In this podcast episode, senior wealth advisor Mike Nesheim discusses the importance of financial planning for surviving spouses. We explore the role of financial advisors in guiding families through the complexities of asset management, distribution strategies, and legacy planning. The conversation emphasizes the need for open communication between spouses about financial goals and the necessity of involving family members in the planning process. We also highlight the significance of proper be...
Mar 07, 2025•14 min
You might wonder—do tariffs or the Super Bowl cause inflation? Locally, and in the short term, yes. This week, two seemingly unrelated events—proposed tariffs and the Super Bowl—offer us a chance to dig into consumer behavior in the face of potentially rapidly changing pricing. Tariffs can drive up prices on goods which increases costs for consumers and businesses. Tariffs, broadly, act like a tax—they create friction in trade, making it harder for businesses to operate efficiently. Think supply...
Feb 07, 2025•3 min
This week’s Market Perspective explores the significant influence of future expectations on economic activity. We illustrate the point through a few examples: Nvidia's stock volatility, the Federal Reserve's interest rate decisions, and the impact of social media on tourism. The discussion emphasizes how new information can shift economic value and consumer behavior, highlighting the dynamic and interconnected nature of markets. Key Insights Stock prices (like Nvidia's) reflect a volatility driv...
Jan 31, 2025•3 min
In this episode we discuss the importance of regular maintenance in both skiing and financial planning, emphasizing how proactive measures can prevent larger issues down the trail. Vector advisor Charlie Gruys shares insights from his experience as a youth ski coach, detailing the process of tuning skis and dialing DINs. The conversation also covers common financial to-dos, the significance of regular budget reviews, and the need for portfolio rebalancing. Ultimately, we cover the importance of ...
Jan 25, 2025•21 min
Jason Ranallo and Kara Murphy discuss the economic and market outlook for the upcoming year. They explore various themes including market trends, the impact of U.S. debt, the performance of the Magnificent Seven stocks, and the influence of AI on productivity. The conversation also covers mergers and acquisitions, real estate investment considerations, and the effects of political administration on market dynamics. The session concludes with insights on planning for future investments and the im...
Jan 16, 2025•37 min
When it comes to withdrawing from your portfolio, timing is everything. During your working and saving years, the average annual return over time is what matters most since you’re not actively withdrawing funds. However, as you approach retirement and begin drawing from your portfolio, the sequence of returns—the order in which market gains or losses occur—takes on much greater importance. Poor returns experienced early in retirement can significantly impact the longevity of your savings. At Vec...
Jan 11, 2025•3 min
As we approach 2025, it’s great time to plan for a financially strong year ahead. In this podcast, Vector Advisor, Chris Wagner discusses Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs), and explores Roth conversions. Chris also reminds us to review beneficiary designations to ensure they align with your wishes. Did you know: The gift tax exclusion increases to $19,000 in 2025. For charitably inclined individuals, a donor-advised fund may offer tax benefits and f...
Dec 27, 2024•6 min
In this episode of our podcast, Jason Ranallo and Kara Murphy discuss the current state of the markets and consumer behavior, particularly in the context of the holiday spending season. They explore the complexities of consumer confidence, the impact of inflation on spending habits, and the performance of the stock market, including the potential for a Santa rally. Kara shares insights on the health of consumer balance sheets, the labor market, and the overall economic outlook for the coming yea...
Dec 20, 2024•12 min
In this engaging conversation hosted by Vector’s Jason Ranallo, Matthew Hartranft, an experienced M&A attorney with Brutlag Trucke & Doherty, shares practical strategies for business owners navigating the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) landscape. With a background in banking and inspiration drawn from his early legal and volunteer experiences, Matt emphasizes the importance of understanding your business’s value and being prepared for potential exits, even if they aren’t imminent. He...
Dec 13, 2024•31 min
Senior living is more than just a place—it’s a journey, and this episode explores how to navigate it with intention and empathy. In this engaging podcast episode, creator and executive producer of the groundbreaking PBS docuseries Inside Senior Living, Melissa Fritz explores the important and often complex topic of senior living with Joe Grochowski, Senior Wealth Advisor at Vector Wealth Management. Inside Senior Living ( website ) is a show that provides a relatable and educational perspective,...
Nov 27, 2024•41 min
With major stock indices at record highs, some investors are asking, ‘Is now the time to pull back?’ In this podcast we dive into the numbers, address recent market movements, and explain why a long-term perspective remains essential. Key discussion points: Market Milestones in 2024 51 all-time highs, the Dow at 44,000, and the S&P 500 above 6,000 What Happens After All-Time Highs? Looking back: Discussion of all-time highs and historical growth over time. The Recession Question: Is It on th...
Nov 16, 2024•4 min
In a recent conversatior, Vector senior wealth advisor Mike Nesheim hosts mortgage expert Tyler Wiltse from Cambria Mortgage. Tyler shares his insights into the current mortgage landscape, focusing on everything from interest rate trends to strategic refinancing. Tyler emphasizes that while recent interest rate hikes may deter some buyers, real estate remains a strong investment. For those unsure about timing, he advised that consulting a mortgage expert early on is essential, especially when pl...
Nov 08, 2024•20 min
In our latest podcast, we explore three key investing principles that we believe every investor should keep in mind. First, time in the market is generally more effective than trying to time the market. Trying to predict the highs and lows is challenging and can reduce your potential gains if you miss just a few key trading days. Second, while the range of potential market outcomes in any given year is wide, it historically narrows given time. This reinforces the importance of a long-term strate...
Oct 25, 2024•11 min
In our latest podcast episode, Jason Ranallo, Director of Portfolio Management, provides an in-depth review of recent market performance and key economic trends. Starting with last quarter’s market performance and discussing recent all-time highs. We also cover September’s Federal Reserve cut, yield curve normalization, and mortgage rates. Whether you're interested in understanding the current state of the market or looking for a deeper strategic understanding, this podcast episode offers a comp...
Oct 16, 2024•18 min
In our latest podcast episode, Scott Rose and Sharon Calhoun dive into financial considerations during and after a divorce. Sharon is managing director at Vector and holds a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®) designation. She emphasizes the importance of addressing both the emotional and financial aspects of divorce. Note that this episode is the second conversation on the topic of divorce and financial planning. For those wanting additional context, including a recording of the first c...
Oct 11, 2024•30 min
In our latest podcast episode with Jason Ranallo, we dive into strong market performance over the last couple of years and rebalancing opportunities. Listen in to learn how prior year tax carryforwards work and how investors use them to offset taxes on future capital gains. Jason explains how investors can use tactics like rebalancing and tax-loss harvesting in their portfolios. Plus, we discuss importance of staying proactive during both up and down markets. Key discussion topics: Understand ho...
Oct 04, 2024•14 min
In our latest podcast, we explore the Federal Reserve’s recent half-point interest rate cut—from 5.5% to 5%. This is the Fed’s first major reduction since 2019 and coincidentally occurred on the same day as a half-point cut in 2007. Here’s a brief look at how this rate cut may impact you: Savers and Borrowers Borrowers: Lower rates mean cheaper borrowing costs, benefiting those with variable-rate debts and those taking on new loans. Savers: Expect yields on savings accounts and Treasury bills to...
Sep 20, 2024•3 min
This week's podcast discusses divorce's emotional and financial complexities. It features personal insights from Vector's Scott Rose and expert advice from managing director Sharon Calhoun, a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA). Listen in to gain a deeper understanding of asset division, spousal support, and the importance of building a professional team early in the process. Sharon explains why financial assets like IRAs and brokerage accounts should be treated differently in settlements...
Sep 06, 2024•30 min
In this episode of our Well Balanced podcast, Jason Ranallo sits down with George, who is four years into retirement and a client at Vector. In this conversation, they unpack a life enriched by travel, birdwatching, and the pursuit of experiences. George shares how he has prioritized travel and adventure, starting with canoe trips in the Ozarks and SCUBA diving in Mexico. Later in life, when his kids were around 10-12 years old, he and his family took a Y2K trip around the world. Another pivotal...
Aug 30, 2024•21 min
News Recap: Inflation, Mortgage Rates, and the Stock Market. Learn why owning assets that outpace inflation is a key tenet to navigating today's economic landscape. We explore recent trends in inflation, mortgage rates, and the stock market, offering insights on how to preserve your purchasing power. - vectorwealth.com/contact - vectorwealth.com/regulatory - Transcript: In this episode of Market Perspective, we will explore recent developments in the financial world and what they could mean for ...
Aug 23, 2024•3 min
Did you know that individuals can gift up to $18,000 without incurring any tax? For married couples, this amount can be doubled to $36,000 through gift splitting, making it a powerful tool for transferring wealth. In our latest podcast episode, senior wealth advisor Mike Nesheim discusses the annual gift tax exclusion, among other financial planning strategies for intra-generational wealth transfer. When gifting highly appreciated assets such as stocks or real estate, Mike says donors should und...
Aug 08, 2024•13 min
We are excited to share the latest conversation in our intra-generational wealth transfer series. In this episode, Chris Wagner, one of Vector's knowledgeable wealth advisors, shares financial planning insights to help ensure your financial legacy. Learn how to use different financial planning tools to avoid probate, set wealth transfer conditions, and honor your wishes. We discuss beneficiary designations, the roles of wills and trusts, and trust administration. Chris says, for some families, e...
Aug 02, 2024•13 min
Ever wondered how to effectively pass on your legacy while ensuring your own financial security? Learn about intra-generational wealth transfer with Joe Grochowski, a long-serving advisor at Vector Wealth. Joe shares his practical experience to help you navigate the complexities of gifting, inheritance, and financial planning. This episode isn't just about numbers; it's about making thoughtful decisions that honor your family's values. If you're exploring the idea of a lump sum inheritance or di...
Jul 26, 2024•13 min
In our latest podcast episode, Jason Ranallo, Director of Portfolio Management, provides an in-depth review of recent market performance and key economic trends. Starting with last quarter’s market and discussing the impact of index concentration, this episode is packed with valuable insights. We also cover global investment, currency exchange effects, housing market trends, inflation, wage growth, and consumer sentiment. Whether you're interested in understanding the current state of the market...
Jul 19, 2024•14 min
We are excited to share insights from Vector’s latest Well Balanced podcast episode, which features Tory Schaefer, Senior Director of Yoga Operations at Lifetime. Tory joins Sharon Calhoun, Vector’s Managing Director , to discuss the importance of integrating a wellness practice, like yoga, into your life. Discover how to stay present, reduce stress, and support better decision-making. Whether you're a seasoned yoga practitioner or just curious about ways to stay grounded, this episode offers va...
Jul 12, 2024•31 min
As of this month, there are only three companies in the world that have achieved a market capitalization (market value) of over $3 trillion: Nvidia, Microsoft, and Apple. One thing these companies have in common is artificial intelligence. In this Market Perspective episode, Vector’s Jason Ranallo discusses past and present concentrations of market leadership. We look back 30 years to companies like General Motors, Cisco Systems, and General Electric. At the time, these blue chips were some of t...
Jun 28, 2024•4 min
Our message today is for the students in your life. Learning is a lifelong pursuit, and transitions like graduation can mark milestones in your student’s education journey. We know that many in our audience value the importance of establishing a solid financial foundation, and starting early can be a big part of that. Here are five financial planning topics perfect for sharing with those just starting out in their careers or taking the next step. Create a Budget Manage Student Loans Build an Eme...
Jun 13, 2024•3 min
Did you know that May 29th is 529 Day? This quirky, not-quite-a-holiday day is a great opportunity to learn about planning for your family's future education needs while enjoying some light-hearted fun. Listen or watch our latest podcast episode to find out how 529s, and other savings accounts, can help you save smartly for education expenses. In this podcast, dated 5/29, Chris Wagner, a wealth advisor at Vector, discusses financial planning to help you maximize your college savings potential. H...
May 29, 2024•28 min
If you’re considering buying a new car within the next few years, this podcast is for you. For many clients, a new car purchase is a significant financial decision. Senior wealth advisor Mike Nesheim, CFP®, talks through several aspects of car buying, from leases and loans to selling taxable investments to fund the purchase. As a financial planner, Mike emphasizes the importance of thinking ahead and strategically approaching car purchases. Mike says that knowing a vehicle’s cash price upfront i...
May 24, 2024•15 min
In this week's Market Perspective, we get into some noteworthy stats coming out of markets and the economy. Here are the highlights: Stock Market: The S&P 500 recently experienced a 5% swing during the March-April-May period. The U.S. stock market is now back to an all-time high. Part of the reason for the move up, we believe, is due to corporate earnings results which have been stronger than expected. About 77% of companies have reported results above expectations. Jobs Market: The job mark...
May 16, 2024•4 min
