Tag: Financial Planning

How to Stay on Top of Your Fitness Goals with Gideon Akande

How to Stay on Top of Your Fitness Goals with Gideon Akande

Everyone wants to be healthy and exercise, but it’s a chore to find time and energy to complete the list of activities at the gym. How can you maintain consistency when it comes to reaching health goals?

In this episode, Iván Watanabe and Evan Wohl interview Gideon Akande, an elite fitness coach and consultant, about creating personal health and wellness consistency. He shares tips to transform exercise and healthy eating from a chore to something enjoyable and ways to trick yourself into being healthy without thinking about it.

Gideon discusses:

  • How he started his health journey and commits to 15-minutes of movement every day
  • Ways to transform exercise into something you want to do, and will keep doing
  • Why and how external pressure is an excellent motivator for reaching your goals
  • How a professional can help with health the same way advisors help with money
  • And more

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When Is the Right Time to Buy a House?

When Is the Right Time to Buy a House?

Buying a home may seem like the right thing to do, but is it?

There are many factors to consider before you purchase a home, and the most obvious is, can you afford the mortgage payments? Then on top of that, there are annual property taxes and monthly utilities like gas and electricity. And don’t forget about the less obvious expenses like furniture and decor, and unexpected repairs or upgrades.

The reality is, it requires a lot of financial planning before you put an offer on a house.

In this episode of WealthStyle, Iván Watanabe and Evan Wohl explore the different reasons why their clients want to buy houses, how the costs associated with owning a home factor into financial and retirement planning, and how much the housing market has changed post-pandemic.

Iván and Evan discuss:

  • The financial costs of owning a house after the initial purchase
  • How your financial plans will shift when planning to buy a house
  • The role of mortgage and interest rates and how they are constantly changing
  • The emotional effects of buying a home 
  • And more

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Exploring Equity Grants and Their Taxation with Alejandro Azuaje

Exploring Equity Grants and Their Taxation with Alejandro Azuaje

Company equity grants are a tried and true way for businesses to provide investment opportunities to their employees, and as a way to incentivize and reward their loyalty. Plus, equity grants can be a cost-effective way for companies to compensate employees, and provide a sense of ownership by giving them a stake in the company’s success. 

In this episode of WealthStyle, Iván Watanabe and Evan Wohl talk with Alejandro Azuaje, an investment specialist with OPUS Private Client, LLC about three main types of equity grants and how they are taxed from an employee perspective.

Listen in and learn as Alex discusses:

  • Why equity grants are used as employee benefits
  • The main types of equity grants
  • Examples of how employees can benefit from each type of equity
  • How taxes impact the income received from equity grants
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Iván Watanabe:

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About Our Guest:

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.

Building Real Estate Investments in a Rising Interest Rate Environment with Jon Minkoff

Building Real Estate Investments in a Rising Interest Rate Environment with Jon Minkoff

Real estate investment is a balance between finding the right financial opportunity, and a unique, desirable location. How can you build real estate investments in a rising interest rate environment?

 

In this episode, Iván Watanabe and Evan Wohl speak with Jon Minkoff, co-founder, CFO, COO, CIO of ASH NYC, on real estate investment for individual investors, what to consider when entering the current economic market, and how investors view property from a buyer, seller or investment perspective.

Jon discusses:

  • What makes a good real estate investment
  • How banks manage lending risk in a rising interest rate environment
  • How he manages business through different economic climates
  • And more

Connect with Iván Watanabe:

Connect with Evan Wohl:

Connect with Jon Minkoff:

About Jon Minkoff:

Real estate professional with experience working with start-up real estate development private equity funds. Jon has experience in all aspects of real estate including finance, development, financial forecasting, construction, estimating, property management, as well as commercial leasing. He has also spent time working with high-net-worth individuals to analyze and manage different real estate acquisition opportunities.

Compound Interest is a Snowball with Evan Wohl

Compound Interest is a Snowball with Evan Wohl

Remember being a kid and the joy you felt making the biggest snowman from just three small snowballs? Watching those little snowballs getting bigger and bigger with each roll… 

As an adult, the experience changes from creating snowmen to generating compound interest.

In this episode, Iván Watanabe welcomes colleague Evan Wohl to dive deeper into compound interest, and how you can get it working for you. 

Iván and Evan discuss:

  • Why Warren Buffett claims compound interest to be the eighth wonder of the world
  • How compound interest works
  • The ripple effect one change can have on an entire balance sheet
  • Why you should see your finances as an ecosystem, not just as single silos
  • And more

Connect with Evan Wohl:

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About Evan Wohl:

Evan’s clients trust him with the responsibility to guide them through the complexities of personal finance. He provides clarity and insight on how to measure and improve your cash flow as well as whether or not you are on track to accomplish your various financial goals. The firm takes a macroeconomic approach to planning and coordinates all of your financial decisions through the use of a comprehensive economic model.

Evan’s wife, Laurie, and he have three children, Quinn, Parker and Bodie. He currently sits on the board of The Hope Gala. The Hope Gala was created to support fundraising efforts on behalf of The Four Diamonds Fund and The Penn State Dance Marathon (THON™). The Hope Gala contributes to the mission of conquering childhood cancer. All proceeds benefit pediatric cancer patients at the Penn State Children’s Hospital and their families in need of financial aid, medical assistance, and emotional support.

About Iván Watanabe:

Iván Watanabe is a Managing Partner of Opus Private Client, LLC in the New York office. He joined Opus in 2013, after working in Boston for five years as a financial associate. During his time at Opus, Iván quickly established himself as a leader and an asset to the team, and he became a managing partner in 2018.

Iván is a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross with a bachelor’s degree in political science and Spanish literature and brings a unique blend of analytical and holistic thinking to each of his clients. Iván’s expertise is in asset protection, wealth accumulation, and wealth distribution strategies. His vast knowledge and rich experience in the finance industry earned him one of the most prestigious industry awards, the President’s Council Award in 2018.

 

The NIL Rule In Student Athlete Profitability with Chris Ward

The NIL Rule In Student Athlete Profitability with Chris Ward

In September of 2021, the NCAA allowed a ruling that unlocked college athletes from getting compensation for the first time in history. How will this change the relationship between student athletes, sponsoring companies, and their fans?

In this episode, George Papanicolaou speaks with Chris Ward, CRO of The Publisher Desk, on the NIL rule and the regulations surrounding it. Since the rule is still in its infancy, there are many questions like, who can provide sponsorships, how are sponsorships managed for independent players, and how can a player’s marketability impact their future as a professional athlete?

Listen as Chris discusses:

  • How an athlete can earn for their name, image and likeness
  • What kinds of opportunities student athletes can bring to local businesses
  • How social media influences the marketability of student athletes
  • And more

Connect with Chris Ward:

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About Our Guest:

Christopher Ward, Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer of The Publisher Desk, a full-service technology and monetization platform for content publisher. He got his start in advertising and publishing in 2007 at News Corp and later at Undertone, an advertising network. In November of 2019, the Publisher Desk acquired Sportsnaut.com, doubling down on their belief in the future of sports marketing.  

About Our Host:

George has a very unique background and work history. Broad, diverse, and driven by integrity and strong family values, his experiences create the perfect foundation for teaming up with clients to protect, build, and enjoy their financial world.

George puts a strong emphasis on family. His parents and grandparents ran a very successful flower business with several locations in Westchester County, in addition to owning and managing commercial and residential real estate. From a young age, George was taught that compassion, good customer service, and a strong work ethic were key components to the longevity of a business.

George credits his significant business success to his strong work ethic and desire to learn— two qualities that have helped him earn several leadership awards. George’s interest in real estate contributes to his ability to help clients diversify their holdings.

George is married with four children, two dogs, and a bunny. He and his wife live in Pleasantville, NY. They are huge lovers of food and culture and enjoy traveling and entertaining at their home.

 

The Fundamental Pieces to Managing Cash Flow with Evan Wohl

The Fundamental Pieces to Managing Cash Flow with Evan Wohl

Life is always changing and as a result so will your cash flow.

In this episode, Iván Watanabe sits down with experienced financial planner Evan Wohl to discuss cash flow and some real-world applications you can use to keep balanced.

Evan will talk more about his process, why it’s important to update and analyze your current cash flow plan and the different things he’s seeing his clients have success with.  

Evan discusses:

  • What cash flow is and why it’s important to know your personal cash flow
  • The differences between inflows, outflows, transfers and how they can improve your cash flow 
  • Some of the mistakes people are generally making as it relates to cash flow
  • Tips on how to become a better saver for your future self 
  •  And more!

Resources:

Connect With Evan Wohl

Connect With Iván Watanabe:

 

About Evan Wohl:

After a very short stint as a Class A PGA Golf Professional, Evan Wohl started in financial planning in 2008, after graduating from Penn State University.  Evan’s lifelong appetite for learning and growth lead him to earn several high-level industry designations. CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, RICP®  

 Evan’s clients receive thoughtful insight into the security and prosperity of their personal economy. He provides tools and strategies to measure and improve your cash flow as well as understand whether or not you are on track to accomplish your evolving financial goals.  Evan maintains collaborative relationships with his clients, in which they are always making proactive decisions to move their plan forward. 

Student Loan Repayment Updates with Joe McGrath

Student Loan Repayment Updates with Joe McGrath

How will Biden’s plans impact student debt? 

With the suspension of interest rates and repayment on student loans about to be lifted, creating a student debt payment plan is an essential part of financial planning. 

In this episode, Iván Watanabe is joined by Joe McGrath, Senior Business Development Associate at Gradfin. Together they dive into the forgiveness package, how it will impact student debt repayment, and the importance of understanding your options when creating a student debt financial plan.

Iván and Joe discuss:

  • The latest updates to Biden’s plan for student loans
  • Who is eligible to qualify for relief
  • What happens if you’ve fully paid off your loans 
  • How can you repay loans, and secure the forgiveness package
  • And more!

Connect with Joe McGrath:

Connect with Iván Watanabe:

About Our Guest:

Joe McGrath presents to financial advisors from coast to coast about the value of meeting with a student loan consultant to help navigate the perfect repayment plan. In addition to his current role in sales and client management, he has additional experience in both the recruiting and non-profit industries.



Optimizing Your Charitable Contributions Without The Stress with Jen Mayo

Optimizing Your Charitable Contributions Without The Stress with Jen Mayo

If you want to donate to a charitable organization, it’s important to know your options.

In this episode, Iván Watanabe is joined by Jen Mayo, the director of gift planning and advisor relations at Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF). Jen explains how with a donor-advised fund, you can give more to your charity of choice while revealing how to donate before, during, and after retirement through effective tax planning.

Jen discusses:

  • How Essex County contributes to charitable giving 
  • Ways the foundation promotes equity within the community
  • Why community foundations are essential for financial donations 
  • How donor-advised funds increase the value of donations while reducing stress over decision making
  • Where charitable giving fits within retirement planning and IRA minimum distribution 
  • And more!

Connect with Jen Mayo

Connect with Iván Watanabe:

About Our Guest:

As Essex County Community Foundation’s assistant director of gift planning and advisor relations, Jennifer Mayo focuses on building strong relationships with area professional advisors, who play a key role in expanding support for the region’s nonprofit organizations and collaborative efforts to tackle systemic social challenges. She also provides charitable gift planning and support to Essex County donors as they make decisions about their philanthropic giving and consider a donor-advised fund with ECCF.



Financial Planning for Immigrant Families with Dr. Daniel Crosby

Financial Planning for Immigrant Families with Dr. Daniel Crosby

Like many Americans, Iván Watanabe is a descendant of immigrants. He was born to a Venezuelan mother and a Japanese father, with an extended family on both sides. 

With the majority of his maternal family forced to leave Venezuela and his father’s family still living in Japan, Iván’s family grants him a unique insight as a financial planner.

In this episode, Dr. Daniel Crosby interviews Iván on financial planning and finances for immigrant families. Iván shares his personal experiences and the insights he’s gained from two different cultures. Plus, he reveals the impact both have had on his personal decisions.

Dr. Crosby and Iván discuss:

  • The power of saving and the value of financial skills when moving countries
  • Conflicts between culture and innovation
  • The financial struggle of real estate assets as a landlord 
  • Ways culture influences financial decisions
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Dr. Daniel Crosby:

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About Dr. Daniel Crosby:

Educated at Brigham Young and Emory University, Dr. Daniel Crosby is a psychologist and behavioral finance expert who helps organizations understand the intersection of the mind and markets. Dr. Crosby recently co-authored a New York Times Best-Selling book titled Personal Benchmark: Integrating Behavioral Finance and Investment Management.

He also constructed the “Irrationality Index,” a sentiment measure that gauges greed and fear in the marketplace from month to month. His ideas have appeared in the Huffington Post and Risk Management Magazine, as well as his monthly columns for WealthManagement.com and Investment News.



What You Should Know About Assets After Death with Rob Pruett

What You Should Know About Assets After Death with Rob Pruett

Even if you’re one of the over 50% of Americans who doesn’t enjoy planning for their death, starting a plan today will allow your beneficiaries to avoid the challenges caused by a lack of information and preparation.

In this episode, Iván Watanabe and Rob Pruett dive into one of the most important topics in financial planning: What happens to assets after death. Together, they share examples of dividing assets between spouses, the legalities of estate planning, and creating a legacy you can witness.

Rob discusses:

  • The importance of updating your executor and power of attorney
  • How assets can become locked up after death
  • Why you should start your legacy sooner rather than later
  • The shifting taxation of estate planning
  • And more!

Connect with Rob Pruett:

Connect With Iván Watanabe:

About Our Guest:

Robert P. Pruett has been a wealth advisor with Opus Private Client, LLC for 14 years performing planning for high-net-worth individuals, families, and business owners. Rob uses leading-edge advanced personal planning techniques to protect and maximize each client’s wealth, retirement, and estate plans. Rob also consults with 50-to-800-person firms to deliver high-value corporate benefit programs, with a special focus on delivering healthcare savings of 10-15% or more through Opus’ proprietary reimbursement program offering.

His specialties include asset management, institutional investing, tax planning, life insurance, disability, annuities, and long-term care insurance, corporate benefits programs, executive benefit programs, retirement, and estate planning, and legacy and charitable planning.

A Conversation Around Global Oil and Gas with Nikolaos Kontos

A Conversation Around Global Oil and Gas with Nikolaos Kontos

After severing oil trade with Russia, President Biden plans to increase U.S. oil production from 11.8 million barrels to 12.8 million. 

In the short-term, this will provide gas for individuals and farmers. However, the long-term outlook remains uncertain. 

In this episode, Iván Watanabe & George Papanicolaou join Nikolaos Kontos, head of operations at Concord Maritime. Sharing his maritime experience and knowledge of the global oil trade industry, Nikolaos reveals how countries buying and selling oil have been impacted by rising gas prices.

Nikolaos discusses:

  • His journey at Concord Maritime
  • How reserves and release of oil barrels will influence short- and long-term costs 
  • The impact of gas prices on farmers
  • Who might enter the energy market in the future
  • And more!

Connect with Nikolaos Kontos:

Connect with Iván Watanabe:

About Our Guest:

Nikolaos Kontos serves as the director of operations at Concord Maritime. His responsibilities include overseeing the firm’s voyage management, vessel operations, bunker procurement, and post fixture functions. Niko has 15 years of industry experience and holds a US Coast Guard license as a Chief Mate of unlimited tonnage.

 

Historical podcasts are for informational purposes only; the information provided was accurate at the time of recording but may no longer be current.
Planning for Parenthood with George Papanicolaou

Planning for Parenthood with George Papanicolaou

You could read every article and mommy blog and still remain unprepared for the experience of parenthood. 

Who better to hear from on the topic of financial planning and children than financial advisors who have kids?

In this episode, Iván Watanabe and George Papanicolaou recount their personal experiences with fatherhood, diving into the difference between expectation and reality. They reveal personal changes in routine and expenses while also sharing the realizations brought by parenthood.

George and Iván discuss:

  • The impact of information on new parents
  • Reasons you should build cashflow early on
  • The importance of accepting a lack of control
  • How basic baby necessities can be considered luxury items 
  • And more!

Connect with George Papanicolaou:

Connect with Iván Watanabe:

About Our Guest:

George Papanicolaou has a very unique background and work history. Broad, diverse, and driven by integrity and strong family values, his experiences create the perfect foundation for teaming up with clients to protect, build, and enjoy their financial world.

George puts a strong emphasis on family. His parents and grandparents ran a very successful flower business with several locations in Westchester County, in addition to owning and managing commercial and residential real estate. From a young age, George was taught that compassion, good customer service, and a strong work ethic were key components to the longevity of a business.

 

Building Real Estate Investments in a Rising Interest Rate Environment with Jon Minkoff

Building Real Estate Investments in a Rising Interest Rate Environment with Jon Minkoff

Real estate investment is a balance between finding the right financial opportunity, and a unique, desirable location. How can you build real estate investments in a rising interest rate environment? 

In this episode, Iván Watanabe and Evan Wohl speak with Jon Minkoff, co-founder, CFO, COO, CIO of ASH NYC, on real estate investment for individual investors, what to consider when entering the current economic market, and how investors view property from a buyer, seller or investment perspective.

Jon discusses:

  • What makes a good real estate investment
  • How banks manage lending risk in a rising interest rate environment
  • How he manages business through different economic climates
  • And more

Connect with Iván Watanabe:

Connect with Evan Wohl:

Connect with Jon Minkoff:

About Jon Minkoff:

Real estate professional with experience working with start up real estate development private equity funds. Jon has experience in all aspects of real estate including finance, development, financial forecasting, construction, estimating, property management, as well as commercial leasing. He has also spent time working with high net worth individuals to analyze and manage different real estate acquisition opportunities.

Designing Your Next Phase of Life: Retirement — With Kaplan Mobray

Designing Your Next Phase of Life: Retirement — With Kaplan Mobray

Kaplan Mobray is not only a best-selling author, but is also one of the world’s most dynamic and inspirational business speakers. 

Now, you have the chance to learn some of Kaplan’s expert insight around designing your next phase of life!

In this episode, join Kaplan and Iván Watanabe as they discuss how Kaplan transforms lives with innovative and insightful strategies for finding purpose in retirement so that you can maximize your next phase of life.

In this episode, you will learn:

  • How Kaplan helps clients through life transitions
  • Kaplan’s advice for those in retirement, or those experiencing major life changes and transitions
  • Things to evaluate when preparing for your retirement
  • How teaching, volunteering, and mentoring can help you stay connected in retirement
  • And more!

Are you ready to discover why you should always live life by decision and not by default? Tune in today!

Resources:  

Opus Private Client, LLC | Iván Watanabe | Kaplan Mobray | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram |Twitter | YouTube | Book: The 10Ks of Personal Branding Products | Amazon 

 

Navigating the Student Loan Marketplace — With Joe McGrath

Navigating the Student Loan Marketplace — With Joe McGrath

Are you someone who has applied, or is planning to apply, for a student loan? 

Then this is an episode you won’t want to miss!

To bring you greater clarity around student loans, Iván Watanabe sits down with GradFin’s senior business development associate Joe McGrath for today’s episode. Joe explains GradFin’s role around applying, refinancing, and forgiving student loans and shares some must-know insight about this type of loan.

In this episode, you will learn:

  • How GradFin helps clients with their student loans 
  • Joe’s advice to those applying for student loans 
  • The difference between private and federal loans 
  • About the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program
  • And more!

From refinance to forgiveness, tune in today and learn everything you need to know about student loans in today’s marketplace!

Resources:   

Opus Private Client, LLC | Iván Watanabe | GradFin | Refinance | Team | Joe McGrath: (267) 703-4726 ext. 109

Instilling Work Ethic & Charity Within a Financially Advantaged Family

Instilling Work Ethic & Charity Within a Financially Advantaged Family

While we work hard to provide financial security for our children, it’s still important that we set them up for success by guiding them towards the right financial mindsets and behaviors.

In this episode, Iván Watanabe and Lou Mohn explore ways we can teach our kids crucial financial lessons — even when they’re raised in a financially secure environment. Lou shares his personal insight and tips for parenting around finances and reveals the financial lessons he’s taught his sons along the way.

In this episode, you will learn:

  • Early financial lessons Lou Mohn taught his children
  • Why you should let your child make mistakes
  • The importance of your child’s happiness
  • How to teach your kids about charitable giving
  • And more!

Discover concepts both parents and children should know in this episode of Wealth Style Podcast!

Resources: Opus Private Client, LLC 

How to Take Your Golf Game to the Next Level — With Tom Patri

How to Take Your Golf Game to the Next Level — With Tom Patri

Are you ready to drive your golf game to the next level?

If so, tee up this episode of the WealthStyle Podcast and get ready to learn from Tom Patri himself! 

As one of the top 100 golf teachers in America, Tom joins Russ Carpentieri to share actionable tips that amateur golfers can use to improve their game and reveals the ways golf has impacted our psychology and technology.

In this episode, you will learn:

  • Why you need quality golf equipment 
  • Tom’s virtual golf teaching approach 
  • The importance of maintaining a proper golf practice regime 
  • How golf has helped foster family relationships
  • And more!

Tune in now to learn how you can upgrade your golf game today!

Resources:  Opus Private Client, LLC | Tom Patri Golf Services 

From Collecting Wine to Virtual Tastings: Wine 101 — With Sarah Tracey

From Collecting Wine to Virtual Tastings: Wine 101 — With Sarah Tracey

Are you a wine lover? Or, do you not know much about wine, but want to discover more about it?

If so, then this episode is for you!

Today, Iván Watanabe joins wine expert and certified sommelier, Sarah Tracey. To help you learn everything you need to know about wine, Sarah shares everything from her wine secrets to her tips and tricks for learning about your favourite type of wine.

In this episode, you will learn:

  • About the rise of virtual wine tastings
  • The difference between old world wine and new world wine
  • Wine etiquettes  
  • How to start your own wine collection
  • And more!

Are you ready to perfect your wine knowledge? Grab a glass and tune in now! 

Resources:  Opus Private Client, LLC | The Lush Life | Lush Life Instagram

How to Protect Your Income with Disability Insurance

How to Protect Your Income with Disability Insurance

Over the past several months, COVID-19 has left more people than ever questioning how they can protect their income.

To help you better understand your options, Iván Watanabe explores the value of disability insurance in today’s episode. In this information-packed episode, Iván dives into the value of this type of insurance and what you need to know about the ways it can protect you.

In this episode, you will learn:

  • Why you need to understand the definition of “disability”
  • The different types of disability insurance
  • What to think about when looking for disability insurance
  • About the process of getting disability insurance
  • And more!

Tune in now to learn more about disability insurance and why you should get it sooner rather than later!

Resources: Opus Private Client, LLC 

 

What it’s Like Working With Opus Private Client

What it’s Like Working With Opus Private Client

As an Opus Private Client planner and partner, Lou Mohn provides clients with personalized comprehensive financial planning by drawing not only on his knowledge and expertise, but also on his first-hand experience in working with Opus PC as a client himself.

Today, Lou joins Iván Watanabe to share his experience of working with Opus PC as a client, and why it inspired him to pursue a career as an advisor so he, too, could provide clients with the wealth, lifestyle, and purpose they seek.

In this episode, you will learn:

  • How working with Opus PC changed Lou’s life
  • What the Opus PC planning process looks like
  • Why time spent planning up front will provide you value later on
  • How Opus’ planning can help you get through hard times 
  • And more!

Tune in now to learn about Lou’s journey with Opus PC — and what their planning process could bring you, too, as an Opus PC client!

Resources: Opus Private Client, LLC

From the Election to COVID-19: Investing in Today’s Environment

From the Election to COVID-19: Investing in Today’s Environment

With the presidential election just around the corner and the COVID-19 crisis continuing on, 2020 has brought a time of uncertainty for many investors.

To explore our current environment and the investment planning that should go along with it, Iván Watanabe joins Robert Pruett in today’s episode. Robert shares what has been happening as a result of the global pandemic, both in the market and for clients. He also reveals how some of OPUS’ planning ideals have helped clients weather the short-term craziness of the year, all the while staying on track with their long-term plans.

In this episode, you will learn:

  • How the market has changed as a result of COVID-19
  • Three buckets you should consider putting money into
  • Benefits of hiring a professional financial planner
  • The importance of understanding your personal tax rate
  • And more!

Tune in now and discover how COVID-19 has impacted the investing landscape — and what you as an investor should keep in mind during this time of uncertainty!

Resources: Opus Private Client, LLC

COVID-19: What’s Happening on the Hill? — With Joshua Caron

COVID-19: What’s Happening on the Hill? — With Joshua Caron

When it comes to the physical and economic impact of COVID-19, many are questioning what our future could look like, especially from a policy standpoint.

To explore this question, Iván Watanabe joins Joshua Caron for today’s episode. As the vice president of legislative affairs at AALU & GAMA, Joshua shares his insight into the government’s reaction to the economic crisis created by COVID-19, the possible repercussions of the government’s financial aid, and how the government might recuperate post-COVID.

In this episode, you will learn:

  • The impact of the initial COVID relief efforts
  • How current events influence the election
  • About the possibility of liability protection for businesses
  • How the government could recover from the benefits they’ve granted
  • And more!

Tune in now to learn how the government has provided relief throughout the COVID-19 crisis — and what it could mean for the country’s financial tomorrow.

Resources: Opus Private Client, LLC  | AALU and GAMA | Contact Josh Caron

Wills & Trusts: Managing Assets After Death — With Anthony J. Enea

Wills & Trusts: Managing Assets After Death — With Anthony J. Enea

Have you created your will yet? If not, what will happen to your assets when you pass away?

In this episode, OPUS Private Client senior founder Michael Perry joins Anthony Enea, an elder law attorney with years of experience with elder law, wills, trusts and estates, asset protection, and special needs planning. Today, Anthony shares his expertise on the importance of creating a will and the impact it can have on your assets, while also answering common questions about estate planning. 

In this episode, you will learn:

  • The importance of creating a will
  • The difference between a trust and a will
  • How marriage can impact your asset distribution
  • The difficulties with using free online services
  • And more!

Tune in now for your run-down on what you need to know about estate planning with wills and trusts!

Resources: Opus Private Client, LLC  | mperry@opus-pc.com: (914) 825-1024 | Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP

How Will Socially-Distant Schooling Work?

How Will Socially-Distant Schooling Work?

With the pandemic precautions, returning to school is a concerning issue for many parents. What will their children’s education look like throughout the 2020-2021 school year?

In this episode, Ivan Watanabe is joined by OPUS partner George Papanicolaou and educational consultant Elaine Avinoam. Elaine shares her insight into the changes to schooling due to COVID-19 and the impact it could have on children, both in curriculum and in childrens’  socialization. 

In this episode, you will learn:

  • How schools are adapting to social distancing precautions
  • How childhood socialization will be impacted by hybrid or virtual education
  • What homeschooling could look like when done in “pods”
  • Tips for teachers who are nervous about teaching in this environment
  • The logistics of transitioning from the classroom to virtual learning or a hybrid model
  • And more!

Discover how the 2020-2021 school year will be impacted by COVID-19 precautions. 

Resources: Opus Private Client, LLCElaine Avinoam Consulting

How to Start Using the Most Overlooked Corporate Benefits

How to Start Using the Most Overlooked Corporate Benefits

Are you getting the most out of your company benefits?

In this episode, Russ Carpentieri and Iván Watanabe encourage you to stop leaving company benefits on the table and start using them. Find out which benefits people overlook the most, why people don’t enroll for good benefits, and, most importantly, how to start using benefits to your advantage. 

In this episode, you will learn:

  • The importance of understanding your benefits
  • How you can increase your benefits
  • The difference between company benefits and street benefits
  • How to start the enrollment process within your company
  • And more!

Tune in now to learn how to make the most of your company benefits!

Resources:  Opus Private Client, LLC 

Financial Planning Considerations for Young Families

Financial Planning Considerations for Young Families

As your life changes, so will your financial planning needs. One major transition that can shift your financial picture is starting a family.

But what should you consider around your financial planning when it comes to starting your family?

Today, Iván Watanabe joins OPUS Private Client’s George Papanicolaou to discuss financial planning considerations for young families. Together, they reveal key questions you should ask when planning for your first child and share planning ideas for after you welcome your first child.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • The financial steps you should take when planning for a baby
  • Why you should get your documents in order
  • The importance of locking your child’s social security number
  • How your income plays a role when planning around your child
  • And more!

Tune in now to discover the importance of financial planning when starting your family!

Resources:  Opus Private Client, LLC

Our New Normal: How the Retirement Landscape has Changed — With Rob Pruett

Our New Normal: How the Retirement Landscape has Changed — With Rob Pruett

A lot has changed over the years, including our lifespans, goals, and view of what makes the perfect retirement. How is financial planning adapting to this changing landscape?

To examine some of these changes, Iván Watanabe joins wealth advisor Rob Pruett for today’s episode. Together, they discuss the effect COVID-19 has had on retirees and where the future of retirement planning could be heading with younger generations.

In this episode, you will learn:

  • The impact life expectancy has on retirement planning
  • What young people are looking for with their futures
  • The importance of saving early
  • Strategies for after retirement
  • And more!

Tune in now to learn more about the retirement landscape in our current environment and beyond!

Resources:   Opus Private Client, LLC

What the Top Opus Clients Have in Common

What the Top Opus Clients Have in Common

Over the years, Russ Carpentieri and Iván Watanabe have noticed that clients who have the greatest level of financial success and personal satisfaction share very common behaviors and qualities.

Today, Russ and Iván delve into these common characteristics,  how they ultimately impact the planning process, and how clients move forward with their wealth, lifestyle, and purpose.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • What role a client’s mindset plays in their success 
  • What gap in the market Opus is filling for clients
  • Examples of the client journey when working with the Opus team
  • And more!

Tune in now to learn more about Opus Private Client and consider whether you’d be a good match for their services!

Resources:  Opus Private Client, LLC

Meet Your Hosts, Russell Carpentieri and Iván Watanabe

Meet Your Hosts, Russell Carpentieri and Iván Watanabe

Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Wealth Style podcast!

In this debut episode, get to know your hosts, Russell Carpentieri and Iván Watanabe, and the work they do to help clients at Opus Private Client move their wealth, purpose, and lifestyle forward with clarity and confidence.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • What drove Russell to found Opus PC
  • What sets Opus PC apart from other financial planning firms
  • How Opus PC gives back through the Opus Foundation
  • How Russell and Iván define success
  • And more!

Join Russell and Iván now to learn about who they are professionally and personally —  and to find out what’s to come from the Wealth Style podcast!

Resources:  Opus Private Client, LLC | Opus Foundation