Birchwood's Financial and Investment Blog

By Kay Kramer, CFP

Minnesota hosted Super Bowl LII and introduced the world to the Bold North! As a resident, it was hard not to feel the camaraderie with your fellow Minnesotans, and you wanted the gear that showed it. Maybe for you it was more than just stopping by the nearest big box retailer for a mass...

By Kay Kramer, CFP

One powerful way to make a difference in today’s world is by wielding our financial power. One way people are doing this is through Socially Responsible Investing (SRI), which is a philosophy where investors do more than just look for a return but also invest assets in a way that benefits...

By Kay Kramer, CFP

One of the many things that you may think about as you near a transition to retirement or are retired, is how your charitable giving may change. Below are a few common questions or scenarios we see as financial planners: Your charitable giving may change focus from money to more time You...

By Kay Kramer, CFP

As a woman financial advisor in an overwhelming male profession, I find the recent emphasis on women empowerment funds or gender lens investing is very exciting! Gender lens investing is a practice of investing for financial return while also considering the benefits to women. A Shift in...

By Kay Kramer, CFP

When we first approach the topic of estate plans with clients, we know it can often be an uncomfortable discussion for many. We celebrate when clients tell us that they do in fact have an estate plan, that they know what is says, and that it reflects their values and wishes. But more often,...

By Kay Kramer, CFP

I was privileged to participate on a panel at a women’s breakfast hosted by the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy at the end of April. The title was “Be Your Own Environmental Hero: Fresh Strategies without the Politics.” I’ve been thinking a lot about this topic and reflecting on why...

By Kay Kramer, CFP

One of the first things I often ask clients is if they have any financial gremlins. What are financial gremlins? They are messages about money that can haunt anyone and can inform their financial decisions, keep them from doing something, or cause anxiety. I usually ask if they feel like there...