Apr152025

Flex or Finance? The Truth About Investing in Luxury Collectibles

Case Study, Featured, Personal Finance

“Henssler Money Talks” hosts Nick Antonucci, CVA, CEPA, Director of Research, and Managing Associates K.C. Smith, CFP®, CEPA, and D.J. Barker, CWS®, answer the question, “Can you fund your retirement by selling Air Jordans?” It’s been reported that Hermès Birkin bags have averaged a 14.2% annual increase, outperforming the S&P 500—but are they truly investments? We explore the world of alternative investments in collectibles, including designer handbags, sneakers, cars, fine art, baseball cards, and more. Should these luxury items be part of your portfolio?

Apr12025

Understanding Tariffs: Costs, Consequences, and the Bigger Picture

Case Study, Economy/Stock Market, Featured

Watching the tariff war shift from day to day can give investors whiplash. On Henssler Money Talks, Nick Antonucci, CVA, CEPA, Director of Research, along with Managing Associates K.C. Smith, CFP®, CEPA, and D.J. Barker, CWS®, discuss what tariffs are, their potential impact on businesses and consumers, and the administration’s broader economic strategy. Are tariffs simply a tax on consumers, or are they a tool to encourage domestic production and strengthen the economy?

Mar252025

10 Years, 10% Returns: The Strategy That Outlasts Most Market Cycles

Case Study, Featured, Investment Selection, Personal Finance

Imagine being relatively confident that when you need to sell your investments for liquidity, the market would be up! On “Henssler Money Talks,” Nick Antonucci, CVA, CEPA, Director of Research, and Managing Associates K.C. Smith, CFP®, CEPA, and D.J. Barker, CWS®, explain our Henssler Ten Year Rule strategy, which allows investors to stay invested in the market through thick and thin. By securing 10 years of liquidity in fixed-income investments, investors can avoid selling stocks at a loss and give their portfolio time to recover, thus waiting out a down market.

Mar182025

Hot Trends or Lasting Value? The Truth About Thematic Investing

Case Study, Featured, Investment Selection

From AI to GameStop to marijuana stocks, thematic investing has driven some of the hottest market trends in the last five years—but are these themes still delivering? The “Henssler Money Talks” show hosts Nick Antonucci, CVA, CEPA, Director of Research, and Managing Associates K.C. Smith, CFP®, CEPA, and D.J. Barker, CWS®, look back at momentous investment fads, how they’ve performed, and what investors can learn from the hype cycles.

Mar112025

Riding Out the Storm: How to Handle Market Declines

Case Study, Economy/Stock Market, Featured, Investment Selection, Personal Finance

The “Henssler Money Talks” show hosts Nick Antonucci, CVA, CEPA, Director of Research, and Managing Associates K.C. Smith, CFP®, CEPA, and D.J. Barker, CWS®, discuss the market’s volatility. Despite only being down 5% from the all-time high, many investors want to pull back their equity exposure as emotions drive their decision-making. We’ll break down recency bias from the past two stellar market years and why short-term swings shouldn’t dictate long-term strategy. We look at how the Henssler Ten Year Rule helps in these market conditions and why investing in high-quality companies can make a difference.

Mar42025

The Personal Finance Lessons Behind America’s Sovereign Wealth Fund Debate

Case Study, Economy/Stock Market, Featured, Personal Finance

The “Henssler Money Talks” show hosts Nick Antonucci, CVA, CEPA, Director of Research, and Managing Associates K.C. Smith, CFP®, CEPA, and D.J. Barker, CWS®, explore the idea circulating in Washington of creating a sovereign wealth fund for the United States. They examine the potential benefits and drawbacks, including how such a fund could support infrastructure development for key industries like semiconductors and artificial intelligence, and concerns that politically driven investments could distort market valuations.

Feb182025

The Best Time of Year to Take Your RMD? It Depends on Your Goals

Case Study, Featured, New Year/End of Year, Retirement

The “Henssler Money Talks” show hosts Nick Antonucci, CVA, CEPA, Director of Research, and Managing Associates K.C. Smith, CFP®, CEPA, and D.J. Barker, CWS®, answered key questions from seniors about required minimum distributions (RMDs)—specifically, whether it’s better to take them at the beginning of the year, spread them out over time, or wait until year-end.

Feb112025

The Hidden Perks of a Financial Adviser: Spotting Scams Before They Happen

Case Study, Cybersecurity, Featured, Personal Finance

The “Henssler Money Talks” show hosts Nick Antonucci, CVA, CEPA, Director of Research, and Managing Associates K.C. Smith, CFP®, CEPA, and D.J. Barker, CWS®, discuss relationship investment scams, offering advice on warning signs to watch for and how working with a trusted financial adviser can help protect against these and other financial threats.