Category Archives: Finance

Non-Profit Spotlight: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation & GiGi’s Playhouse (Ep. 61)

Finance, Financial, Investing, Retirement

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

Support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation 

How To Donate: https://www.cff.org/give-monthly

Website: www.cff.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CFFTXGulfCoast

Instagram: @cff_texasgulfcoast or @cf_foundation

Twitter: @CFF_Houston or @CF_Foundation

Upcoming Events in the Houston area:

Gigi’s Playhouse (Sugarland, Texas Location)

Interview with Ammie Blahuta

  • 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

Website: https://gigisplayhouse.org/sugarland/

Facebook: GiGi’s Playhouse Sugarland

Instagram: @gigisplayhousesugarland

Upcoming Events in the Houston area:

  • April 29, 2023: Fun Run
  • March 10, 2023: Fashion Show
  • March 21, 2023: World Down Syndrome Day

Connect With Green Financial Group:

 

Note: Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or GiGi’s Playhouse.

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Using The Birkman Assessment In Work & Retirement (Ep. 60)

Finance, Financial, Investing, Retirement

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

Connect with Sharon Birkman

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.

Connect With Green Financial Group:

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Why The Timing of Market & Economic Cycles Is Important (Ep. 59)

Finance, Financial, Investing, Retirement, , ,

2022 has been a volatile, tumultuous year for the market. As we move into the final quarter, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith offer up their opinions on what’s going on and how to think about that based on the timing of market and economic cycles. Together they discuss:

  • Why they believe we’re not currently in a Recession (and when it may be coming)
  • What types of investments that are generally strategic for: Bear Markets, Bull Markets & Recessions
  • The differences between Economic Cycles vs. Market Cycles
  • Different sectors that tend to do well in various types of markets and cycles
  • And more!

Connect With Green Financial Group:

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Retirement Risks You Need To Know About (Ep. 58)

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

Your retirement is one of the most important things you’ll ever plan for. And because of that, the thought of any risks can weigh heavily on our minds. Do you know the top risks to consider as you approach retirement?

In this episode of The Green Zone Podcast, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith discuss what they feel are the top six financial and retirement risks that folks need to think about – and have a plan for addressing. Together, they discuss:

  1. Inflation
  2. Longevity Risk
  3. Health & Long-Term Care Risk
  4. Stock Market & Home-Price Market Risk
  5. Tax Policy Risk
  6. Policy Risk

Connect With Green Financial Group:

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How To Keep Our Kids Safe In An Online World (Ep. 57)

Finance, Investing, Retirement,

October is Cybersecurity Month.  Most of the time when we are talking about cybersecurity in the financial services and retirement planning industry, we are thinking about financial fraud, identity theft, and other scams that might affect the elderly.  But what about our children and teenagers we know, who lead very public digital lives and are just as susceptible – maybe more – to nefarious things happening online?

In this episode of The Green Zone Podcast, Jeff and Lauren talk to Rania Mankarious, CEO of Crimestoppers Houston and Author of “The Online World: What You Think You Know & What You Don’t,” about the important (and shocking!) things parents, grandparents, teachers and caregivers need to know about what’s going on in the online world for our kids and teens.  Together, they discuss:

  • The origins and impact of Crimestoppers Houston
  • The types of crimes and predators our children could potentially be facing online, from as early as elementary school and into their 20’s
  • The critical mindset shifts parents and caregivers need to make in order to adjust to and navigate our increasingly digital world
  • Tactics caregivers can adopt to more effectively communicate with and keep our children safe online
  • And more!

Note: Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse the services of Rania Mankarious or Crimestoppers Houston.

Podcast recorded on 9/1/22.

Resources:

About Our Guest: Rania Mankarious, CEO of Crimestoppers Houston, Author & Podcast Host

Rania Mankarious is a writer, on-air analyst, and CEO of Crime Stoppers Houston. Lover of people, their stories and our future, she has been seen and heard on national/local TV and radio for over a decade as a legal, family, crime, mental health, and parenting expert. She has a weekly column: Sunday Mornings with Rania and is the host of The Balanced Voice Podcast. A widely recognized face and voice, Mankarious has been known to break stories locally and nationally that hit the core of what women and families care about.

Connect with Rania Mankarious:

Connect With Green Financial Group:

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Retirement FAQs: How Do I Think About Money In Retirement? (Ep. 56)

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

The years you spend in retirement are supposed to be your “golden years.” A time to fulfill your dreams. Relax, travel, study, volunteer, or hang out with your family. Basically, a time to do whatever you want to do. But the first step is getting there. Do you have a plan?

In this episode of The Green Zone Podcast, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith cover some of the most frequently asked questions they get about strategic planning for retirement, including:

  • Can I afford to retire?
  • What does retirement look like for me?
  • Where will my money come from in retirement?
  • How do I grow my money when I’m retired?
  • And more!

Resources

Connect With Green Financial Group:

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Find Your “Why” With The Birkman Assessment (Ep. 55)

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

Do you know what motivates you? Do you know what fulfills you? Do you know what your “why” is?

These are big questions, but the Birkman Method can help you answer them with confidence (and it’s backed by 70+ years of data). This 30-minute assessment helps individuals understand their motivation, self-perception, social perception and mindset – and how to leverage each of these things to find more satisfaction in their lives.

In this episode of The Green Zone Podcast, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith sit down with Sharon Birkman, CEO of Birkman International, for an in-depth and eye-opening discussion on how Birkman can help us plan for a fulfilling future – especially with retirement in mind. They discuss:

  • The fascinating origin story of Birkman International
  • What the Birkman Assessment is and how it’s different from others, such as DISC and Myers Briggs
  • How the Assessment is used with companies and individuals
  • How you can use the Birkman to plan for a fulfilling retirement centered around your “why”
  • And more!

Note: Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse the services of Sharon Birkman or Birkman International.

Resources


Connect with Sharon Birkman


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.

Connect With Green Financial Group:

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The Ultimate Car-Buying Experience: LeasePro (Ep. 54)

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

Most folks would agree the car buying and leasing experiences leave a lot to be desired.  The sales spiel, the haggling, the game-playing… it can just feel like such a hassle.  But what if it doesn’t have to be?

In this episode of The Green Zone Podcast, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith sit down with Matt McGuire, Owner of LeasePro, an independent auto sales and lease company that provides a truly customer-driven experience.  Together, they discuss:

  • How LeasePro has disrupted the auto sales market to bring cars straight to the buyers
  • The advantages and disadvantages of leasing versus buying
  • How Covid affected the auto sales industry and what ripple effects we’re still seeing today, including the skyrocketing prices and supply chain issues
  • And more!

Note: Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse the services of Matt McGuire or LeasePro.

Resources

 Connect with Matt McGuire

 About Our Guest

LeasePro was established in 2010 by Matthew McGuire who is a licensed dealer and auto facilitator in the State of Texas. Matt started this independent auto lease company to provide an experience based entirely on the principles of customer service and value.  As a hands-on owner, Matt has been recognized as a top salesperson throughout his career and has received numerous sales and customer service awards. Matt’s 23 years of experience in sales, leasing, and finance of both new and pre-owned vehicles helps solidify LeasePro as an expert in the automotive sales and leasing arena. Matt and his wife Melissa reside in Friendswood and treasure cheering and supporting their 3 active children in various sporting activities.

Connect With Green Financial Group:

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Focusing On The Good Amidst The Doom & Gloom (Ep. 53)

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

These days, it feels like everywhere we look, we see messages of doom and gloom.  We are constantly being told by the media that the markets, politics and even our safety are at risk.  But instead of letting yourself go down a rabbit hole of negativity, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith want to encourage you to remember this: America is still the greatest country in the world.  And good things are happening every day, even if they don’t make the headlines in the news.

In this episode of The Green Zone Podcast, Jeff and Lauren discuss:

  • Why it’s easy to get overwhelmed with negativity and what we can do to combat it
  • How America’s contentious politics are at the core of who we are as a country
  • What Plenty and SpaceX have to do with their positive outlook on the future of our nation

Connect With Green Financial Group:

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The Results of a Strategic Retirement Plan (Ep. 52)

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

Even in turbulent financial times, the one thing you can always count on is a sound financial plan – and advisors who help you pivot with and understand the ever-changing market. In this episode of The Green Zone Podcast, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith talk about the importance of financial planning today with tomorrow in mind.

Jeff and Lauren share:

  • The true story of a real financial planning client
  • How the right type of financial planning now can yield results later
  • Why it’s important to know your retirement goals and values – even if you’re years away

Connect With Green Financial Group:

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