Walkner Condon Financial Advisors

There’s a new face – and voice – here at Walkner Condon. In this installment of Gimme Some Truth, we get to know Alicia Vande Ven, the newest fee-only financial advisor on our team that works with clients locally in the Madison area (and around the country).  Alicia has quite the background – from working in Human Resources at Epic Systems in Madison, owning a homemade candle business, becoming a financial advisor, and being the parents of three kids. And outside of work, as she likes to put it, she enjoys being outdoors just as much as being indoors. Find out more about what makes her a self-proclaimed geek with a tan, what one of her favorite parts of financial planning is (hint: death and [blank]), and what drove her to go down the path of becoming an advisor. LINKS Alicia's Bio Watch on YouTube Walkner Condon's YouTube Channel Contact Us Meet with an Advisor --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/walkner-condon/message

After hosting our State of the Market Webinar on July 13, we thought it important to cover similar subjects from that webinar in a more condensed, audio-friendly fashion.  Nate Condon and Clint Walkner team up to explore trends in the market through the first half of 2022. They go over year-to-date stocks and bonds performance – plus a look back on stocks and bonds – treasuries and mortgages, inflation, the inverted yield curve, and more.  Questions, comments, or anything else you'd like us to cover on the markets so far in 2022? Don't hesitate to reach out to us via email at podcast@walknercondon.com. LINKS Watch on YouTube Watch State of the Market Webinar State of the Market Presentation Slides Walkner Condon's YouTube Channel Contact Us Meet with an Advisor --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/walkner-condon/message

After somehow finding themselves in a somewhat brief 10-minute aside about Kraft Mac & Cheese, Taco Bell, Disneyland, and waterparks, Clint Walkner and Nate Condon dive into another installment of their journey of going from working in the Broker-Dealer (BD) space to owning and operating a Fee-Only Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) firm.  In this episode of B-D to Fee-Only RIA, Clint and Nate focus on scaling in terms of staffing, spacing, and technology. After starting as just Nate and Clint for the first five years, Walkner Condon grew to a third advisor in 2017 and a fourth advisor in 2018. The trend of adding an advisor for a third consecutive year in 2019, with the addition of Keith Poniewaz, who was the first member of Walkner Condon's team of U.S. expat financial advisors. Then in 2020, the firm grew by two advisors – both of whom joined the expat team – as well as the firm's first full-time marketing staff member. In four years, Walkner Condon had gone from three total staff membe

Like many episodes of Gimme Some Truth, this one on liability was developed from lots of advanced legwork, methodically sculpted until it reached its culmination at the time of recording. Well, that's not quite true. Clint Walkner – one of the founding partners of Walkner Condon – shared a personal anecdote about his own liability coverage a few minutes before the scheduled recording, and it snowballed from there. But, nonetheless, it's an important subject, with an actionable ending for you, the listener, from Clint. So, what would happen if your home burned down tomorrow? If you're a household employer, what if your nanny took a tumble down the stairs of your deck and broke their leg? While these are just hypothetical, there is a chance that these situations – or a version of them – could happen. And the last thing you want is to be left holding the proverbial bag when your coverage isn't sufficient. And in light of recent events – in particular, the increase in home values as well as home renovat

"With chaos, comes opportunities." What we often hear from clients and prospective clients in times of market downturn is something along the lines of, "Should I still stay invested? Or should I wait until things smooth out and re-enter later? While we certainly understand the sentiment behind wanting to get out when things are going poorly, the statistics tell a different story, especially when it comes to the proximity of the best and worst days. As Syl Michelin, CFA, alludes to in the episode – the quote featured above – some of the best days come during periods of higher volatility like we're in now. Syl is joined by Walkner Condon co-founder Clint Walkner, as well as Keith Poniewaz – a member of our team of U.S. expat financial advisors – to go deeper into the conversation of time in the market vs. timing the market. While we've dedicated some materials to this subject recently, we wanted to have a more in-depth conversation on the subject in light of how 2022 has unfolded in the markets,

Thinking of starting your own independent Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) Firm? Or maybe mulling a move from one of the big wirehouses to an RIA? A few years back (circa 2019), the co-founders of Walkner Condon Financial Advisors – Nate Condon and Clint Walkner – sat down on Gimme Some Truth to discuss their journey from the Broker-Dealer world to the independent RIA space. Now, it's been 10 years since Nate and Clint first opened the doors to their financial planning firm. Plenty has happened in the last few years alone, much less the last 10. In this bonus episode of GST, Nate and Clint circle back on that first conversation from a few years ago, discussing some of the more recent challenges faced as founding partners of an RIA. This conversation – one of several episodes to come over the next few months about starting an RIA – centers around the idea of staffing and firm culture. As Nate and Clint discuss, hiring the right staff and retaining them has continued to be a challenge throughout the life of

We've covered Exchange-Traded Funds – commonly referred to as ETFs – in myriad ways on Gimme Some Truth previous to this episode. But we've never truly dedicated an episode to ETFs. So this is us doing exactly that, zooming out to go over the basics of ETFs, their history, how they compare with mutual funds, and more. Mitch DeWitt, MBA, and Jonathon Jordan, CEPA – two of the three Certified Financial Planner™ professionals in the Walkner Condon office – sit down to cover an introductory look at ETFs, including how Mitch is, in fact, slightly older than the first established ETF, SPDRs (Ticker: SPY), but too young to understand the wonders of listening to Poison on cassette with a Walkman – unlike Jonathon.  A key part of the conversation involves contrasting ETFs with mutual funds, where Jonathon brings to the fore a great analogy involving piloting. And the subject of investing in ETFs vs. individual stocks also surfaces the idea of time in the market vs. trying to time the market, a common th

"It's kind of like the track runner that's getting started, gets his feet in the blocks, and then tumbles and falls down. That's pretty much what bonds are this year."  Not only is Clint's imagery very descriptive at the outset of this episode (he must've aced high school English class), but it's also quite accurate in terms of how the bond market has fared to open 2022. Many investors have bonds as at least a small part of their portfolio's holdings. But while bonds are typically viewed as a less risky investment with less volatility than things like individual stocks, they have certainly not been above the rough road in the markets, more broadly speaking, to open the year.  In this episode, Clint and Nate cover some important ground on bonds – why bonds go down in value when interest rates go up, why they've been a hot topic so far this year, and why the duration of bonds matters. As always, Clint comes prepared with a chart on the year-to-date returns of bonds, a link which you can also find in o

"Did anything work in the first quarter?" That poignant question posed by Syl Michelin, a Chartered Financial Analyst, to open this episode is more or less the underlying sentiment three months into 2022. But although it feels like the first quarter was an all-around flop, there were some things that worked from an investment standpoint in the opening stanza of the year. Syl and Stan Farmer, CFP® – one of Syl's counterparts from Walkner Condon's team of U.S. expat financial advisors – recap their main takeaways from the first quarter, the role of commodities, the impact of international conflict, and more.  LINKS Watch on YouTube Walkner Condon's YouTube Channel Contact Us --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/walkner-condon/message

"You're not going to take deliveries of oil and store them in your basement." So if you're not buying and selling barrels of oil and holding them at your house, which Syl Michelin points out as a rather cumbersome commodity investing option, how do you invest in commodities as an everyday investor? And what does that look like? While we've neglected to cover commodities on the podcast previously, it's been discussed more and more because of inflation, rising oil prices in early 2022, and a higher interest rate environment. Clint Walkner – a commodities auditor in a previous life and co-founder of Walkner Condon Financial Advisors – converses with Syl, our resident in-house CFA, about all things commodities. They cover commodities' role in a portfolio, how you might get exposure to them if you're not purchasing the raw material itself, and, of course, the fascinating periodic table of commodities. Questions about anything related to commodities or specific parts of our conversation? Let us know by sending us a

With all the negative news lately, it can feel like a daunting, uphill climb to find the positive pieces of information on a day-to-day basis. So instead of discussing inflation, the financial impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, or any of the other myriad topics in the news cycle, we decided to shake things up on this edition of Gimme Some Truth and talk about – well, nothing. More specifically, Nate and Clint (along with our mostly trusty producer, Dan) cover the development of this very podcast from its early days to future hopes of venturing into the video – or maybe metaverse – realm, the worst Batman, how Culvers is the Kwik Trip of fast food, MEATER® Sticks, the longest-lasting plant in our office, and more. Hopefully, you can find something enjoyable in this episode. And for those who stick around all the way until the end, there might be something special to reward your dedication to Gimme Some Truth. For those looking for financial and investing topics to dive into, we have you covered

Maybe you've thought about how you might invest more sustainably, responsibly, or equitably. Or maybe you've actually heard the term 'ESG' or 'ESG' investing. Regardless of whether you fall into one of those camps, or even if you haven't thought much about sustainable investing (regular investing can be complicated enough, as it is), it has certainly been a burgeoning area within investing over the last few years. Google Trends shows it as recently hitting its peak search interest – a 100 on a 100-point scale – in October 2021. Mitch DeWitt, CFP®, MBA, is joined by Keith Poniewaz, Ph.D. – a member of Walkner Condon's team of U.S. expat financial advisors – to explain and explore the basics of ESG investing, which is sometimes called SRI – Socially Responsible Investing.  As Mitch and Keith explain, ESG investing isn't as simple as picking one 'ESG' fund and singlehandedly saving the planet. In fact, one fund might have completely different ESG ratings based on who is doing the rating, some

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Whoops, off by a few months there. It's not, in fact, the most wonderful time of the year because it's – drumroll, please – tax season. Sorry, Andy Williams, your catchy holiday tune is no good here. But as dreadful as tax time can be, it's still an important part of any financial situation. Whether you withheld too much and you're about to get a veritable pile of cash from Uncle Sam, or you did the opposite, and you're on the verge of forking over a chunk of change, there are myriad factors at play and tidbits to be aware of.  That's where Mitch DeWitt, CFP®, MBA, and Jonathon Jordan, CFP®, CEPA, come into play. Two of Walkner Condon's financial advisors sat down to discuss the key themes to keep in mind this tax season. And even if you've already filed, the knowledge dropped in this episode could prove valuable to your situation – or perhaps someone you know. After all, it takes a village. That phrase works here, right? And while it's admittedly

On the heels of releasing our second annual Market & Investment Outlook Guide, we brought our resident Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®), Syl Michelin, into the studio to dissect his piece, and the last year, and look forward to what 2022 may have in store. Walkner Condon co-founders Nate Condon and Clint Walkner – who also jump-started this very podcast – weigh in with their thoughts, incorporating each of their pieces from the guide. (Nate wrote on index funds, while Clint covered how it only gets harder from here). If you have any questions about how the markets have started the year, inflation, interest rates, or anything else, feel free to send us a voice message on Spotify or drop us an email (podcast@walknercondon.com). LINKS Watch - YouTube 2022 Market & Investment Outlook Guide --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/walkner-condon/message

There are many year-end memes floating around the internet – those who frequent social media apps like Twitter, Instagram, or Reddit know what we're talking about – referencing how painstakingly long, yet shockingly short, 2021 has felt (seriously, the stuck boat was this year?). It does feel like the last year (or two) has been condensed into a flash; while at times, it has felt like time has stopped. But like it or not, 2022 is bearing down on us. And reflecting on the last 12 months, and looking ahead with anticipation, or dread, to the next 12 months, is a natural part of this yearly territory in which we currently find ourselves.  So as cliché as New Year's resolutions might be (new year, new me!), they're not going anywhere, unlike the folks who commit to going to the gym for the first week of the New Year before giving up (sounds like a certain Gimme Some Truth podcast editor). We figured we'd lean right into the New Year's resolution talk, re-framing them and applying them to our financ

Taking the next step in a relationship – cohabitation, marriage, domestic partnership –  comes with plenty of new challenges, even for the dynamic of the relationship alone. But moving in together, or moving into new legal territory, can also change how the relationship functions in terms of finances. Who pays what bills? Do we have a joint account for some things? Or is there one account for everything? And what would happen if the relationship ends? Having a FICO® score as a dating app field is a bit far-fetched, but not finding out about key financial facts until that next relationship step takes place could also prove problematic. And while our financial advisors are not relationship advisors by any means, they have seen quite a few options when it comes to managing finances in a relationship. Financial advisors Nate Condon and Mitch DeWitt, CFP®, MBA, are joined by U.S. expat advisor Stan Farmer, CFP®, J.D., to explore how finances function within couples. Just like relationships come in differ

With lots of traveling time coming up as we approach the holiday season – and perhaps some additional indoor time for those of us in wintery climes – we thought it'd be a great opportunity to transform this episode into a mini-book club of sorts.  While the phrase 'finance book' may conjure up thoughts of a thick college textbook printed in a six-point font, we can assure you that these recommendations from Clint and Nate are far from that type of finance. Walkner Condon Financial Advisors' founding partners each share their top three books related to business, investing, or money, which includes a very obvious choice and several other choices that are a bit more nuanced. If you're looking for something to dig into over the holidays, or you're just in need of a new read, we'd highly suggest these.  Have you already read one or more of our suggestions? Or is your favorite book in this genre not on our list? Let us know by answering the Q&A in Spotify or send us a message (info@walknercondon.

Christmas music is on the radio, which means we're somewhere between Halloween and New Year’s Eve. But before we get to the end of the year and start thinking about some New Year's resolutions, there's still some time left to make sure your 2021 to-do items are checked off, and that includes your financial to-do list. After a long absence on the podcast – somehow almost two months! – Mitch is back on the airwaves with Nate to cover the top items to have on your financial radar as we wrap up 2021. From Required Minimum Distributions – spoiler: they're back in 2021 after a year hiatus – to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to realizing losses on investments, we cover a lot of ground to make sure there's a little something for everyone. 'Tis the giving season, after all. Questions on what we covered? Or wondering about something else we didn't go over? Drop us a voice message below or send us an email: info@walknercondon.com. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/walkner-condon/message

In a moment, the real reason you came here for this episode: Cryptocurrency. For now, a brief aside (in the style of a choose-your-own-adventure novel, you may skip past the next paragraph if you wish to get to the meat of the podcast).  For those who recall our conversation – this podcast – on holiday lighting from last year (and the lengths one should or should not go to decorate their home), you may remember Clint saying he was dead set against paying a company to do it for him. Even if you don't remember, we dredged up the audio files to serve Clint the words he uttered not so long ago, as he prepares to use a company to decorate his house for the holidays this year. But in the true spirit of Walkner Condon's commitment to transparency (and the fact that he was called out by a loyal listener), Clint owns up to his misguided judgement and presents the apology track within the podcast.  And now, for the regularly scheduled programming – cryptocurrency. With Bitcoin trading more than four time

There is a preponderance of Baby Boomers who have turned 65 over the last decade. About 10,000 Baby Boomers have hit the traditional retirement age milestone every day since 2011, and everyone in that generation will be 65 by 2030. And while many may be retiring, what about those who own their businesses and can't simply just ride into the sunset?  That's a difficult question and one that applies to more than just the business owners in the Baby Boomer generation. Selling or leaving a business can be a complex situation, often years in the making. In this episode, Walkner Condon's Jonathon Jordan, who recently earned the Certified Exit Planning Advisor designation and is also a CFP®, chats with fellow advisor Keith Poniewaz about everything business succession planning. Jonathon details why he decided to pursue the CEPA designation, how there's much more to selling or leaving than having the face value of your business, and what components are part of a succession plan.  --- Send in a voice messa