Category Archives: Investing

Getting Financially Fit in 2024 (Ep. 78)

January 9, 2024Finance, Financial, Investing, RetirementLauren Smith

Do you feel financially fit? Do you even know what that means? If not, you’re in luck. In this episode of The Green Zone Podcast, hosts Jeff Green and Lauren Smith guide you through the key elements you’ll need to ensure your financial well-being in the coming year. You’ll hear about everything from long-term investments to retirement goals to ways you may want to consider to protect your assets. Together they discuss:

The importance of pausing to evaluate your near-term and long-term goals and aligning your investment strategy accordingly
How understanding your retirement “buckets” can set you up for success after your career days
How you can think about the 60/40 principle in relation to your portfolio
The pros and cons of Certificates of Deposit (CDs) and the concept of the “ladder strategy”
Taking the equity risk premium into consideration when making investment decisions
And more!

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2023 Year in Review with Green Financial Group (Ep. 77)

December 18, 2023Finance, Financial, Investing, RetirementLauren Smith

In this episode of The Green Zone Podcast, hosts Jeff Green and Lauren Smith take a moment to reflect on Green Financial Group’s progress and key milestones achieved during 2023. Together they discuss:

Celebrating GFG’s 15^th Anniversary and 1^st year in our new office
How our team has grown and changed this year, including two great new additions with Dylan Daggett and Laura Garza
Our new GFG Blog, focused on providing more in-depth financial education and timely insights for our clients and beyond
How each feel they’ve learned and grown this year, particularly in respect to the various industry conferences they attended
Green Financial Group’s Core Values, and how clearly articulating those have shaped our culture for the better
The gratitude they feel for all of these big milestones and more – as well as what they’re looking forward to in 2024!

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The 2023 GFG Holiday Gift Guide (Ep. 76)

November 28, 2023Finance, Financial, Investing, RetirementLauren Smith

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 2023 GFG Holiday Gift Guide:

“What I Love About Mom” Book ($13)
“What I Love About Dad” Book ($16)
Wireless Sleep Headphones ($16)
Sequence Game ($25)
Holiday Candle ($27)
Wicked Dog Ball ($40)
Skylight Digital Picture Frame ($120)
Cutco Super Shears ($136)
The Bartesian Cocktail Maker ($370)
NordicTrack Commercial X22i Treadmill ($3,499)
Special Experiences with Family (Priceless!)
Country Kettle Fudge

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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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Boot Campaign: Serving Those Who Serve (Ep. 75)

November 7, 2023Finance, Financial, Investing, RetirementLauren Smith

In this inspirational episode of The Green Zone Podcast, hosts Jeff Green and Lauren Smith sit down with Shelly Kirkland, CEO of Boot Campaign, an organization dedicated to supporting veterans and military families. Shelly, who comes from a family with a strong military background, shares her passion for serving those who have served and discusses the incredible work Boot Campaign does to make a difference in the lives of veterans and their families. In this episode, they cover:

Boot Campaign’s unique mission and the heartwarming story of its inception
The organization’s dedication to supporting veterans from all branches and eras
How Boot Campaign provides individualized care for veterans dealing with brain injury, post-traumatic stress, chronic pain, self-medication and insomnia
The significant impact of their specialized programs, including clinical treatments and therapy
The importance of reaching out for help and the challenges veterans face in seeking assistance
How to get involved and support Boot Campaign, from making donations to volunteering
Their heartwarming holiday program, where volunteers come together to provide special gifts and support to military families in need
And more!

Join the conversation and discover the incredible work Boot Campaign does to show gratitude for those who serve and make a lasting impact on the lives of veterans and military families. Don’t miss this inspiring episode of The Green Zone Podcast!

Support Boot Campaign:

How To Donate: https://bootcampaign.org/give/
Website: https://bootcampaign.org/
Social Media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bootcampaign
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bootcampaign
X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/bootcampaign
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/BootCampaign

Additional Notes
The holidays are often difficult for many military families who have recently had a permanent change of duty station, are separated because of deployment, or are caring for the health of a wounded, injured or ill service member.

Boot Campaign’s Santa Boots Program unites Americans to show gratitude, meet service members’ needs and strives to alleviate stress and financial burden by delivering specially-curated gifts to veteran and active duty military families nationwide.

Click Here To Learn More About Their “Santa Boots” Work: https://bootcampaign.org/santaboots/

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Note: Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse Boot Campaign.

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The Top Retirement Traps To Avoid (Ep. 74)

September 27, 2023Finance, Financial, Investing, RetirementLauren Smith

The dream of retirement has probably been sitting in the back of your mind for years. You have an idea of what you want it to look like. You’ve saved for it. You’ve talked to financial professionals. And all of that is great… but have you done any research and planning about how to avoid common retirement mistakes? In this episode of The Green Zone Podcast, hosts Jeff Green and Lauren Smith share a list of items you may want to consider in order to avoid these “retirement traps” and help ensure you are able to live out your dream retirement. Together, they discuss:

Why managing your own money, instead of relying on professionals, may not be strategic
The need for a mix of both conservative and growth-focused investment assets
Mistakes to avoid when considering when to take Social Security
How to think about implementing a distribution strategy to help you meet your Social Security benefit goals
The types of retirement scams they’re seeing out there
And more!

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The Pros & Cons of Investing in Cash for the Long-Term (Ep. 73)

August 8, 2023Finance, Financial, Investing, RetirementLauren Smith

When you think about long-term investments, you probably focus on stocks, bonds, real estate, funds, and the like. But what about cash? In this episode of The Green Zone Podcast, hosts Jeff Green and Lauren Smith cover some of the key considerations you should be making if you’re pondering the pros and cons of long-term investments in cash. Together, they discuss:

The reason some folks are prioritizing cash funds in their investment strategy
Why you must pause to evaluate your near-term and long-term goals and needs
How to think about a 60/40 principle with regards to your portfolio
The pros and cons of CDs (and what a “ladder strategy” is)
Taking the equity risk premium into account
And more!

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What You Need To Know About The New Bull Market (Ep. 72)

July 11, 2023Finance, Financial, Investing, RetirementLauren Smith

A new bull market is underway, but potential recession, heavy inflation, increasing interest rates, war and more are casting dark shadows. You may be more confused than ever about what is going on in the markets and economy and if you feel that way, don’t worry – you’re not alone. In this episode of The Green Zone Podcast, host Jeff Green discusses:

What’s going on in the U.S. economy and markets
Why we’re in what’s considered a “skinny Bull market”
Which industries are leading the way
And more!

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

June 13, 2023Finance, Financial, Investing, RetirementLauren Smith

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!

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Travel Hacks You Need This Summer (Ep. 70)

May 23, 2023Finance, Financial, Investing, RetirementLauren Smith

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)

April 11, 2023Finance, Financial, Investing, RetirementLauren Smith

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!

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