Impact Financial Planners Podcast | Socially Responsible Investing, Green, Values, ESG, Impact, Sustainable, Ethical Investme

Smart Gifting Strategies: How to Maximize Your Tax Deduction While Supporting Causes You Love At AIO Financial, many of our clients want to do more than just grow their wealth—they want to give back. Whether you're already supporting charitable causes or considering a donation this year, there are smart, strategic ways to give that can increase your impact and reduce your taxes. In this blog (and podcast episode), we'll explore how you can: Get a tax deduction by donating appreciated stock Satisfy your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) with a charitable gift Use a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) to bundle your giving Support high-impact, transparent charities aligned with your values Let's look at how to make your giving go further—for your community and your financial plan. Why Strategic Giving Matters With the standard deduction currently high ($14,600 for individuals and $29,200 for married couples in 2024), many people don't benefit from deducting charitable donations unless they itemize. But that doesn't mean your giving can't also help you reduce taxes. By using strategies like appreciated stock donations, QCDs, and DAFs, you can: Lower your taxable income Avoid capital gains taxes Give in a more impactful, intentional way Let's break it down.

Proxy Season 2025: How Shareholders Are Making an Impact Amid Political Pushback At AIO Financial, we specialize in helping our clients align their investments with their values through socially responsible investing (SRI). We believe in the power of the individual investor—and there's no better example of that power than proxy season, when shareholders come together to hold corporations accountable. The 2025 Proxy Preview Report, developed by As You Sow, Proxy Impact, and Empower Venture Partners, underscores how shareholder advocacy remains one of the most powerful tools we have to influence corporate behavior—even in the face of increasing political and regulatory headwinds.

The Importance of Estate Planning: Protect Your Legacy with AIO Financial Estate planning is one of the most crucial yet often overlooked aspects of financial management. Without an updated estate plan, your assets and wealth may not be distributed according to your wishes, potentially leading to unnecessary legal complications, family disputes, and even increased taxes. At AIO Financial, we recognize the importance of proactive estate planning and are committed to making the process easier for our clients. As a fee-only financial planning firm, we offer free estate planning documents through our partnership with Estately to ensure your financial legacy is protected. Why Estate Planning Matters Many people assume that estate planning is only for the wealthy or elderly, but the reality is that everyone benefits from having a plan in place. Here are some key reasons why estate planning is essential: Control Over Your Assets – Without a will or trust, the state decides how your assets are distributed, which may not align with your intentions. Protection for Your Loved Ones – A proper estate plan ensures that your family members are taken care of, especially minor children or dependents with special needs. Avoiding Probate – Probate can be a lengthy and expensive legal process. Estate planning helps streamline asset transfer and reduce legal fees. Minimizing Taxes – Strategic planning can significantly reduce estate and inheritance taxes, preserving more wealth for your beneficiaries. Healthcare and Financial Directives – A comprehensive plan includes medical directives and financial powers of attorney, ensuring your wishes are honored in case of incapacity. Specifying Guardians and Trustees for Minors – Naming a guardian ensures your minor children are cared for by a trusted person if something happens to you. A trustee can be designated to manage financial assets for their benefit until they reach adulthood. Setting Up Correct Beneficiaries on Accounts – Ensuring that all your financial accounts, including retirement plans, life insurance policies, and bank accounts, have correctly designated beneficiaries prevents delays and complications in asset distribution. Planning for the Unexpected – If both individuals in a family pass away or become incapacitated, having a clear plan in place is essential. Does a trusted person know where your estate planning documents, passwords, property deeds, financial records, and safe deposit keys are located? Ensuring that this information is accessible to the right people is crucial for a seamless transition. Free Estate Planning Documents from AIO Financial Through our collaboration with Estately, AIO Financial provides clients with access to essential estate planning documents online. These documents ensure that your estate is managed according to your wishes and provide peace of mind for you and your loved ones. The documents available include: Wills – Specify how you want your assets to be distributed and name guardians for minor children. Revocable Living Trusts – Manage your assets while you're alive and ensure a smooth transfer upon your passing, avoiding probate. Financial Power of Attorney – Designate someone to handle financial decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. Advance Healthcare Directives – Outline your medical treatment preferences and appoint a trusted individual to make healthcare decisions for you. Complex Trust Solutions – For those looking to minimize estate taxes, Estately provides advanced trust options to protect and transfer wealth efficiently. Additional Estate Planning Services with Estately In addition to providing essential estate planning documents, Estately offers deed transfer services for a flat fee of $150, ensuring that real estate assets are properly titled. If you prefer a comprehensive, attorney-led process, you can opt for a full estate planning service for a flat fee of $3,500,

Elections wield significant influence over financial markets, creating a mix of volatility and opportunity for investors. From shifting policies to economic reforms, the effects ripple across sectors, altering interest rates, currency values, and overall investor sentiment. While short-term uncertainties can disrupt the market, long-term strategies like diversification and sector-specific investments remain reliable approaches to weather the storm. Schedule a free meeting This comprehensive guide explores how elections shape the stock market, sectors poised to benefit or struggle, and how Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) provides an ethical and profitable investment pathway. How Elections Influence the Stock Market The Impact of Political Uncertainty on Market Volatility Elections, particularly U.S. presidential races, are synonymous with market volatility. Investors speculate on potential shifts in fiscal and regulatory policies, leading to heightened activity in the months leading up to Election Day. Historical data shows this trend, with increased fluctuations as markets react to polling data, debates, and policy announcements. However, it's not merely about party politics—markets respond to anticipated economic impacts, such as tax reform or trade agreements. This heightened uncertainty can present risks but also opportunities for savvy investors. Sector Rotation Based on Policy Expectations Markets often "price in" anticipated outcomes based on campaign promises. For example: Pro-business agendas with tax cuts may favor industrial and financial sectors. Environmental reforms might bolster renewable energy industries but challenge fossil fuel companies. Regardless of predictions, results often defy expectations, requiring diversified strategies to mitigate sector-specific risks. The Bond Market's Reaction to Fiscal Policy Fiscal policies—like increased spending—often lead to higher deficits, sparking inflation concerns. Rising inflation typically drives up bond yields, affecting their prices. Inflation-protected securities, such as Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS), can hedge these risks.   Case Study: Trump's Energy Sector Surprises Former President Trump's term highlights unpredictability. Despite policies favoring fossil fuels, the energy sector underperformed due to declining oil prices, a global renewable energy shift, and the pandemic's economic toll. This underscores the importance of resilience over speculation. Schedule a free meeting SRI Performance in Election Cycles SRI funds focus on ESG principles, often delivering competitive returns while aligning investments with ethical values. They favor sectors like renewable energy, technology, and, increasingly, nuclear energy.

Interview with Yasmin Bilger on Engine No. 1 ETFs and sustainable investing.

Navigating the Complexities of Caring for Elderly Parents A Balanced Approach Caring for elderly parents is both emotional and challenging, requiring careful planning, financial management, and tough decisions. My experience caring for my mother has shown me that with preparation and resilience, you can balance their needs with your own. Schedule a free meeting Caring for Elderly Parents Taking care of elderly parents is no small feat. It's a responsibility that demands not only emotional strength but also substantial financial and logistical planning. Over time, the needs of aging parents can evolve—simple assistance with daily tasks might turn into managing complex medical issues or finding suitable long-term care solutions. While providing care for our loved ones is often an act of love and respect, it can also be exhausting, both emotionally and financially. Many caregivers find themselves overwhelmed with managing appointments, medication, personal care, and even the emotional needs of their parents, all while balancing their own families and careers. Schedule a free meeting One of the most challenging aspects of elder care is coping with the emotional toll it can take. The Emotional Impact of Caring for Aging Parents Watching a parent age can bring up a whirlwind of emotions—sadness, guilt, frustration, and even a sense of helplessness. You might struggle with feelings of loss as your once-independent parent becomes increasingly reliant on your care. In my case, it's been an emotionally exhausting journey. I've had to learn to manage my feelings of guilt when I can't always be there for my mother due to work or family commitments. And yet, it's important to remember that caring for your parents doesn't mean sacrificing your own well-being. In addition to the emotional challenges, caregiving for elderly parents can bring a significant financial burden. The Financial Burden of Elder Care According to studies, the costs associated with elder care, especially in the U.S., can be overwhelming. Medical expenses, home care services, and potential long-term care facilities all add up quickly. Many families find themselves facing the difficult choice of whether to provide care themselves or seek professional help, both of which come with financial and emotional trade-offs. Understanding the financial implications early on can help you make informed decisions that benefit both your parents and yourself. Comprehensive Financial Planning for Elderly Parents One of the most important things you can do when it comes to caring for aging parents is to create a detailed financial plan. Without a proper strategy in place, you could find yourself in a situation where you're ...

Empowering Your Financial Future Financial Planners for High Net Worth Individuals High-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) require more complex and tailored financial strategies to manage their wealth effectively. With investable assets of $1 million or more, HNWIs often face unique financial challenges, from tax minimization to complex estate planning. Financial planners specializing in this niche must address these complexities to ensure wealth is not only preserved but also continues to grow across generations. By utilizing strategies that span investment diversification, risk management, and charitable giving, financial planners play a pivotal role in securing the financial future of HNWIs. Schedule a free meeting Schedule a free meeting Who Are High Net Worth Individuals? High-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) are typically categorized based on their liquid investable assets. Here's a breakdown of the general categories: High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs): Individuals with at least $1 million in investable assets. Very High Net Worth Individuals (V-HNWIs): Those with $5 million or more in investable assets. Ultra High Net Worth Individuals (U-HNWIs): Those with over $30 million in investable assets. Each category requires distinct financial planning strategies, particularly as wealth increases. The more complex a financial profile becomes, the more critical it is to engage a professional financial planner with expertise in handling substantial assets. Why Financial Planners Are Essential for HNWIs For HNWIs, the stakes are higher when it comes to managing wealth. Traditional financial advice may no longer suffice once a certain level of assets is reached. As wealth grows, so too does the complexity of managing taxes, investments, and succession planning. The role of a financial planner is to provide a customized approach that addresses the specific needs of HNWIs. Key areas include: Minimizing tax liabilities to ensure that a larger portion of income is preserved. Investment diversification to reduce risk while maximizing returns. Estate planning to ensure that wealth is passed on to future generations efficiently. Charitable giving strategies to reduce tax burdens while supporting meaningful causes. Thematic Investing Align Your Portfolio with Your Values Schedule a free meeting  Tax Minimization for High Net Worth Individuals For HNWIs, minimizing taxes is key to wealth preservation. With high-income brackets and complex tax scenarios, strategic planning can reduce liabilities and enhance wealth retention.  Tax-Deferred Accounts HNWIs should continue maximizing tax-deferred accounts like 401(k)s and explore advanced options such as deferred compensation plans or cash balance pension plans for higher contributions.  Charitable Giving Charitable vehicles like Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) and Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs) provide im...

Interview with Yasmin Bilger on Engine No. 1 ETFs and sustainable investing.

A detailed guide on understanding inheritance for effective financial planning.

Introducing the AIO Financial Retirement Planner App: Empower Your Financial Future Welcome to a new era in retirement planning with the AIO Financial Retirement Planner App! At AIO Financial, a fee-only financial advisory firm, we are thrilled to introduce a groundbreaking tool that revolutionizes the way you plan for retirement. Our new app is meticulously designed with a suite of comprehensive features that not only project your retirement finances but also help you craft a detailed long-term spending plan, perfectly tailored to your unique financial circumstances. Getting Started is Simple Accessing the app couldn't be easier. Just visit our website at aiofinancial.com and head to the 'Resources' section. Here's what you need to do next: Registration: New to AIO Financial? Get started by registering with your email and a password. You'll then be guided to fill in your personal and financial details. Login: Already part of our community? Simply log in with your existing credentials to discover new features and access your data. Key Features to Explore Our Retirement Planner App is versatile, designed to meet the diverse needs of both individuals and couples planning their future together. Dive into the features: Enter Personal and Financial Information: Add comprehensive details such as assets, debts, income, and expenses. Define your status, date of birth, desired retirement age, and life expectancy for a customized experience. Customization Options: Tailor your financial projections with adjustable growth rates for assets, select from various account types, and manage tax considerations for both deferred and taxable accounts. Scenario Analysis: Experiment with different financial variables like inflation rates and tax implications to gauge their impact on your financial health over the long haul. Deep Dive into Your Financial Future The app empowers you to: Input Detailed Financial Data: Covering everything from real estate to personal property, enter the current market values and project future growth. Plan for Debts and Income: Input critical details such as mortgage rates and expected retirement income, including Social Security benefits. Manage Expenses and Savings: Thoroughly outline both your current and future expenses and dictate how surplus income is managed, whether saved or spent. Viewing and Reporting Capabilities Visual Projections: Monitor the growth of your assets over time and see how various plan adjustments might influence your financial outcomes. Detailed Financial Reports: Generate and download in-depth reports in Excel format, showing all assumptions and projected results for meticulous analysis. Why Choose AIO Financial? We believe that exceptional financial planning should be within everyone's reach, which is why our app is completely free. Explore its extensive features and discover how it can assist you in securing a stable and satisfying retirement. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we're here to address any questions you may have. Connect with us through our website to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your financial aspirations. The AIO Financial Retirement Planner App isn't just a tool—it's your partner in navigating the future. Whether you're calculating how much you need for a comfortable retirement or exploring various retirement scenarios, our app is here to guide you every step of the way. Join us at AIO Financial, where your financial independence is our utmost priority. Download the app today and begin your journey to the retirement you truly deserve! #RetirementPlanning #FinancialFreedom #AIOFinancial #FeeOnlyAdvisors #FinancialPlanning #RetirementApp #InvestSmart #PlanForTheFuture #FinancialGoals #MoneyManagement #FreeFinancialTools

Shareholder Advocacy in 2024: Steering Companies Towards a Better Future In 2024, advocates have been active, presenting over 527 resolutions that touch on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues for the proxy season. This shows a slight decrease from the 536 proposals of the previous year. Yet, the commitment to influencing positive change in corporations remains strong. Despite this commitment, there's been a noticeable decline in support for these initiatives. Major asset managers have scaled back their backing, influenced by various factors including legal challenges and shifts in the economic landscape affecting energy costs. However, it's worth noting that resolutions aimed at enhancing corporate social responsibility still gather more support compared to those against it. Even though the enthusiasm has slightly diminished from past years, the drive for social responsibility persists. The Importance of Shareholder Resolutions Shareholder resolutions have emerged as a vital mechanism for advocating for corporate accountability, especially on pressing issues like climate change and social justice. Although the path has been rocky recently, these resolutions continue to serve as a crucial avenue for shareholders to express their concerns and engage with corporate boards. Through these engagements, shareholders have been able to bring about significant changes in corporate policies and practices, aligning them more closely with societal values and sustainability goals. Despite the challenges faced, the impact of these resolutions cannot be underestimated. Navigating the Landscape The 2024 proxy season reveals the complex dynamics at play in shareholder advocacy. The cautious stance of some major asset managers, combined with economic pressures and geopolitical tensions, has added new challenges to promoting ESG principles. Still, the persistence of shareholders in advocating for ESG initiatives demonstrates a strong commitment to pushing for more sustainable and responsible business operations. Advocacy in Action: Case Studies and Strategies Efforts by shareholders have led to noteworthy corporate transformations, including commitments to environmental sustainability, improvements in labor practices, and greater board diversity. These successes highlight the effective strategies employed by shareholders, such as forming coalitions and engaging in direct dialogues with companies. These strategies, alongside leveraging legal channels and collaborating with institutional investors, have amplified the impact of shareholder advocacy, leading to tangible changes in corporate behavior. Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities Facing forward, shareholder advocates encounter both hurdles and potential growth areas. Opposition to ESG principles, particularly from certain political and legal quarters, poses significant challenges. Yet, advancements in technology and evolving regulatory landscapes present opportunities for further embedding ESG considerations into corporate and investment strategies. Conclusion: The Path Forward The journey of shareholder advocacy is a testament to both its achievements and the challenges that remain. The insights from the 2024 proxy season underscore the importance of perseverance, collaboration, and adaptability in the face of adversity. By deepening engagement with ESG principles across all levels - shareholders, corporations, and the broader public - we move closer to a future where businesses operate in harmony with sustainability, equity, and good governance goals. Together, we can continue to influence positive change, ensuring a more responsible and sustainable corporate landscape for generations to come.

Take Charge of Your Finances with Our New Budgeting App Welcome to the world of simple budgeting! Gone are the days when managing your finances was a complex, tedious task. Our new app, designed for everyone from budgeting rookies to pros, transforms the way you handle your money. It's time to show your money who's boss - and yes, that's you! Creating a Budget: Easy Peasy: Our app demystifies the budgeting process with a straightforward, five-step approach. Whether you're dealing with a fixed income or a fluctuating one, our app helps you list and understand your earnings. It's not just about numbers; it's about making those numbers work for you. Transaction Tracking: Know Your Spending: Tracking every penny might sound overwhelming, but not with our app. We make it easy to log every transaction, providing you with a clear picture of where your money is going. This feature isn't just about record-keeping; it's a tool for financial awareness and empowerment. Planning for the Future: Future-proof your finances with our app's forward-thinking tools. From setting up an emergency fund to planning big purchases, our app guides you in making smart saving decisions. It's about being prepared for whatever life throws at you, financially speaking. Debt Management: A Smarter Approach: Tackling debt can feel like an uphill battle, but our app introduces an efficient strategy: the Debt Snowball Method. By organizing your debts and focusing on paying them off one by one, you'll find managing and eliminating debt more achievable than ever. Staying on Track and Motivated: Budgeting is a marathon, not a sprint. Our app is packed with motivational features and tips to keep you focused on your financial goals. We understand that everyone needs a little encouragement now and then, and our app is here to provide just that. Educational Content: Our app isn't just a tool; it's a learning platform. With resources like the Irregular Income Planning form and other educational guides, you'll gain the knowledge to make informed financial decisions. We believe in empowering our users, not just providing them with an app. User Experience: Designed for You: We've crafted an app that's not only functional but also user-friendly. The intuitive design and customizable features ensure that budgeting feels less like a chore and more like a part of your daily routine. Join the Budgeting Revolution: Ready to take control of your financial future? Access our app today and start your journey towards financial freedom. Go to https://aiofinancial.com/login/ and create an account.  Conclusion: Budgeting doesn't have to be a struggle. With our new app, managing your finances can be a straightforward, rewarding process. We're excited to be a part of your financial journey and can't wait to hear about your successes. Got questions or feedback? We're all ears!

Investing in green energy involves investing in companies that generate energy from renewable sources. These sources include solar, wind, hydropower, biomass, geothermal, and marine energy. Investing in green energy can support the development of clean and sustainable energy solutions. It can also help reduce dependence on fossil fuels, mitigate the impacts of climate change, and foster economic growth and job creation in the clean energy sector. Renewable energy has outperformed fossil fuel over the last 10 years, generating returns of 192.3% compared to 97.2%. In the past 5 years, renewable energy investments have continued to yield higher returns and have been less volatile than fossil fuel portfolios. Why Green Energy is Thriving: Climate Change and Environmental Consciousness: The global effort to combat climate change is driving a significant shift toward renewable energy sources. People and governments are becoming increasingly conscious of the need to reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment. Political Support: Governments at various levels are providing support and incentives for the development of green energy projects. This political backing ensures the continued growth of the industry. Falling Costs: One of the most compelling reasons behind the success of renewable energy is the decreasing costs associated with technologies like solar and wind energy. As the cost of production drops, renewable energy becomes increasingly competitive with traditional fossil fuels. Public Demand: The growing demand for cleaner energy sources is influencing investment decisions. Consumers are increasingly choosing green energy options, putting pressure on companies to transition away from fossil fuels. Technological Advances: Ongoing technological advancements are driving innovation in the green energy sector. These innovations make renewable energy more efficient and affordable, further fueling its growth. International Commitments: Agreements like the Paris Agreement are pushing countries to adopt cleaner energy sources to meet their environmental commitments. This global pressure ensures a continued focus on green energy. Economic Opportunities: Shifting towards green energy not only aligns with environmental goals but also creates economic opportunities. New jobs are emerging in sectors like manufacturing, installation, and research, offsetting some of the job losses in fossil fuel industries. Investment Options: Investing in green energy can take several forms, depending on your goals and values. Here are some investment options to consider: Direct Investment in Energy Companies: Invest directly in companies involved in renewable energy production, such as those manufacturing solar panels or wind turbines. Sustainable Funds: Consider mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that focus on environmentally responsible investments. These funds often screen out fossil fuel companies while including green energy firms. Impact Investing: Choose funds that actively engage with companies to encourage sustainability and responsible practices. Impact investing aims to create a positive impact on both financial returns and environmental outcomes. Carbon Offsetting: Invest in companies that offset their carbon emissions or have sustainability targets. This can be done through engaging with such companies or by holding them in your portfolio. Green Bonds: Explore green bonds, which are fixed-income securities designed to fund environmentally friendly projects. These bonds can be found in mutual funds, ETFs, or as individual investments. Diversified Portfolio: Your approach to green energy investing should align with your broader financial goals and risk tolerance. You can choose to focus exclusively on green energy, or incorporate it as part of a diversified portfolio. A diversified approach allows you to mitigate risk while supporting the transition to cleaner energy sources. Conclusion:

https://youtu.be/8kPxPDGKXB4 In this episode, I discuss a new Sustainable Responsible Impact Investment tool called AffirmativESG. It provides you with a customized portfolio of individual stocks that meet your Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) criteria. Curated portfolios of individual equities and fixed income securities that specifically reflect your individual client's values, ethical preferences, and financial objectives. Powered by First Affirmative's research, analytics, and due diligence expertise, AffirmativESG delivers three distinct outcome-oriented strategies to meet each client's needs. Each solution is crafted with their clear, consistent, and repeatable investment process. You can choose the best solutions for your clients such as: Custom Sustainable Investment Solution (CSIS) Multi-Manager Account Managed Mutual Funds How do you want to change the world? Your clients' portfolios can be fully customized to meet their individual environmental, ethical, and social objectives. Include or exclude securities from the following major categories: Animal rights Fossil fuels Renewable energy Other environmental issues Corporate behavior Lifestyle choices Military and weapons Prison and detention Powered by their parent company, Folio Financial, AffirmativESG offers: Customization across a range of client inputs, including risk tolerance and time horizon, in addition to ESG concerns, so that you can scale and grow your business. Goals-based financial planning, whether the client is saving for retirement, a major purchase, or a child's education, or simply building wealth. Automated portfolio construction, IPS generation, reporting, and more. Tax optimization, including tax-lot-relief strategies designed to support a wide range of needs, as well as targeted tax gains or losses. Enhanced trading capabilities, including fractional shares and dollar-based investing. “Tomorrow's technology, delivered today…” AffirmativESG Website

https://youtu.be/-savnmI8-pY In this episode, Bill interviews Gabe Rissman from your YourStake. Gabe is the president of YourStake. Gabe's background in data science comes from studying computational astrophysics at Yale, with his thesis focus on dark matter. He has experience on the ESG Desk of Rockefeller & Co., as well as at the Connecticut Green Bank. Gabe currently sits on the board of the Intentional Endowments Network. Patrick, the CEO of YourStake, has a background in data science that comes from studying econometrics at Yale, where he focused his thesis work on climate-economic modeling, under Nobel-prize winning Nordhaus. He has published academically in sustainable finance and has experience within renewable energy finance.  Stake's founders got started in this space because they care about climate change. Gabe, was looking to make a difference, and realized his student investment club invested in one of these polluting oil companies, Exxon.This ownership stake meant the student club had rights as shareholders to present a Petition at Exxon's annual shareholder meeting, in Texas. Some of the largest polluting companies actively prevent societies from acting, by buying lobbyists, spreading misinformation, and fighting innovation. As a stock owner, you are responsible for a share of a company's activities. Below is one of the displays from YourStake.org – a metaphor display. It show, in very tangible terms, the impact of your investments.  On the positive side, if you own portions of companies that have more women in management or companies that are producing clean energy then you are responsible for some good things happening as a part-owner of those activities. YourStake makes a very concrete report on what the impact is over a period of time for a given number of investments. If there is an issue that is important to a client, they have access to really dig into it. Individuals can see petitions through their financial advisors. Advisors use their leverage to push companies. Clients and advisors like comparing their existing portfolio or a benchmark to “how can I make it better to an ESG portfolio?” The following image shows a display from YourStake comparing two portfolios or two funds. It shows how they compare on various issues. Essentially, we are scooting values up the chain so clients can express their values through preferences and advisors can demonstrate the portfolios in alignment with the values. The advisor, as the intermediary, has so much power and can create so much value by communicating with the client and communicating with fund managers about what you need to see. YourStake has a tool to screen investments based on the values that are most important to a client. To get more information about YourStake, you can visit: YourStake.org or contact Gabe at: gabe@yourstake.org

https://youtu.be/oVoNCAE6VH0 In this episode, Bill interviews Jennifer Coombs. Jennifer is an Associate Professor at the College for Financial Planning, Developer of the CSRIC designation, and ESG subject matter expert.  You can see our video at: https://youtu.be/oVoNCAE6VH0 I recently got my CSRIC designation – Chartered Sustainable Responsible Impact Investing (SRI) Counselor. Jennifer was my instructor. Here are some highlights from our conversation: CSRIC designation program started October 2018 The course is updated annually and syncs to the USSIF trends reports There are two instructors currently teaching the course Grew out of the USSIF condensed foundations course USSIF has had demand for a designation in the SRI field but they lacked the resources to do it until they partnered with the College for Financial Planning Mostly financial advisors are in the CSRIC course but there are some asset managers Jennifer worked as an analyst in NY before moving to Colorado She had done a TED talk on sustainable investing One of the funds she worked for had an SRI index The CSRIC course covers: Terms History of SRI How is SRI relevant today (largely environmental) Strategies that are used: positive and negative screens; shareholder advocacy, community investing Thematic investing Corporate social responsibility Risk and return elements – ESG scores, metrics, ratings (useful but not perfect) Asset allocation Ethics and the fiduciary standard Opportunities and challenges in SRI USSIF does a lot of work around consumer awareness of SRI The course demand is client driven – clients want the options of SRI portfolios We discussed the acceptance (and pushback) of the course in the SRI community There has been a shift in the people interested in SRI We discuss the latest USSIF trends report – the findings and the limitations because the reporting is not complete Reporting to USSIF is voluntary but reporting was up for the latest report The top shareholder advocacy issues were around climate change and equality (racial and gender) We discussed resources to keep up to date with SRI US SIF website MSCI Morningstar – sustainalytics As You Sow Barrons Green Money Journal To get more information about CSRIC, you can visit: cffp.edu or contact Jennifer at: jennifer.coombs@cffp.edu

Sustainable, Responsible, Impact Investments (SRI) provide you with the chance to vote with your investments and influence our world. SRI is a rapidly growing area of investment. It is outpacing the overall rate of general investment growth.

https://youtu.be/kijTzZn2g_Y Why Switch to a Responsible Credit Card When you open a credit card, your fees go to the issuing bank. This includes: fees merchants pay for each purchase, interest on your balance, annual fees, balance transfer fees, and late fees. The bank then makes loans to individuals and businesses. The big global banks (Bank of America, Citigroup, JP Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo, and others) have engaged in predatory lending, investing in fossil fuel companies and projects, and deceiving consumers with opening an unrequested account, hidden charges, and fees. You can find credit cards issued by a community development bank or credit union, which will, in turn, use your fees to support sustainable loans and support their communities. Be aware that some credit cards issued by local credit unions are provided through global banks. The following are some examples of the practices of mega-banks. Climate change: The companies that banks fund continue to engage in building coal power plants. A report by the Rainforest Action Network (RAN) and the Sierra Club found that the worst five banks for financing coal are Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, Citi, Morgan Stanley, and Wells Fargo. Foreclosure scandals: Global banks had a large role in the great recession of 2007-2009 partly because of the large number of dishonest mortgages. Bank of America, Citi, JP Morgan Chase, and Wells Fargo all agreed to pay billions of dollars to the US government to settle accusations that they improperly reviewed foreclosures and mishandled loan modifications. Three Gorges Dam – Citigroup, and Merrill Lynch provided loan capital for China's Three Gorges Dam which displaced over a million people, submerged toxic facilities, and destroyed wetlands. Politics – Like many companies, mega-banks make large political donations. JP Morgan Chase, Citi-Group, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and US Bancorp have mostly supported Republican candidates. Predatory lending: In 2009, the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act was put into place to protect consumers from some of the worst predatory lending practices. These practices were common and global-banks continue to work around them. They use any number of fees on accounts. Responsible Credit Card Options Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) certification is a designation given by the CDFI Fund to specialized organizations that provide financial services in low-income communities and to people who lack access to financing. CDFI's finance community businesses, including small businesses, microenterprises, nonprofit organizations, commercial real estate, and affordable housing. There is a CDFI locator here: https://ofn.org/cdfi-locator. Below are some responsible credit card options. Each institution issues its own responsible credit card. Please review the fees and interest charged to make sure the card you choose is appropriate for you. We recommend using a credit card with no annual fee and paying it off each month to avoid interest and fees. Aspiration – Spend daily with Zero to neutralize your footprint and earn up to 1% cash back. Use your rewards to plant more trees or receive a statement credit.  Green America – Green America's Visa supports Green America's programs. Their mission is to harness economic power to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society. Hope Federal Credit Union – Hope CU has worked for decades to provide loans to underserved people in the southeast US. Self-Help Credit Union – Self-Help CU, based in North Carolina, works in traditionally underserved communities. Permaculture Credit Union's (PCU) – PCU, based in New Mexico, is committed to sustainable responsible loans and investments. PCU's card is issued by the Illinois Credit Union League. Beneficial State Bank – Beneficial State Bank, with TCM Bank,

https://youtu.be/ox4J_1O8TOQ This podcast and video is for informational use only.  We are not making investment recommendations.  This is not an appropriate investment for everyone.  As with any investment, please read the prospectus and discuss it with your financial planner. Why Invest in Alternative Energy Alternative energy can be part of a diversified investment portfolio – but it should just be a small part. Energy and utilities make up about 9% of the S&P 500. If you already have a diversified portfolio with exposure to alternative energy, you may not want to over expose your position too much. The thought in investing in alternative energy companies is to invest and grow the investment with the growth of the alternative energy industry.  Which considering climate change, is a promising industry.  Although with the current administration, the industry may grow slowly. Your investment in alternative energy should not be thought of as supporting alternative energy.  The companies already received their money during the initial public offering.  If a companies stock is over-priced or under-priced, other investors will push it towards its fair market value with their decisions.  The market is very efficient. Investment Types Mutual Funds – a pool of money invested in securities such as stocks, bonds, money market instruments and other assets. The expense ratio of the percentage that is paid to the fund for commissions, administrative costs, compliance, advertising, management fees, etc. This percentage directly reduces your gains (or increases your losses).  Mutual funds, generally, have significantly larger expense ratios then ETFs. Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) – a fund that holds the asset it tracks. That asset may be stocks, bonds, gold or other commodities, or futures contracts. The expense ratio is generally lower than for mutual funds. Exchange Traded Note (ETN) – Like a bond. It's an unsecured debt note issued by an institution. Individual stocks – invest directly with a company Investment Options The following three tables show some investment options that are: ETFs, Mutual Funds, and Individual Stocks.  The tables show the name of the investment, ticker, category or industry, 1 year total return, annualized 5 year return, and the expense ratio. Table 1: Alternative Energy Exchange Traded Funds (ETF) NameTickerCategory – Industry1 Yr ReturnAnnlzd 5 Yr ReturnExpense RatioVanEck Vectors Global Alt Energy ETFGEXEnergy Sector-1.885.010.67iShares MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETFCRBNUS Fund World Large Stock9.290.20iShares Global Clean Energy ETFICLNEnergy Sector1.691.960.47Invesco WilderHill Progressive Engy ETFPUWEnergy Sector0.72-1.001.05Invesco WilderHill Clean Energy ETFPBWEnergy Sector11.75-1.030.77Invesco Solar ETFTANEnergy Sector8.80-1.370.76Invesco Global Clean Energy ETFPBDEnergy Sector-0.594.070.75Invesco Cleantech™ ETFPZDEnergy Sector8.7610.640.68Global X YieldCo ETFYLCOUS Fund Utilities0.060.65First Trust NASDAQ® Cln Edge®StGidIfsETFGRIDEnergy Sector11.409.550.84First Trust NASDAQ® Cln Edge® GrnEngyETFQCLNEnergy Sector4.986.140.66First Trust Global Wind Energy ETFFANEnergy Sector0.7311.220.71iPath® Global Carbon ETNGRNUS Fund Commodities Energy264.2133.650.75 Table 2: Alternative Energy Mutual Funds NameTickerCategory – Industry1 Yr ReturnAnnlzd 5 Yr ReturnExpense RatioShelton Green AlphaNEXTXUS Fund Mid-Cap Growth-2.086.901.30New Alternatives ANALFXUS Fund World Small/Mid Stock-2.248.451.07Guinness Atkinson Alternative EnergyGAAEXUS Fund Foreign Small/Mid Value2.72-3.062.74Firsthand Alternative EnergyALTEXUS Fund Technology3.503.942.15Calvert Global Energy Solutions ACGAEXUS Fund World Small/Mid Stock2.201.281.94 Table 3: Alternative Energy Individual Stocks NameTickerCategory – Industry1 Yr ReturnAnnlzd 5 Yr ReturnExpense RatioTerraForm Power IncTERPUtilities – owns and operates solar and wind facilities5.

https://youtu.be/JggJbhAHqbE I attended the 2019 Sustainable, Responsible, Impact Investing (SRI) conference which took place in Colorado Springs, CO this year (CO in November, they must have gotten a good deal on the hotel). Climate change was a big theme at the conference. We need to mitigate, to reduce the need to adapt and the less suffering we'll have. 130 banks with more than $47 trillion in assets adopted new UN-backed responsible banking principles to fight climate change in September 2019.  They will move assets away from fossil fuels.  They will align their strategies with the 2015 Paris Agreement. The conference has grown along with the interest in SRI. In the past, you could count on everyone being there to use SRI to make the world a better place. This year there were many who are using SRI to get a better return on investments. It's great that there is more interest but the dynamic of the organization is changing. If you are using SRI just for return, shareholder engagement is not important First Affirmative is rolling out a new investment option called Digital Wealth Services Platform (DWSP). DWSP will allow investors to input their risk tolerance and SRI issues that are important to them and get a portfolio of individual stocks and bond funds that meet the criteria.  The expenses are 0.40% per year for accounts up to $500k.  The expenses go down lower for larger accounts. The minimum account size is $5k. There were presentations about: Asset allocation in retirement calculations The Case for and Against Individual Bonds for Retail Clients Advocacy in action: New tools and engagement opportunities for advisors and clients ESG Investing in Asia: Opportunities in the Age of Trump What the Water Crisis can Teach us about Investing in the World's Poor Fighting Back: Using Investments to Combat Climate Change The Next Wave of Impact: the Professional Athlete Tackling Climate Change – Focus on the Chemical Footprint Project Water: the Investment Opportunity of the 21st Century Everything You Didn't Know about Hemp and Sustainability

AIO Financial (https://aiofinancial.com) is an active participant in shareholder advocacy on behalf of our clients.  Shareholder advocacy provides a way for company owners (shareholders) to make real impacts in companies.  Advocates can address: climate change, wage inequality, disclosing political contributions, board diversification, worker rights, …  That may all change if the Financial CHOICE Act, specifically Section 844 is passed. At present, a shareholder can file a proposal (resolution) with a company if s/he has held 1% or $2,000 worth of shares in a company, whichever is lower, for at least a year. This threshold allows a broad range of shareholders to participate in the proposal process. Section 844 would severely curtail shareholder democracy – only the largest shareholders (a small number of multi-billion dollar funds) would be able to file shareholder proposals with public companies. These changes would undermine your rights as a shareholder and prevent us, as your investment advisor, from effectively working with companies to address environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. Specifically, Section 844 would change the existing rules as follows: Require a 1% ownership (of total market capitalization) over three-years to submit a proposal: For context, a shareholder would have to hold over $7 billion worth of Apple shares to qualify. This ownership threshold limits access to the resolution process to a handful of mutual fund managers. Increase resubmission thresholds: Proposals must garner increasing support to qualify for resubmission to the company the following year. The proposed changes would mean resubmission thresholds increase to 6% in year one (from 3%); to 15% in year two (from 6%); and to 30% in year three (from 10%). From 2007 through 2009, only about 17% of the proposals that came to a vote achieved the support of 30% of the shares voted, and from 2010 onwards, this has been approximately 30% of proposals filed. If these thresholds had been in place in recent years, proposals that have led to changes in corporate behavior, reduced risks, and created value would not have been brought back to the ballot. Prohibit the submission of proposals on behalf of a shareholder: This provision would disqualify your investment advisor from filing resolutions on behalf of any client. I appreciate any feedback for our AIO Financial blog. Please contact me if you have any comments, questions, and suggestions. You can comment here or contact me through Facebook, Twitter, email (bill@aiofinancial.com), or call 520-325-0769.