Investing – Dollars and Sense

Municipal Bonds Unveiled with Matt Bernardi (Ep. 37)

By Dollar$ and $ense | February 14, 2024

There is a big part of the investing world that doesn’t get as much news as equity markets.

But it should.

In this installment of Dollar$ and $ense, Nicole is joined by Matt Bernardi from Bernardi Securities. Together, they demystify the municipal bond market, a key component in funding local infrastructure projects that are vital to our communities. Matt and Nicole expand on how today’s market has weathered the storm of the COVID-19 crisis and the role of stimulus funds in ensuring municipal stability. The discussion extends to the broader economic context, including consumer spending patterns and the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy, to illustrate their impact on the bond market.

With this episode, you will gain insight into:

The significance of the municipal bond market
Resilience and adaptability of municipal credit during and after COVID-19
How the Federal Reserve’s actions impact the municipal bond market
Pension liabilities and the potential effects of quantitative tightening on bond portfolios
And more

Resources:

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About Our Guest:

Matt Bernardi joined Bernardi Securities in August of 2013 after trading for 3 years at Chesapeake Partners, a hedge fund located in Baltimore, Maryland. Matt currently assists individuals, pension funds, banks, and other institutions regarding their municipal bond portfolios. He graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 2010 with a B.A. in history and economics minor. Matt currently holds the Series 7, 24, 27, 52, 53, 63, and 65 licenses, serves on the Union League Boys & Girls Club investment committee, and is past President of the Associate Board.

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Annuities 101 with Steve Merdinger (Ep. 24)

By Dollars-and-Sense | July 26, 2023

Purchasing annuities can be confusing, and on top of that, they’re often an emotional decision.

In this episode, Nicole Romito breaks down annuities with Steve Merdinger, ChFC®, CFP®, Partner at Private Vista. They give an overview of points to consider and things to be aware of before purchasing them.

Steve discusses:

What fixed and variable annuities are
The importance of understanding what you’re buying
The general prices of different annuities you can anticipate
The pros and cons of annuitization and what the exclusion ratio is
Why purchasing an annuity tends to be an emotional decision
How annuity contracts are structured
And more

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Connect with Steve Merdinger:

About our Guest:

Steve Merdinger is a Partner and experienced Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and Chartered Financial Consultant (CHFC®). With over three decades in financial planning, he helps individuals and families achieve their goals. Having worked in his family’s business, Steve has valuable insights into family-owned enterprises and succession planning. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Kansas and actively mentors students in the University of KU Business School program. Steve is involved in the Chicago Board of the Positive Coaching Alliance and aspires to become a trainer with the organization. He is a member of the Union League Chicago and the Valley Lo Club.

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A Year of Unknowns with Stephanie Link (Ep. 9)

By Dollars-and-Sense | December 14, 2022

The year is coming to an end. Let’s take a quick look at what has happened in the markets, and see what we can do to anticipate what’s coming.

In this episode, Nicole brings Stephanie Link, Chief Investment Strategist and Portfolio Manager at Hightower Advisors, onto the show to go over the year-end market update for 2022. Stephanie also shares a story reminiscing about joining the financial industry, talks about her passion for being compassionate with clients, and gives future financial advisors some advice for joining the industry.

Stephanie discusses:

The importance of building trust between advisors and clients
The steady interest rate increase in 2022 and what she thinks can be expected next year
How looking at past market trends with clients can provide reassurance and calm their investment anxiety
Some important tips for young women looking to enter the financial services industry
And more

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Connect with Stephanie Link:

About our Guest:

Stephanie Link is a Chief Investment Strategist and Portfolio Manager for Hightower Advisors. Prior to joining Hightower, Stephanie was a senior managing director and Head of Global Equities Research at TIAA Investments, where she managed $3.7 billion within the equity income strategy. She also served as the Chief Investment Officer and Co-Portfolio Manager of Jim Kramer’s Charitable Trust at TheStreet, and as Managing Director of Institutional Sales and Director of Research at Prudential Equity Group. With over 30 years of experience managing money, Stephanie Link’s insights are frequently sought after for industry events and by the media, including CNBC, The Halftime Report, Closing Bell, and Squawk Box.

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Everything You Need To Know About 529 Plans With Colleen Dwyer (Ep. 7)

By Dollars-and-Sense | November 9, 2022

A 529 plan is a college investment plan that offers tax and financial aid advantages, but what exactly is covered?

In this episode, Nicole provides an overview of 529 plans with her colleague, Colleen Dwyer. Colleen covers an overview of what a 529 plan is, the different advantages of the plan, and some of its limitations and flexibilities.

Colleen discusses:

What a 529 plan is and how the money invested in it can be used
How you can use the tax benefits and financial aid of a 529 plan to your advantage
What it means to offer financial support to beneficiaries through a 529 plan
Some of the possibilities and probabilities around the best way to use the plan
And more

Connect with Nicole Romito:

Connect with Colleen Dwyer:

About our Guest:

Colleen Dwyer’s financial services career began in 2018. As a financial advisor at Private Vista, she develops trusted relationships with clients and collaborates to build a plan that creates financial confidence and independence. She enjoys working with a dedicated and experienced team to deliver personal and critical advice and service, so her clients can be successful both financially and personally.

Colleen loves to spend quality time with her friends and family, and actively participate in her community. She lives with her husband in Lincoln Park and enjoys all the city has to offer – frequent bike rides and trying new restaurants. When not in Chicago, she spends time in Michigan and the western suburbs visiting family. Colleen also loves to travel and looks forward to checking places off her bucket list when she can.

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