Category Archives: Finance

Mistakes To Avoid When Hiring A Financial Advisor (Ep. 71)

Finance, Financial, Investing, Retirement

Your financial advisor is someone you need to trust. Someone who you know has your best interests front and center. Green Zone Podcast hosts Jeff Green and Lauren Smith want you to find the best advisor for you and your unique financial situation. In this episode, they share some of the biggest mistakes people tend to make when vetting financial advisors and highlight a few best practices for your own search and interview process. Together they discuss:

  • The difference between Fee Based and Fee Only Financial Advisors
  • What types of backgrounds to look for in a Financial Advisor such as college degrees or other certifications
  • Why you may want to consider a Financial Advisor that has a certification such as CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®
  • How to strategically consider the underlying costs of your investments, your returns, and your fees to find the right mix for you
  • Why financial and retirement planning is like a Rubik’s Cube
  • Ways to ensure you are getting a holistic financial and retirement plan
  • Why it’s strategic to choose a specific advisor as a person over a firm or brand name
  • And more!

Connect With Green Financial Group:

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Travel Hacks You Need This Summer (Ep. 70)

Finance, Financial, Investing, Retirement

Are you gearing up to travel or take a vacation in the near future? If so, you might want to brush up on a few hacks to ensure a smooth and stress-free trip. In this episode of The Green Zone Podcast, hosts Jeff Green and Lauren Smith share their top tips for traveling that will help save you time, money and frustration – and of course, travel in style. Together they discuss:

  • Leveraging TSA PreCheck and Clear at airports
  • How to check how long airport security lines will be prior to leaving your house
  • Using Apple Air Tags to track your luggage
  • The best times to book air travel at the lowest prices
  • How to find a house or pet sitter
  • Being strategic about credit cards that give you travel points
  • And more!

Resources

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Financial Advice For My Younger Self (Ep. 69)

Finance, Financial, Investing, Retirement

Do you ever think about what your life might have been like if you knew then what you know now? So many life choices might have been different when you look at things in hindsight – and that includes financial decisions. In this episode of The Green Zone Podcasts, hosts Jeff Green and Lauren Smith candidly share the financial advice they would tell their younger selves if they could. Together, they discuss how to:

  • Start saving more at a younger age by “paying yourself first”
  • Leverage credit cards wisely (and be cautious with exactly what you’re signing up for)
  • Understand what goes into your Credit Score
  • Leverage credit card and travel “points” and cashback rewards
  • Invest in your 401k and take advantage of employer contributions
  • Develop a strategy around purchasing your company’s stock
  • Establish your financial independence from a young age
  • And more!

Connect With Green Financial Group:

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Why Financial Planning for Women is Different (Ep. 68)

Finance, Financial, Retirement, , , , ,

Financial planning is not the same for everyone, and those differences are particularly distinct between men and women. Interestingly, according to Raymond James, more than 51% of the personal wealth in this country is controlled by women – and that number is growing. But women often feel less comfortable with their financial independence and even face financial challenges their male counterparts do not. In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith bring to light some of the unique considerations women may want to take into account for their financial and retirement planning, including:

  • Women tend to live longer than men, which may impact when they take Social Security
  • Women tend to earn less in their careers over their lifetime, which needs to be factored into financial and retirement plans
  • Women tend to be the primary caregivers of children and other family members, which can impact the types of financial decisions they need to make
  • Women who are widowed or go through a divorce have unique, specific needs that should be addressed quickly within a window of time
  • How working with a financial advisor versed in the unique needs of women, like Lauren Smith, can be incredibly beneficial for tailoring financial planning for women
  • And more…

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SheSpace: A Community for Bold, Ambitious Woman (Ep. 67)

Finance, Financial, Investing, , ,

March is Women’s History Month, a time when we commemorate the social, political, economic and cultural achievements of women. And those big accomplishments have to start somewhere… perhaps it’s at SheSpace, a women’s co-working space and community located in Houston, Texas. Jeff Green and Lauren Smith recently sat down with Stephanie Tsuru, Co-Founder of SheSpace, to learn more about the humble beginnings and big plans for the women of SheSpace. In this conversation, they discuss:

  • Why SheSpace felt like a need in the Houston community
  • Why women need a dedicated place to learn, study, connect and flourish
  • How the co-founders got started – and the ways they’ve pivoted as they’ve grown
  • The ways in which SheSpace serves the women of Houston, including multiple levels of membership options
  • The intentional build out process for constructing the right atmosphere for the building and how they continue to evolve to meet the needs of their members
  • And more!

About Our Guest: Stephanie Tsuru, Co-Founder of SheSpace

Stephanie Tsuru comes from a long line of female trailblazers. Her grandmother, widowed at 55, remained on the family farm in northern Missouri to successfully run the operation through blizzards and droughts. This woman even had the audacity to wear pants! She raised Stephanie’s mother, a small-town farm girl, who at the age of 22, left rural America with her new husband and flew 24 hours to live in Marrakesh, Morocco. Her parents’ wanderlust lifestyle worked out nicely for Stephanie, who was later born on the outskirts of Paris. After working her way through college in a steel mill (hard hat and steel-toed boots included) she piled her belongings into her bluebird-colored car that she purchased with her steel mill earnings and drove 1,300 miles away. (No radio or phone but lots of singing.)

As her 60th birthday approached, Stephanie decided she had the energy, passion and commitment to see another adventure through. In homage to her mother and grandmother and to leave a legacy for her daughters, granddaughters and the deep pool of women in Houston, she decided the time was right for her to launch her first entrepreneurial venture, SheSpace.

Stephanie’s mantra believes in the power of SHE. We will provide a home away from home to build a community of bold, intrepid and fearless women. We will push and lift each other to create, learn, inspire, and grow to be better tomorrow than we are today.

Connect with SheSpace:

Connect With Green Financial Group:

Note: Raymond James is not affiliated with nor does it endorse the services of SheSpace.

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What You Can Do In The Face Of Inflation (Ep. 66)

Finance, Financial, Investing, , , ,

Inflation is here and it’s no joke. Prices are going up. Returns in the market seem to be going down. And it can be confusing to know how to set yourself up for success. In this episode of The Green Zone Podcast, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith discuss what’s going on with inflation and how each of us as individuals may want to consider approaching our finances during this time. Together they discuss:

  • Why do we have inflation?
  • The silent effects of inflation
  • What types of assets increase in cost and value during inflationary times
  • Strategies for the “average Joe” to approach financial management during a recessionary time
  • And more!

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What You Need To Know About The Secure Act 2.0 (Ep. 65)

Finance, Financial, Investing, Retirement, , , ,

Do you understand how the changes to the Secure Act will affect you? Don’t worry, we won’t ask you to read the 4,155-page document to find out. Instead, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith will discuss some of the key takeaways of the Secure Act 2.0 and how it may impact you in this episode of The Green Zone Podcast. Together they discuss:

  • What the Secure Act is and who it applies to
  • The updated age for RMDs (Required Minimum Distributions) and how to be strategic about taking yours
  • How RMD penalties have been reduced
  • The way increased catch-up provisions can benefit you
  • Why you may want to consider a larger charitable donation this year
  • And more!

 

Connect With Green Financial Group:

 

Please Note: While we are familiar with the tax provisions of the issues presented herein, as Financial Advisors of RJFS, we are not qualified to render advice on tax or legal matters. You should discuss tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional. RMD’s are generally subject to federal income tax and may be subject to state taxes. Consult your tax advisor to assess your situation. Opinions expressed those of the Jeff Green and Lauren Smith and are not necessarily those of Raymond James. All opinions are as of this date and are subject to change without notice.

 

 

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The Importance Of Setting Financial Resolutions (Ep. 64)

Finance, Financial, Investing, Retirement, , , , , ,

In this episode of The Green Zone Podcast, Jeff and Lauren discuss the importance of setting simple yet effective financial goals and resolutions – including how to ensure you pick the ones that are right for you. Together, they discuss ways to:

  • Intentionally set aside and save more money
  • Leverage credit card points and benefits
  • Improve your credit score
  • Set and maintain a realistic budget
  • Consolidate debt (including credit card debt)
  • Rely on apps and technology to help you reach your goals
  • And so much more!

Resources

Connect With Green Financial Group:

 

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The GFG Holiday Gift Guide (Ep. 63)

Finance, Financial, Investing, Retirement, , ,

In this special episode of The Green Zone, hosts Jeff Green and Lauren Smith are joined by members of the Green Financial Group team as they share their favorite holiday gifts to both give and receive. If you have been on the fence about what to buy for a loved one this holiday season – or what to put on your own list! –this episode is for you. Tune in to see why these following items made the cut for the GFG Holiday Gift Guide:

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Note: Raymond James is not affiliated with nor does it endorse any of the products or companies mentioned within this podcast.

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Non-Profit Spotlight: PTSD Foundation of America & Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation (Ep. 62)

Finance, Financial, Investing, Retirement

This episode of The Green Zone podcast is part of a special series to raise awareness of several non-profits that support special populations and their families. Hosts Jeff Green and Lauren Smith hope that once you’ve heard these stories, you may choose to recognize the work being done with your time and your dollars. In this episode, Jeff and Lauren learn about and discuss: 

The PTSD Foundation of America 

Interview with David Maulsby, Executive Director of the PTSD Foundation of America 

  • The mission of the PTSD Foundation of America, which is to bring hope and healing to Combat Veterans and their families suffering from the effects of combat-related Post Traumatic Stress. 
  • Important facts about PTSD and how it can affect the lives of those who have served in the military as well as their families 
  • How we can help support their mission 

 

Support the PTSD Foundation of America 

How To Donate: https://ptsdusa.org/give-help/  

Amazon Smile: https://smile.amazon.com/ Search: PTSD Foundation of America 

Website: www.PTSDUSA.org  

Instagram: @ptsdfoundationofamerica   

Twitter: @ptsdusa  

YouTube: @ptsdusa   

 

The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation 

Interview with Ted Probert, President & CEO of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation 

  • The mission of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation (MCSF), the Nation’s oldest and largest provider of need-based scholarships for military children 
  • The impact and ripple effect that these scholarships make for military families 
  • How we can help support their mission 

 

Support the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation 

How To Donate: https://www.mcsf.org/donate/  

Website: https://www.mcsf.org  

LinkedIn: Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation 

Instagram: @marinescholars 

Facebook: @marinescholars 

 

Additional Notes 

 

Connect With Green Financial Group: 

 

Note: Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse the PTSD Foundation of America or the Marine Corps Scholarship Fund. 

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