Walkner Condon Financial Advisors

"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

When we last saw the Madison real estate market from a realtor's perspective – this episode with Matt Winzenried in June – things were looking red hot, what we dubbed the 'Mad' real estate market. So, as the weather begins to cool and we head toward winter, we thought it'd be a good time to check back in on how things are going in Madison. Charlie Wills from Charlie Wills Team Real Estate Partners and Ryan Smith from Guild Mortgage join Nate to discuss the trends of late from both a buying/selling and lending perspective. Unlike last winter, this one is shaping up to be a bit more of the usual seasonal slowdown, according to Charlie and Ryan, as things trend back toward normal for the first time in what feels like forever. They explain the importance of being prepared, regardless of when you're trying to buy or sell; why waiting could cost you; and that there really are homes that have been on the market for more than 10 days.  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/walkner-condon/me

For the second time in the last month, Nate and Keith are together in the booth to draw parallels between the game of golf and investing. With the Ryder Cup in Wisconsin, and after a year of waiting because of the pandemic, golf was certainly top of mind for many across the state, and the country, in the last week. And while Europe has dominated the U.S. as of late in the Ryder Cup, it was the Americans that came out on top this time through.  For Nate and Keith, this was almost too easy of an analogy tied to the old adage of investing: Past performance is not indicative of future results. Not only does that comparison hold up on the surface, but it also goes deeper to how each of the respective teams was structured – with Europe electing for the tried and tested players and the U.S. going for selections that could be considered more of emerging market-type picks. Nate and Keith launch into the subject and cover lots of the course when it comes to investing, guarding against risk, and avoiding the l

Formerly the UW Tax-Sheltered Annuity (TSA) 403(b) Program, the UW 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Program (SRP) has recently undergone a name change along with several other changes. With more than 24,000 faculty and staff, UW-Madison is easily one of the largest employers in Dane County – the largest non-government employer in Dane County is UW Health with 9,938 employers, according to In Business Magazine's September issue – so these changes stand to impact plenty of people. Clint and Mitch sit down to discuss the changes known so far, what impact they could have on UW System employees, and action steps that might be on the horizon. They set the stage by covering the basics of 403(b) plans, another way for employees to save for their retirement by investing a piece of their compensation. Are you employed outside of the UW System but have a 403(b) plan? This episode provides some helpful insight into the plans and how they function.  Are you a UW System employee with questions? Feel free to se

Even while watching golf, it's difficult for Nate's mind to not drift toward how the sport might have parallels with investing and financial planning. So it should come as no surprise that after watching this past weekend's 2021 BMW Championship, which saw Patrick Cantlay edge Bryson DeChambeau in a six-hole playoff, Nate had styles of investing on his mind, connected to the opposing styles of Cantlay and DeChambeau. Nate is joined in the booth by Keith Poniewaz – another golf fanatic and member of Walkner Condon's team of U.S. expat financial advisors – to break down the match, and, more importantly, discuss why taking a piece from each style is important as an investor.  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/walkner-condon/message

It seems like it'd be an obvious answer to the main question posed by the title of this podcast. But the truth is, we hear a number of different reasons when it comes to prospective clients describing why they're seeking out a financial advisor. For some, it's simply because a family member has one, and so it feels like the right path to follow. Some turn to an advisor after a large life event. And there are others who simply want the peace of mind of having a guiding hand when it comes to something as important as finances.  In this episode, Nate, one of the founding partners of Walkner Condon, and Mitch, a Certified Financial Planner, discuss three common overarching reasons for hiring a financial advisor. And while it's never an ideal situation to have to terminate your financial advisor, Nate and Mitch also cover the three thematic red flags that should alert you to a potential need for a new one.  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/walkner-condon/message

As we approach August and the start of college, many incoming freshmen are putting a lot of thought into what their major – or majors – might be. Some have known for years what they want their degree to be, while others may take several more years, and several declarations of majors, to settle on the one they feel is right. In this episode of Gimme Some Truth, we revisit a topic that we've covered previously on the podcast to view it from a different angle, the perspective of a parent with college-aged children. Walkner Condon's Jonathon Jordan, who graduated from James Madison University with a degree in biotechnology, compares his own experience with how he's experienced the big degree decision from a different vantage point.  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/walkner-condon/message

This week's guest on Gimme Some Truth is Eric Skjervem, who works in sales for MacDonald & Owen Lumber Company, a national lumber company with locations in Wisconsin, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania. With the price of lumber soaring to hard-to-fathom heights over the last several months, many of us have heard accounts of how that skyrocketing price of lumber has impacted people building new homes or remodeling their current homes. Though the price of lumber has cooled off slightly over recent weeks, Eric provides some context, numbers, and stories from inside the industry. In a brief aside, he also tells us about the annual Lumber Convention, which is, to Nate's surprise, more than just a collection of people that look like Paul Bunyan. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/walkner-condon/message

Anyone buying or selling a house in Madison – and likely even those who aren't – knows that the residential real estate market has been hot. But are we in the midst of a Madison housing bubble or is this trend here to stay? Nate, who has a strong background in real estate, and Mitch welcome Associate Broker Matt Winzenried from Matt Winzenried Real Estate Partners back onto the podcast to discuss the latest in Madison real estate. Together, they examine how things have unfolded over the last year, trends on both the buying and selling sides, and the difficult question of whether or not you should forgo that inspection.   --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/walkner-condon/message

Tim Sugar, from Fiduciary Partners, joins Clint & Mitch in the booth to discuss corporate trustees. Many people (naturally) designate a family member as a trustee to administer a trust, not knowing that a corporate trustee was an option. Tim explains when it makes sense to entertain hiring a professional for trust administration and some of the pitfalls that can be avoided from doing so. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/walkner-condon/message