The Green Zone

In this episode of The Green Zone Podcast, hosts Jeff Green and Lauren Smith take a moment to reflect on Green Financial Group’s progress and key milestones achieved during 2023. Together they discuss:

• Celebrating GFG’s 15th Anniversary and 1st year in our new office
• How our team has grown and changed this year, including two great new additions with Dylan Daggett and Laura Garza
• Our new GFG Blog, focused on providing more in-depth financial education and timely insights for our clients and beyond
• How each feel they’ve learned and grown this year, particularly in respect to the various industry conferences they attended
• Green Financial Group’s Core Values, and how clearly articulating those have shaped our culture for the better
• The gratitude they feel for all of these big milestones and more – as well as what they’re looking forward to in 2024!

Connect With Green Financial Group:

• [email protected]
• (713) 244-3030
• Schedule A Call With Jeff or Lauren
• Green Financial Group
• LinkedIn: Jeff Green
• LinkedIn: Lauren Smith

In this special episode of The Green Zone, hosts Jeff Green and Lauren Smith are joined by members of the Green Financial Group team as they share their favorite holiday gifts to both give and receive. If you have been on the fence about what to buy for a loved one this holiday season – or what to put on your own list! – this episode is for you. Tune in to see why these following items made the cut for the 2023 GFG Holiday Gift Guide:

• “What I Love About Mom” Book ($13)
• “What I Love About Dad” Book ($16)
• Wireless Sleep Headphones ($16)
• Sequence Game ($25)
• Holiday Candle ($27)
• Wicked Dog Ball ($40)
• Skylight Digital Picture Frame ($120)
• Cutco Super Shears ($136)
• The Bartesian Cocktail Maker ($370)
• NordicTrack Commercial X22i Treadmill ($3,499)
• Special Experiences with Family (Priceless!)
• Country Kettle Fudge

Connect With Green Financial Group:

• [email protected]
• (713) 244-3030
• Schedule A Call With Jeff or Lauren
• Green Financial Group
• LinkedIn: Jeff Green
• LinkedIn: Lauren Smith

Note: Raymond James is not affiliated with nor does it endorse any of the products or companies mentioned within this podcast.

In this inspirational episode of The Green Zone Podcast, hosts Jeff Green and Lauren Smith sit down with Shelly Kirkland, CEO of Boot Campaign, an organization dedicated to supporting veterans and military families. Shelly, who comes from a family with a strong military background, shares her passion for serving those who have served and discusses the incredible work Boot Campaign does to make a difference in the lives of veterans and their families. In this episode, they cover:

• Boot Campaign's unique mission and the heartwarming story of its inception
• The organization's dedication to supporting veterans from all branches and eras
• How Boot Campaign provides individualized care for veterans dealing with brain injury, post-traumatic stress, chronic pain, self-medication and insomnia
• The significant impact of their specialized programs, including clinical treatments and therapy
• The importance of reaching out for help and the challenges veterans face in seeking assistance
• How to get involved and support Boot Campaign, from making donations to volunteering
• Their heartwarming holiday program, where volunteers come together to provide special gifts and support to military families in need
• And more!

Join the conversation and discover the incredible work Boot Campaign does to show gratitude for those who serve and make a lasting impact on the lives of veterans and military families. Don't miss this inspiring episode of The Green Zone Podcast!

Support Boot Campaign:

• How To Donate: https://bootcampaign.org/give/
• Website: https://bootcampaign.org/
• Social Media:
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bootcampaign
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bootcampaign
• X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/bootcampaign
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/BootCampaign

Additional Notes

The holidays are often difficult for many military families who have recently had a permanent change of duty station, are separated because of deployment, or are caring for the health of a wounded, injured or ill service member.

Boot Campaign’s Santa Boots Program unites Americans to show gratitude, meet service members’ needs and strives to alleviate stress and financial burden by delivering specially-curated gifts to veteran and active duty military families nationwide.

Click Here To Learn More About Their “Santa Boots” Work: https://bootcampaign.org/santaboots/

Connect With Green Financial Group:

• [email protected]
• (713) 244-3030
• Schedule A Call With Jeff or Lauren
• Green Financial Group
• LinkedIn: Jeff Green
• LinkedIn: Lauren Smith

Note: Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse Boot Campaign. 

The dream of retirement has probably been sitting in the back of your mind for years. You have an idea of what you want it to look like. You’ve saved for it. You’ve talked to financial professionals. And all of that is great… but have you done any research and planning about how to avoid common retirement mistakes? In this episode of The Green Zone Podcast, hosts Jeff Green and Lauren Smith share a list of items you may want to consider in order to avoid these “retirement traps” and help ensure you are able to live out your dream retirement. Together, they discuss:

• Why managing your own money, instead of relying on professionals, may not be strategic
• The need for a mix of both conservative and growth-focused investment assets
• Mistakes to avoid when considering when to take Social Security
• How to think about implementing a distribution strategy to help you meet your Social Security benefit goals
• The types of retirement scams they’re seeing out there
• And more!

Connect With Green Financial Group:

• [email protected]
• (713) 244-3030
• Schedule A Call With Jeff or Lauren
• Green Financial Group
• LinkedIn: Jeff Green
• LinkedIn: Lauren Smith

When you think about long-term investments, you probably focus on stocks, bonds, real estate, funds, and the like. But what about cash? In this episode of The Green Zone Podcast, hosts Jeff Green and Lauren Smith cover some of the key considerations you should be making if you’re pondering the pros and cons of long-term investments in cash. Together, they discuss:

• The reason some folks are prioritizing cash funds in their investment strategy
• Why you must pause to evaluate your near-term and long-term goals and needs
• How to think about a 60/40 principle with regards to your portfolio
• The pros and cons of CDs (and what a “ladder strategy” is)
• Taking the equity risk premium into account
• And more!

Connect With Green Financial Group:

• [email protected]
• (713) 244-3030
• Schedule A Call With Jeff or Lauren
• Green Financial Group
• LinkedIn: Jeff Green
• LinkedIn: Lauren Smith

A new bull market is underway, but potential recession, heavy inflation, increasing interest rates, war and more are casting dark shadows. You may be more confused than ever about what is going on in the markets and economy and if you feel that way, don’t worry – you’re not alone. In this episode of The Green Zone Podcast, host Jeff Green discusses:

• What’s going on in the U.S. economy and markets
• Why we’re in what’s considered a “skinny Bull market”
• Which industries are leading the way
• And more!

Connect With Green Financial Group:

• [email protected]
• (713) 244-3030
• Schedule A Call With Jeff or Lauren
• Green Financial Group
• LinkedIn: Jeff Green
• LinkedIn: Lauren Smith

Your financial advisor is someone you need to trust. Someone who you know has your best interests front and center. Green Zone Podcast hosts Jeff Green and Lauren Smith want you to find the best advisor for you and your unique financial situation. In this episode, they share some of the biggest mistakes people tend to make when vetting financial advisors and highlight a few best practices for your own search and interview process. Together they discuss:

• The difference between Fee Based and Fee Only Financial Advisors
• What types of backgrounds to look for in a Financial Advisor such as college degrees or other certifications
• Why you may want to consider a Financial Advisor that has a certification such as CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®
• How to strategically consider the underlying costs of your investments, your returns, and your fees to find the right mix for you
• Why financial and retirement planning is like a Rubik’s Cube
• Ways to ensure you are getting a holistic financial and retirement plan
• Why it’s strategic to choose a specific advisor as a person over a firm or brand name
• And more!

Connect With Green Financial Group:

• [email protected]
• (713) 244-3030
• Schedule A Call With Jeff or Lauren
• Green Financial Group
• LinkedIn: Jeff Green
• LinkedIn: Lauren Smith

Are you gearing up to travel or take a vacation in the near future? If so, you might want to brush up on a few hacks to ensure a smooth and stress-free trip. In this episode of The Green Zone Podcast, hosts Jeff Green and Lauren Smith share their top tips for traveling that will help save you time, money and frustration – and of course, travel in style. Together they discuss:

Leveraging TSA PreCheck and Clear at airports

• How to check how long airport security lines will be prior to leaving your house
• Using Apple Air Tags to track your luggage
• The best times to book air travel at the lowest prices
• How to find a house or pet sitter
• Being strategic about credit cards that give you travel points
• And more!

Resources

• TSA PreCheck
• Clear
• My TSA App
• Apple Air Tags
• Beis Luggage
• Air Fare Watchdog
• Trusted House Sitters

Connect With Green Financial Group:

• [email protected]
• (713) 244-3030
• Schedule A Call With Jeff or Lauren
• Green Financial Group
• LinkedIn: Jeff Green
• LinkedIn: Lauren Smith

Do you ever think about what your life might have been like if you knew then what you know now? So many life choices might have been different when you look at things in hindsight – and that includes financial decisions.  In this episode of The Green Zone Podcasts, hosts Jeff Green and Lauren Smith candidly share the financial advice they would tell their younger selves if they could.  Together, they discuss how to: 

• Start saving more at a younger age by “paying yourself first” 
• Leverage credit cards wisely (and be cautious with exactly what you’re signing up for) 
• Understand what goes into your Credit Score 
• Leverage credit card and travel “points” and cashback rewards 
• Invest in your 401k and take advantage of employer contributions 
• Develop a strategy around purchasing your company’s stock 
• Establish your financial independence from a young age 
• And more! 

Connect With Green Financial Group: 

• [email protected] 
• (713) 244-3030 
• Schedule A Call With Jeff or Lauren 
• Green Financial Group 
• LinkedIn: Jeff Green 
• LinkedIn: Lauren Smith 

Financial planning is not the same for everyone, and those differences are particularly distinct between men and women. Interestingly, according to Raymond James, more than 51% of the personal wealth in this country is controlled by women – and that number is growing. But women often feel less comfortable with their financial independence and even face financial challenges their male counterparts do not. In this episode, Jeff Green and Lauren Smith bring to light some of the unique considerations women may want to take into account for their financial and retirement planning, including: 

• Women tend to live longer than men, which may impact when they take Social Security 
• Women tend to earn less in their careers over their lifetime, which needs to be factored into financial and retirement plans 
• Women tend to be the primary caregivers of children and other family members, which can impact the types of financial decisions they need to make 
• Women who are widowed or go through a divorce have unique, specific needs that should be addressed quickly within a window of time 
• How working with a financial advisor versed in the unique needs of women, like Lauren Smith, can be incredibly beneficial for tailoring financial planning for women 
• And more… 

Connect With Green Financial Group: 

• [email protected] 
• (713) 244-3030 
• Schedule A Call With Jeff or Lauren 
• Green Financial Group 
• LinkedIn: Jeff Green 
• LinkedIn: Lauren Smith