The Money and Meaning Show

In today's episode, Jeff discusses a potpourri of topics related to bonds and the current market environment: the role of bonds in portfolios possibility of higher correlations between stocks and bonds shares views on a currently popular question: Is the 60/40 portfolio dead? With so many articles out there about these topics, Jeff tries to simplify and summarize for listeners and provides his takeaways.

Host Jeff Bernier, CFP®, ChFC, CFS welcomes guest Steven Ryder, President and Founder of True North Networks, LLC, a firm providing IT Support such as technical help-desk support, computer support, and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses since 2002. In the episode, Steve simplifies some of the terms often heard in the news related to cyber security. He shares specific tips and tricks he recommends and uses himself to better protect yourself and your technology among these rising cyber threats.

In today's episode, host Jeff Bernier, CFP®, ChFC, CFS focuses on providing perspective during these uneasy times of inflation, rising rates, and volatility. Over a lifetime of investing, it is his belief that investor behavior is the dominant determinant in the long-term success or failure of an investment strategy. Jeff shares his thoughts and other academics' expertise in the episode to guide listeners in how to invest rationally and not emotionally by reiterating the importance of a financial plan. To learn more about TandemGrowth's investment philosophy, visit us here.

For parents and grandparents of children with a disability, planning for their needs can often be frustrating and overwhelming. On today's episode, Jeff welcomes special guests attorneys Heather Nadler and Laura Akins Smith from Nadler Biernath LLC Special Needs and Elder Law. Under the umbrella of estate planning falls a specialty called special needs planning. Heather and Laura talk through some of the complexities of long-term planning for children who have special needs. They explain some benefits that may be available before the age of 18 as well as benefits like Social Security and Medicaid. Their firm encourages and helps families to develop a Life Care Plan - to put all that is in the caregiver's head onto paper.

Some believe the feeling of financial confidence or the benefits of a financial planner can only apply to the later phases of life. In today's episode, Jeff welcomes Wealth Advisor Mona Fahmy, MBA, CFS, AIF® to the show. Mona discusses the process of engaging a financial planner, what to expect, and common financial struggles she sees. They touch on the many ways a financial advisor can help a person in all stages of life but specifically those in their 40s who are feeling strained in balancing a successful career, a growing family, and financial goals. Jeff describes the metamorphosis he often sees of a client on their journey once they have a plan and understand their choices to a sense of freedom.

Join Jeff Bernier as he welcomes special guest, Chief Investment Officer of Avantis Investors®, Eduardo Repetto, Ph.D. to the show! As Chief Investment Officer, Eduardo is responsible for directing the research, design and implementation of Avantis Investors® investment strategies, providing oversight of the investment team and the firm's marketing initiatives, and interacting with clients. In today's episode, Jeff and Eduardo discuss the evolution of investment management including some limitations of the great innovation called indexing as well as the outdated definition many have of the term "value."

When it comes to estate planning, many feel overwhelmed or wonder if they need a plan. In this month's episode, Jeff welcomes Estate Planning Attorney Tony Turner to summarize the three to four legal documents everyone should have in place. They discuss why each of these documents is so important as well as give suggestions for how you can reduce your taxable estate during your life. Tony shares the common mistakes he sees people make when it comes to estate planning and recent changes to the law that may impact your plan.

For pilots, the pre-flight checklist is 100% mandatory. To be sure everything is in working order before takeoff, pilot and co-pilot work through a checklist verifying each step has been completed. From a financial perspective, a detailed pre-flight checklist is just as important. Listen in as Jeff details 5 key items you should check and crosscheck before takeoff on December 31! To view in video format with visual exhibits: bit.ly/3oyf22I

“Humans are wired to act; markets tend to reward inaction.” ― Daniel Crosby, The Behavioral Investor On today's episode of Money & Meaning, psychologist, behavioral finance expert, and New York Times best-selling author Dr. Daniel Crosby joins Jeff again to discuss the four consistent types of behavioral risk (ego, emotion, conservatism, and attention) and how they impact investment decision-making. He points to goals-based investing as one way to bring about positive behavior. Listen in to Jeff and Daniel describe additional techniques you can use to become a more rational investor!

"The important thing about an investment philosophy is that you have one you can stick with." David Booth, Co-Founder, Dimensional Fund Advisors What is an investment philosophy and why does it matter? In this month's episode, Jeff tackles the fundamentals of a solid investment philosophy: faith in the capital markets, patience, and a disciplined approach. He shares practical considerations to develop your own investing process using the 6 pillars of TandemGrowth's investment philosophy. Click here for the 6 pillars of the investment journey to financial freedom.

It has been said "if you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life." In this month's episode, Jeff discusses how this advice is not always true - how passion can become a double-edged sword. As he works with clients to uncover what matters most to them, it's important to recognize if passion has led to burnout. Are you feeling the signs of burnout? Listen in to the episode to find out why certain sectors, more specifically purpose-driven work, put employees at increased risk of burnout, how to recognize it, and what you can do to address it.

Join Jeff he as welcomes back special guest Jake DeKinder, CFA, Head of Client Communication with Dimensional Fund Advisors. They provide a primer on the concept of "evidence-based investing" and discuss how Dimensional evolves and constantly tests its own assumptions as many wonder "is the world different now?". What are Dimensional's views on potential tax increases, ETFs vs mutual funds, asset allocation, and implementation?

Is it time to panic about inflation? In this low yield, rising rate environment, should I even own bonds? As a long-term investor, should I invest in cryptocurrency? As we enter the halfway point of 2021, TandemGrowth recognizes three themes in recent investor questions: inflation, interest rates, and crypto. Join Jeff as he welcomes special guest Jake DeKinder, CFA, Head of Client Communication with Dimensional Fund Advisors. Jake touches on how they address these topics with their investors as well as how you can think about these topics as they relate to your portfolio.

Join Jeff as he welcomes special guest Kevin Korhorn, CFP®, ChFC, AIF®, owner of Korhorn Financial Group, Inc., to explain the some of the recent changes related to the tax code. How could these changes impact your financial plan? Kevin and Jeff will share specific techniques and strategies they suggest as financial planners to their clients. Kevin argues that now more than ever working with a holistic financial planner is crucial as it relates to understanding your personal financial circumstances, developing techniques and strategies around tax planning, and help executing them alongside your tax professional. Listeners should not assume that this podcast serves as the receipt of, or a substitute for, personalized advice from TandemGrowth or from any other investment professional. Listeners should not use this podcast as the sole basis for any investment, financial planning, tax, estate planning, legal, or other decisions. Rather, a professional adviser should be consulted and/or independent due diligence should be conducted before implementing any options addressed in the podcast. TandemGrowth is neither a law firm nor an accounting firm. Without limiting the foregoing, the tax and estate planning information provided is general in nature. It is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal or tax advice. Recipients should consult an attorney or tax professional regarding their specific legal or tax situation.

How do I retire? When can I retire? What do I want to do in retirement? Could lower expected returns or a potential bear market impact my ability to retire? Could I outlive my money? If these are questions you've recently been asking yourself, you may just be our "hero". In this month's episode, Jeff takes us on a journey of a hero, a mid- to late-career executive, using the universal elements of storytelling from Joseph Campbell and Donald Miller. Will our hero find a guide to develop a plan for his or her problem? Listen in to find out!

Like the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz, have you lost your heart? Are you struggling to find meaning in your career or retirement? Listen in as Jeff welcomes special guest Mark Danzey with Wisepath Mediation and Coaching. They discuss how declared values and defined goals help create accountability leading to meaning and purpose in life. These answers are within us but often times take a trusted person, coach, or advisor asking the right questions and help discovering, "what's possible?". Learn how you can start right now to create clarity around your passion and purpose so you don't suffer from a lack of direction and missed opportunities!

A behind the scenes glimpse of investment planning topics you might hear covered while listening in to an Investment Committee meeting. Join Jeff as he welcomes special guest David Hulstrom, MBA, CFP®, CFA, ChFC®, CAIA, CPWA®, CIMA®, co-founder and chief investment officer of Financial Architects. David is a thought leader in the wealth management industry and serves as a consultant to many firms' investment committees. Included in the discussion are topics such as expected returns, risk tolerance, diversification, equity risk premium, forecasting, factors, frame of reference risk, what to keep in mind when constructing a retirement income portfolio, and why you should "save like a pessimist and invest like an optimist" as Morgan Housel says.

"Process saves us from the poverty of our intentions." -Elizabeth King, world-renowned sculptor Is it easy for you to get so focused on the future that you fail to live in the present? Listen in as Jeff discusses a topic often on people's minds in the month of January - goal setting. He provides some tips from experience as well as knowledge he has gained from experts on the subject of goals. Have you defined and committed to your 20 Mile March? Do you have a daily success ritual? In addition, Jeff explains what it means that TandemGrowth provides goal focused, planning driven wealth management and the importance of that distinction.

Have you found yourself confused with the complexity and ever-changing state and federal regulations related to planning around Medicaid, eldercare, long-term care, or Veteran's Aid & Attendance? Join Jeff and Mike as they welcome elder law attorney, Dan Munster, who has been practicing law in Georgia for 27 years. Dan tries to simplify the eligibility rules surrounding these complex issues and debunk some of the myths about Medicaid.

With rates at historic lows, many are wondering if they should consider refinancing or buying a home. Join Jeff and Mike as they welcome Ed Wheeler, a seasoned mortgage loan officer, to discuss the history of the mortgage industry, how to compare rates, costs, and terms, and if now is a good time to refinance. If you're interested in reading more about this topic, consider revisiting Jeff's July blog post Don't Waste the Crisis: Should You Refinance Your Mortgage?

"If you mix politics and investing you're making a big mistake." -Warren Buffett There's a lot of NOISE around the election this year. With all that's going on this year, Jeff still remains a rational optimist. Listen in to hear why as Jeff and Mike discuss the election and the markets while addressing frequently asked questions from clients.

A Risk Management Plan can free you to enjoy your journey by feeling confident that you protected your income, assets and loved ones from possible future risks. We insure against things that can go wrong so that we have the luxury to invest for things that we hope "go right”. Depending on your age and career status, your future income may be your largest asset which should be protected. Join Jeff and Mike as they discuss income protection planning with Tyler Smith, a specialist in designing insurance solutions for disability income protection.

What can we learn from investors who have had bad experiences working with an advisor? Jeff and Mike are joined by Robert C. Port, an Atlanta litigation attorney, who will share what he has learned while representing clients in matters related to investment advice. They discuss an unlikely collaboration, the benefits of a fiduciary relationship, and an investment philosophy that evolved from experiences in court.

Is it different this time? Unprecedented, historical, tumultuous, and chaotic are all words that could describe what’s happened to the stock market and investment universe in 2020. And we’re only halfway through the year! Jeff and Mike discuss what is shaping the investment landscape today and whether today’s unusual situation actually does make this stock market different than before.

If you or someone you care about is turning 65, listen in! Even with closures due to COVID, deadlines still exist for Medicare enrollment. Join Jeff as he welcomes special guest, Melinda Caughill, to answer many questions related to the ins and outs of Medicare and what has and has not changed in the Medicare landscape. Melinda is a Medicare expert and co-founder of 65 Incorporated and i65 Medicare guidance software.

Do you have Time Poverty? If so, you're not alone. Our society and our minds conspire against us when it comes to time and happiness. Join Jeff as he welcomes Dr. Ashley Whillans, associate professor at Harvard University, where they discuss her book Time Smart: How to Reclaim Your Time and Live a Happier Life.

This podcast was recorded back in late February before the Coronavirus upset our world. While some of our comments about an April tax filing deadline are certainly no longer relevant, the value of taking time to “Go Deep” is still relevant. Maybe our current “shelter in place” lifestyle will afford us an opportunity to carve out time for less distractions and more focus.

When the SECURE Act was signed into law last December, it delivered the most sweeping changes to retirement planning we’ve seen in decades—some of which will have major repercussions for years to come. On today’s episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff and Mike discuss the changes that impact pre-retirees and retirees the most (including the elimination of the “stretch” provision for IRAs) and share how to use the SECURE Act to your advantage to protect your retirement savings and support multi-generational planning.

Giving is often fundamental for those traveling the path from success to significance. On today’s episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff and Mike welcome special guests Boyd Bailey and Rachel Watson of the non-profit National Christian Foundation to discuss tax-advantaged gifting strategies. Whether you are seeking a strategy to support your normal pattern of giving, or you are looking for new ways to support your personal generosity, vehicles like Donor-Advised Funds, Qualified Charitable Distributions, and Single Charity Funds can help you make the most of every gift.

As we kick off the New Year, it’s a great time to get intentional about creating a meaningful future. On today’s episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff and Mike offer a buffet of insights and information to help you start the year out strong. Focusing on key goals that drive improvements across your life; operating from a place of humility and gratitude; and working with a coach that offers technical, operational, and relational excellence are at the forefront of this wealth management smorgasbord.

One of the biggest financial decisions in your 60s is when and how to claim Social Security. Postponing your claim until age 70 can significantly increase your benefit amount, and yet more than half of eligible recipients file at age 62—decreasing their potential monthly income by as much as 57%. On today’s episode of Money & Meaning, Alicia Lipscomb (aka “The Social Security Lady”) sheds light on strategies to increase your lifetime benefits, as well as how to claim spousal benefits (even if you’re no longer married) and benefits for widows and dependents.

By its nature, holistic wealth management encompasses a lengthy list of components. As year-end approaches, working through a carefully constructed checklist is one of the best ways to ensure every piece of your own financial puzzle is fully optimized. On today’s episode of Money & Meaning, Mike and Jeff walk through the most critical items on the list, what has to be tackled when, and how to manage time-sensitive tasks that must be completed by December 31.

Does it surprise you to know that how an investor behaves can have a much greater impact on the success or failure of an investment strategy than an investment strategy itself? On today’s episode of Money & Meaning, psychologist, behavioral finance expert, and New York Times best-selling author Dr. Daniel Crosby discusses the psychological and biological factors that can thwart wise investment decisions, and why doing less is often better then doing more in the world of investing.

Often, the path to building a meaningful second half of life is rooted in challenges from the past. On today’s episode of Money & Meaning, Rick Thompson, co-founder of Atlanta-based Champions Community Foundation, shares his own story of how parenting a child with mitochondrial disease inspired a public charity that empowers young adults with conditions such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, and physical injury to live independent, productive, and physically active lives.

Every decision in our lives plays a role in dictating our future. In this special episode of Money & Meaning, Dimensional Fund Advisors’ Moulaya Niang shares how his own decisions and long-term outlook took him from his boyhood dreams of becoming a pro soccer player in Senegal, to becoming a star athlete at the University of Kansas, to helping investors and advisors build efficient portfolios.

Things don’t always go as planned—in our lives or in our finances. The challenge is to take every experience, good or bad, to learn and move forward with greater confidence. In this episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff and Mike discuss what to do when things go awry and how to answer the question, “Where do I go from here?”

In his book Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World--and Why Things Are Better Than You Think, Hans Rosling provides powerful insights into how knowing the facts (which are often far different from the headlines) can help us perceive the world more accurately. In this episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff and Mike discuss how this new perspective can make us all better investors.

Every generation views money differently. As a result, how we communicate with our kids and grandkids about our financial values can have a huge impact on the future--both theirs and our own. In this episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff and Mike welcome Cam Marston, President of Generational Insights, who shares his thoughts on helping the next generation achieve 'money & meaning' in the decades to come.

There are certain financial products that promise to bring safety to your retirement income strategy. But is it possible that this ‘cure’ may actually be the cause of the disease? In today’s episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff and Mike discuss the true cost of certainty, and how understanding what truly increases the risk of not having enough income in retirement can help you create a strategy that can deliver.

However you choose to define “retirement,” financial freedom in your post-career years requires a rising income stream—one that not only lasts for the duration of your lifetime, but also outpaces the rate of inflation. In today’s episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff and Mike discuss the challenge of building an investment strategy that can grow your income once you’re no longer trading your own labor for a paycheck.

What is your Retirementality? In today’s episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff and Mike welcome special guest Mitch Anthony, a pioneer in the financial life planning movement and author of The New Retirementality. Join us as Mitch shares his perspectives on the true definition of work, and how rethinking the “artificial finish line” of retirement can transform your life—no matter what your age today.

If the capital markets have you concerned, today’s episode of Money & Meaning can help. In this precursor to our January 24 investment review webinar, Jeff provides some perspective as he discusses the risks and opportunities ahead, the value of a sound investment strategy, and how investors can prepare heading into the New Year.

In this final episode of 2018, Jeff and Mike welcome David Hultstrom, co-founder and Chief Investment Officer of Financial Architects who shares his 4 rules for guaranteed financial success. From the obvious (start saving as early as possible) to the less intuitive (hedge as much risk as you reasonably can), his guidelines are great suggestions for balancing what you have with what you need—today and far into the future.

Are you using the right information to build your long-term investment portfolio? In today’s episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff discusses why it may be time to rethink traditional market assumptions, the reason ‘expected returns’ don’t always deliver expected outcomes, and why a ‘perfect’ portfolio isn’t always a perfect choice.

It’s a topic no one likes to talk about, but careful planning is the best way to ensure that money is the very last thing your loved ones will need to worry about should you die or become disabled. In today’s episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff discusses the important role of life insurance in your holistic wealth management plan.

It’s said that true wisdom doesn’t have to be complicated, and yet for many of us, the path to wise investing is anything but a straight line. In today’s episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff sheds light on ways to streamline that path, and how evidence-based investing can help you reach your long-term investment goals.

No one likes surprises—especially when it comes to money. But in an unpredictable world, how can investors make wise choices to reach their life goals? In today’s episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff shares the importance of focusing on the things that matter and instilling rules, habits, and disciplines that lead to success.

Building a concrete vision of your end game is really the only way to create meaningful change in your life. In today’s episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff welcomes special guest Jeff Spadafora, a Christian life coach and author The Joy Model. Jeff shares his own path toward meaning and offers insights on how to build a life of greater joy.

It’s often said that investors who fail to reach their goals do so not because of what their investments do, but what they do to their investments. In today’s episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff reveals how an evidence-based investment approach encourages healthier investor behavior and, ultimately, improves the potential for a rising income stream over time.

Your unique abilities are found in places where passion, excellence, and the ability to serve others intersect. But recognizing that confluence when it happens is often easier said than done. In today’s episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff walks through processes and tools that can help you excavate and identify your greatest strengths.