Where Are We Today... Is It Where We've Been?
http://www.fiplanpartners.com/management.htm
by Greg Powell, CIMA - President/CEO, Wealth Consultant
It is amazing where we sit today and how the mood and sentiment of investors has changed. With the market’s about-face starting March 9 and its near 35% rally off the bottom, the world does not feel quite so scary, the markets look less menacing, and our futures appear less fuzzy. But it’s crazy how we...
[FULL STORY]
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What Direction May We Be Going?
http://www.fiplanpartners.com/management.htm
by Greg Powell, CIMA - President/CEO, Wealth Consultant
Why does 900 seem so promising now, when the same level was so dismal before? (See previous article, “Where We Are Today... Is It Where We’ve Been?”) Frankly, it is all about the direction. Up just feels better and down just stinks. In fact, I have always wondered why the market is quoted as a “level”. I guess I now know why. It’s because level is a palindrome, a word that can be spelled the same way backwards and forward. Like the word level, the market can be at...
[FULL STORY]
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Is There Optimism in the Forecast?
http://www.fiplanpartners.com/management.htm
by Greg Powell, CIMA - President/CEO, Wealth Consultant
Is there optimism for the future? I remain constructive on the prospects for further market improvement throughout the rest of 2009. With the S&P 500 trading at about 920, we are likely to see lower levels at some point here in the summer, as the market digests its rapid moves off the lows seen in March. However, I remain convinced that any retest will be...
[FULL STORY]
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Can President Obama Fix Health Care?
http://www.fiplanpartners.com/management.htm
by Mac Frasier, Wealth Consultant
While the President, Congress, and business leaders are working to fix the health of our economy, many of our clients are also concerned about changes in tax rates and in our health care system. Like a patient whose temperature is rising, we believe it is inevitable that tax rates will go up, especially to help in all the new government programs created to supposedly help the ailing economy. Another topic will be how to insure every American with health care coverage. It is always easy to...
[FULL STORY]
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Is It Time to Rethink College?
College costs can seem staggering. For the
2008-09 school year, the average annual total cost was $37,390
for a four-year private university and $18,326 for a four-year
public university, up 5.6% and 5.7%, respectively, from the prior
year (Source: Trends in College Pricing, 2008).
[FULL ARTICLE]
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Get Familiar with the Financial Aid Process
Over $162 billion of financial aid was distributed
during the 2007-08 school year, with an average award of $8,896
per full-time student. Of that total, approximately 65% was in
the form of loans and 32% in grants (Source: Trends in Student
Aid, 2008). With so much money at stake, you should understand
the financial aid process to maximize your share of financial
aid.
[FULL ARTICLE]
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Taxes and Your Investments
Ordinary income taxes on short-term capital
gains and interest income can go as high as 35%, while long-term
capital gains and qualified dividend income are taxed at rates
not exceeding 15% (0% if you are in the 10% or 15% tax bracket).
One way to help maintain your portfolio's growth potential is
to invest in a tax-efficient manner.
[FULL ARTICLE]
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Stretching Your Salary
In the current economic climate, many employers
are cautious about increasing expenditures. That means your best
bet for the near term is to make your current salary stretch farther.
Some tips to consider include...
[FULL ARTICLE]
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Develop Good Investing Habits
Good investing habits are needed to ensure
that you follow through on your investment plan. Some tips to
hone your investing habits follow...
[FULL ARTICLE]
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President & CEO Greg Powell
www.fiplanpartners.com
As president and CEO of fi-Plan Partners
I want you to know that our reputation is based on the difference
we make in the lives of our clients. We're dedicated to delivering
financial services to you with confidence, character and commitment
above and beyond the competition.
Join us at fi-Plan Partners, where the "fi"
stands for ...
- Financial Integrity
- Financial Independence
- Financial Intelligence
- Financial Improvement and
- Fulfilled Individual
Feel free to contact me via e-mail at
gpowell@fiplanpartners.com
or visit our Web site
www.fiplanpartners.com
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