The stock market has been soaring. Both the Dow Jones Industrial and S&P 500 indexes have more than doubled since their lows during the 2008-2009 financial crisis and are now approaching their all-time record highs. Understandably many investors are beginning to feel more optimistic about their financial futures. For some, the financial and emotional damage …
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The market is on the rise… proceed with caution!
March 20th, 2013 | Posted by in Investment Planning - (0 Comments)Public pensions do affect Social Security benefits
December 11th, 2012 | Posted by in Retirement Planning - (0 Comments)Anyone who has earned ten years of Social Security work credits receives a Social Security benefit at retirement age. Your benefit amount is based on your earnings averaged over most of your working career and the age at which you begin receiving your Social Security checks. The higher your lifetime earnings and the longer (up …
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Is real estate still a solid investment?
November 26th, 2012 | Posted by in Investment Planning - (0 Comments)Is real estate still a sensible investment? Although many factors will determine whether it makes sense for you, most savvy real estate investors would likely agree that the improvement in recent residential housing data, current values and low financing rates make this an attractive time to consider an investment in this asset class. However, while …
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Whether it is funding a comfortable retirement, helping your children pay for college, or some other important financial goal, starting to save early, aggressively, and consistently is the surest means of achieving it. The message is simple and clear. Spending less than you earn and saving and investing the rest is the most powerful wealth …
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Prescriptions for saving Medicare
October 27th, 2012 | Posted by in Retirement Planning - (0 Comments)Medicare, our nation’s largest and most important health program has contributed substantially to the well-being of America’s seniors. At the same time however, the rapidly mounting cost of this program poses a threat to the economic security of our country, as well as to current workers, retirees, and the program itself. Simply put, because Medicare …
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America’s large budget deficits and burgeoning national debt is a reality that has serious implications for our country and for every US citizen. Because Medicare is one of our nation’s most expensive and fastest growing social programs, it has become the focal point of a contentious budget debate in Washington, and labeled by many as …
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Understanding the Medicare Debate – Part Two
September 25th, 2012 | Posted by in Retirement Planning - (0 Comments)How is Medicare financed? Medicare is America’s largest public health program and one of the largest programs overall in the federal budget. For over 40 years Medicare has played an important role in improving the economic security and well-being of our country’s seniors. In 2011 Medicare provided benefits to over 40 million seniors and more …
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Understanding the Medicare Debate – Part One
September 10th, 2012 | Posted by in Retirement Planning - (0 Comments)During this presidential election year, no topic has become more hotly debated or more polarizing than budget reform. At the center of that debate is Medicare reform. Regardless of your political persuasion, there is no denying two important facts. First, Medicare is an important social program that most seniors rely upon for access to quality …
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Investing with Humility
August 8th, 2012 | Posted by in Financial Planning | Investment Planning - (0 Comments)Our society places a high value on confidence and most people identify it as a key element for success in life. But does it necessarily hold true for successful investing? In daily life when we talk about confidence we are referring to the degree of certainty that we hold in the validity of our knowledge, …
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Protecting your investments from inflation
July 12th, 2012 | Posted by in Investment Planning - (0 Comments)In an effort to mitigate the effects of the recent global financial crisis, the United States and governments worldwide have pursued economic policies including low interest rates and significant government spending that have increased the possibility of higher inflation. Like stock prices and interest rates, future inflation is unknowable and thus unpredictable. Therefore positioning your …
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