What Is A Family Letter and Why Should I Have One? With Zach Horn, MBA, CFP®, CMFC®

What Is A Family Letter and Why Should I Have One? With Zach Horn, MBA, CFP®, CMFC®

You’ve taken care of your will, power of attorney, and established a trust, but there is one more document you should consider as you think through your estate plans: a family letter.

In this episode, Zach Horn, MBA, CFP®, CMFC®, emphasizes the significance of having a family letter as a supplement to your estate planning documents. A family letter can provide a personal touch to your last wishes and simplify the process for your loved ones. 

Zach delves into several key topics, including:

  • How this letter can serve as a “catch-all” by containing personal contacts, passwords, healthcare information, and general financial account information 
  • The benefits of having your personal information organized and accessible for your family
  • How Foster & Motley can provide a template for the family letter, organized for ease of use and to ensure all necessary elements are included – Download your template here.
  • And more

 

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About Our Guest:

Zach Horn, MBA, CFP®, CMFC®, 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 PLANNER (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 its success.

How Do I Handle Stock Awards and Executive Compensation? With Joe Patterson, CFP®

How Do I Handle Stock Awards and Executive Compensation? With Joe Patterson, CFP®

It is a wonderful thing when you reach a point in your career where you receive additional compensation such as stock awards. However, not all stock grants are created equal, and understanding the nuances and tax consequences is essential to maximizing their benefits.

Join us in this episode as we explore the complex world of stock grants with Joe Patterson, CFP®.  Joe shares his expertise and insights on the different types of stock grants, their vesting schedules, and the tax implications they may have on your portfolio.

Topics Joe shares more about:

  • The motivations behind companies offering stock awards
  • Some of the different types of stock awards available
  • The advantages and disadvantages of different  types of stock awards
  • A detailed look at the tax implications of receiving stock awards
  • And more

 

Connect With Joe Patterson:

About Our Guest:

Joe Patterson remembers as a child going with his father, an estate planning attorney, to visit clients, many of whom were in chaotic or isolated situations. His father drilled into him that being there for people with integrity and consistency wasn’t just part of the job, but was what you built a career on.

Joe values face-to-face interaction and relationship-building more than anything else, and he often does it with a laugh. After a ten-year career with other institutions, he knew that the unique approach of Foster & Motley, pairing an investment manager with a financial planner, would allow him to have more of the real conversations that lead to organized and holistic outcomes.

Joe became a shareholder in 2017 at Foster & Motley and finds a lot of purpose and inspiration in the long-term vision of the firm. He is also in charge of human capital at Foster & Motley, and he oversees employee matters ranging from benefits and hiring to planning fun, team-building events for our staff. At Foster & Motley, relationships with clients are the most important aspect of anyone’s work, and Joe knows that the well-being and happiness of his colleagues contribute to successful client relationships. Helping to provide a positive and engaging environment is right up his alley.

Joe and his wife Sarah have prioritized exposing their sons, Peter and Tate, to different cultures and experiences. One such experience was a trip to Spain, and they plan on undertaking many more small and large adventures with their family.

It is not lost on Joe that in any situation, whether with his family or in his work, getting face-to-face and having real interactions is always the first step to helping others.

How Much Longer Will We Talk About Inflation? With David J. Nienaber, MBA, CPA, CFP®

How Much Longer Will We Talk About Inflation? With David J. Nienaber, MBA, CPA, CFP®

While many of us associate inflation with the increased costs of basic necessities such as gas, groceries, or haircuts, its impact is much broader than that. Inflation is a complex topic that affects every aspect of our financial lives – from day-to-day expenses to long-term goals such as homeownership and retirement planning.

Join us in this episode as David J. Neinaber, MBA, CPA, CFP®, provides an overview to help tackle the puzzle that is inflation. Despite remaining relatively low in the past forty years, recent trends show that inflation is on the rise – and this can have a significant impact on your monthly expenses and the performance of your investments. 

Topics David shares more about:

  • Understanding the impact of inflation 
  • Strategies to safeguard your investments against inflation
  • Simple explanations and examples for understanding inflation
  • And more!

Connect With David Nienaber:

About Dave:

As a 17-year-old junior at Covington Catholic High School, Dave Nienaber unabashedly told a class speaker that he would eventually become a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, surprising a number of his classmates, but not those who knew him best. David has never refrained from engaging fully and with purpose. Whether it was as the portfolio manager for the University of Dayton’s student-run portfolio during his time as an undergraduate, teaching his children to play golf or even sticking by his beloved Green Bay Packers, he has always been energized by commitments to meaningful pursuits.

Upon graduating from the University of Dayton in 2004 with an MBA and a Bachelor of Science degree magna cum laude in Accounting and Finance, Dave started his career with Deloitte and soon earned his CPA. It was during his time working with Deloitte’s Investment Advisors team, while spending a significant amount of time working with Procter & Gamble employees and retirees, that he discovered his real passion. He enjoyed providing the many services that come with handling complex asset and retirement situations, and he had the opportunity to gain experience with an array of financial situations.

When his previous company was sold, Dave had the opportunity to step back and look at the entire financial landscape in Cincinnati and determine where he might fit best. Foster & Motley immediately jumped to the front of the line. He was drawn to their client-centric approach and low ego ethos. He also saw that with the employee-owned model of the firm, there was the chance to be invested in the company in even greater ways than just his day-to-day work. It was a natural fit.

Dave has been with Foster & Motley since 2010 serving as a Financial Planner and has been a shareholder since 2015. Dave’s client-focused mentality and team-oriented attitude led him to his role as Head of the Financial Planning team. Dave helps keep the team on top of the latest financial planning issues, so we can best serve clients.  He always thought that he would enjoy giving people advice in his role as a planner and adviser, but over the years, he has honed his listening and question-asking skills. Now, he counts helping clients find the path that is right for them as the best part of his job.

It is no surprise that Dave’s family life is also full of deep purpose. Dave and his wife Moreen most enjoy taking their five children, Ella, Luke, Nicholas, Anna, and Caroline up to northern Michigan to sail, fish, and spend quality time together. They reside in Northern Kentucky, near where David grew up, and as he looks to the future, he knows his roots and commitments will continue to deepen.

How Do I Plan for My Financial Future While Going Through a Divorce? With Rachel Rasmussen, MBA, CFA, CDFA®, and Joe Patterson, CFP®

How Do I Plan for My Financial Future While Going Through a Divorce? With Rachel Rasmussen, MBA, CFA, CDFA®, and Joe Patterson, CFP®

Did you know that the United States ranks 4th in the world for the highest number of divorces? 

If you’re going through a divorce, it’s essential to understand the financial implications that could impact your future. 

In this episode, Rachel Rasmussen, MBA, CFA, CDFA®, and Joe Patterson, CFP®, help us understand the divorce process so you can plan for your financial future. You’ll also learn how working with a financial advisor can help you understand the financial impact of your divorce proceedings.    

Rachel and Joe share more about:

  • The importance of planning  for your new financial future
  • Financial factors in a divorce that you may not be aware of
  • Financial considerations pre and post-divorce
  • Why having a team of advisors can help to reduce stress
  • And more

Resources:

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What Is A Class Action Litigation? With Thom Guidi, CFA

What Is A Class Action Litigation? With Thom Guidi, CFA

Have you ever received a letter in the mail telling you that you are eligible for a class action lawsuit, potentially due to a purchase you made? You might be wondering why you are receiving these cryptic mass messages and what they mean… 

In this episode, Thom Guidi, CFA, explores the world of Class Action Litigation, shedding light on its vital components. Thom explains how class action suits are initiated and who usually starts the process. By drawing from real-world examples like the Enron scandal, where shareholders were defrauded, Thom offers invaluable insights into the intricate workings of class action litigation and its far-reaching implications for investors.

Thom shares more about:

  •  What class action litigation suits are
  • How Foster & Motley manages this process for clients
  • The method of identifying potential plaintiffs for the case
  • And more

Connect With Thom:

About Our Guest:

Thom Guidi often gets pulled into conversations and situations that involve technology and innovation. With a deep appreciation for and understanding of those topics, Thom is the ideal practical and nuanced thinker in a variety of scenarios. It might be his love for delving into complex topics, the fact that he grew up surrounded by engineers, or a mix of the two, that made him this way, but throughout his almost 20-year career in the finance industry, he has continually been looking for new problems to solve and innovative ways to apply his knowledge.

Thom graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance and was also a member of the varsity swim team. He then moved back to his native Northern Kentucky to begin his career working with Fidelity Investments. He was in a variety of sales and advisory positions before he joined Foster & Motley in 2005 as a Securities Trader. In 2006, he earned his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) designation and became an Investment Manager at the firm. He is also a shareholder and remains integral to much of the innovation and new technology that the firm implements.

Having worked in both a large and now a smaller, client-focused firm, Thom knows that in day-to-day interactions with clients, innovation and forward-thinking can still be applied as he works to help them build and execute on their aspirations. His innovative spirit has been recognized in many ways, including as a guest on WVXU’s “On the Money” and in profiles in the Greater Cincinnati Business Courier, and the Wall Street Journal.

Thom also stays busy with his family, which includes his wife Beth, and their two young sons, Evan and Nathan. He continued his swimming career following his collegiate days in UK and has done triathlons in the past. Thom has always approached his career and partnership with clients with the same kind of dedication and deliberation that being a swimmer or runner requires and is looking forward to what the next innovation or breakthrough brings.

I Recently Inherited Money, What Do I Do Next? With Zach Binzer, CFP®, and Ryan English, MBA, CFA, CPA, CFP®

I Recently Inherited Money, What Do I Do Next? With Zach Binzer, CFP®, and Ryan English, MBA, CFA, CPA, CFP®

Inheriting money can be a significant event in your life, and it’s essential to know what to do next. Navigating the emotions associated with the loss can be hard enough, let alone dealing with financial decisions that will impact your future.  

In this episode, Zach Binzer, CFP®, and Ryan English, MBA, CFA, CPA, CFP®, discuss the steps needed to navigate the inheritance process. From understanding the estate planning documents to how to divide up assets, this episode is here to help you when life takes over. 

Zach and Ryan share more about:

  • The importance of understanding the assets making up your loved one’s estate
  • Breaking down the complexities of an estate before decisions are made
  • Distribution considerations like taxes and timing
  • Why keeping your beneficiary designations up to date is important
  • And more

Article: What Do I Do With Inheritance Money?

Connect With Ryan English and Zach Binzer:

What Do I Need to Consider When Selling My Business? With David J. Nienaber, MBA, CPA, CFP®

What Do I Need to Consider When Selling My Business? With David J. Nienaber, MBA, CPA, CFP®

The decision to sell a business can be a difficult one, especially when you have invested significant time, effort, and personal attachment. It may be one of the most significant financial decisions you will ever make.

In this must-listen episode, David Nienaber, MBA, CPA, CFP®, shares his expert advice on the best time to sell your business. As a seasoned business professional and successful entrepreneur himself, David brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the conversation. 

Dave shares more about:

  • The two most common hurdles when it comes to selling a business
  • Important factors to consider when selling a business in relation to employees and key stakeholders
  • One of the least discussed aspects of selling a business – the emotional component 
  • And more

Connect With David Nienaber:

About Dave:

As a 17-year-old junior at Covington Catholic High School, Dave Nienaber unabashedly told a class speaker that he would eventually become a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, surprising a number of his classmates, but not those who knew him best. David has never refrained from engaging fully and with purpose. Whether it was as the portfolio manager for the University of Dayton’s student-run portfolio during his time as an undergraduate, teaching his children to play golf, or even sticking by his beloved Green Bay Packers, he has always been energized by commitments to meaningful pursuits.

Upon graduating from the University of Dayton in 2004 with an MBA and a Bachelor of Science degree magna cum laude in Accounting and Finance, Dave started his career with Deloitte and soon earned his CPA. It was during his time working with Deloitte’s Investment Advisors team, while spending a significant amount of time working with Procter & Gamble employees and retirees, that he discovered his real passion. He enjoyed providing the many services that come with handling complex asset and retirement situations, and he had the opportunity to gain experience with an array of financial situations.

When his previous company was sold, Dave had the opportunity to step back and look at the entire financial landscape in Cincinnati and determine where he might fit best. Foster & Motley immediately jumped to the front of the line. He was drawn to their client-centric approach and low ego ethos. He also saw that with the employee-owned model of the firm, there was the chance to be invested in the company in even greater ways than just his day-to-day work. It was a natural fit.

Dave has been with Foster & Motley since 2010 serving as a Financial Planner and has been a shareholder since 2015. Dave’s client-focused mentality and team-oriented attitude led him to his role as Head of the Financial Planning team. Dave helps keep the team on top of the latest financial planning issues, so we can best serve clients.  He always thought that he would enjoy giving people advice in his role as a planner and adviser, but over the years, he has honed his listening and question-asking skills. Now, he counts helping clients find the path that is right for them as the best part of his job.

It is no surprise that Dave’s family life is also full of deep purpose. Dave and his wife Moreen most enjoy taking their five children, Ella, Luke, Nicholas, Anna, and Caroline up to northern Michigan to sail, fish, and spend quality time together. They reside in Northern Kentucky, near where David grew up, and as he looks to the future, he knows his roots and commitments will continue to deepen.

Why Should Both Partners be Involved in Household Finances? With Tony R. Luckhardt, MBA, CFP®, CRPC®, and Rachel Rasmussen, MBA, CFA, CDFA®

Why Should Both Partners be Involved in Household Finances? With Tony R. Luckhardt, MBA, CFP®, CRPC®, and Rachel Rasmussen, MBA, CFA, CDFA®

Many studies have shown that money can be a significant source of conflict in relationships. What if one partner is a saver and the other a spender? How do you align on your goals for the next 5, 10, or 15 years? 

In this episode, Tony Luckhardt, MBA, CFP®, CRPC®, and Rachel Rasmussen, MBA, CFA, CDFA®, go into detail about the importance of communication and getting on the same page when dealing with finances among spouses. 

Tony and Rachel share more about:

  • When you should start having these important conversations
  • What to consider when planning for a future together 
  • How working with a financial advisor can ease some of the stressors that come with these important discussions 
  • And more

Connect With Tony and Rachel:

Are You Keeping Your Financial Data Secure? with Luke Hail, MBA, CFP

Are You Keeping Your Financial Data Secure? with Luke Hail, MBA, CFP

In today’s increasingly digital world, the threat of cyber attacks is more prevalent than ever. The rise of technology has given hackers more opportunities to steal personal information and gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, making it crucial to prioritize cybersecurity.

Fortunately, there are several measures you can take to protect yourself. Two-factor authentication, freezing your credit, and vigilance for suspicious activity are all key practices for safeguarding your personal and financial information. 

Get ready to level up your financial security knowledge! In this episode, we’ll explore a range of ways you can protect your personal and financial information and how to identify and prevent cyber attacks. In this compelling discussion, Luke Hail, MBA, CFP, shares a real-life example of how cybercriminals infiltrated one client’s email and stole their hard-earned wealth. But don’t worry, it has a happy ending.

Join us to discover:

  • The pros and cons of credit vs. debit cards
  • The importance of cybersecurity and practical tips to stay safe online
  • Secrets to creating uncrackable passwords
  • How to spot and avoid common scams
  • What a credit freeze is and how to implement it 

And that’s just the beginning – there’s so much more to learn in this jam-packed episode. Tune in to take control of your financial security and protect yourself from the threats of the digital world.

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What Does The Secure Act 2.0 Mean For Me? With Emily Diaz, MAcc, CPA, CFP® and Zach Binzer, CFP®

What Does The Secure Act 2.0 Mean For Me? With Emily Diaz, MAcc, CPA, CFP® and Zach Binzer, CFP®

While we were all celebrating the holidays, Congress was busy making new tax laws and gifting us with approximately 100 new provisions to the Secure Act. Can’t you feel the legislative love? 

In this episode, Emily Diaz, MAcc, CPA, CFP®, and Zach Binzer, CFP®, discuss the myriad of changes to the Secure Act and how they could be significant to you. 

Emily and Zach share more about:

  • Secure 1.0 vs. Secure 2.0
  • Changes to RMD ages
  • Changes to contribution limits on retirement accounts
  • Changes to Roth accounts
  • And more

Connect With Emily Diaz and Zach Binzer: