Well Balanced

WB005: Art, Math, and Financial Planning with Emily Victory

In our latest episode, Vector’s Sharon Calhoun sits down with Emily Victory, a pattern-driven artist whose work lives at the intersection of art and mathematics. Emily shares her journey, revealing how structure and expression come together through a creative process.

Takeaways

• Taking the first steps in any creative pursuit is often the hardest.
• Embrace the journey of exploration.
• Art can make math more accessible.
• Every piece of art, like every financial plan, is unique.
• Curiosity drives creativity.
• Maintain a beginner’s mindset.

Chapters

00:00 Exploring Patterns in Art

07:50 The Creative Process: From Concept to Completion

16:39 The Role of Math in Art and Financial Planning

25:17 Authenticity and Individuality

28:53 Connect with Emily

30:37 Final Thoughts

32:04 Regulatory

 

About Emily

Emily has degrees in mathematics and fine arts and loves combining the two. Her work has been featured on HGTV, PBS, and Twin Cities Public Television. She has spoken at The Walker Art Center, University of Minnesota, St. Cloud State University, Luther College, and the Science Museum of Minnesota. A MN Original Artist Day Jobs episode featuring Emily won a Midwest Emmy and was included in PBS’s National Video Contest, where it won Most Viewed Video. Visit emvictorystudio.com.

 

About Vector

Vector Wealth Management is passionate about helping clients succeed by providing a financial planning framework to make confident, smart decisions and, ultimately, planning for tomorrow while getting today right!

 

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

Opinions expressed herein are solely those of Vector Wealth Management, our staff, and guests. Material presented is believed to be from reliable sources, however, we make no representations as to its accuracy or completeness. All information and ideas should be discussed directly and in detail with your financial advisor prior to implementation of a strategy or investment. This podcast and related content are not intended to render personalized investment advice, nor should it be viewed as an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities or strategies discussed.

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vectorwealth.com/regulatory

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MP022: Moody’s Downgrade of U.S. Credit with Jason Ranallo

A shift occurred in the world of government bonds—one that, if the trend continues, could have implications for interest rates, mortgage affordability, and the broader economy. In our latest podcast episode, Vector’s Jason Ranallo breaks down what rating agency Moody’s downgrade of U.S. Treasury debt means—and if it matters for your financial future.

Summary

Moody’s has lowered the U.S. government’s credit rating from AAA to Aa1, citing persistent fiscal deficits and rising interest costs. While this may sound concerning, we believe that Treasuries can have a place in a diversified portfolio, and the fundamentals of the U.S. economy are still strong.

We also look at Treasury yields–which have remained in fair-value range, mortgage rates, U.S. debt levels, and GDP.

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Key Takeaways

• Moody’s Downgrade: The U.S. lost its last AAA rating from Moody’s, following similar moves by S&P and Fitch.
• Historical Context: Moody’s AAA rating had stood since 1917, when the U.S. issued Liberty Bonds to fund World War I.
• Debt Trajectory: Federal debt could rise to 134% of GDP within a decade, analysts suggest, up from 40% two decades ago.
• Market Response: Despite the downgrade, 10-year Treasury yields remain steady around 4.45%.
• Impact on Mortgages: With rates near 6.9%, housing affordability is at a multi-decade low—especially for first-time buyers.
• Investment Strategy: Treasuries remain valuable for their liquidity and relative stability, even amid changing credit ratings.

At Vector, our team remains focused on helping you navigate changes in your financial life with clarity, not reaction. This downgrade is important, but it doesn’t change our confidence in your investment policy.

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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.

Opinions expressed herein are solely those of Vector Wealth Management, our staff, and guests. Material presented is believed to be from reliable sources, however, we make no representations as to its accuracy or completeness. All information and ideas should be discussed directly and in detail with your financial advisor prior to implementation of a strategy or investment. This podcast and related content are not intended to render personalized investment advice, nor should it be viewed as an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities or strategies discussed.

Please note that neither Vector Wealth Management nor any of its agents give legal or tax advice. The firm is not engaged in the practice of law or accounting. Charts, graphs, and returns do not represent the performance of Vector Wealth Management or any of its advisory clients. Returns presented do not reflect the impact that advisory fees and other expenses would on the results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that any specific investment, asset category, or strategy will be suitable or profitable for a client’s portfolio.

MP021: The Latest GDP Report, Imports, and Context with Jason Ranallo

Every quarter, a new set of GDP reports make headlines. In our latest podcast we dig into Gross Domestic Product, market reaction, and dig into the details behind the numbers.  

Here’s the backdrop: The first estimate of Q1 GDP report showed the U.S. economy contracted in the first quarter of the year—which rattled markets Wednesday morning. That said, if you checked markets after lunch the same day, you might have missed the whole reaction.  

As with most things, there is a nuanced story beneath the headline. 

Imports. Compared to the prior quarter, imports increased by over 9% (~40% annualized), which in economic accounting reduces GDP. Here’s the takeaway: imports bringing down GDP is likely a short-term effect. We believe that businesses and consumers were buying goods ahead of expected tariffs, thereby increasing imports in Q1. This is front-running—essentially stockpiling today to avoid future costs tomorrow. We would expect imports to ease or average out in future quarters. 

At Vector, we believe that emotional investing based on headlines is usually unhelpful. Contractions and advancements are a normal part of the economic cycle. But predicting exactly when they’ll come, how long they’ll last, or what will cause them is nearly impossible. That’s why we focus on planning for uncertainty, rather than trying to avoid it altogether. 

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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.

Opinions expressed herein are solely those of Vector Wealth Management, our staff, and guests. Material presented is believed to be from reliable sources, however, we make no representations as to its accuracy or completeness. All information and ideas should be discussed directly and in detail with your financial advisor prior to implementation of a strategy or investment. This podcast and related content are not intended to render personalized investment advice, nor should it be viewed as an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities or strategies discussed.

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MP020: A Steady Framework to Navigate a Turbulent Market with Jason Ranallo

This week, we’re applying our facts-frame-approach concept (introduced in last week’s podcast) to a couple of themes making headlines: tariffs and market volatility.

 

News Theme One: Tariffs and Historic Market Reaction

On April 2, the administration announced sweeping tariffs on a range of imported goods. After an initial market decline of nearly 20%, a 90-day tariff pause was issued, and markets quickly rebounded — posting a 9.5% single-day gain, one of the highest on record.

 

This highlights two key frameworks: markets don’t move uniformly (underscoring the value of diversification) and attempting to time (in and out of) the market can have major downsides. Historically, missing just the 10 best days over 20 years could reduce returns by nearly half.

 

News Theme Two: Market Volatility and Uncertainty

Markets have seen increased daily swings, with the S&P 500 down around 10% year to date.

Volatility like this, while uncomfortable, is not unusual. Historically, and on average, 10% market corrections happen about once a year, and deeper declines (20+ percent) occur roughly every three years. Staying invested through turbulent periods has historically rewarded patient investors, as the strongest rebounds have been clustered around the steepest declines.

 

Throughout it all, we remain grounded in these four frameworks:

 

·      Time Horizon: Time in the market is more effective than timing the market.

·      Real Returns: Focus on outpacing inflation.

·      Diversification: Prepare for multiple scenarios.

·      Compounding of Assets: Growth on growth, over time.

 

At Vector, we believe that having a thoughtful framework not only helps make sense of today’s headlines, but also keeps us steady when the next story breaks.

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Get started at Vector: vectorwealth.com/start

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vectorwealth.com/regulatory

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

Opinions expressed herein are solely those of Vector Wealth Management, our staff, and guests. Material presented is believed to be from reliable sources, however, we make no representations as to its accuracy or completeness. All information and ideas should be discussed directly and in detail with your financial advisor prior to implementation of a strategy or investment. This podcast and related content are not intended to render personalized investment advice, nor should it be viewed as an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities or strategies discussed. 

Please note that neither Vector Wealth Management nor any of its agents give legal or tax advice. The firm is not engaged in the practice of law or accounting. Charts, graphs, and returns do not represent the performance of Vector Wealth Management or any of its advisory clients. Returns presented do not reflect the impact that advisory fees and other expenses would on the results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that any specific investment, asset category, or strategy will be suitable or profitable for a client’s portfolio. 

MP019: Facts, Framework & Approach with Jason Ranallo

In times of market swings, it’s easy to feel like you’re being swept along by a wave of headlines and data points. At Vector Wealth, we believe that while facts, like market prices, are important, they only tell part of the story. Sound investment decisions come not just from knowing the facts, but from having a framework that gives those facts meaning and direction.

In our latest podcast episode, Facts, Framework & Approach, Jason Ranallo walks through the current state of the market and economy. Then we follow up with our views and perspective:

• 📉 This week markets brushed up against bear market territory, declining nearly 20% from February highs. We have seen some recovery since the low.
• 🧮The S&P 500 index whipsawed this week after on-again, off-again tariff talks were paused — though not without caveats.
• 📊 Unemployment is at 4.2% — up, but still within a historically normal range.
• 📉 The Fed Funds rate is holding steady at 4.33% after a series of cuts that started in September 2024 when the rate was 5.33%.
• 🛒 The inflation rate has cooled to 2.8%, down significantly from its 2022 peak and down slightly from its year-to-date average.

These key investment frameworks shape our approach:

1. Time Horizon – Time in the market is more effective than timing the market.
2. Real Returns – Wealth is built by outpacing inflation.
3. Diversification as a Discipline – Prepare for multiple outcomes & uncertainty.
4. Compounding of Growth Assets – Given time, returns effectively earn returns.

Two key tenets of our bucket-based approach include:

1. Planning for 2–3 years of assured income to avoid becoming a forced seller of long-term assets in a down market.
2. Staging growth assets for the long term to isolate the potential volatility of stocks into later buckets to position for compounding growth.

Our view is that by maintaining this diversified stance, clients will be better prepared for what comes next. As always, we’re here to help you make informed, confident decisions about your financial future.

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New to Vector? Schedule an introduction at vectorwealth.com/start

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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.

Opinions expressed herein are solely those of Vector Wealth Management, our staff, and guests. Material presented is believed to be from reliable sources, however, we make no representations as to its accuracy or completeness. All information and ideas should be discussed directly and in detail with your financial advisor prior to implementation of a strategy or investment. This podcast and related content are not intended to render personalized investment advice, nor should it be viewed as an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell the securities or strategies discussed.

Please note that neither Vector Wealth Management nor any of its agents give legal or tax advice. The firm is not engaged in the practice of law or accounting. Charts, graphs, and returns do not represent the performance of Vector Wealth Management or any of its advisory clients. Returns presented do not reflect the impact that advisory fees and other expenses would on the results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that any specific investment, asset category, or strategy will be suitable or profitable for a client’s portfolio.

MP018: Consumer Sentiment and the Stock Market with Jason Ranallo

When people feel the worst about the economy, that’s often when markets perform their best. Strange, right? But this is one of the fascinating dynamics we see when we dig into consumer sentiment—a gauge of how people feel about the economy.

The March preliminary Consumer Sentiment Index slumped 7 points to a lower-than-expected reading of 57.9. This was the third consecutive decline, bringing sentiment to its lowest level since 2022. The sharp deterioration is historically consistent with a slowdown in economic growth, as consumers typically pull back on spending.

Historically, when consumer sentiment is at its lowest, the stock market tends to rally—often strongly—over the next 12 months. In fact, the average return for the stock market following sentiment troughs is just over 24%, compared to just 3.5% after sentiment peaks.

Why this disconnect?
While current concerns about inflation, layoffs, and geo-politics are valid, financial markets are forward-looking. Markets are not only reacting to today’s emotions—they’re also trying to price in tomorrow’s outcomes. Periods of extreme pessimism can signal opportunity for long-term investors.

In this video podcast, we explore how sentiment acts as a contrarian indicator and how investors can respond. Rather than predicting the bottom, we emphasize having a plan, a diversified investment approach, and the ability to take action.

Take aways:
• Consumer sentiment can be a contrarian indicator
• Markets are forward-looking.
• Intra-year market declines have averaged -14% (yet finished positive a favorable 75% of the time)

Worth noting past performance is no guarantee of future results. We zoom out for context and understanding. 

If this market update has got you thinking about someone you care about or your own financial plans—we’d love to hear from you. You can reach out to us directly or through our website to schedule a conversation.

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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. Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

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For more, visit: Vectorwealth.com/regulatory

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MP017: Moderate Corrections are Part of the Investing Journey with Jason Ranallo

Stock market volatility has returned, driven in part by increased uncertainty. As of March 11th, the S&P 500 was down about 9.3% from its all-time high made in February. The largest tech-oriented companies, like those comprising the Magnificent 7, experienced an even steeper decline. While this can feel unnerving, it’s important to remember that five to 10 percent market declines are not unusual.

 

Over the past 100 years or so:

- A 5% market decline has occurred about 3.4 times per year (mild correction).

- A 10% market decline has occurred about 1.1 times per year (moderate correction).

- 100% of the time (present decline excluded, for now) declines have been overcome (new all-time high).

 

During this period of increased market volatility, diversification of investments has proved its value. While U.S. large-cap stocks, broadly, are down so far this year, international stocks, bonds, and commodities have been positive.

 

Why diversify: “No single investment or asset class should determine the success of your financial future.”

 

Economy: Estimates of activity as measured by real GDP, were recently revised down. Importantly, this revision was primarily driven by a surge in imports ahead of potential tariff implementation. In short, economic activity is uneven given that people and businesses were front running the tariffs. Despite the concerns and revisions, other key economic indicators remain stable. Unemployment is low, household debt, while increasing, is still manageable, and credit conditions are supporting demand. This data can change, however at this time, there is not yet evidence of a broader economic slowdown or recession.

 

We know that market volatility can feel unsettling. Uncertainty, however, has always been part of investing, and these mild and moderate corrections, while uniquely challenging, have historically been overcome.

 

Our Approach: Maintain a disciplined strategy built on asset and time diversification, an ability to take action, and thoughtful planning.

 

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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. Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

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Vectorwealth.com/regulatory

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FYR022: Protect Your Partner’s Financial Future. Why Every Couple Needs a Plan for the Surviving Spouse with Mike Nesheim.

In this podcast episode, senior wealth advisor Mike Nesheim discusses the importance of financial planning for surviving spouses. We explore the role of financial advisors in guiding families through the complexities of asset management, distribution strategies, and legacy planning.

The conversation emphasizes the need for open communication between spouses about financial goals and the necessity of involving family members in the planning process. We also highlight the significance of proper beneficiary setup and the use of tools like Vector’s Sojourn to provide clarity and confidence in financial decisions.

Takeaways: Surviving Spouse & Financial Planning

• Open communication about finances is crucial between spouses.
• Beneficiary setup is key to avoid probate issues.
• Involving family in financial discussions can ease transitions.
• Asset staging helps in managing distributions effectively.
• Understanding tax implications is important for financial strategies.
• Regular reviews of estate plans are necessary.
• Advisors should act as CFOs to their clients' financial decisions.
• Planning for a post-passing legacy ensures a smooth transition of assets.

Chapters:

• 00:00 Introduction and Overview
• 00:39 Personal Catch Up
• 01:39 Financial Planning for Surviving Spouses
• 04:49 Importance of Communication
• 06:16 Involving Family in Financial Discussions
• 08:39 Asset Distribution and Tax Strategies
• 11:47 Preparing for Financial Planning Meetings
• 13:43 Final Thoughts
• 14:01 Regulatory

Regulatory information at: vectorwealth.com/regulatory

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. Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

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