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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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
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:
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
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
The MCSF scholarship application opens on January 1st. Children of Marines and Sailors who served with Marines are encouraged to apply. More information about eligibility can be found here: https://www.mcsf.org/apply/eligibility/
This episode of The Green Zone podcast kicks off a special series to raise awareness of several non-profits that support special populations and their families. They 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 Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Interview with Courtney Egan
The mission of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the world’s leader in the search for a cure for CF
Important facts about Cystic Fibrosis and how it affects individuals and families
The personal story of Courtney and her daughter, who has Cystic Fibrosis
How we can help support their mission, particularly in Green Financial Group’s home base of Houston, Texas
The mission of GiGi’s Playhouse, a network of Down Syndrome Achievement Centers that provides support for people with Down syndrome and their families.
Important facts about Down Syndrome and its impact on people’s lives
The personal story of Ammie and her daughter, Sadie, who has Down Syndrome
How we can help support their mission, particularly in Green Financial Group’s home base of Houston, Texas
Support GiGi’s Playhouse
How To Donate: Visit their website and click DONATE in the menu
Earlier this year, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith interviewed Sharon Birkman, the CEO of Birkman International, about finding your “why” using their proprietary social and psychological assessment, the Birkman Assessment. Since then, Jeff and Lauren have each taken the Assessment and personally debrief with Sharon. In this episode of The Green Zone Podcast, Jeff, Lauren and Sharon come back together to discuss:
What the Birkman Assessment is
Why the Birkman Assessment is a great tool for retirees as they consider the next phases of their lives
Jeff and Lauren’s individual Birkman Assessment results
How we can all can leverage the Birkman Assessment to work better together
Resources
Want to take The Birkman Assessment? Email Sharon directly: sbirkman@birkman.com
About Our Guest: Sharon Birkman, CEO of Birkman International
As the daughter of company founder and influential industrial-organizational psychologist Dr. Roger W. Birkman, Sharon Birkman cultivated her deep expertise in human perception and organizational behavior through her lifelong interest in The Birkman Method.
Sharon, CEO of Birkman International, has been recognized with a multitude of awards, including EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year, the Women President’s Organization’s Mary Lehman MacLachlan Award, National Best and Brightest Places to Work For, and the Houston Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business Award.
In addition to her responsibilities at Birkman, Sharon volunteers her services as a Board Member of Houston Public Media, Goodwill Industries of Houston, and a long-time Board member for ESCAPE Family Resource Center. Sharon co-authored the book “The Birkman Method: Your Personality at Work” and authored the book “Creatures of Contact” by ForbesBooks.
Birkman International is an industry-leading behavioral and occupational assessment company founded by innovative organizational psychologist Dr. Roger W. Birkman in 1951.
The Birkman Method remains a preferred instrument to better understand interpersonal dynamics through positive psychology. It is used widely in the fields of career and life coaching, leadership development, human resources management, and organizational design today.