Financial Symmetry: Balancing Today with Retirement

Financial planning is a powerful tool that can help you not only anticipate risks and opportunities but also help you envision your future to ensure that you can retire the way you want to retire. Video recap: https://youtu.be/hKJRvl-_RlM As Howard Marks says, "You can't predict but you can prepare." As you prepare for retirement it is helpful to stay up to date with the latest retirement trends....

In honor of International Women's Day on March 8, we're discussing retirement considerations for women that can help them #BreakTheBias surrounding women and money.  Video recap: https://youtu.be/4FjSIJw8a6A Listen in to discover how you can accelerate women's equality by overcoming or breaking through these biases.  Bias #1 - Women are afraid of investing This first bias is simply untrue. Actuall...

From data breaches to text messages, emails, and phone calls, scammers are always looking for new ways to commit fraud. Video recap: https://youtu.be/_PwxMMqnjNk Fraud can devastate retirement plans, so it is important to stay one step ahead of scammers and keep your guard up to protect yourself and your retirement.  On this episode, we discuss types of scams to be on the lookout for and how you c...

Do you have concentrated stocks in your portfolio? Video recap: https://youtu.be/g5oDev7Ns84 You may have inherited stocks from a loved one or maybe you receive stock options as part of your pay structure or a compensation package. Whatever the reason you have concentrated stocks, if you own more than you think you should of one company, it is important to understand what you could do with it. You...

Tis the season to prepare your taxes! Video recap: https://youtu.be/mWYWaKeP6-o Whether you do your own taxes or you are gathering information for your tax preparer, you'll want to make sure that you don't miss a thing. Listen to this episode to ensure that you think about everything you need to do to prepare this year's tax documents. Don't miss the obvious As you start your tax preparation journ...

The biggest financial threat to your wealth is not the market; it is your brain. Video clip with Money Egg example: https://youtu.be/PJ4Zryp2w8Y Human behavior surrounding money varies greatly and can be fascinating to study. Allison Berger has been studying financial behavior in more detail over the past year in the Certified Financial Transitionist coursework. On this episode of Financial Symmet...

At the start of every year, people are more motivated to get off on the right financial foot. This might mean contacting a financial advisor for the first time. Video recap: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEB2z530-Zc So we put together a list of 5 questions we hear from those looking to hire a financial advisor. If you are considering working with a financial advisor this year, you may want to us...

2021 has been a wild ride! But like with any roller coaster, we've learned that the most important thing to do is to stay in your seat so that you don't get hurt. Video recap: https://youtu.be/4fuYYZNDALQ On this episode, we recap our views on the top 10 economic stories from 2021 and the lessons they hold going forward.  1. Social Security to increase COLA at highest rate since 1981 Written by: A...

Everyone is talking about inflation. You can't open a newspaper, look at your phone, or go to a barbecue without hearing about it. With all this talk, it can be easy to worry about your financial future. Video recap: https://youtu.be/iZoqhqEVR1I On this episode of Financial Symmetry, we'll explore the causes of inflation, historical inflation, and what you can do to hedge against this silent enemy...

The end of the year is a great time to start tax planning for next year.  Video example: https://youtu.be/lzghkK2iP3Q This week we are discussing the strategies you can utilize to enhance your tax situation before year-end. You'll learn which tools you can use and how the actions you take in one area of your financial life can flow into other areas.   Are you maximizing your retirement account con...

Welcome to this bonus episode of Financial Symmetry with Allison Berger and Grace Kvantas. Grace and I bring you this episode as a special preview to the upcoming  Women: A Force in Business Conference  in Raleigh, North Carolina. This episode and our presentation are targeted toward women professionals looking to build their retirement nest egg. Our goal is to help women achieve success and finan...

Anxiety-inducing headlines, all-time stock market highs and an economy still recovering from a pandemic, have left many people hesitant to invest their cash savings. Video recap: https://youtu.be/YuytDPFD0wQ None of us can make uncertainty disappear, but considering potential outcomes and evidence can make a huge difference in the returns you receive over your investing lifetime. This week we are...

The decumulation stage of retirement is different from all those years you spent accumulating your retirement savings. Video Recap: https://youtu.be/UyvHGltT1Z0 This is why you need to have a retirement plan in place to help guide you through this transition. Unfortunately, the same plan won't work for everyone which is why it is important to understand what type of strategy would work best for yo...

The American Families Plan hasn't yet become law, but that doesn't mean that you can't prepare for the changes that may be coming. Video recap: https://youtu.be/DFVgJZPwEIc In this episode we consider the planning opportunities that could arise with the changes in tax legislation. Our goal is to ensure that you have all the tools in your toolbox so that you can minimize your tax burden.  Who will...

We all have those milestones in life that we enjoy reflecting on or looking forward to. Graduations, weddings, and births of children are a few that stick out. Video recap: https://youtu.be/llO9d9DIKs4 However, there are financial milestones that are also important to remember. While maybe not as memorable, they can be just as valuable. The most important times (financially) in a child's life Birt...

With Grandparents day around the corner, we're breaking down helpful financial planning strategies for grandparents.  Many grandparents have dreams of sharing the fruits of their labor with their families. However, sharing your wealth effectively takes careful planning. YouTube recap here: https://youtu.be/eGYLeS_8hNw Listen to this episode to hear the best ways to plan effectively for your kids a...

The Mega Backdoor Roth IRA could be the secret weapon you have yet to use in your retirement saving strategy. If you consider yourself a super saver, looking for alternative ways to save tax efficiently, this could be a great option. This strategy is of most interest to those maxing out all other tax-efficient savings accounts. Including standard employee 401k contributions, Roth IRA, 529, and HSA...

Stock options can be one of the most lucrative benefits of your job, but they can also be a tax land mine. Video recap: https://youtu.be/qBovTreFv7E Our resident tax professional, Will Holt, joins us this week to help you build a framework to consider your company's stock options. You'll learn 3 key strategies you can use to make better decisions for managing your stock option holdings. Including:...

Compared to 2020, the summer of 2021 has been exciting for most people. Many parts of the country are getting back to normal and there is plenty of fun to be had. Video recap: https://youtu.be/aCuc4zsi3SE But with that fun can come extra spending. Now that we are halfway through the year, this is a fantastic time to check in with your finances.  This week, we let Chad and Mike have time off to enj...

With the turbocharged real estate market, buying a house is not as easy as it once was. We've all heard stories of houses getting multiple offers even before they are listed or homes selling well over the asking price. Stories like these have many people thinking about moving.  Short Video recap: https://youtu.be/0GKbITjE9hg On this episode of Financial Symmetry, we explore whether or not it is wo...

Are you a super saver? If so, you may feel like you are doing a lot of the right things to save for retirement, but you are not sure where to go next. Check out our Youtube channel for a short video recap: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw9vXJ3JyO-pHEcQ1p9O-Lw In this episode of Financial Symmetry, we explore the different ways to save for retirement outside of your 401K. You'll learn what each...

Recent headlines have people thinking more about investing for inflation. Video Recap: https://youtu.be/50PlOwAM4OM It's the most recent economic worry, but there's always something to scare or concern investors. Think about the last 16 months. We've had: COVID Crash 2020 Election Reddit/Robinhood/Gamestop Crypto Volatility Now it's inflation. But it's a good reminder that listening to the media c...

You may have heard a lot on the news about President Biden's tax plan. Are you worried about how it will affect you and your tax situation? In this episode of Financial Symmetry, Grayson Blazek helps to demystify Biden's tax proposal. You'll learn how you may be affected and whether or not you should be worried. Don't wait until April 15 to start your tax planning! Press play to learn what you can...

A recent survey discovered that millions of Americans 55 or older are in a rush to retire.  The pandemic has many contemplating retiring years earlier than originally imagined after adopting a "life is short" mentality. Video recap: https://youtu.be/q5r5ZiVw7d4 But before you rush into a decision to retire early you'll want to consider it carefully. We've listed 6 steps below to analyze if you are...

Have you ever been on your way to an epic summer road trip and then all of a sudden you come upon a roadblock? That can ruin the excitement you feel for the upcoming trip. This can happen in retirement as well. In retirement, you may confront roadblocks on your journey and if you don't know how to maneuver around them it can leave you feeling stuck.  On this episode of Financial Symmetry, Allison...