In this perspectives episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff Bernier challenges the value of short-term market forecasts and urges listeners to focus instead on long-term financial planning. Drawing from recent blog posts and research by financial thinkers like Bob C. Wright, Ruben Miller, and Larry Swedroe, Jeff outlines why predictions often miss the mark and how earnings yield can guide more meaningful expectations. He offers practical advice for building resilient portfolios, emphasizing humility, diversification, and focusing on what we can control in uncertain times.

Topics covered:

• Why annual market forecasts are often unreliable
• The psychological allure of financial predictions
• The difference between short-term forecasts and long-term return assumptions
• Insights from Bob C. Wright’s “Forecasting Follies”
• Ruben Miller’s satirical take on 2026 forecasts
• How earnings yield helps set intermediate-term expectations
• The role of the CAPE ratio in understanding market valuations
• US market overvaluation and the case for international diversification
• How government deficit spending has impacted recent market performance
• Building resilient portfolios for retirees and pre-retirees
• Practical portfolio planning principles for uncertain environments
• Encouragement to focus on controllable factors and maintain realistic optimism

Useful Links:

• Jeff Bernier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jeffberniercfp_the-money-and-meaning-show-activity-7202103509700227072-h0Qn/

• TandemGrowth Financial Advisors: https://www.tandemgrowth.com/

TandemGrowth Financial Advisors (“TandemGrowth”), a registered investment adviser, is providing this video which is intended for general educational purposes and is not personalized investment advice. The information provided is not tailored to any individual's specific investment objectives, financial situation, or risk tolerance. Registration as an investment adviser is not an endorsement by securities regulators and does not imply that TandemGrowth has attained a certain level of skill, training, or ability. While the content that will be presented is believed to be factual and up to date, it is based on information obtained from a variety of sources. TandemGrowth believes this information is reliable, however, it has not necessarily been independently verified. TandemGrowth does not guarantee the complete accuracy of all data in this video, and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the presenter as of the date of the webinar and are subject to change. This video does not constitute personalized advice from TandemGrowth or its affiliated investment professionals, or a solicitation to execute specific securities transactions. Participants should not use any of this content as the sole basis for any investment, financial planning, tax, legal or other decisions. TandemGrowth is neither a law firm, nor a certified public accounting firm, and no portion of the video content should be construed as legal or accounting advice. We encourage attendees to conduct independent research and seek advice from qualified professionals before making any investment decisions. The information presented in this video should not be the sole basis for investment decisions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss, and different investments and types of investments involve varying degrees of risk. There can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy, including those undertaken or recommended by TandemGrowth, will be profitable or equal any historical performance level. Additional information about our Firm, including its Form ADV Part 2A describing its services, fees, and applicable conflicts of interest and Form CRS is available upon request and at www.tandemgrowth.com.

In this episode of Money & Meaning, host Jeff Bernier speaks with Harrison Miller, Charitable Planning Consultant at Fidelity Charitable—the nation's largest grant maker. They explore how donor-advised funds offer families, business owners, and advisors strategic, tax-efficient ways to approach charitable giving. Harrison shares how these vehicles help donors align generosity with their values, optimize tax timing, and even involve future generations in giving.

Topics covered:

● Harrison’s career path and role at Fidelity Charitable

● What donor-advised funds are and how they work

● Tax benefits of contributing appreciated assets

● Strategic giving through bunching and timing deductions

● Differences between national donor-advised funds and community foundations

● Managing investments within donor-advised funds

● How grants are made to charities from the fund

● Contributing privately held assets and the planning required

● Using donor-advised funds to engage the next generation

● Options for fund succession and estate planning

● Current trends in charitable giving and legislative considerations

● Why donor-advised funds are gaining popularity over private foundations

Useful Links:

• Jeff Bernier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jeffberniercfp_the-money-and-meaning-show-activity-7202103509700227072-h0Qn/
• TandemGrowth Financial Advisors: https://www.tandemgrowth.com/
• Harrison Miller on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harrisonmiller

In this solo episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff Bernier explores how markets have a built-in ability to self-correct, a concept informed by his conversations with longtime colleague Larry Swedroe. Jeff ties together research from Joe Wiggins and Jason Zweig to explain how behavior, concentration risk, and market history reveal important lessons for investors. He also revisits the importance of broad diversification and TandemGrowth’s behavioral “bucket approach” for supporting client confidence in uncertain times.

Topics covered:

• Behavioral traps investors face in fast-paced market environments
• Joe Wiggins’ perspective on making slow, consistent, and infrequent decisions
• Larry Swedroe’s concept of the self-healing mechanism of markets
• How falling valuations increase expected future returns
• Historical periods when stocks underperformed and rebounded strongly
• Examples of self-healing in asset classes like value stocks, credit, private credit, and reinsurance
• Jason Zweig’s analysis of AI-driven capital spending by big tech firms
• The dangers of concentration risk—including going to all cash
• Benefits of broad diversification across public and private markets
• How the “bucket approach” helps reduce panic and support long-term strategy

Useful Links:

• Jeff Bernier on LinkedIn
• TandemGrowth Financial Advisors

Disclosures: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax advisor for personalized guidance.

In this episode of Money & Meaning, host Jeff Bernier speaks with Kacie Walsh, Vice President at Dimensional Fund Advisors. They explore Dimensional’s evolving toolkit of tax-focused investment solutions designed to help clients keep more of what they earn. The conversation spans mutual funds, ETFs, SMAs, exchange funds, and 351 ETFs, explaining how each tool fits into a broader tax management strategy. Kacie also outlines how Dimensional’s daily, data-driven approach supports personalized portfolios and long-term efficiency for investors.

Topics covered:

• Kacie Walsh’s professional background and current role at Dimensional Fund Advisors
• Why Dimensional’s evidence-based, data-driven approach matters in tax-focused investing
• Overview of tax loss harvesting and why fund and ETF lineup depth supports it
• Differences in tax efficiency between ETFs and mutual funds—and how Dimensional narrows the gap
• Update on Dimensional’s ETF share class application and what it means for investors
• SMA (separately managed account) use cases, especially for high net worth individuals
• How Dimensional’s SMAs differ from traditional direct indexing solutions
• Behavioral and operational considerations of owning hundreds of individual securities
• Understanding portfolio lock-up and how to plan for long-term SMA use
• Exchange funds as tools for diversifying out of concentrated stock positions
• 351 ETFs as a strategy to consolidate appreciated securities tax efficiently
• Overview of long/short SMAs and how they attempt to generate more tax alpha
• How advisors and clients can assess the trade-offs in these advanced strategies

Useful Links:

• Jeff Bernier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jeffberniercfp_the-money-and-meaning-show-activity-7202103509700227072-h0Qn/
• TandemGrowth Financial Advisors: https://www.tandemgrowth.com/
• Kacie Walsh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kacie-walsh-5787a297

In this episode of Money & Meaning, Jeff Bernier connects 17th-century philosophy with modern financial planning. Using Blaise Pascal’s wager as a framework, Jeff examines how retirement planning isn’t about certainty—but resilience. He discusses scenario analysis, the role of Plan B, and why the best financial plans aren’t fixed, but adaptable. This episode is a timely reminder that thoughtful preparation—not prediction—brings peace of mind in uncertain times.

Topics covered:

• Applying Pascal’s Wager to financial planning
• The role of low-probability, high-impact risks in retirement planning
• Emphasizing resilience over prediction
• Scenario analysis and its purpose in building flexible plans
• The importance of maintaining a Plan B
• Avoiding the mistake of confusing spreadsheets with reality
• Why assumptions in planning must remain dynamic
• The value of humility in planning for an unknowable future
• Embracing flexibility in lifestyle, spending, and investments
• “Strong opinions loosely held” as a financial philosophy
• Confidence through preparation rather than prediction

Useful Links:

• Jeff Bernier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jeffberniercfp_the-money-and-meaning-show-activity-7202103509700227072-h0Qn/

• TandemGrowth Financial Advisors: https://www.tandemgrowth.com/

In this episode of Money & Meaning, host Jeff Bernier welcomes Rob Hoxton, founder of Hoxton Planning & Management and host of the Last Paycheck podcast. Rob shares his journey from aspiring minister to financial planner, exploring how life experiences shaped his unique approach to wealth management. They examine the evolving role of financial advisors, the impact of AI, and how to define a meaningful retirement. The conversation offers a compelling look at purpose-driven financial planning, multi-generational firm growth, and Rob’s vision for making a difference in underserved communities.

Topics covered:

● Rob Hoxton’s path from ministry to financial planning

● The philosophy behind Grow Greener and Think Ahead

● Defining “live rich vs. die rich” in financial planning

● Experience at Goldman Sachs and returning to independence

● Working with his son and building a multi-generational firm

● The future of financial planning with AI and technology

● Using AI tools to enhance human connection in advising

● Childhood money memories and their impact on financial behavior

● Helping clients uncover what matters most through money mind exercises

● Reframing retirement as a purpose-driven next act

● Rob’s “why” and the mission to serve more families

● Launching Shepherd University's financial planning program

● Looking forward: Rob’s excitement for family, business, and mentorship

● Encouragement for listeners seeking the right financial advisor

Useful Links:

• Rob Hoxton on LinkedIn
• Hoxton Planning & Management
• Last Paycheck Podcast
• Jeff Bernier on LinkedIn
• TandemGrowth Financial Advisors

In this Perspectives episode of Money & Meaning, host Jeff Bernier explores key year-end tax planning strategies shaped by recent legislation. He breaks down thresholds, deductions, and opportunities to optimize charitable giving—particularly through donor-advised funds and gifting appreciated securities. Jeff also covers how Roth conversions and qualified charitable distributions can be integrated into a comprehensive strategy aligned with both financial goals and personal values.

Topics covered:

• Overview of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” and its impact on taxpayers
• Importance of year-end tax planning under new legislation
• Higher standard deduction and changes to itemized deductions
• Adjusted income thresholds that affect Medicare premiums and deductions
• Expansion and phase-out of SALT (State and Local Tax) deductions
• Charitable gifting strategies using appreciated securities
• Tax benefits of donor-advised funds for bunching donations
• Qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) from IRAs for those over 73
• Using Roth conversions in coordination with deduction strategies
• Practical next steps for assessing your 2025 tax picture

Useful Links:

• Jeff Bernier on LinkedIn
• TandemGrowth Financial Advisors

Disclosures: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax advisor for personalized guidance.

In this episode of Money & Meaning, host Jeff Bernier speaks with Carl Richards, certified financial planner and creator of the New York Times "Sketch Guy" column. Carl discusses his newest book, Your Money: Reimagining Wealth in Simple Sketches, a collection of drawings and essays that spark meaningful financial conversations. Together, they explore why strong financial decisions often begin with reflection, how we view money differently, and the value of building general resilience. Carl also shares practical approaches to planning and decision-making that align money with personal values.

Topics covered:

• Carl’s motivation behind his new book and the role of financial conversations
• How our individual experiences shape how we see money
• The purpose and impact of a one-page financial plan
• Identifying and preparing for risks you don’t see coming
• Why “strong opinions loosely held” is a powerful planning framework
• A three-part mindset for embracing uncertainty and making progress
• Aligning money decisions with what truly matters

Useful Links:

• Carl Richards on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thinkingcarl/
• Behaviour Gap' Website: https://behaviorgap.com/
• Jeff Bernier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffberniercfp/
• TandemGrowth Financial Advisors: https://www.tandemgrowth.com/