Episodes

2022 has been a volatile, tumultuous year for the market. As we move into the final quarter, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith offer up their opinions on what’s going on and how to think about that based on the timing of market and economic cycles. Together they discuss: Why they believe we’re not currently in a Recession (and when it may be coming) What types of investments that are generally strategic for: Bear Markets, Bull Markets & Recessions The differences between Economic Cycles vs. Market ...

Your retirement is one of the most important things you’ll ever plan for. And because of that, the thought of any risks can weigh heavily on our minds. Do you know the top risks to consider as you approach retirement? In this episode of The Green Zone Podcast, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith discuss what they feel are the top six financial and retirement risks that folks need to think about – and have a plan for addressing. Together, they discuss: Inflation Longevity Risk Health & Long-Term Care...

October is Cybersecurity Month. Most of the time when we are talking about cybersecurity in the financial services and retirement planning industry, we are thinking about financial fraud, identity theft, and other scams that might affect the elderly. But what about our children and teenagers we know, who lead very public digital lives and are just as susceptible – maybe more – to nefarious things happening online? In this episode of The Green Zone Podcast, Jeff and Lauren talk to Rania Mankario...

The years you spend in retirement are supposed to be your “golden years.” A time to fulfill your dreams. Relax, travel, study, volunteer, or hang out with your family. Basically, a time to do whatever you want to do. But the first step is getting there. Do you have a plan? In this episode of The Green Zone Podcast, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith cover some of the most frequently asked questions they get about strategic planning for retirement, including: Can I afford to retire? What does retirem...

Do you know what motivates you? Do you know what fulfills you? Do you know what your “why” is? These are big questions, but the Birkman Method can help you answer them with confidence (and it’s backed by 70+ years of data). This 30-minute assessment helps individuals understand their motivation, self-perception, social perception and mindset – and how to leverage each of these things to find more satisfaction in their lives. In this episode of The Green Zone Podcast, Jeff Green and Lauren Smit...

Most folks would agree the car buying and leasing experiences leave a lot to be desired. The sales spiel, the haggling, the game-playing… it can just feel like such a hassle. But what if it doesn’t have to be? In this episode of The Green Zone Podcast, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith sit down with Matt McGuire, Owner of LeasePro, an independent auto sales and lease company that provides a truly customer-driven experience. Together, they discuss: How LeasePro has disrupted the auto sales market to ...

These days, it feels like everywhere we look, we see messages of doom and gloom. We are constantly being told by the media that the markets, politics and even our safety are at risk. But instead of letting yourself go down a rabbit hole of negativity, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith want to encourage you to remember this: America is still the greatest country in the world. And good things are happening every day, even if they don’t make the headlines in the news. In this episode of The Green Zone P...

Even in turbulent financial times, the one thing you can always count on is a sound financial plan – and advisors who help you pivot with and understand the ever-changing market. In this episode of The Green Zone Podcast, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith talk about the importance of financial planning today with tomorrow in mind. Jeff and Lauren share: The true story of a real financial planning client How the right type of financial planning now can yield results later Why it's important to know...

There’s no doubt the current market is ugly. We have fielded many calls from concerned clients -- and understandably so. With everything you hear on the news these days, it can feel like the sky is falling. But is a recession really coming? We'll cover that and more in this episode of The Green Zone Podcast. Jeff and Lauren discuss: Why they do NOT believe a recession is coming in 2022 What bottoming out indicators they've been tracking and what's going on with them today How much longer the...

As a parent, you want to support your kids to get them started in life. But how do you know when you’re giving them too much financial support? In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith provide tips and tricks to help parents support their college graduates as they transition for what’s next without going over budget. Jeff and Lauren discuss: How you can destroy your retirement by helping your children financially The value of teaching your children about how money works The importance o...

There will eventually come a time when you pass away but that doesn’t mean you should wait until then to start building a comprehensive estate plan. In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith discuss 10 things you should know about estate planning and will be your guide to making confident decisions about your estate planning. Jeff and Lauren discuss: How an estate planning attorney can help you The value of using an online cloud-based digital storage to store important documents Why it i...

Language is a beautiful thing as it can seamlessly morph and adapt to changing times, but sometimes as older folks, it can be a little tough to understand the lingo of the younger crowd. In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith identify the meaning of some investing terms used by younger people. They also share where these terms are originating from as more younger people are starting to invest their money into the stock market. Jeff and Lauren discuss: How Reddit has influenced the inves...

Most people can agree that they’re concerned about college education planning and ultimately paying for the cost of college. A 529 plan is a great tool in helping you reach your education savings goal. In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith talk with Ryan White, CIMA® a director of product management at Columbia Threadneedle Investments, US. You will learn why a 529 plan is a simple way to save for all educational related expenses, and what your three options are if you still have money ...

It might feel good to just up and retire from your job without any plan. But that may not be the smartest choice. In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith talk about the ‘pre-retirement checklist’ they have created for their clients and how it can change their entire experience of the retirement lifestyle. They also go into detail about the difference between clients that have used this plan far in advance and clients who have used this a little later in the game. Jeff and Lauren discuss: ...

Everybody has their own personal experiences which helped them kick start their career in the financial industry. In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith talk with Melanie Knight, director of operations and client services at Green Financial Group, to discuss her experience going directly from college to starting her career at Green Financial Group. Melanie discusses: The responsibilities of client service within Green Financial Group The typical day working as a financial professional ...

Having conversations about family wills can be tough. How do you start that conversation from one family to another? In this episode, Jeff and Lauren share some advice surrounding the later stages of life and what they entail in terms of finances. They also highlight how discussing these things, despite how morbid they may sound, is so important and will benefit everyone in the long run. Jeff and Lauren discuss: The important discussions about wills that should happen between parents and chil...

Spouses can oftentimes be surprised by the changing dynamic of their marriage in retirement. In this episode, Jeff Green talks with Dr. John Vincent a psychologist and a marriage and family therapist to discuss what marriage can look like when one or more spouses have retired. They also highlight the importance of communication between each partner when outlining financial goals before and during retirement. Dr. John Vincent discusses: What issues can generate conflicts between a couple How ...

What does it take to make the new year different? How do you hold yourself accountable for the changes you want to make? In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith reflect on their past year at Green Financial, and they share their goals for the upcoming year. They also talk about the process of planning, not only for retirement but other financially-demanding times throughout the year. Jeff and Lauren discuss: Healthy financial habits for all income scenarios How to continue your good hab...

There is no doubt that the pandemic made an impact on everyone’s lives in some way, shape, or form. This becomes increasingly clear when you look at the state of the market, inflation rates and national spending practices. In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith evaluate the concerns that the people of America have been having regarding government spending throughout the pandemic, the effects of inflation, and how the stock market has been more unpredictable than ever. Jeff and Lauren dis...

Holiday traditions are very important to keep us close with our loved ones and to create memories that will last a lifetime. In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith speak with some of the team members at Green Financial Group—Hillary, Claire, and Melanie. They discuss some of their favorite holiday family traditions and some of the fun memories they have made over the years. The Green Team discuss: The fun tradition of elf on the shelf The relaxing tradition of having an adult christmas...

You may have a pretty good handle on your finances. But have you shared that information with your family? In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith talk about suggestions for documenting the details of your finances so your family can access this information in case of an emergency. They share tips for ways to share this information, and explain why you should be having this conversation before it’s too late. Jeff and Lauren discuss: The purpose of the ‘family phone call’ The helpful res...

Giving comes in many forms—it can be time, talent, or treasure, but most importantly, giving should come from the heart. In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith speak with Kendall Monroe, chief advancement officer at the Kidney Cancer Association and co-founder and director of development of The Way Home Adoption. Kendall discusses her role in each of the organizations, and how the organizations give back to help people in the global community. Kendall discusses: How each of the organiza...

CYCLE Houston is a nonprofit charity organization that uses bicycles to motivate kids to reach defined academic goals. Their goal for 2021 is to build 10,000 bicycles—and you can help. In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith talk with Rebecca Roberts, executive director and Glenn Okuma, webmaster at CYCLE Houston. They share how their charity began, it’s mission, and how it is growing to help Houston children and students. Rebecca and Glenn discuss: How CYCLE began and the overall missi...

“A goal without a plan is just a dream.” You will not be able to live your dream retirement without a proper financial plan in place. In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith discuss the important things to think about as you plan for retirement. They recommend what actionable steps you could be taking now to plan for your dream retirement in the future. Jeff and Lauren discuss: The value of using a bucket list to live out your dreams in retirement The factors you need to consider when ...