Financial Topics Newsletter
Brought to you compliments of Steven Stanganelli, CRPC® CFP®

November 2009   Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Inflation and the Rising Tide – Protecting Your Assets from the Storm
by Steve Stanganelli, CFP ®, CRPC ®

There is an old expression: A rising tide lifts all boats. A rising tide can also swamp them.

And with conflicting signs of improvement in the economy appearing on the horizon, there is a real possibility of inflation coming in with the tide.

Why worry about inflation? Well, inflation is an investor’s worst nightmare.


[FULL STORY]
 

View from the Helm
Market Strategy Update - An Investment Compass
by Steve Stanganelli, CFP ®, CRPC ®

Managing risk. This is paramount to successfully completing any endeavor. Having a risk-controlled investing process will help any investor sleep better at night.

When Eviel Knievel jumped over the Snake River, did he just show up at the edge of the canyon and hit the accelerator? No. He had a plan implemented by a crew with systems and backups in place.

Does this mean that you’ll always avoid a fall if you have such systems in place? No. But wouldn’t you sleep better at night knowing that your first aid kit was full and your fire extinguisher was handy? Same thing applies when investing and the approach we implement for our clients.

Should you be invested? How much? What should you invest in and when? Start here to get some insight to our approach and recommendations.
[FULL STORY]
 

Quest Takes to the Airwaves
Podcasts for Past Shows Available
http://www.questfsi.com/index.cfm

Over the last several weeks, Steve Stanganelli has co-hosted the "Quest for Financial Freedom," the weekly money program designed to answer questions on how to keep more of it, make it grow, protect it and pass it on. The program airs each Saturday morning from 9 AM to 9:30 AM on North Shore 104.9 FM and podcasts can be downloaded of past shows by visiting the Quest website.

Recent topics have included:

* Divorce Financial Planning - First Steps to a Fresh Start

* Retirement Investing: What You Need to Know Before You Say Good-Bye to Your Paycheck

* Paying for College Without Going Broke

Steve and his co-host, Bob Dubee, CPA, CFP also answer questions from listeners on any financial topic.

Send your questions directly to Steve at steve@questfsi.com or call 888-323-3456.
 

Rescue Your Retirement Plans
Retire in a Day Workshops Offer Road Map to Recovery
http://www.questfsi.com/index.cfm

If You’ll Give Me a Few Hours in Just ONE Day in Your Life,

I’ll Give You 20 Years of Mine…

…and you’ll walk away with peace of mind knowing you’ve learned and integrated most everything you need to know to navigate a successful retirement.

Join us on the third Wednesday of every month from 7:00pm-9:00pm at our offices in Lynnfield for our RETIRE IN A DAY© workshop.

Seating is limited. Please call us at

781-224-3456 or toll free at 888-323-3456.

In our RETIRE IN A DAY © Retirement Rescue Workshop, we help people answer questions like:

* How can I protect my money and still have it grow?

* What do I need to do now to get back on track?

* When can I retire?

* Will I have enough money?

* How much can I take out?

* Am I invested correctly?

* Will I be able to meet my health care costs?

* How do I increase my income to beat inflation?

* Should I take Social Security now or later?

* How long will my money last?

* How will I be taxed in retirement?

* Is active or passive investment management better?


 

Grow Your 401(k) Plan
Your 401(k) plan's ultimate size is primarily a function of two factors - how much you contribute and how much you earn on those contributions. Of course, you know you should contribute the maximum amount possible ($16,500 in 2009 plus a $5,500 catch-up contribution for individuals over age 50, if permitted by the plan). But what steps should you take to maximize your returns? Consider these tips.
[FULL ARTICLE]
 
Assess Your Life Insurance Needs
Life insurance is meant to protect your family in case you die. We all hope to live to a ripe old age, to see our grandchildren marry and have children of their own, and to share old age with our spouse. But life insurance is about preparing for the unexpected. If you have dependents who rely on your income, life insurance will probably be needed to provide for them after your death.
[FULL ARTICLE]
 
Review Your Homeowners Insurance
Often, homeowners insurance is purchased with the home and then is not thought about again until a claim is made. But since there is little you can do at that point about your coverage, take time periodically to review your policy. Some items to consider include...
[FULL ARTICLE]
 
Unemployment in the Current Recession
With unemployment rates higher than they've been in decades, many are trying to determine how quickly unemployment numbers will come down once the recession is over. While the overall unemployment rate is the most commonly cited statistic, researchers focus on two components of that rate - the inflow rate, or the rate that workers are moving into unemployment, and the outflow rate, or the rate that workers are moving out of unemployment.
[FULL ARTICLE]
 
Why You Need an IRA
In some ways, a 401(k) plan or defined-benefit plan from an employer can provide a false sense of security. You may feel, without analyzing the situation, that you're saving enough for retirement. But the reality is that the plan may not be enough to provide the retirement you had in mind. Thus, you may also want to contribute to an individual retirement account (IRA) for some or all of the following reasons
[FULL ARTICLE]
 

My highest priority is getting you where you want to be. If it's an important goal for you, then it's important to me to help get you there. Whether you need a road map for retirement investing or college funding strategies or want an answer to a specific financial challenge, my team and I are available to help you on your quest for financial freedom.

My goal is to provide the peace of mind that comes with knowing you have entrusted your financial future to a team of experienced professionals that cares about making your dreams a reality - regardless of the size of your portfolio.

I work with retirees, busy professionals and growing families who are motivated to achieve financial success or need help with the challenges that result from a life changing event. My practice encompasses investment management, college funding, estate planning and divorce analysis.

For more than 20 years I have been coaching individuals and organizations on ways to improve and protect their personal or business bottom line. I am never too busy to help you or someone you know and care about.

Feel free to contact me via e-mail at
steve@questfsi.com

or visit my Web site
www.questfsi.com
or blog
www.moneylinkpro.wordpresscom
 

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Copyright © 2009 Quest Financial Services, Inc.. All rights reserved.
Some information provided in this newsletter was prepared by Integrated Concepts. This newsletter intends to offer factual and up-to-date information on the subjects discussed, but should not be regarded as a complete analysis of these subjects. Professional advisers should be consulted before implementing any options presented. No party assumes liability for any loss or damage resulting from errors or omissions or reliance on or use of this material.
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