Henssler Money Talks

Market Roundup: Market Climbs Higher in Record-Setting Week

The markets kicked off a week of new record highs, trading into record territory for a third straight session. Despite the rally in stocks, West Texas Intermediate crude dipped 1.7% to settle at $52.93 a barrel. Record-breaking moves continued Tuesday as the Dow Jones Industrial average moved up on a variety of economic news. Federal Reserve comments may have impacted trading moves, as Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen restated plans for gradual rate hikes but noted that potential uncer...

Q and A Time: AFLAC, ETF Fees and Packaging Corp of America

The "Money Talks" hosts address listeners’ questions on supplemental insurer AFLAC, why the fees you pay when investing in exchange-traded funds are acceptable and cardboard and paper company, Packing Corp of America.

Money Talks - February 11, 2017

This week on "Money Talks," Troy Harmon, CFA, CVA, is joined by Managing Associate K.C. Smith, CFP®, and Senior Associate Jarrett McKenzie, CFP®, CWS®, to discuss the week’s market movements, the ISM Non-Manufacturing Index, international trade and wholesale trade. K.C. and Jarrett bring to the table a conversation on whether investors should really want to beat the market. They discuss risk exposure, long-term strategies and passive vs. active investing. The hosts also address a listener’s q...

Case Study: Should an Investor’s Goal be to Beat the Market?

Managing Associate K.C. Smith, CFP® and Senior Associate Jarrett McKenzie, CFP®, CWS®, bring to the table a conversation on whether investors should really want to beat the market. They discuss risk exposure, long-term strategies and passive vs. active investing.

Market Roundup: Week Starts in the Red, but Ends with Record Highs

The markets kicked off the week by closing in the red zone on Monday. Corporate earnings likely drove some of the bigger moves of the day. The next day, the indices landed in green territory, as the Dow Jones Industrial Average maintained gains while the NASDAQ closed at a new record high. Technology brands led Dow advancers while energy stocks traded lower on slipping oil. Mid-week saw Financial stocks pressuring the Dow. It’s likely investors are still awaiting policy changes; however, some...

Q and Time: Health Spending Accounts and Active vs. Passive Managed Mutual Funds

The "Money Talks" hosts address a listener’s question on health spending accounts and whether opening one would be a good idea if you’re covered by a high-deductible insurance plan. The experts also provided their opinions on some of Vanguard’s health care funds and if investors should seek actively or passively managed funds.

Money Talks - January 28, 2017

This week on "Money Talks," Troy Harmon, CFA, CVA, is joined by Principal Jennifer J. Thomas, CFP®, and Senior Associate Jarrett McKenzie, CFP®, CWS®, to discuss the significance of the Dow reaching the 20,000 benchmark. They also talk about sector earnings performance, new and existing home sales and the Semi book-to-bill ratio. Jarrett and Jennifer lead a discussion on how 401(k) allocations can get "out of whack" even if you’ve been following your adviser’s recommendations. The experts als...

Case Study: Market Growth and Dividends Can Cause Skewed Allocations in a 401(k)

Principal Jennifer J. Thomas, CFP®, and Senior Associate Jarrett McKenzie, CFP®, CWS®, lead a discussion on how 401(k) allocations can get "out of whack" even if you’ve been following your adviser’s recommendations.

Market Roundup: Positive Week as Dow Breaks 20,000 Mark

Indices closed in the red zone on Monday, likely a result of President Trump’s comments that he would "shake up" trade, taxes and regulations. The market indices closed with gains on Tuesday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbing back toward the 20,000 mark while the S+P 500 and NASDAQ both ended trading at new record levels. By mid-week, the Dow hit an all-time high, closing above the 20,000 mark. The S+P 500 and NASDAQ also ended the session at record levels. Crude oil slipped on a...

Q and A Time: Mortgage vs. Roth IRA: Where to Put Extra Money

The "Money Talks" experts discuss a listeners’ question on prepaying his mortgage to pay it off within 15 years or should he invest the extra money in a Roth IRA.

Money Talks - January 21, 2017

This week on "Money Talks," Troy Harmon, CFA, CVA, is joined by Principal Jennifer J. Thomas, CFP®, and Tax Manager Dan DiLuzio, C.P.A., to discuss inflation indicators, the Producer Price and Consumer Price indices, retail sales, and consumer sentiment. Dan leads the show’s case study conversation on what files individuals need to keep when it comes to financial receipts and statements. He also discusses how to dispose of files and offers tips on the best way to store important documents. T...

Case Study: Record Retention: Deciding Which Financial Records to Keep

Tax Manager Dan DiLuzio, C.P.A., leads the show’s case study conversation on what files individuals need to keep when it comes to financial receipts and statements. He also discusses how to dispose of files and offers tips on the best way to store important documents.

Market Roundup: Inauguration Rally on Friday Still Left Markets Down for the Week

For most of last week, the market was fairly lackluster. While the U.S. markets were closed Monday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr., the British pound dropped to a three-month low, which led to a decline in the FTSE 100 and Stoxx 600 in Europe. On Tuesday, investors were cautious ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration--a bit of a reversal of the market’s movements since the November election. By midweek, the indices closed with mixed results. The Dow Jones Industrial Average t...

Q and A Time: Zoetis, Henry Schein and Tax Savings of IRAs

Our experts answer listeners’ questions veterinary drug maker Zoetis and medical equipment provider Henry Schein. They also explain the tax savings behind saving to your retirement plans.

Viewpoints: Potential Changes in Health Care and Insurance

The "Money Talks" hosts discuss some of the possible changes President Trump may make to health care and health care insurance, and how it may affect the consumer.

Money Talks - January 14, 2017

This week on "Money Talks," Managing Associate Shawna Theriault, CFP®, C.P.A., joins hosts Bil Lako, CFP®, and Troy Harmon, CFA, CVA, to discuss the week’s economic news, including Wholesale trade, mortgage applications and jobless claims. They also discuss sector performance as president-elect Trump’s inauguration draws near. Shawna and Bil explore a listener’s decision to rent or buy a house after a divorce and profit from the sale of the family home. They take a closer look at the tax adv...

Case Study: Owning vs. Renting--Not Always a Financial Decision

Managing Associate Shawna L. Theriault, CFP®, C.P.A., and Principal Bil Lako, CFP®, explore a listener’s decision whether to rent or buy a house with the profit from the sale of the family home after a divorce. They take a closer look at the tax advantages and lifestyle choices that come with home ownership.

Owning vs. Renting--Not Always a Financial Decision

Managing Associate Shawna L. Theriault, CFP®, C.P.A., and Principal Bil Lako, CFP®, explore a listener’s decision whether to rent or buy a house with the profit from the sale of the family home after a divorce. They take a closer look at the tax advantages and lifestyle choices that come with home ownership.

Market Roundup: Mixed Week as NASDAQ Hits Record Highs

Opening the week, declines in Energy sector shares weighed heavily on the S+P 500 index and the Dow Jones Industrial Average as oil prices experienced their biggest daily drop since November. On Tuesday, the NASDAQ composite closed at a record for the fourth session in a row. By mid-week, indices closed in the green zone despite volatile trading. Stocks rebounded from session low levels on Thursday to close slightly down for the day, with Financial sector stocks leading the decline. Indices ...

Q and A Time: International Holdings, Roth IRA Eligibility and Paying Debt with 401(k)

The "Money Talks" experts address a listener’s questions about following the investment theory "stick to the core and don’t explore," meaning avoiding international holdings because they may be a drag on performance. They also discuss Roth IRA eligibility for resident aliens and whether one should roll an old 401(k) into an IRA or cash it out to pay down credit card debt.

Money Talks - January 7, 2017

This week on "Money Talks," Managing Associate K.C. Smith, CFP®, joins anchor hosts Bil Lako, CFP®, and Troy Harmon, CFA, CVA, to discuss final 2016 market numbers, the 2017 outlook, how the market may continue to move under a Trump presidency, and inflation. K.C. and Bil lead a conversation about seeking investment help and the type of experts you may want to consult when seeking assistance with your finances, investments and planning for your future. The experts also answer listeners’ quest...

Case Study: "At What Point do I Need a Financial Adviser?"

This week on "Money Talks," Managing Associate K.C. Smith, CFP®, and Principal Bil Lako, CFP®, lead a conversation about when a household should seek financial guidance from professionals and the type of experts you may want to consult when seeking help with your finances, investments and planning for your future.

Market Roundup: Markets Kick of New Year on Positive Note

The markets regained their footing as the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S+P 500 and the NASDAQ posted week-over-week gains at the close of the first week of the new year. The markets kicked off 2017 recognizing the New Year holiday. Trading resumed Tuesday with a surge in the Financial sector, boosting the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The gains brought the Dow closer to the 20,000 milestone than ever before. While the index didn’t break 20,000, the index did break a three-day losing streak. ...

Q and A Time: Bonds, Industrial Conglomerates and Paying off Consumer Debt

The "Money Talks" experts answer listeners’ questions on the different types of government savings bonds available, provide a replacement stock recommendation for our suggested sell of General Electric, and discuss some general ways to pay down consumer debt.

Case Study: Matching Investments to Your Liquidity Needs

Text us your financial questions! Over the years, we have talked in great length about laddering your fixed-income investments to meet your liquidity needs. This concept of laddering bonds is a byproduct of your financial plan. Once you get within 10 years of a known expenditure, you should not have those assets exposed to the equity markets in order to preserve the principal.

Henssler Money Talks - April 16, 2016

Why We Have a Ten Year Rule

Text us your financial questions! Bil Lako, CFP®, explains why a 10-year holding period matters and how higher interest rates affect your bond holdings.

Case Study: How Much Money Does It Take to Retire?

Text us your financial questions! The “Money Talks” hosts discuss retirement savings and how much you may need in the future.

Interview-Ken Harmon, D.B.A.

Text us your financial questions!  Ken Harmon, D.B.A., Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Kennesaw State University joins “Money Talks” to discuss President Obama’s “Blueprint for Keeping College Affordable and Within Reach for All Americans.” 

Investment Whys: Sources of Investment Income

Text us your financial questions! Investors are concerned about slower economic growth and undesirably high unemployment combined with softer inflation through the second quarter. In uneasy economic times, investors are more interested in living off the interest and dividends from their investments without touching principal. Investors, desperate for income, often inadvertently take on more risk. We take a look at many sources of income and break them down to show the advantages and disadv...

Investment Whys: Sometimes the Active Portfolio Decision is to Do Nothing

Text us your financial questions! Bil Lako, CFP®, explains how sometimes investors are not paying attention to the decisions that are being made. Sometimes an active portfolio decision often leads you to do nothing. That is the decision. When you see moves like Monday, down 5%; Tuesday, up 4%; Wednesday, down 4%, Thursday, up 5% you have to ask yourself, “Why?”  If you cannot answer, or do not understand what is causing it, your answer could be that you do not want to do anything differentl...