Demystifying the Escalating Cost of Education and the Power of 529 Plans with Tricia Scarlata

In this episode: Alternative investments offer unique diversification opportunities.Interval funds provide liquidity and access to private assets.Tokenization could reshape access to alternative markets.Additional resources:Read a summary of the episode: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/blog/podcast/big-picture-in-practice/future-of-investing-alternative-assetsCatch up on previous episodes: https://www.morningstar.com/views/podcasts/big-picture-in-practiceSubscribe to our newsletter: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/research/big-picture-in-practice-newsletter Questions or ideas? Email us at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]).

In this episode:How advisors can focus on services over products to meet client needs.Why holistic guidance and treating the practice like a small business can help drive success.How staying informed on global trends and embracing continuous learning fosters long-term success.You can listen to this and other episodes of Big Picture in Practice wherever you stream podcasts.Additional resources:Read a summary of this episode: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/blog/podcasts/financial-advisor-client-successCatch up on previous episodes: https://www.morningstar.com/views/podcasts/big-picture-in-practiceSubscribe to our newsletter: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/research/big-picture-in-practice-newsletter Questions or ideas? Email us at [email protected].

Dimensional Fund Advisors’ Katie Hendrix and Bryce Skaff dive into the firm’s new UMA platform.In this episode:Differences between unified managed accounts, separate accounts, and direct indexing.A look inside UMA platform technology.How UMAs address tax considerations.You can listen to this and other episodes of Big Picture in Practice wherever you stream podcasts. Additional resources:Read a summary of this episode: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/blog/podcasts/big-picture-in-practice/tax-managed-separate-accountsCatch up on previous episodes: https://www.morningstar.com/views/podcasts/big-picture-in-practiceSubscribe to our newsletter: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/research/big-picture-in-practice-newsletterQuestions or ideas? Email us at [email protected].

Schwab’s Jason Diefenthaler breaks down the inner workings of tax-exempt investment strategies.In this episode:The basics of tax-managed fixed income.Tax management tactics for separate accounts.Tips to measure client outcomes and manage expectations.You can listen to this and other episodes of Big Picture in Practice wherever you stream podcasts.Additional resources:Read a summary of this episode: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/blog/podcasts/big-picture-in-practice/tax-managed-separate-accountsCatch up on previous episodes: https://www.morningstar.com/views/podcasts/big-picture-in-practiceSubscribe to our newsletter: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/research/big-picture-in-practice-newsletterDisclosuresThere are risks associated with any investment approach, the Wasmer Schroeder Strategies have their own set of risks. The Wasmer Schroeder Strategies invests primarily in fixed income instruments and as such the strategies are subject to various risks including but not limited to interest rate risk, reinvestment risk, credit risk, default risk and event risk. Fixed income securities are subject to increased loss of principal during periods of rising interest rates. Fixed income investments are subject to various other risks including changes in credit quality, market valuations, liquidity, prepayments, early redemption, corporate events, tax ramifications and other factors.Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The material provided is for informational purposes only and contains no investment advice or recommendations to buy or sell any specific securities. The statements contained herein are based upon the opinions of Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc., dba Schwab Asset Management™, and the data available at the time of the presentation which may be subject to change depending on current market conditions. This presentation does not purport to be a complete overview of the topic stated, nor is it intended to be a complete discussion or analysis of the topic or securities discussed. All opinions and views constitute our judgments as of the date of writing and are subject to change at any time without notice. Schwab Asset Management does not accept any liability for any loss or damage arising out of the use of all or any part of this presentation. This report should not be regarded by recipients as a substitute for the exercise of their own judgment and may contain numerous assumptions. Different assumptions could result in materially different outcomes. Please contact Schwab Asset Management for more complete information, including the implications and appropriateness of the strategy or securities discussed herein for any particular portfolio or client.Wasmer Schroeder Strategies are available through Schwab's Managed Account Connection® program ("Connection"). Please read Schwab's disclosure brochure for important information and disclosures relating to Connection and Schwab's Managed Account Services®.Portfolio Management for the Wasmer Schroeder Strategies is provided by Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc., dba Schwab Asset Management, a registered investment adviser and an affiliate of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”). Both Schwab Asset Management and Schwab are separate entities and subsidiaries of The Charles Schwab Corporation.

In the complex world of financial advising, one size doesn't fit all. The diversity among investors is vast, with hybrid investors, millennials, Gen X, and women each bringing unique preferences, concerns, and goals to the table. This presents a powerful yet perplexing challenge to financial advisors: how to tailor their services effectively to each group. Listen to our in-depth conversation with Brie as she shares the distinctive needs of four primary investor cohorts and her views on the digitization and personalization of financial advisory services. Additional resources:Read a summary of this episode: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/blog/podcasts/big-picture-in-practice/serving-diverse-investor-needsCatch up on previous episodes: https://www.morningstar.com/views/podcasts/big-picture-in-practiceSubscribe to our newsletter: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/research/big-picture-in-practice-newsletterQuestions or ideas? Email us at [email protected].

In this episode:Benefits and drawbacks of RIA consolidation.What investors want from financial advisors.How financial advisors can explain their value in a sea of sameness.You can listen to this and other episodes of Big Picture in Practice wherever you stream podcasts.Additional resources:Read a summary of this episode: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/blog/podcasts/big-picture-in-practice/ria-consolidation-rollupsCatch up on previous episodes: https://www.morningstar.com/views/podcasts/big-picture-in-practiceSubscribe to our newsletter: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/research/big-picture-in-practice-newsletterQuestions or ideas? Email us at [email protected].

In this episode:• The benefits of model portfolios for advisors and investors.• BlackRock's approach to model portfolios.• How technology is transforming portfolio management.You can listen to this and other episodes of Big Picture in Practice wherever you stream podcasts.Additional resources:Read a summary of this episode: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/blog/podcasts/big-picture-in-practice/model-portfolios-evolutionCatch up on previous episodes: https://www.morningstar.com/views/podcasts/big-picture-in-practiceSubscribe to our newsletter: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/research/big-picture-in-practice-newsletterQuestions or ideas? Email us at [email protected].

Matt Hougan, Bitwise chief investment officer, joined the Big Picture in Practice podcast to explain how advisors should think about bitcoin ETFs and their place in a diversified portfolio.In this episode: How to value bitcoin. How bitcoin ETFs affect the wider crypto landscape. What's next for decentralized finance.You can listen to this and other episodes of Big Picture in Practice wherever you stream podcasts.Additional resources: Read a summary of this episode: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/blog/podcasts/big-picture-in-practice/sec-approved-bitcoin-etfs Catch up on previous episodes: https://www.morningstar.com/views/podcasts/big-picture-in-practice Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/research/big-picture-in-practice-newsletterQuestions or ideas? Email us at [email protected].

In this episode:The rising costs of high education The importance of saving and investing early The versatility of 529 college savings plansYou can listen to this and other episodes of Big Picture in Practice wherever you stream podcasts.Additional resources: Read a summary of this episode: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/blog/podcasts/big-picture-in-practice/529-savings-plan-benefits?utm_source=simplecast&utm_medium=streaming Catch up on previous episodes: https://www.morningstar.com/views/podcasts/big-picture-in-practice Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/research/big-picture-in-practice-newsletterQuestions or ideas? Email us at [email protected].

Will Peck, the head of digital assets at WisdomTree, defines tokenized funds and explains their impact on the industry.In this episode:Benefits and drawbacks of real-world asset tokenization.The difference between cryptocurrency funds and tokenized funds.The future of tokenized funds.You can listen to this and other episodes of Big Picture in Practice wherever you stream podcasts.Additional resources: Read a summary of this episode: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/blog/podcasts/big-picture-in-practice/blockchain-asset-management Catch up on previous episodes: https://www.morningstar.com/views/podcasts/big-picture-in-practice Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/research/big-picture-in-practice-newsletterQuestions or ideas? Email us at [email protected].