The Money and Meaning Show

How Should I Prepare for Open Enrollment? with Special Guests from BIS Benefits

Jeff Bernier, CFP®, ChFC, CFS welcomes BIS Benefits, a Georgia company serving businesses for over 24 years to help develop benefit plans, President Ray Bachman and Account Manager John Schmidt. Ray and John share what you should think about as you choose options and choose how to fund them during open enrollment. In addition, they talk about costly mistakes they've seen made and how you can prevent them (reviewing beneficiary designations, long-term disability coverage for high-earners, making sure your doctors are in network). 

Are you ready for the ”Big Four” transitions of aging?

In today's episode, host Jeff Bernier, CFP®, ChFC, CFS is joined by Carolyn McClanahan, M.D., CFP® to discuss a sometimes difficult topic: preparing financially, emotionally, and physically for aging.
 
Carolyn's unique background offers her a different perspective. Carolyn began her career as a physician but later made a career change when she and her husband were unable to find a financial planner to provide them the advice and guidance needed to create a great life. Carolyn and Jeff dive into the big four decisions that need to be made in preparation for aging. The cost of long-term care and insurance, healthcare, and housing can be quite expensive but Carolyn shares some examples of how avoiding these decisions could be even costlier. 

”Hey Alexa, is the 60/40 portfolio dead?”

In today's episode, Jeff discusses a potpourri of topics related to bonds and the current market environment:
the role of bonds in portfolios
possibility of higher correlations between stocks and bonds
shares views on a currently popular question:  Is the 60/40 portfolio dead? 
With so many articles out there about these topics, Jeff tries to simplify and summarize for listeners and provides his takeaways.

Why is Cyber Crime on the Rise and How Can You Protect Yourself?

Host Jeff Bernier, CFP®, ChFC, CFS welcomes guest Steven Ryder, President and Founder of True North Networks, LLC, a firm providing IT Support such as technical help-desk support, computer support, and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses since 2002. In the episode, Steve simplifies some of the terms often heard in the news related to cyber security. He shares specific tips and tricks he recommends and uses himself to better protect yourself and your technology among these rising cyber threats.

What Can You Do to Maintain Perspective Amid Volatile Times?

In today's episode, host Jeff Bernier, CFP®, ChFC, CFS focuses on providing perspective during these uneasy times of inflation, rising rates, and volatility. Over a lifetime of investing, it is his belief that investor behavior is the dominant determinant in the long-term success or failure of an investment strategy.
 
Jeff shares his thoughts and other academics' expertise in the episode to guide listeners in how to invest rationally and not emotionally by reiterating the importance of a financial plan. To learn more about TandemGrowth's investment philosophy, visit us here.

Special Needs Planning: Navigating the public benefits maze with special guests Nadler Biernath LLC

For parents and grandparents of children with a disability, planning for their needs can often be frustrating and overwhelming. On today's episode, Jeff welcomes special guests attorneys Heather Nadler and Laura Akins Smith from Nadler Biernath LLC Special Needs and Elder Law.
 
Under the umbrella of estate planning falls a specialty called special needs planning. Heather and Laura talk through some of the complexities of long-term planning for children who have special needs. They explain some benefits that may be available before the age of 18 as well as benefits like Social Security and Medicaid. Their firm encourages and helps families to develop a Life Care Plan - to put all that is in the caregiver's head onto paper. 

What Can a Financial Planner Do For You? with Special Guest Wealth Advisor Mona Fahmy, MBA, CFS, AIF®

Some believe the feeling of financial confidence or the benefits of a financial planner can only apply to the later phases of life. In today's episode, Jeff welcomes Wealth Advisor Mona Fahmy, MBA, CFS, AIF® to the show. Mona discusses the process of engaging a financial planner, what to expect, and common financial struggles she sees.
They touch on the many ways a financial advisor can help a person in all stages of life but specifically those in their 40s who are feeling strained in balancing a successful career, a growing family, and financial goals. Jeff describes the metamorphosis he often sees of a client on their journey once they have a plan and understand their choices to a sense of freedom.

Evolution of Investment Management: Go Where the Financial Science Leads? with guest Eduardo Repetto, Ph.D.

Join Jeff Bernier as he welcomes special guest, Chief Investment Officer of Avantis Investors®, Eduardo Repetto, Ph.D. to the show! 
As Chief Investment Officer, Eduardo is responsible for directing the research, design and implementation of Avantis Investors® investment strategies, providing oversight of the investment team and the firm's marketing initiatives, and interacting with clients.
In today's episode, Jeff and Eduardo discuss the evolution of investment management including some limitations of the great innovation called indexing as well as the outdated definition many have of the term "value."