How Can I Destress My Investment Experience? With Rachel Rasmussen, MBA, CFA, CDFA®, and Zach Binzer, CFP®

How Can I Destress My Investment Experience? With Rachel Rasmussen, MBA, CFA, CDFA®, and Zach Binzer, CFP®

If market fluctuations stress you out and cause you to make irrational financial choices, you’re not alone. It is only human to let emotions get in the way and give in to biases.

In this episode, Rachel Rasmussen, MBA, CFA, CDFA®, and Zach Binzer, CFP®, help you understand how you can destress your investment experience and become a more disciplined investor. Tune in to understand common behavioral finance traps, how they translate to investor results, and solutions for reducing investing anxiety.

Rachel and Zach share more about:

  • How mental biases impact our financial decision-making (with examples)
  • Eye-opening statistics that show the risks associated with “timing” the market
  • The value of seeking objective input and behavioral coaching from a financial advisor
  • How risk tolerance evaluation and stress testing can reduce investor anxiety
  • And more

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Why Do My Advisor’s Credentials Matter? With Nick Roth, CFP®

Why Do My Advisor’s Credentials Matter? With Nick Roth, CFP®

Have you ever looked at the letters after an advisor’s name and wondered what they stand for? These credentials actually offer significant insight into the expertise and commitment of an advisor.

In this episode, Nick Roth, CFP®, of Foster & Motley breaks down why these credentials are important and demystifies the common professional designations in financial services. Tune in to understand how paying attention to these credentials can help you choose the right advisor – as they’re often one of the first things you see on an advisor’s profile.

Nick shares more about:

  • The distinction between investment management and financial planning designations
  • The training and ongoing education involved in CFP®, CFA®, and CPA
  • Examples of other specialized designations with niche expertise areas
  • Foster & Motley’s commitment to advisor learning and fiduciary standards
  • And more

 

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How Can I Safeguard My Sensitive Information Online? With Joe Patterson, CFP®

How Can I Safeguard My Sensitive Information Online? With Joe Patterson, CFP®

Are you worried about the safety of your sensitive information online? By cultivating good security habits, it is possible to significantly reduce the risk of fraud so you can sleep better at night.

In this episode, Joe Patterson, CFP®, of Foster & Motley empowers you with the knowledge and awareness to protect your financial well-being in an increasingly digital world. You will learn preventative measures and best practices to minimize the risk of cyber fraud. Joe’s recommendations take little time to put into practice, while getting scammed can be costly, time-consuming, and mentally draining.

Joe shares more about:

  • The importance of freezing your credit to prevent unauthorized access
  • The ease of using password managers for unique and complex passwords across various sites
  • Best practices while making online purchases
  • How to recognize scam emails, suspicious links, and fraudulent phone calls 
  • And more

 

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Are You Making the Most of Your Year-End Charitable Giving? With Emily K. Diaz, MAcc, CPA, CFP®

Are You Making the Most of Your Year-End Charitable Giving? With Emily K. Diaz, MAcc, CPA, CFP®

While tax savings may not be a primary driver for your charitable contributions, being aware of opportunities can help you amplify your impact. 

In this episode, Emily K. Diaz, MAcc, CPA, CFP®, of Foster &  Motley shares valuable insights on year-end charitable giving, the benefits of planning ahead, and its connection to tax planning. Whether you wish to give to your family, directly to an organization, or through a charitable foundation, you will learn actionable ideas to improve tax efficiency and leave a lasting impact.

Emily also sheds light on an Ohio-specific gifting strategy, where you can capitalize on available tax credits through Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs).

Emily shares more about:

  • The tax implications of different types of gifts (e.g., cash vs. appreciated stocks)
  • Simplified explanation of commonly used strategies, such as donor-advised funds
  • The benefits of planning out  larger gifts over multiple years
  • Navigating the annual exclusion for family gifts
  • And more

 

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Why Should I Invest in International Stocks? With Zach Horn, MBA, CFP®, CMFC®

Why Should I Invest in International Stocks? With Zach Horn, MBA, CFP®, CMFC®

We’ve all heard that diversification in our investment portfolio is important, but it’s bigger than diversifying among US stocks only.

In this episode, Zach Horn, MBA, CFP®, CMFC®, discusses the importance of diversifying portfolios with international investments. He explores the differences between established and emerging markets, the historical performance of US stocks versus international stocks, and the recommended ratio of US to international stocks.

Zach shares more about:

  • Use of mutual funds for international exposure
  • Currency risk in international investing and ways to hedge it
  • Importance of gaining international exposure and diversifying investments
  • Historical data supporting international stocks outperforming US stocks in certain scenarios
  • And more

 

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About Our Guest:

Zach Horn knows that a plan communicated in a language people can understand, no matter how complex it might actually be, is possible in every situation and serves everyone involved in the best way possible. Zach has built many client relationships that are more like friendships and go beyond the normal aspects of planning and management. And that’s just the way he wants it.

Zach has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance from Ohio University and an MBA degree in Finance from Xavier University. Before joining Foster & Motley, Zach worked for Ameriprise Financial, Inc. as a financial advisor in Columbus, Ohio. He joined the firm in 2007 as the Securities Trader and a member of the investment team. Zach obtained the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM (CFP®) and Chartered Mutual Fund Counselor (CMFC®) designations in 2012. He is now an Investment Manager and shareholder.

In addition to his duties as an Investment Manager, Zach is also the Managing Partner and President of the Board. In this role, Zach focuses on the long-term vision of Foster & Motley and how the day-to-day operations support that vision. His communication skills and initiative help keep our team focused, open-minded to change, and collaborative.  

Zach lives with his family in Mason, Ohio. He enjoys sports of all kinds, but especially coaching his sons in baseball and basketball. In 2020, Zach was included in Cincinnati Business Courier’s Forty Under 40 class which recognizes the next generation of leaders and innovators in Greater Cincinnati. He recently joined the board of directors for the Ohio Valley Goodwill. Zach was impressed with the scale of the organization and their mission of helping those with disabilities and other challenges gain employment in the community and wanted to be part of their success.

How Do Brokerage and Bank Accounts Work Together? With David J. Nienaber, MBA, CPA, CFP®

How Do Brokerage and Bank Accounts Work Together? With David J. Nienaber, MBA, CPA, CFP®

Ever wondered about the difference between checking, savings, and brokerage accounts?

In this episode, David J. Nienaber, MBA, CPA, CFP®, discusses the distinctions between checking accounts, savings accounts, and brokerage accounts. He highlights benefits of each and how they function together. Additionally, he explains how brokerage accounts can be platforms for purchasing stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.  Lastly, he touches on how money market funds are becoming a popular choice instead of traditional savings accounts.

David shares more about:

  • Money market funds as an alternative to traditional savings accounts
  • Money market funds can be bought and sold in a brokerage account and earn higher interest rates
  • Brokerage accounts not FDIC insured but have SIPC insurance
  • And more

 

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When Should I Start Thinking About Planning for College? With Tony Luckhardt, MBA, CFP®, CRPC®, and Dan Bisig

When Should I Start Thinking About Planning for College? With Tony Luckhardt, MBA, CFP®, CRPC®, and Dan Bisig

In this episode, Tony R. Luckhardt, MBA, CFP®, CRPC®, sits down with Dan Bisig, the  President and Founder of College and Beyond, to dive into the world of college planning. 

Get ready for valuable insights and a positive perspective on the college journey! 

Dan discusses the importance of early planning, not only from a financial perspective but also in terms of finding the perfect academic and social fit. Discover why reading and test-taking skills remain vital in the college admissions landscape, even amidst the test-optional trend. Dan unveils his three-part approach, covering essential topics like the college money talk, career exploration, and college selection, as well as demystifying the admissions process. He also shares seven common pitfalls that families make as they begin the college planning process.

Dan shares more about:

  • The importance of starting the college planning process early
  • Choosing the right college 
  • The ideal timeline for working with a college planner
  • And more

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What Do Stock Breadth and Market Concentration Mean for You? with Thom Guidi, CFA

What Do Stock Breadth and Market Concentration Mean for You? with Thom Guidi, CFA

Have you recently wondered why the performance of companies like Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Nvidia, and Google significantly impacts the overall market? 

Diversification is not just a buzzword, it’s an important strategy for managing portfolio risk. If you’re unsure about your investments’ concentration, check out this episode as Thom Guidi, CFA, discusses stock concentration and market breadth as indicators of market movements. 

Thom shares more about:

  • How the largest tech companies in the S&P 500, such as Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Nvidia, and Google, have a significant impact on the overall market at present
  • The importance of diversification in portfolios to manage risk and the benefits of assessing portfolio concentration. 
  • Assessing portfolio concentration and considering investment relationships
  • And more

 

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Do You Need a CFO for Your Personal Life? With Rachel Rasmussen, MBA, CFA, CDFA®, and Nick Roth, CFP®

Do You Need a CFO for Your Personal Life? With Rachel Rasmussen, MBA, CFA, CDFA®, and Nick Roth, CFP®

When it comes to our day-to-day lives, delegating certain responsibilities can actually free up our mental space, giving us time to focus on what we do best.

In this episode, Rachel Rasmussen, MBA, CFA, CDFA®, and Nick Roth, CFP®, discuss the concept of having a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for your personal life. They explain the benefits of having a CFO-like advisor who can provide information and insights to help you make informed decisions about your finances. There is great value in having a team of professionals, including financial planners, investment managers, insurance agents, and estate planning attorneys, to provide specialized expertise and support. 

Nick and Rachel share more about:

  • The importance of staying updated on financial regulations, investment opportunities, and retirement plans
  • Saving time, relieving stress, and making the right decisions with a CFO-like advisor
  • Making good financial decisions and maximizing opportunities while minimizing mistakes
  • Benefits of delegating certain aspects of life to experts
  • And more

 

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How Could I Benefit from Working with an Advisor that Does Tax Planning? With Zach Binzer, CFP®

How Could I Benefit from Working with an Advisor that Does Tax Planning? With Zach Binzer, CFP®

You’re likely familiar with the idea that for every action, there’s a corresponding reaction. This concept rings true in financial planning as well. With nearly every financial decision you make, there aretax consequences waiting in the wings.

In this episode, Zach Binzer, CFP®, discusses the nuances associated with different investment account types and how tax considerations vary from one to the next. He also explains how the long term planning a financial advisor can provide can help you understand how today’s decisions may impact your tax situation 10, 20, or 30 years from now! 

Zach shares more about:

  • The importance of account diversity 
  • Insights into  tax-efficient estate planning approaches
  • The impact of taxes on Medicare premiums and Social Security benefits
  • The essential part CPAs can play in proficient tax planning
  • And more

 

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