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For global stock market investors, the news from December of 2015 and the first week of 2016 has been marked by negative returns. In December, global stock markets virtually all weakened to make 2015 a marginally negative year for the majority of investors, capping off another year of historically low interest rates and sluggish economic numbers globally.

As even the most successful investors realize, negative stock market returns are...

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Foster Group's Top Ten Blogs From 2015

As we reflect back on a fantastic 2015, we want to highlight the top ten blog posts from the past year. Enjoy these various posts written by our advisory team.

1. No Holding Back

By: Ross Polking Well, if you get tired of hearing us talk about timeless financial planning disciplines (aka avoiding pitfalls), then enjoy and embrace this quick read from...

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Ross Polking | Senior Business Development Advisor at Foster Group

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index, better known as the S&P 500, is a commonly-referenced barometer for the investment world on how the overall stock market is performing.  The S&P 500 is an American stock market index based on the overall market capitalization of 500 U.S.-based publicly-traded companies.  Said another way, the larger the company, the more weight it carries in the overall valuation of the index.  According to...

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December typically offers colder temperatures, holiday decorating, holiday shopping, and looming year-end deadlines. While we can’t do much about those, we do want to make you aware of one deadline that has changed that might take a little pressure off. A recent change to Iowa state income tax law makes it possible for Iowa residents to make tax-deductible contributions to a College Savings Iowa plan up to the Iowa tax filing...

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Ross Polking | Senior Business Development Advisor at Foster Group

investment fundamentals quiz foster group

You’ve used evidenced-based investing for your assets, you’ve maximized cash flow and minimized taxes, you’ve taken steps to protect the wealth you’ve accumulated, and you’ve put together a plan for your estate that includes a will, a power of attorney and a health care proxy. If you’ve planned well by doing all this, retirement should be a chance...

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Ross Polking | Senior Business Development Advisor at Foster Group

You’re probably familiar with this life: As soon as you begin your 12-hour shift, you’re shuttling from one patient to the next, hoping for enough of a lull to snatch a fast-food bite or maybe a couple hours of sleep.

Balancing work with your personal life is one of the most difficult tasks for physicians. As a result of long hours and little free time, physicians are notorious for procrastinating...

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Ross Polking | Senior Business Development Advisor at Foster Group

investment fundamentals quiz foster group

It takes courage to be a physician. Not only are you making life-or-death decisions for some of your patients, you run the risk of a lawsuit if the patient or the patient’s family isn’t satisfied with your treatment.

That’s why you have to take the appropriate measures to protect your wealth. Here are a couple of questions you...

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Ross Polking | Senior Business Development Advisor at Foster Group

Here’s a key to success: Maximize cash flow while paying less in taxes. A shortage in cash flow can send you into survival mode, and improper understanding of tax deductions can cause you to miss out on opportunities for a break.

Here are four tips to keep in mind as you further your success:

1) Eliminate Present Burdens On Your Cash Flow (And Future Drains)

As cash flow comes...

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Ross Polking | Senior Business Development Advisor at Foster Group

As a physician, you’re making life-or-death decisions every day. You know the best way to make decisions under pressure is a combination of relying on your clinical experience and consulting the latest research available. That’s the nature of evidence-based medicine: You combine both experience and research.

Evidence-based investing is no different.

To invest well, you need to focus on your needs as well as leverage the research that’s out...

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Ross Polking | Senior Business Development Advisor at Foster Group

As 2015 starts to wind down, many investors are thinking about how to positively impact causes and organizations about which they are passionate. A further benefit of this endeavor is the opportunity to lessen one’s annual tax burden. A donor advised fund (DAF) is a fantastic tool for gifting and tax mitigation that is worth considering. DAFs are philanthropic vehicles operated by public charities which are relatively uncomplicated, widely available,...

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