The State of Iowa recently made a few improvements to the College Savings 529 plan.
Winning Strategies in a High-Cost Healthcare Market
Category: Financial Planning
Small business owners face many challenges in today’s competitive environment. We often hear of the burden rising healthcare costs have on a business’s sustainability, profitability, and ability to attract and retain key talent. Let’s explore some winning strategies that have been implemented by a variety of businesses across the area.
A Farming Deduction from an Unexpected Location: The Beach
Category: Financial Planning
With farm ground prices near all-time highs, higher borrowing costs, and tight margins, this tax deduction should be considered when purchasing a farm property or inheriting one.
Value vs Growth – What does that Mean?
Have you heard the words, “value” and “growth,” when it comes to investing? Let’s face it: These words are often misunderstood and poorly utilized.
The Older & Wiser AI: The Market’s Aggregate Intelligence
Has Artificial Intelligence been causing you anxiety, or made you wonder about the trustworthiness of investment markets? Be reminded that “educated optimism is an antidote for anxious uncertainty”.