The Green Zone

The years you spend in retirement are supposed to be your “golden years.” A time to fulfill your dreams. Relax, travel, study, volunteer, or hang out with your family. Basically, a time to do whatever you want to do. But the first step is getting there. Do you have a plan?   In this episode of The Green Zone Podcast, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith cover some of the most frequently asked questions the...

Do you know what motivates you? Do you know what fulfills you? Do you know what your “why” is?   These are big questions, but the Birkman Method can help you answer them with confidence (and it’s backed by 70+ years of data). This 30-minute assessment helps individuals understand their motivation, self-perception, social perception and mindset – and how to leverage each of these things to find mor...

Most folks would agree the car buying and leasing experiences leave a lot to be desired. The sales spiel, the haggling, the game-playing… it can just feel like such a hassle. But what if it doesn’t have to be?   In this episode of The Green Zone Podcast, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith sit down with Matt McGuire, Owner of LeasePro, an independent auto sales and lease company that provides a truly cust...

These days, it feels like everywhere we look, we see messages of doom and gloom. We are constantly being told by the media that the markets, politics and even our safety are at risk. But instead of letting yourself go down a rabbit hole of negativity, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith want to encourage you to remember this: America is still the greatest country in the world. And good things are happenin...

Even in turbulent financial times, the one thing you can always count on is a sound financial plan – and advisors who help you pivot with and understand the ever-changing market. In this episode of The Green Zone Podcast, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith talk about the importance of financial planning today with tomorrow in mind. Jeff and Lauren share: The true story of a real financial planning client...

There’s no doubt the current market is ugly. We have fielded many calls from concerned clients -- and understandably so. With everything you hear on the news these days, it can feel like the sky is falling. But is a recession really coming? We'll cover that and more in this episode of The Green Zone Podcast. Jeff and Lauren discuss: Why they do NOT believe a recession is coming in 2022 What bottom...

As a parent, you want to support your kids to get them started in life. But how do you know when you’re giving them too much financial support? In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith provide tips and tricks to help parents support their college graduates as they transition for what’s next without going over budget.  Jeff and Lauren discuss: How you can destroy your retirement by helping your...

There will eventually come a time when you pass away but that doesn’t mean you should wait until then to start building a comprehensive estate plan. In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith discuss 10 things you should know about estate planning and will be your guide to making confident decisions about your estate planning. Jeff and Lauren discuss: How an estate planning attorney can help you...

Language is a beautiful thing as it can seamlessly morph and adapt to changing times, but sometimes as older folks, it can be a little tough to understand the lingo of the younger crowd. In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith identify the meaning of some investing terms used by younger people. They also share where these terms are originating from as more younger people are starting to inves...

Most people can agree that they’re concerned about college education planning and ultimately paying for the cost of college. A 529 plan is a great tool in helping you reach your education savings goal. In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith talk with Ryan White, CIMA® a director of product management at Columbia Threadneedle Investments, US. You will learn why a 529 plan is a simple way to s...

It might feel good to just up and retire from your job without any plan. But that may not be the smartest choice. In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith talk about the ‘pre-retirement checklist’ they have created for their clients and how it can change their entire experience of the retirement lifestyle. They also go into detail about the difference between clients that have used this plan f...

Everybody has their own personal experiences which helped them kick start their career in the financial industry. In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith talk with Melanie Knight, director of operations and client services at Green Financial Group, to discuss her experience going directly from college to starting her career at Green Financial Group.  Melanie discusses: The responsibilities of...

Having conversations about family wills can be tough. How do you start that conversation from one family to another? In this episode, Jeff and Lauren share some advice surrounding the later stages of life and what they entail in terms of finances. They also highlight how discussing these things, despite how morbid they may sound, is so important and will benefit everyone in the long run. Jeff and...

Spouses can oftentimes be surprised by the changing dynamic of their marriage in retirement. In this episode, Jeff Green talks with Dr. John Vincent a psychologist and a marriage and family therapist to discuss what marriage can look like when one or more spouses have retired. They also highlight the importance of communication between each partner when outlining financial goals before and during...

What does it take to make the new year different? How do you hold yourself accountable for the changes you want to make? In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith reflect on their past year at Green Financial, and they share their goals for the upcoming year. They also talk about the process of planning, not only for retirement but other financially-demanding times throughout the year.  Jeff an...

There is no doubt that the pandemic made an impact on everyone’s lives in some way, shape, or form. This becomes increasingly clear when you look at the state of the market, inflation rates and national spending practices.  In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith evaluate the concerns that the people of America have been having regarding government spending throughout the pandemic, the effect...

Holiday traditions are very important to keep us close with our loved ones and to create memories that will last a lifetime.  In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith speak with some of the team members at Green Financial Group—Hillary, Claire, and Melanie. They discuss some of their favorite holiday family traditions and some of the fun memories they have made over the years. The Green Team d...

You may have a pretty good handle on your finances. But have you shared that information with your family?  In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith talk about suggestions for documenting the details of your finances so your family can access this information in case of an emergency. They share tips for ways to share this information, and explain why you should be having this conversation befo...

Giving comes in many forms—it can be time, talent, or treasure, but most importantly, giving should come from the heart.  In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith speak with Kendall Monroe, chief advancement officer at the Kidney Cancer Association and co-founder and director of development of The Way Home Adoption. Kendall discusses her role in each of the organizations, and how the organizat...

CYCLE Houston is a nonprofit charity organization that uses bicycles to motivate kids to reach defined academic goals.  Their goal for 2021 is to build 10,000 bicycles—and you can help. In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith talk with Rebecca Roberts, executive director and Glenn Okuma, webmaster at CYCLE Houston. They share how their charity began, it’s mission, and how it is growing to hel...

“A goal without a plan is just a dream.” You will not be able to live your dream retirement without a proper financial plan in place. In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith discuss the important things to think about as you plan for retirement. They recommend what actionable steps you could be taking now to plan for your dream retirement in the future. Jeff and Lauren discuss:  The value of...

Our personal lives have become so entwined with the internet with online banking, online shopping and much more! This means our personal information is much more vulnerable to identity theft.  Last year, over 14 million people were victims of identity theft––are you next? In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith share some cyber security tips you can implement to keep your sensitive informatio...

No matter their age, your children will always look to you for advice and to learn those essential life skills that everyone should know before they’re on their own. In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith discuss some of the life skills, and financial knowledge you should be teaching your kids that will set them up for life. They share advice and their personal experience with teaching and l...

The team at Green Financial Group is passionate about helping those in the oil and gas sector take command of their finances. But each team member has their distinct role and specific passion, and we want you to get to know them! In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith are joined by Claire Holmes, Marketing & Strategy Consultant and founder of Double H Design Co. and Mama Collaborative. C...

The biggest mistake you can make is to wait to start planning for your college savings. The process may be much more complicated than you expect, and it’s important to have time on your side. In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith share their insights about the college planning process and what you should keep in mind as you save money for your child’s education. Jeff and Lauren discuss:  Th...