PiggyBankWritingPersonal Money Planning's

e-Newsletter for July 11, 2009

(to look at past issues, click here)
Also In This Issue
Harry Dent Predictions
Listen and Accept Instruction: A message to business
What If? Preparing for trouble
parting thoughts: What Do You Own? A nifty tool for investors
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Harry Dent Predictions
Harry Dent is a famous stock watcher...famous for making some rather startling predictions. Back in the year 2000, he forecasted that by the end of this year the Dow would reach 40,000.
 
I think he was a little off there.
 
Let's hope he's off again. Now he's back with a prediction that the Dow will drop to below 4000 within the next three years. While this is possible, I'd give it as much credence as his last prediction.
 

Disclosure

 

This newsletter is produced by Gary Silverman, dba Personal Money Planning, a registered investment advisor located in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Information in this newsletter is believed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regards to the subject matter covered. However, the accuracy, timeliness, or applicability of the information is not guaranteed and is provided with the understanding that we are not rendering legal, accounting, tax, or other professional advice or services.

This publication should not be construed by any consumer and/or prospective client as Personal Money Planning's solicitation to effect, or attempt to effect transactions in securities, or the rendering of personalized investment advice for compensation, over the Internet. Nor should links provided to other sites be construed as the recommendation of the services or products mentioned on those sites. If such services are required, the help of a competent professional should be sought.

Remember that past performance may not be indicative of future results. Therefore, you should not assume that the future performance of any specific investment, investment strategy, or product made reference to (directly or indirectly) on this Website will be profitable or equal to indicated performance levels. Different types of investment involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that any specific investment will either be suitable or profitable for your investment portfolio.

Historical performance results for investment indexes and categories generally do not reflect the deduction of transaction or custodial charges or the deduction of an investment management fee, the incurrence of which would have the effect of decreasing historical performance results.

A copy of Personal Money Planning's current written disclosure statement discussing Personal Money Planning's business operations, services, and fees (known as an ADV Part II) is available from Personal Money Planning upon written request (and can be downloaded from our web site).

Personal Money Planning does not make any representations or warranties as to the accuracy, timeliness, suitability, completeness, or relevance of any information prepared by any unaffiliated third party, whether linked to Personal Money Planning's web site or incorporated herein, and takes no responsibility therefore. All such information is provided solely for convenience purposes only and all users thereof should be guided accordingly.

 
 Gary Silverman, CFP  
Slowing Down
 
If you've been reading these newsletters for a while, you'll know I've been working on my business plan lately. Or, as I affectionately call it, my "what do I want to do when I grow up" plan.
 
One thing I looked at is how to best use my time. This newsletter turns out to be a pretty good use of my time. It gets sent out to over 500 people and around half of them actually read it.
 
But moderation is called for. While the newsletter is beneficial, it is not as important to building my business as other endeavors are.
 
Don't worry, I'm not stopping the newsletter. I'm just slowing it down a bit. After all, it wasn't supposed to be a weekly publication anyway. It's just that it started just as the markets started going south rather quickly and there was a lot on my mind that needed saying. Things have quieted down a bit, and so will I.
 
So, starting now, the normal periodicity (I love the word) for this newsletter will be every-other week. They'll be a bit longer, so feel free to keep half of it to read on the in-between weekends.
 
See y'all in two weeks.
 
Gary
 
Gary Silverman, CFP  
 
PS: I reserve the right to come up with quicker editions if events warrant it.
PPS: I also love the words segue and plethora. 
Listen and Accept Instruction
 
Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.  Proverbs 19:20
 
I tend to say no. I tend to argue (I consider it debate). I tend to play Devil's advocate, even when not asked. In other words, I seem hostile to other's ideas. Yes, I admit that I can be hard to live with. But those who know me also know that I take in what is said. Later... 3 minutes, 3 hours, 3 days, or 3 weeks later you are likely to hear, "ya know, she's got a point there."
 
While I can definitely use a bit of polishing when it comes to social skills, I have learned to listen to advice and (eventually) accept instruction.
 
While my thoughts in this article are geared toward the business manager, I think it has lessons for all of us. To read the complete article surf to this address: http://www.personalmoneyplanning.com/ourviews.aspx?LinkId=87171&spid=86755
 
(This article was originally printed in the Biz-to-Biz publication of the Wichita Falls Times Record News.)
 
  


What If?
In my humble opinion (IMHO for you text-message junkies), the market has seen its lows for this cycle. Before you start raiding the kids' piggy-bank to buy stocks, realize that I only give myself about a two-thirds chance of being right.
 
I think there's also a chance that the markets will drop about 40% from our recent highs. Before you start raiding your 401k to stuff money back into the kids' piggy-bank, realize that I think there's only one chance in 20 that this dire prediction will occur.
 
Want to leave worrying behind and only happy surprises to come? Find out how by reading the rest of this article here: http://www.personalmoneyplanning.com/ourviews.aspx?LinkId=88050&spid=18866
(This article was originally printed in the Biz-to-Biz publication of the Wichita Falls Times Record News.)
 
parting thoughts 
What Do You Own?
 
Many people can't tell you what types of mutual funds they own. Many more can't tell you the funds' names. But certainly they should have an idea of what, overall, they have in their portfolios.
 
Well, no, most don't.
 
If you'd like to know just how diversified your portfolio is, I'd like to turn you onto Morningstar.com's Instant XRay tool. If you go to http://portfolio.morningstar.com/RtPort/Free/InstantXRayDEntry.aspx?ChangeMode=P&entrynum=10&runMode=MSTAR , you'll find a neat tool that lets you input the stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds you have in your portfolio. Once entered you hit "Show Instant X-Ray." It will produce a report showing how much is in stocks vs. bonds, the sectors you are in, and where in the world your money is invested.
 
It's way cool, and yours to use free.

That's all for this week.
 
Gary Silverman caricature
 
 
 

Gary

 
Gary Silverman, CFP
Personal Money Planning  
 
 

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