Category: Estate Planning

FEATURE
Understanding Gen Z’s Financial Mindset With Alex Azuaje and Harrison Welsh

Understanding Gen Z’s Financial Mindset With Alex Azuaje and Harrison Welsh

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Contrary to popular belief, Gen Z isn’t ignoring their financial future. Instead, they’re investing strategically with a digital-first mindset.

Evan Wohl sits down with fellow OPUS advisors, Alex Azuaje and Harrison Welsh, to dive into the complex financial habits and expectations of Generation Z. They explore how Gen Z’s experiences with key historical events like the 2007 global recession and the 2020 pandemic have distinctly shaped their financial attitudes, creating a generation that’s both skeptical and entrepreneurial. From leveraging side hustles to exploring unconventional avenues like cryptocurrency and real estate, this generation is rewriting the financial rulebook.

Alex and Harrison touch on:

  • The definition and demographics of Gen Z 
  • How Gen Z’s upbringing with technology as digital natives influences their financial choices 
  • Their pragmatic, often skeptical approach to traditional financial structures
  • The impact of historical financial crises on their career and investment strategies 
  • Their entrepreneurial spirit and diversified income streams
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Evan Wohl:

Connect with Alejandro Azuaje and Harrison Welsh:

About Our Guests:

Alejandro Azuaje is an associate and investment specialist at Opus Private Client, LLC. After graduating from college, Alejandro entered the financial planning industry. He joined Opus in 2017 and is elated to be working for a team that believes in holistic planning and executes its recommendations with efficiency and ease. Alejandro’s specialties are in financial planning analysis, financial modeling, and equity investments. He is a Westchester native from Purchase, NY, and an Alumnus of New York University with a bachelor’s degree in computer science.

Harrison Welsh specializes in coordinating the many moving pieces of his clients’ financial lives. He believes in a bespoke approach to financial strategies, offering clarity and insights into cash flow management and progress toward achieving various financial goals. Harrison’s firm employs a macroeconomic approach, integrating all financial decisions through a comprehensive economic model to ensure a cohesive and effective strategy.

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FEATURE
Estate Planning Essentials for High-Income Earners with Joe Biondolillo

Estate Planning Essentials for High-Income Earners with Joe Biondolillo

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Estate planning is often seen as one of the more intricate aspects of financial management, particularly for high-net-worth individuals who face distinct challenges and opportunities when it comes to transferring wealth effectively.

Iván Watanabe and Evan Wohl engage with Joe Biondolillo, president and founder of Biond Financial, to discuss estate planning strategies for high-net-worth individuals. Joe shares practical insights on navigating complex tax laws and leveraging available opportunities.

Joe discusses:

  • Understanding estate tax liability and why everyone should have an estate plan 
  • Steps to discounting assets and how it impacts your estate 
  • Strategic gifting to maximize the current exemption limits 
  • How freezing growth works and why it’s crucial for high net worth portfolios 
  • Addressing capital gains tax implications and potential solutions
  • And more

Connect with Iván Watanabe:

Connect with Evan Wohl:

Connect with Joe Biondolillo:

About Our Guest:

Joseph Biondolillo brings nearly 24 years of expertise to his role as the founder of Biond Financial. Dedicated to helping professionals, executives, and closely held corporations protect, save, and grow their financial wealth, Biond Financial provides tailored guidance amidst today’s volatile economic landscape. Recognizing that many individuals base financial decisions on trends, opinions, emotions, and online advice, Joseph and his team utilize a unique macroeconomic approach to reveal the full financial picture. This process empowers clients to build and safeguard their wealth while taking control of their economic futures.

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FEATURE
Crafting Profitable Real Estate Investments with Jessica Sigmund

Crafting Profitable Real Estate Investments with Jessica Sigmund

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Managing Partner and host of WealthStyle, Iván Watanabe sits down with Jessica Sigmund, a Licensed Real Estate Agent to explore the world of Airbnb and real estate investments in the tri-state area. Listen as she shares insights into housing market trends, how to make your real estate investments work for you, and tips on managing Airbnb properties effectively.

This episode unpacks the following:

  • The current real estate market and trends in the tri-state area
  • Key strategies for buying, selling, and investing in real estate 
  • Success stories and challenges in the Airbnb market
  • The importance of staging and managing rental properties
  • Understanding the risks and benefits of property investment
  • And more

Connect with Iván Watanabe:

Connect with Jessica Sigmund:

About Jessica Sigmund:

When Jessica Sigmund thinks about real estate, the first words that come to mind aren’t “appraisal,” “closing cost,” or ” adjustable-rate mortgage.” For her, the most important element of real estate is the “human element”. It’s what first sparked her passion for real estate when she was a young girl marveling at the inherent beauty and architecture of homes she saw daily. It’s what incentivized her to join her aunt’s management company, DeLaurentis Management, and work her way up the ranks, learning every component of the industry, until she eventually became a real estate agent. And it’s what makes her a known, loved, and trusted agent who was honored with the Rookie of the Year award in 2018.

One of the most important reasons that home buyers and sellers alike rely on Jessica is because, beyond her knowledge, integrity, sincerity, and business acumen, her top priority is understanding and delivering on her client’s needs. Many individuals enter the extremely overwhelming process of home buying with a dream home and have no idea how to find it. Jessica’s steady commitment to learning every aspect of her client’s goals and her poise under pressure make the experience enjoyable and seamless. Most of all, Jessica’s passion for Real Estate is surpassed only by her desire to help others, because she values the trust her clients place in her to guide them through one of the most important decisions of their lives. She avails herself to clients at any time, ensures that the lines of communication are open and consistent, and offers patience and attentive guidance throughout the process.

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FEATURE
Breaking Down Maternity Leave with Garlande Patz

Breaking Down Maternity Leave with Garlande Patz

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As of 2023, only 27% of private-sector employers offer paid parental leave programs. 

Are you equipped to navigate the rest? 

In this WealthStyle episode, Iván Watanabe and Evan Wohl sit down with Garlande Patz, Head of Absence and Disability Practices at Guardian Life, to cover everything you need to know about maternity leave benefits. You’ll gain key insights into navigating your company’s benefits, understanding state versus federal protections, and practical steps to take when you’re expecting a new member of your family.

Iván, Evan, and Garlande cover:

  • Short-term disability benefits and the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
  • State-specific family leave programs and understanding your eligibility
  • Tips for preparing in advance to avoid stress during maternity leave
  • Understanding different employer, state, and supplemental health benefits for comprehensive coverage
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Iván Watanabe:

Connect with Evan Wohl:

Connect with Garlande Patz:

About Our Guest:

Garlande Patz is the Head of Absence and Disability Practices for group benefits at Guardian Life. Her professional focus is on strategy and growth of Absence products: disability benefits, FML administration, state-paid leave regulations, and ADA.

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FEATURE
REPLAY: Planning For Retirement: Social Security and Medicare with Elaine Floyd

REPLAY: Planning For Retirement: Social Security and Medicare with Elaine Floyd

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In today’s episode of WealthStyle, Iván Watanabe and Evan Wohl interview Elaine Floyd, Director of Retirement Life Planning at HorsesMouth about the intricacies of our nation’s support systems; Social Security and Medicare.

Listen as Elaine shares her expert knowledge by debunking some common misconceptions and detailing the benefits these programs provide using real-life examples and historical facts. 

Whether you’re approaching retirement, caring for a loved one, or simply curious about recent changes and restrictions regarding Social Security and Medicare, this episode is a must-listen!

Gain insight as Elaine discusses:

  • The importance of accessing your retirement income plan for the duration of your lifetime
  • Common mistakes people make when claiming Social Security, and the varying spousal benefits
  • The differences between Medicare Part A and Part B
  • How to navigate your options regarding your Health Savings Account (HSA) and Medicare
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Iván Watanabe:

Connect with Evan Wohl:

Connect with Elaine Floyd:

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FEATURE
REPLAY: Life Insurance with Bobby Samuelson, Part 1: Whole Life Insurance

REPLAY: Life Insurance with Bobby Samuelson, Part 1: Whole Life Insurance

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With the typical asset division in investment planning being turned on its head, life insurance could be a beneficial alternative option. 

How does life insurance fit within portfolio planning?

In this episode, Iván Watanabe and Evan Wohl speak with Bobby Samuelson, Executive Editor at Life Product Review and President of Life Innovators. Together they discuss whole life insurance by exploring the importance of understanding the insurance company and its investment strategies when choosing a whole life policy.

Join the conversation and learn about:

  • How life insurance acts as an alternative investment
  • The complexities of investing in bonds
  • The importance of owning a participating policy from a mutual insurance company
  • How whole life insurance can benefit you as a fixed-income asset class
  • And more

Connect with Iván Watanabe:

Connect with Evan Wohl:

Connect with Bobby Samuelson:

About Bobby Samuelson:

Bobby co-founded Life Innovators in 2018 and has been President and CEO since its inception. Bobby was formerly Senior Vice President and Head of Life Insurance and Annuity Product Development and Pricing at Brighthouse Financial and Vice President of Life Product Development at MetLife. He is also the Executive Editor of The Life Product Review since 2012. Bobby is a regular keynote speaker at corporate and industry events.

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