Greenstream

Investing isn’t about avoiding risk; it’s about taking the right risks and avoiding the wrong risks. In episode 15 of Greenstream, we break down what risk means, the difference between compensated (right) and uncompensated (wrong) risk, and why most investors underestimate risk.

You’ll learn:

• What different types of risk matter: catastrophic, opportunity cost, and missed goals
• Why individual stocks are riskier than you might t...

Is AI overhyped? Or is it the next big leap in productivity and profits? In this episode, we explore real-world examples of how GenAI is transforming small and medium sized businesses. Our guest, Steve Moritz, 2x AI founder and longtime IT consultant, shares how to start using AI in your business, the risks to mitigate, and why leadership buy-in matters. Plus, we discuss what AI’s expected productivity boost means for your investme...

Do they add enough value to cover their fee? We dive into to unpacking the qualitative and quantitative components of potential value for investors from fee-only advisors. We also compare fee-only advice with other forms of advice and discuss why investment advice alone isn’t enough to justify 1% per year.

Meet with Marcus & Pat: https://outlook.office365.com/book/MarcusCalendaratGreenspringAdvisors@Greenspringos33.onmicrosof...

How can you evaluate your advisor’s investment performance? We discuss why it’s an important question to ask, why it’s challenging to answer, and why you should be skeptical if the answer is only about past performance. Investing is different from other disciplines because past performance tends to not persist, even for sophisticated institutional investment managers. We also talk about the ways the industry obfuscates historical b...

In this episode, Marcus Schafer and Patrick Collins discuss the intricacies of generating income in retirement. They explore various strategies for withdrawal rates, the importance of asset allocation, and the role of social security. The conversation emphasizes the need for a comprehensive financial plan that includes tax strategies and the evaluation of income-generating products. The hosts advocate for a diversified portfolio ap...

Is an 8% withdrawal rate, like Dave Ramsey says, sustainable? Or is it 4%? We unpack one of the top questions retirees have: How Much Money Do I Need to Retire? We reviewed the research on replacement, spending, and withdrawal rates to understand what a sustainable portfolio withdrawal rate is.

Chapters:

00:00 Understanding How Much Money You Need to Retire – finding a better answer than “more”

04:13 Spending vs. Asset Retirement T...

In this conversation, Marcus Schafer and Patrick Collins explore the complexities of real estate investment, discussing whether a home is an asset or a liability, the expected returns on real estate, the risks involved, and the tax implications of investing in property. They emphasize the importance of understanding market dynamics, leveraging unique skills, and conducting thorough analyses to make informed investment decisions. Th...

36% of Americans believe owning a house is the greatest investment you can make, but is it? In the 8th episode of Greenstream, we breakdown how many of us overestimate our returns by not factoring in true costs, which can be ~5% per year. After costs, fees, and taxes, real estate returns may be underwhelming but viewing a home as a consumption good also has non-monetary benefits. We evaluate how to make the most of your home as an ...

In episode 7 of Greenstream, Marcus Schafer and Pat Collins unpack why annuities, especially those labeled “deferred” or “variable”, often fail investors. Through the lens of the Rosenthal family’s costly mistake, they explore why annuities are so complex, how high fees and opaque terms work against consumers, and when (if ever) annuities make sense. From fear-based sales pitches to hidden tax pitfalls, this episode is a must-liste...

Is the 2025 stock market downturn driven by economic policies, such as tariffs, different from previous market crashes? We're joined by Justin Brown, Greenspring's Director of Investments, to discuss how this time, like every time, is different, but also how drawdowns and volatility are features, not bugs, of markets that reward long-term investors. We outline how investors should respond depending on the preparedness of their port...

Are Elite Endowment portfolios and returns replicable for other investors? In this episode we unpack what we can learn from some of the most famous institutional investors: endowments. We discuss how their process is repeatable, but the evidence suggests their performance is not. We discuss the challenges of evaluating performance, the debate between whether they are taking more risk vs different risk to achieve higher absolute per...

Patrick McQuown joins to discuss exiting your business and innovation in Baltimore. Patrick is a 2x founder and the Executive Director of Entrepreneurship at Towson University, where he leads the StarTUp coworking space, accelerator, and incubator. Pat, Marcus, and Patrick discuss the importance of planning for a transaction in advance, how to execute that plan in a way that fits your goals, and most importantly, what to think abou...

Meet with Greenspring Advisors: https://greenspringadvisors.com/contact/

What is financial planning? Join us for a conversation on what financial planning done well looks like and how to tell when it’s done for the wrong reasons – typically if the conclusion is to buy a product a salesperson receives a commission on. We discuss the difference between static versus dynamic plans, how your families’ plan is similar and different to ...

Pat Collins and Marcus Schafer discuss using evidence to inform your investment philosophy and why it’s important to have one. We dive into the three ways to beat the market, the evidence evaluating if those attempts are successful, and the three things investors can control to maximize their chances of success.

Chapters

00:00 Intro – The difference between the evidence of investing and the act of selling investments.

03:01 Why W...

Pat Collins, CFP®, EA, and Marcus Schafer, CFP®, MBA, explore what sets Greenspring Advisors apart in the world of wealth management. In this episode, we’ll dive into our firm’s mission and vision, exploring how this guides our client-first approach and shapes our core values. We'll also discuss the importance of being an independent financial advisory firm, fostering an ownership mentality among employees, and how this combination...