Walkner Condon Financial Advisors

n this episode of Gimme Some Truth, financial advisor, Alicia Vande Ven, CFP® and estate planning attorney, Notesong Srisopark-Thompson, break down the key differences between wills, trusts, and beneficiary designations. Learn why probate is best avoided, when to transition from a will to a trust, and the importance of funding your trust properly. We also explore how financial planners and estate attorneys collaborate to protect your legacy.Whether you’re just starting or revisiting your estate plan, this episode offers valuable tips to secure your family's future. Don't miss it!Featured Guest:Notesong Srisopark-Thompson Senior Associate at Laffey, Sebranek, Auby & Ristau, S.C. https://www.lsar.law/notesong-thompson Topics Covered:Wills vs. Trusts: What’s the difference?Why beneficiary designations override your will.Probate court explained and how to avoid it.When to upgrade your estate plan with a trust.Cost considerations for estate planning.Introduction: Alicia and Notesong introduce the conti

Learn the fundamentals of estate planning in this informative episode of Gimme Some Truth, featuring guest estate planning attorney, Notesong Srisopark-Thompson. Discover why creating a will or trust is essential for protecting your family and assets. This episode addresses common challenges, including overcoming the cost barrier, choosing guardians, and aligning your estate plan with financial goals. Whether you're starting out or updating existing documents, this episode provides actionable advice to help you plan for the future with confidence. Perfect for families, parents, and anyone seeking clarity on estate planning! Featured Guest: Notesong Srisopark-Thompson Senior Associate at Laffey, Sebranek, Auby & Ristau, S.C. https://www.lsar.law/notesong-thompson Introduction to Estate Planning: Hosts introduce the episode and guest estate planning attorney. (00:00:05) Why Estate Planning Matters: Discussion on the importance of having a will and how it impacts your family. (00:00:36) Barriers

Discover the latest 2025 financial market trends, AI breakthroughs, and tax policy changes that could shape your investments. This episode of Gimme Some Truth covers Deep Seek AI’s impact on tech stocks, market overvaluation risks, S&P 500 concentration issues, and upcoming tax reforms. Learn how to navigate potential market corrections, portfolio diversification strategies, and political uncertainties that may influence global trade and economic stability. Stay ahead of market trends and make informed financial decisions in 2025!

Join us in this episode of Gimme Some Truth as we welcome Ian Beardsley to the Walkner Condon Financial Advisors team! Ian shares his inspiring journey from public accounting to financial advising, highlighting his passion for helping individuals and families. Discover how his global experiences, corporate expertise, and collaborative approach are making a difference in the world of financial planning. Don't miss this engaging introduction to one of our newest team members!

Join Syl and Clint in this in-depth market recap, exploring the 2025 economic outlook, investment strategies, and key trends such as AI's transformative impact and bond market dynamics. Learn how the Federal Reserve's policies influence interest rates, the implications of inflation, and the future of equities. Gain valuable insights into navigating a momentum-driven market and preparing for potential corrections. Perfect for investors, financial advisors, and anyone keen on understanding market shifts in the coming years. 00:00 - Welcome & Introduction to Market Recap: Overview of the 2025 Market Outlook. 00:38 - Market Momentum Overview: Discussion on momentum-driven markets. 02:12 - Bond Market and Interest Rates: Changes in long-term interest rates and yield curve dynamics. 04:19 - Normalization of Interest Rates: The shift from low to more normal interest rates. 07:27 - AI: Bubble or Game Changer?: Insights on the adoption of AI and its market implications. 12:40 - Self-Driving Technology Progress: D

This episode of Gimme Some Truth is an introduction into a series exploring how people can reframe conversations about money to focus on goals, purpose, and empowerment. Financial advisors Polly Price and Alicia Vande Ven, CFP® address societal taboos, financial education gaps, and the importance of shifting discussions from numbers to achieving life goals like retirement, education, and travel. Gain insights on asking better financial questions and building confidence in managing money. #WomenAndFinance #FinancialEmpowerment #MoneyWithPurpose #FinancialConfidence #MoneyManagement

In this episode, Nate and Clint explore the challenges and benefits of embracing change, discussing why people often resist it and how to overcome it. Covering essential topics like adapting to retirement, managing life transitions, and building resilience, they share practical strategies for turning change into an opportunity for growth. Discover how to handle change in both personal and professional life, improve your mindset, and tackle daily challenges with confidence. Ideal for those preparing for retirement, facing life changes, or seeking ways to improve adaptability, this episode provides actionable insights for managing life’s big shifts. Tune in now to learn how to embrace change and use it to your advantage!

In this episode of Gimme Some Truth, we explore essential retirement planning strategies specifically designed for employees of the University of Wisconsin (UW) System and the State of Wisconsin. Discover how to maximize your 403(b) and 457(b) plans, understand the benefits of the state pension system, and make the most of your investment options with providers like TIAA and Fidelity. Check out our blog for additional insights: Our Guide to the UW System Supplemental Retirement Program - https://walknercondon.com/blog/our-guidance-on-the-uw-system-supplemental-retirement-program/ We break down: * Key Differences Between 403(b) and 457(b) Plans: Learn which plan fits your retirement goals, including tax benefits and early withdrawal options. * Maximizing Contributions: Find out how UW and state employees can contribute to multiple retirement accounts, potentially doubling tax-advantaged savings for households. * Investment Choices with TIAA and Fidelity: Explore the advantages of these standardized plans

In this video, we break down strategies to make Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) less overwhelming and more tax-efficient. If you're approaching retirement or already retired, understanding RMD rules, age requirements, and the impact on your tax bracket is essential. We cover everything from the basics of RMDs to advanced strategies for minimizing tax implications and preserving wealth. Here's what you'll learn: *What Are RMDs and Why They Matter: Get a clear understanding of Required Minimum Distributions and why they're mandated. *Current RMD Age Requirements: Learn how the Secure Act 2.0 has updated RMD ages, including options for reducing taxable income through strategies like Roth conversions. *Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs): How to donate your RMD directly to charity, avoiding taxes and supporting causes you care about. *The Tax Implications of RMDs: Understand how large RMDs can push you into higher tax brackets and how to plan for it. *Tax Diversification and Asset Location: Why bala

As 2024 comes to a close, it’s time to get your financial ducks in a row for the new year. Reviewing essential areas now can help you maximize tax efficiency, protect assets, and set up for a successful 2025. Here’s your year-end checklist to keep everything on track: Maximize Retirement Contributions – Ensure you’re making the most of 401(k), IRA, and HSA contributions. If you’re over 50, don’t forget those catch-up contributions! Review Tax and Estate Planning – Consider year-end strategies like Roth conversions, charitable donations, and estate updates to reduce taxable income. Evaluate Insurance Coverage – Double-check that your life, disability, and long-term care insurance meets your needs. Reviewing beneficiaries now can avoid future headaches. Manage Debt and Optimize Interest Rates – Look at mortgage rates, high-yield savings, and credit lines to make sure you’re getting the best rates before the new year. Update Investment Allocation – Rebalance your portfolio to align with your financial

In this episode, Nate and Clint spend some time diving into some crowdsourced questions, as we amend "Ask Me Anything (AMA)" to "Ask Us Anything (AUA)". We spend some time discussing things we have learned from our spouses, how Walkner Condon was named, and why Nate strong dislikes jeans in the office. We welcome questions for future episodes. send them along!

When the Fed cuts rates, what does it say about the economy? Does it mean we are on the cusp of a recession, or might it be a bullish signal? Nate, Clint, and Syl sit down to speak about the most recent Fed rate cut in September 2024 and also what it means in the context of prior rate cuts.

Discover more about the world of index investing in our video podcast. We dive into the history of index funds, starting with the creation of the S&P 500 and the revolutionary move by Vanguard in 1976. Learn the differences between major indexes like the Dow Jones and Russell 2000, and explore the rise of Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), which offer tax efficiency, intraday trading, and accessibility for smaller investors. We also break down key index construction methods, such as market-cap-weighted vs. equal-weighted indexes, and discuss how different approaches impact portfolio performance. Additionally, gain insights into factor indexing strategies and how modern investing has evolved beyond passive approaches, utilizing factors like size, momentum, and quality to enhance returns. This video is for anyone wanting to understand: The history and benefits of index investing How ETFs differ from mutual funds Why factor-based strategies are gaining popularity. The key differences in index construction

Polly, Clint, and Nate discuss some important factors around HSA accounts - did you know you can invest the proceeds into stocks, bonds, and funds? We discuss how HSAs have some similar properties to Roth IRAs and then an added benefit of being tax deductible on top of tax free if used for medical expenses. We also caution people how to appropriately look at HSAs in regards to balancing investments with timeframe and expected distributions.

In this episode we get to know Andrew Klein, our newest financial advisor that recently joined us at Walkner Condon. Andrew is a career changer - very briefly considered a career in education, and worked at ESPN in Madison. After pivoting to financial services, he began his career at MassMutual and focused on helping his clients with retirement income and tax planning. In his spare time he loves Wisconsin sports, playing golf, and is also a fitness instructor and fitness enthusiast.

Mitch & Alicia are in the booth discussing all things Roth: Roth IRAs, Roth 401(k)s, and Roth Conversions. They provide some background on why Roth money can be a powerful tax-advantaged tool and how it can be part of a “tax-diversified” strategy. Mitch & Alicia discuss when it makes sense for Roth retirement contributions vs. tax-deferred contributions, as well as opportunistic times when someone could consider Roth as part of their plan, whether it is a young investor, pre-retiree, or those in retirement. Not only do people use Roth strategies in their own game of tax arbitrage, but Roth is also something to consider when it comes to legacy planning for the next generation! Lastly, there are things to watch out for when making a Roth vs. tax-deferred or a Roth Conversion strategy. Take a listen to find out more.

Clint and Stan share practical advice on navigating the financial complexities of a blended family in our newest podcast episode. #BlendedFamilyTips #finance --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/walkner-condon/message

Syl Michelin and Nate Condon host an exciting economic commentary with feature guest Andrew Opdyke. Andrew is a CFA and economist for First Trust Portfolios and frequently speaks on macroeconomic topics and the current state of the markets. In this podcast, we discuss inflation and its impact on debt, the housing market, and the current health of multinational corporations. We hope that this podcast will help to provide some insight on the current state of the economy and how the Fed may navigate the remainder of 2024. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/walkner-condon/message

Polly shares her journey of selling a home to finding and buying the ideal place with Nate. This story covers the emotional rollercoaster and the complex steps of their housing journey. #RealEstateJourney --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/walkner-condon/message