Well Balanced

FYR019: Financial Planning Tips for a New Year with Chris Wagner

As we approach 2025, it’s great time to plan for a financially strong year ahead. In this podcast, Vector Advisor, Chris Wagner discusses Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs), and explores Roth conversions.

Chris also reminds us to review beneficiary designations to ensure they align with your wishes.

Did you know:

• The gift tax exclusion increases to $19,000 in 2025.
• For charitably inclined individuals, a donor-advised fund may offer tax benefits and flexibility.
• Higher limits on HSA’s may help maximize health savings.

Chapters:

• 0:03 - Introductions & 2025 Planning
• 0:16 - Required Minimum Distribution
• 1:15 - Qualified Charitable Distributions
• 2:31 - Roth Conversions
• 3:16 - Beneficiary Designations
• 3:52 - Gift Planning
• 4:20 - Donor Advised Fund
• 5:04 - HSA - Health Savings Account
• 5:22 - Wrap Up
• 5:55 – Regulatory

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All content discussed in our podcasts, videos, or related blog articles is for informational purposes and should not be construed as individualized financial advice.

Learn more: vectorwealth.com/regulatory

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MP013: Consumer Confidence, Holiday Spending, and Market Trends with Kara Murphy

In this episode of our podcast, Jason Ranallo and Kara Murphy discuss the current state of the markets and consumer behavior, particularly in the context of the holiday spending season. They explore the complexities of consumer confidence, the impact of inflation on spending habits, and the performance of the stock market, including the potential for a Santa rally. Kara shares insights on the health of consumer balance sheets, the labor market, and the overall economic outlook for the coming year.

 

Who is Kara Murphy?

Kara Murphy is the Chief Investment Officer of Kestra Investment Management, where she and her team collaborate with Bluespring/Kestra partner firms, including Vector Wealth Management. Kara is a regular contributor on CNBC and Bloomberg TV. She is also active within financial publications including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and Barron’s.

 

Takeaways from the conversation

• The labor market is healthy with low unemployment.
• Consumer confidence is relatively low, in part due to the impacts of inflation.
• Holiday sales are expected to be up about 3%.
• Earnings growth among large companies is strong.
• Santa rallies (strong year-end market performance) have been less reliable in recent years.

 

Save the Date – January 14^th at 3 pm (CST)

Kara will join us again for a livestream on the market and economic outlook. We will follow up with additional details about this event. Stay tuned.

 

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to Kara Murphy

03:11 - Current Trends in Consumer Behavior

06:33 - Understanding Consumer Confidence

08:12 - The Impact of Inflation on Spending

09:32 - Market Trends and Santa Rallies

11:34 – Regulatory

 

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vectorwealth.com/regulatory

All content discussed in our podcasts, videos, or related blog articles is for informational purposes and should not be construed as individualized financial advice.

FYR018: The Art of Business Valuation & Exit Readiness: A Conversation with M&A Attorney Matt Hartranft

In this engaging conversation hosted by Vector’s Jason Ranallo, Matthew Hartranft, an experienced M&A attorney with Brutlag Trucke & Doherty, shares practical strategies for business owners navigating the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) landscape. With a background in banking and inspiration drawn from his early legal and volunteer experiences, Matt emphasizes the importance of understanding your business’s value and being prepared for potential exits, even if they aren’t imminent.

He highlights actionable steps, including conducting a gap analysis to determine what’s needed to meet personal financial goals post-sale and ensuring financial advisors and accountants are on the same page. Matt stresses the need for readiness, as external factors like interest rate shifts or market conditions can quickly influence opportunities.

A key takeaway is the importance of preparation in negotiations, including gathering robust financial evidence to support valuations and leveraging timing to secure better deals. Matt underscores the principle that “time kills deals,” advocating for clear planning and collaboration to streamline the process.

Sharing a success story of nearly doubling a client’s deal value, Matt illustrates how strategic negotiation, competitive analysis, and attention to details like restrictive covenants can unlock hidden value in transactions. He concludes by encouraging business owners to approach deals with diligence, collaboration, and foresight, ensuring they achieve their long-term financial and business goals.

Get this podcast as video or audio on our blog along with a transcript and chapter start times.

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The information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Be sure to consult first with a qualified financial advisor and or a tax professional before implementing any investment strategy.

 

WB004: Inside Senior Living - A conversation with Melissa Fritz & Joe Grochowski

Senior living is more than just a place—it’s a journey, and this episode explores how to navigate it with intention and empathy.

In this engaging podcast episode, creator and executive producer of the groundbreaking PBS docuseries Inside Senior Living, Melissa Fritz explores the important and often complex topic of senior living with Joe Grochowski, Senior Wealth Advisor at Vector Wealth Management. Inside Senior Living (website) is a show that provides a relatable and educational perspective, following eight families as they navigate aging-related decisions, transitions, and challenges over the course of the series.

Together Joe and Melissa discuss the emotional, practical, and cultural dimensions of aging and senior care, offering listeners valuable insights into a topic that, will at some time, touch many families.

Melissa shares her personal and professional journey into the senior living space, driven by her passion for helping older adults and their families navigate this phase of life. With her depth of experience in senior living communities and her personal connection as a caregiver for her father, Melissa brings both expertise and empathy to the conversation.

The conversation sheds light on common misconceptions about senior living. From aging in place to independent and assisted living communities, Melissa talks through a wide range of options available and the importance of starting conversations about aging early.

Podcast listeners (or viewers) can expect a heartfelt discussion about the emotions, struggles, and opportunities that come with making senior living decisions. Joe and Melissa highlight the benefits of planning ahead, the power of focusing on what can be gained through transitions, and some cultural differences in how we approach aging.

Whether you’re currently navigating senior living decisions or preparing for the future, this episode is filled with insights and perspective that can help you and your loved ones.

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MP012: All-Time Highs, Recession, and Long-Term Investing with Jason Ranallo

With major stock indices at record highs, some investors are asking, ‘Is now the time to pull back?’ In this podcast we dive into the numbers, address recent market movements, and explain why a long-term perspective remains essential.

 

Key discussion points:

 

Market Milestones in 2024

• 51 all-time highs, the Dow at 44,000, and the S&P 500 above 6,000

What Happens After All-Time Highs?

• Looking back: Discussion of all-time highs and historical growth over time.

The Recession Question: Is It on the Horizon?

• Low unemployment, continued economic growth, and the Fed’s rate cuts lead us to believe we won’t see a recession in the near term.

Why Long-Term Investment Is Key

• It can be a bumpy road to the long-term average. Setting aside short-term investments to cover immediate needs so that long-term investments can weather market downturns.

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Regulatory

vectorwealth.com/regulatory

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The information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and, unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed.

FYR017: Mortgages, Market Trends, and Real Estate with Mike Nesheim

In a recent conversatior, Vector senior wealth advisor Mike Nesheim hosts mortgage expert Tyler Wiltse from Cambria Mortgage. Tyler shares his insights into the current mortgage landscape, focusing on everything from interest rate trends to strategic refinancing.

Tyler emphasizes that while recent interest rate hikes may deter some buyers, real estate remains a strong investment. For those unsure about timing, he advised that consulting a mortgage expert early on is essential, especially when planning major moves. For individuals transitioning between homes, Tyler highlighted options like "rent-back" arrangements and bridge loans, which provide both flexibility and financial security during the buying and selling process.

Another focal point was the importance of a holistic approach to mortgage planning. Tyler and Mike discuss how mortgages can be a critical piece of an individual’s overall financial strategy. They talk about refinancing strategies, with Tyler recommending consideration of an option to delay closing-cost in cases where rates might decrease before too long. Additionally, as rising home prices push more buyers into the jumbo loan category, Tyler discussed alternatives, which may offer better terms. This discussion underscores the need for proactive, well-informed planning in today’s evolving market.

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vectorwealth.com/regulatory

All content discussed in our podcasts, videos, or related blog articles are for informational purposes and should not be construed as individualized financial advice.

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FYR016: Three Timeless Investing Principles with Charlie Gruys

In our latest podcast, we explore three key investing principles that we believe every investor should keep in mind.

• First, time in the market is generally more effective than trying to time the market. Trying to predict the highs and lows is challenging and can reduce your potential gains if you miss just a few key trading days.
• Second, while the range of potential market outcomes in any given year is wide, it historically narrows given time. This reinforces the importance of a long-term strategy.
• Finally, risk isn't just about market volatility—it includes concentration in a single stock or asset class, tax implications, and choosing the right withdrawal strategy for your accounts.

Join Charlie Gruys, one of our experienced advisors at Vector Wealth, as he discusses these principles.

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MP011: Market Update October 2024 with Jason Ranallo

In our latest podcast episode, Jason Ranallo, Director of Portfolio Management, provides an in-depth review of recent market performance and key economic trends. Starting with last quarter’s market performance and discussing recent all-time highs. We also cover September’s Federal Reserve cut, yield curve normalization, and mortgage rates.

Whether you're interested in understanding the current state of the market or looking for a deeper strategic understanding, this podcast episode offers a comprehensive overview. Tune in to gain a better understanding of the economic landscape. The central themes of our conversation, along with start times, are listed below as chapters.

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Chapters:

 

Market All-Time Highs and Performance:

Discussion of the markets hitting all-time highs, particularly the S&P 500, with an overview of market trends and volatility, as well as recent stock market milestones.

Starts at 00:00

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U.S. Stock Market Performance and Global Markets:

A detailed review of the U.S. stock market’s performance for the quarter, including gains in the S&P 500, Nasdaq, Dow Jones, and a look at emerging markets and international stocks.

Starts at 00:31

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Portfolio Diversification and Asset Allocation:

Explanation of how different asset classes—U.S. small-cap stocks, international, developed, and emerging markets—fit into a long-term diversified portfolio, balancing risk and reward.

Starts at 01:48

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Gold's Recent Performance:

Insight into gold’s role as a portfolio diversifier, its long-term historical performance, and why it has shown strong returns recently.

Starts at 02:22

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Federal Reserve’s Rate Cuts and Inflation:

Discussion of the Federal Reserve’s September rate cut and its impact on inflation, employment, and future interest rate movements.

Starts at 03:50

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Yield Curve and Bond Market Behavior:

Overview of the yield curve, including its recent inversion and return to normal, and the performance of the bond market in response to falling interest rates.

Starts at 06:24

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Mortgage Rates and Housing Market:

Exploration of how interest rate cuts have affected mortgage rates and borrowing costs, and how homeowners are adjusting to the changes in rates.

Starts at 08:48

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Investing at All-Time Highs and Rebalancing:

A discussion on whether to invest or pull back when markets are at all-time highs, including thoughts on rebalancing portfolios and managing risk.

Starts at 12:02

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