Category Archives: Retirement

Having The Tough Conversations About Death & Finances (Ep. 93)

May 14, 2025Finance, Financial, Investing, RetirementLauren Smith

Are you prepared for your final send-off? And more importantly, is your family?

When you pass on, will you be leaving behind a legacy of chaos and confusion, or one of clarity and care?

In this episode of The Green Zone Podcast, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith decided to toss out their original topic on tariffs and pivot to something much more personal: death planning. From organizing legal documents to pre-determining funeral preferences and leaving behind letters to loved ones, this episode tackles the real-life logistics of what happens after we’re gone—with plenty of humor and wisdom along the way. In this episode, Jeff and Lauren discuss:

Essential legal documents: Keeping your will, powers of attorney, and medical directives up to date
Digital organization: Creating a file that lists all your financial accounts, passwords, and key contacts
Real estate & assets: Ensuring property deeds and investment paperwork are easy to locate
Funeral & memorial preferences: Outlining your wishes— everything from burial or cremation to party playlists
Notification list: Making a list of people you’d want contacted after your passing
Letters to loved ones: Writing meaningful messages for family and friends to be delivered after death
First-hand experience: Jeff shares what it was like to be the executor of his father’s estate
Planning = love: Why taking care of this checklist is one of the most compassionate things you can do
And more!

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Wealth Wisdom: The Financial Playbook of the Ultra-Wealthy (Ep. 92)

April 17, 2025Finance, Financial, Investing, RetirementLauren Smith

What separates ultra-high-net-worth families from the rest when it comes to managing wealth—and how can the rest of us learn from them?

In this episode of The Green Zone Podcast, financial advisor Jeff Green shares the financial philosophies and strategies that guide his ultra-wealthy clients, revealing how those same principles can be applied by investors at every level. Spoiler alert: It’s not just about having money—it’s about having the mindset to keep and grow it for generations. Tune in to hear:

What defines “ultra-high-net-worth” and why that matters
The long-term mindset: Why patience beats speculation every time
How the ultra-wealthy manage risk (and stay calm during market downturns)
Why compounding growth is prioritized over chasing quick wins
The importance of diversification beyond the stock market—real estate, private equity, and more
How families create stewards of wealth, not just inheritors
The role of a professional financial team—and why DIY doesn’t always work at this level
Why honest conversations across generations help preserve wealth and values
And more!

This episode is a must-listen if you’re thinking about your family’s legacy, want to help protect your wealth in uncertain times, or are simply curious how the wealthiest among us think differently.

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Are You Financially Prepared For A Natural Disaster? (Ep. 91)

February 11, 2025Finance, Financial, Investing, RetirementLauren Smith

Disasters strike when you least expect them. From hurricanes to wildfires, tornadoes to snowstorms—are you financially prepared to weather the storm and recover afterward?

In this episode of The Green Zone, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith dive into strategic financial strategies that can help you feel more financially secure during a crisis. Together they discuss:

Why an emergency fund is crucial for disaster preparedness
The importance of having cash on hand (and why a backup credit card may not be the best idea)
Creating a financial go-bag—what essential documents and funds to keep ready
How to make sure your insurance coverage is up to date and fits your needs
The risks of overpaying for insurance and how to get the best rates
Why a proactive insurance review could save you thousands
And more!

Natural disasters don’t come with a warning—but your finances don’t have to be caught off guard. Tune in to learn how to better protect your wealth and feel financially ready for anything.

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Your Health & Wealth Game Plan For The New Year (Ep. 90)

January 15, 2025Finance, Financial, Investing, RetirementLauren Smith

What’s your game plan for 2025? Is motivation enough to stay consistent with your health, habits, and finances—or do you need a little discipline to keep things on track?

In this episode of The Green Zone Podcast, financial advisors Jeff Green and Lauren Smith share how a positive mindset and actionable goals can help you start the new year right. From navigating your fitness and wellness resolutions to setting smarter financial goals, Jeff and Lauren tackle how to make those January aspirations last all year. Together they discuss:

How to build lasting health and wealth habits that outlive the fleeting buzz of New Year’s resolutions
Why discipline, habits and motivation are different – and how to leverage each
Ideas for monitoring your finances in creative ways
Strategies for front-loading contributions to maximize growth potential for future generations
How to shift from wishful thinking to actionable steps in your health and finances for a productive year ahead
And more!

Whether you’re a disciplined planner or just looking for a fresh start, Jeff and Lauren provide expert advice and practical insights to help you make 2025 your best year yet.

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The Psychology of Holiday Overspending (And How To Overcome It) (Ep. 89)

December 10, 2024Finance, Financial, Investing, RetirementLauren Smith

Have you ever wondered why holiday shopping feels so overwhelming?

Or how you can resist the pressure to overspend without sacrificing the joy of giving?

In this episode, financial advisors Jeff Green and Lauren Smith explore the emotional and psychological drivers behind holiday overspending and share actionable strategies to help you stay in control of your finances during the festive season. Together, they discuss:

The psychological factors that can easily affect all of us when it comes to spending (and over-spending) around the holidays
How marketing tactics and social pressures can trigger overspending—and how to recognize them
Simple tips to create a realistic holiday budget that aligns with your financial goals
Practical ways to manage expectations with family and friends around gift-giving
The benefits of focusing on experiences and meaningful gestures over material items
Strategies to avoid the post-holiday debt hangover and start the new year on a strong financial footing
Reminders to prioritize self-care and reflect on what truly matters during the holidays
And more!

Tune in to gain insights that will help you approach holiday spending with intention and confidence.

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Year-End Giving: How To Choose Causes and Optimize Tax Benefits

November 12, 2024Finance, Financial, Investing, RetirementLauren Smith

Have you ever wondered how your giving can have a lasting impact?

Or are you thinking about how to make sure your charitable contributions align with your values and life goals?

In this episode, financial advisors Jeff Green and Lauren Smith cover effective ways to approach charitable giving during the holiday season, discussing strategies to maximize personal impact and tax benefits. They guide listeners through essential considerations for end-of-year philanthropy, including:

Tips for selecting causes that resonate with your personal values
The importance of researching how donations are used by organizations to ensure contributions have the intended effect
How to use Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs), potentially avoiding taxable income on required minimum distributions
An overview of donor-advised funds for potential tax benefits and flexibility to direct contributions over time to chosen charities
Why you might consider giving long-term appreciated assets, like stocks, to bypass capital gains tax while receiving a charitable deduction for full market value
Reminders for how we can all avoid common charitable giving pitfalls
And more!

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Cybersecurity Tips We Can No Longer Afford To Ignore (Ep. 87)

October 8, 2024Finance, Financial, Investing, RetirementLauren Smith

Have you ever considered how vulnerable your personal information is in today’s digital world?

Do you feel like you’re doing everything you can to protect yourself online?

In this episode of The Green Zone Podcast, Lauren Smith is joined by Green Financial Group Director of Marketing, Claire Holmes, to explore the critical importance of cybersecurity. Drawing from Claire’s personal experience with an identity theft and social media hacking incident, they delve into simple, practical steps everyone can take to feel more protected in their digital lives. Together they discuss:

Why using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) on public Wi-Fi is essential for protecting your data
Ways to spot sophisticated phishing attacks via email and text to protect yourself from identity theft or other cyberthreats
How enabling MFA (multi-factor authorization) on any online account you can is one of the best ways you can safeguard information online (yes, even if it requires a little bit of extra time on your part!)
Ideas for how to incorporate stronger, more complex passwords into your digital lives
Insights into the company’s strong cybersecurity practices, including phishing tests and employee training from Raymond James
And more!

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Financial Strategies For Life’s Big Transitions Ahead (Ep. 86)

September 10, 2024Finance, Financial, Investing, RetirementLauren Smith

Do you feel prepared to face life’s most challenging transitions? For milestones such as becoming caretakers for your parents as they age, preparing for your retirement from your career and even planning for health concerns for yourself or loved ones, it’s important to have a solid plan in place. While conversations around these issues can be difficult, it’s essential to discuss them openly with your financial advisor as they impact both your everyday cash flow as well as how you will want to strategically manage your investments and customize your financial plan. In this episode of The Green Zone Podcast, co-hosts Jeff Green and Lauren Smith delve into these significant life changes, talking through a few key financial approaches that can help you navigate them with confidence. Together, they discuss:

The types of transitions many of their Baby Boomer clients are currently facing
Why it’s important to establish Power of Attorney and clear estate plans
How to think about planning for long-term care and the associated costs
Ways to manage the emotional and logistical aspects of estate management and planning for your future
Strategies for consolidating assets and organizing critical documents
Recommendations for how to have open and ongoing conversations with family about future responsibilities
And more!

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Our Favorite Business, Life & Leadership Lessons (Ep. 85)

August 12, 2024Finance, Financial, Investing, RetirementLauren Smith

In this milestone episode of The Green Zone Podcast, co-hosts Jeff Green and Lauren Smith celebrate the 16th anniversary of Green Financial Group. They reflect on the leadership lessons learned over the years and discuss how their approach to team building and growth has shaped their office, team and culture. They each share specific insights on what they believe has helped them feel successful in their roles as leaders within the office, build a thriving team and develop a vision for the business they are excited about. Together they discuss:

Celebrating GFG’s 16^th Anniversary: Reflecting on the journey from starting Green Financial Group during the 2008 financial crisis to achieving significant milestones.
Building a Strong Team: How focusing on core values and hiring the right people has led to the formation of what they consider to be their best team yet.
Leadership Lessons: The importance of delegating tasks, listening to team members and trusting others’ expertise for effective leadership.
Growth and Vision: Emphasizing the balance between growth for the sake of growth with ensuring that client and team needs continue to be the focus, all while manifesting a visionary approach to future expansion.
Complementary Strengths: How their differing perspectives—Jeff’s big-picture vision and Lauren’s detail-oriented approach—create a well-rounded leadership dynamic.

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Business & Tech Trends We’re Watching (Ep. 84)

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

Are you curious about the technological advancements that could change the way we live and work? In this episode of The Green Zone Podcast, co-hosts Jeff Green and Lauren Smith delve into some fascinating predictions around business and tech trends that we could see coming our way in the next decade. Together they discuss:

Autonomous delivery systems and smart technologies
Hologram concerts and virtual entertainment
The future of tax preparation and voting processes
Working from home and changes in commuting
Climate change and its increasing visibility
The evolution of virtual travel experiences
Advances in healthcare technology and telemedicine
The rise of digital transactions and alternative currencies
Legalization and regulation of marijuana and online sports gambling
And more!

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