Rough Start
 The Markets

While we offer services and advice covering nearly every aspect of our clients' financial situations, the stock market has been the primary conversation piece lately.

Due to concerns about the US economy headed for a recession, the market has been giving back most of its gains since late 2006. As was the case in 2007, much of the focus is on housing and lending.

With the Fed's "surprise" interest rate cut of .75% in late January, coupled with a likely cut at the end of the month, the market seems to have a little more confidence in the future. My guess, however, is that we could continue to see volatile markets until at least early to mid spring and that the market will likely see a rebound by September.

Typically, we tend to overreact when it comes to money. We either feel that the good times will never end and everything will always go up (ie stocks in 2000 and real estate in 2006) or we feel as though we need to sell our investments at losses because we are worried that the sky is falling.

The Fed can overreact as well. They likely raised interest rates too high this past summer and will likely drop them too low through this spring/summer. Going too low, however, is good news for the market. If mortgage rates drop too, then more people who otherwise would have defaulted on their loans will likely be able to refinance at rates similar to their original interest rates. This will keep people in their homes and steady the housing market and the banks.

Because housing and lending have been the key drivers of our economic fears for the past year, any steadying or positive trends will hopefully pull us out of the current downward trend. The next concern will be increasing inflation. If housing stabilizes, then the Fed will hopefully be able to adjust to keep inflation low.

While we spent time in late January to contact our clients, we received very few incoming calls by concerned clients. Most explained that they had some degree of trepidation with the market, but that they are confident that we will keep them posted if we need to change course.

Feel free to contact our office with any market or financial planning related questions you may have. We're happy to help you through these turbulent times.

 

 The Office
 

The new year has brought on a search for someone to assist me at the office. The focus has been on finding an intern with the skills, education, and interest to succeed in the financial services industry. My goal is to find someone who has the maturity, personality, and drive to grow within the company.

I have received many resumes and have begun conducting interviews. As soon as someone is hired, I will make an announcement.

Our office will be closed on February 11th and 18th. If you call or email during those days, you will be provided with alternate contact information should you have an urgent matter.

Don't forget our new office hours. You can reach us from 9AM to 6PM Monday through Friday. The office will close from 12PM to 1PM for lunch. If you call during lunch, please leave a message and someone will contact you after 1PM.

Our New Website! 

 The Family
 

We finally did it! Heidi and I came across an adorable puppy at the World of Pets Expo in Timonium. We have discussed getting another dog for some time and decided that a puppy would be best. We believe that Fenway will adapt to having a puppy around much quicker than he would take to a dog his age.

Heidi named our new puppy Roxy. She's about 10 weeks old and the SPCA tells us that she's a dalmatian, lab, and possibly border collie mix. She's as cute as can be and will be driving Fenway crazy at the office. If you're in the area, feel free to stop in and meet her.

 

 Dog for Adoption
 

About a month ago, Heidi came home and told me about a dog in Patterson Park that appeared to have been left there by his owner. Heidi said everyone tried to get a collar on him, but he'd just run away. She had heard that animal control had come by and gave up on trying to catch him.

A few weeks later, Fenway and I headed up to the park. When we arrived, we saw the dog near the same location where Heidi had seen him. While he'd play with other dogs, he didn't want people to come near him.

Eventually, the dog did come across one man with whom he felt very comfortable. The dog ran up to the man and let him pet him. I gave the man my leash and we had finally caught the dog.

While I was waiting for Heidi to pick us up, someone told me that a woman had lost her dog recently and her dog was the same breed as this one. We contacted Jini and she offered to foster him until we could find him a new home.

Jini named the dog Buda. She took him to the vet and found him in remarkably good health for having been alone in the park for almost a month. She still hasn't found someone to adopt him, so I thought I'd send his photo to see if you or anyone you know would be interested.

Buda's breed is Jindo and Jini describes him as gentle with a great disposition. He sleeps next to her bed at night and at her feet when she's on the computer. He seems great around other dogs and good with strangers coming to the door. Jini would gladly take him, but she will be traveling for work and doesn't believe this will be fair to Buda.

Heidi and I discussed taking him, but Fenway didn't seem too thrilled with Buda. While Buda seemed submissive during the brief time we had him, having another male in the house didn't seem like a good idea.

Please contact me at 410-732-2633 or via email if you or someone you know would be interested in this wonderful dog.