Have questions about your finances or investments? We’re here to help.
“Ask Mark & Laura” is our series dedicated to answering your most pressing financial questions. Follow us on social media, where we break down one listener’s question into simple, actionable insights. You can also scroll down to see past videos answering your questions. We look forward to hearing from you!
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Past Videos
E19: How do I know my advisor is actually looking out for me?
Mark & Laura discuss how to align your portfolio with your ethical values without sacrificing the long-term growth you need for a secure retirement.
E18: Meet Laura Jocius – Why her unique journey from the ground up benefits our clients every day.
Get to know Laura Jocius, VP of Thornwood Financial, and learn how her unique path through every level of the firm benefits our clients every day.
E17: Meet Mark Huber – Why a bad experience with a broker led him to start Thornwood Financial.
Get to know Mark Huber, President of Thornwood Financial, and the story of how Main Street values drive our independent approach to picking stocks.
E16: How can I protect myself from tax uncertainty? What should I do if tax rates go up?
Mark & Laura discuss how to prepare for future tax hikes using Roth strategies and efficient income streams to protect your retirement savings.
E15: How do I evaluate whether my financial advisor is doing a good job or not?
Mark & Laura explain why systematic progress and clear benchmarks are better indicators of a quality advisor than just looking at your returns.
E14: What should young adults do to start investing? How can I set my kids up for success?
Learn how the magic of compound interest and early discipline can set the next generation on a path toward lifelong financial freedom.
E13: Should I add cryptocurrency to my portfolio? Is it a paradigm shift or just gambling?
Mark & Laura break down the difference between fundamental investing and speculative hype, helping you manage expectations for crypto holdings.
E12: Should I invest in long-term care insurance? How can I protect my family from future costs?
Mark & Laura discuss modern long-term care strategies designed to protect your retirement savings from the highest emotional and financial risks.
E11: What should I consider before selling my rental property? Are there ways to avoid the tax bill?
Mark & Laura explain how tools like 1031 exchanges and DSTs can help you sell your rental property while deferring capital gains taxes for life.
E10: What are investments besides stocks and bonds? How can I protect myself from market highs?
Mark & Laura introduce the Endowment Model of investing, using non-correlated assets to build a portfolio that can weather any market storm.
E9: Does my life insurance policy need a check-up? How do I know if it’s still working for me?
Learn how to review your life insurance under the hood to ensure your policy stays healthy and provides the benefits your family actually needs.
E8: Why should I work with a financial advisor when I can just do it myself?
Mark & Laura share the real value of an advisor: navigating the tax landmines and emotional traps that DIY index fund investing can’t fix.
E7: I have old 401(k)s from previous jobs—should I move them to my new employer’s plan?
Mark & Laura discuss why rolling old 401(k)s into an IRA can offer better control, more investment tools, and protection against market dips.
E6: Should I pay cash for my new car or finance it? Which is better for my long-term goals?
Mark & Laura explain why the best car-buying decision often comes down to liquidity and emotion rather than just interest rate math.
E5: What is an in-service withdrawal, and can it help me protect my 401(k) before I retire?
Discover how the hidden in-service withdrawal feature can allow you to diversify your savings and mitigate risk before you even retire.
E4: I have a Target Date Fund—should I move my money into something more specialized?
Learn why set it and forget it target date funds can leave you exposed to market risk and when specialized management can offer better protection.
E3: Are all annuities ‘bad’? Why is there so much negativity about them online?
Mark & Laura cut through the internet noise to explain when annuities can be a powerful tool for generating guaranteed retirement income.
E2: Is my 401(k) on track? How do I know if I’ve saved enough for the future?
Mark & Laura explain how to calculate what you actually need for retirement and how to avoid the ‘sneaky’ tax traps in common 401(k) plans.
E1: How do I know my advisor is actually looking out for me? (The CFP vs. Fiduciary Debate)
What’s the real difference between a Fiduciary and a CFP? Mark & Laura break down financial jargon and how to find an advisor with wisdom you can trust.
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