PiggyBankWritingPersonal Money Planning's

e-Newsletter for February 26, 2011

(to look at past issues, click here)

Also In This Issue
Charley The Wal-Mart Greeter
Your Money Column
The Economist
Facebook Postings
parting thoughts: We're Ready For Spring (and Winter)
Click Through To Our Web Site
Personal Money Planning Web Site
 
Send This Newsletter To A Friend
 
 
Get Your Own Subscription
 
 
 Charley The Wal-Mart Greeter   
 

Charley was a new retiree-greeter at Wal-Mart, but just couldn't seem to get to work on time. Every day he was 5, 10, 15 minutes late. He was a good worker, very tidy, clean-shaven, sharp-minded and a real credit to the company--obviously demonstrating their "Older Person Friendly" policies.

 

One day the boss called him into the office for a talk. "Charley, I have to tell you, I like your work ethic, you do a bangup job, but your being late so often is quite bothersome."

 

"Yes, I know boss, and I am working on it."

 

 

"Well, good, you are a team player. That's what I like to hear. It's odd though, your coming in late. I know you're retired from the Navy. What did they say if you came in late there?"

 

"They said, 'Good morning, Admiral, can I get you some coffee, Sir?'"

 

 

 

 

 

From: Bob Kargenian, TABR Capital Management

 

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
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Don't be Scammed by Fake IRS Communications  

 
 

This is from the IRS Tax Tip 2011-38. Given that many people are getting fleeced by evil doers, I thought that I'd reprint it here for you:

 


 

The IRS receives thousands of reports each year from taxpayers who receive suspicious emails, phone calls, faxes or notices claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service. Many of these scams fraudulently use the Internal Revenue Service name or logo as a lure to make the communication more authentic and enticing. The goal of these scams - known as phishing - is to trick you into revealing personal and financial information. The scammers can then use that information - like your Social Security number, bank account or credit card numbers - to commit identity theft or steal your money.


 

Here are five things the IRS wants you to know about phishing scams:


 

1. The IRS doesn't ask for detailed personal and financial information like PIN numbers, passwords or similar secret access information for credit card, bank or other financial accounts.


 

2. The IRS does not initiate taxpayer communications through e-mail and won't send a message about your tax account. If you receive an e-mail from someone claiming to be the IRS or directing you to an IRS site:


 

Do not reply to the message.

Do not open any attachments. Attachments may contain malicious code that will infect your computer.

Do not click on any links. If you clicked on links in a suspicious e-mail or phishing website and entered confidential information, visit the IRS website and enter the search term 'identity theft' for more information and resources to help.

 

3. The address of the official IRS website is

http://www.irs.gov. Do not be confused or misled by sites claiming to be the IRS but ending in .com, .net, .org or other designations instead of .gov. If you discover a website that claims to be the IRS but you suspect it is bogus, do not provide any personal information on the suspicious site and report it to the IRS.


 

4. If you receive a phone call, fax or letter in the mail from an individual claiming to be from the IRS but you suspect they are not an IRS employee, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to determine if the IRS has a legitimate need to contact you. Report any bogus correspondence.


 

5. You can help shut down these schemes and prevent others from being victimized. Details on how to report specific types of scams and what to do if you've been victimized are available at http://www.irs.gov, keyword "phishing."


 


 
Gary Silverman, CFP
 
gary's newspaper column Newspaper Articles You May Have Missed
From the Wichita Falls Times Record News
 
Understanding Asset Allocation Ain't Kid's Stuff
Are you managing your own investments? Gary has a recommendation for a book to study. Like his interns, you may not like it.
   

An Average Market?
When it comes to the important things in life, know what the average looks like, but don't expect to see it.

Article links
from

The Economist


Federal Budget Battles
This article suggests that the budget compromises will not happen in time. Is there time to work out some solutions?
http://www.economist.com/node/18233476

Filled Your Gas Tank Lately?
Recent developments in the Middle East have worldwide impact, as anyone who goes to the pump knows.
 

from gary's facebook pages
Facebook Stuff You May Have Missed:
From Personal Money Planning 

Facebook
  
  
 
 
House of Cards?
 Housing problems seem to be slowly slipping from our consciousness. Things are getting better, yet a lot of trouble remains.   


Six Tips For Tax Time
Are you kicking yourself right about now, looking for all you need to file your taxes? Take some tips from this article. Start now so you don't have to kick yourself next year:  

Links from Gary:

 

Elementary, Dear Watson...
The computer of recent Jeopardy fame, Watson, is no HAL, but could it be a distant relative? This article delves into the complexities of Artificial Intelligence and what it means for the future of humans.
 http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,2048138,00.html
 

A New Way To Cross The Road
This YouTube video just screamed Facebook post, after all, who doesn't like alternatives to that cumbersome walking thing? Honda developed a prototype for a personal mobility device that allows people to move around in the same fashion as the robots from The Jetsons.
 
 
 
 
   

bottomparting thoughts
  

We're Ready For Spring (and Winter)

 

 It snowed.

 

For the second time in just over a year Wichita Falls had a once-a-decade blizzard. Other than it eliminating my attendance at one of the more important conferences of the year (with nary a refund in sight), it was a non-event at Personal Money Planning.

Many years ago, we began a process to allow us to perform most all of our business functions (and all of our critical ones) without stepping into the office. This has served us well when I or a staff member are on a trip, sick at home, or can't get out because of snow-covered roads.

That's how, even when sitting in my PJs looking out at the snowfall, I can still let a client know what's happening with their portfolio, or free up some cash for an unexpected expense.

Have a great week.

 

  
 
Gary Silverman caricature



 
Gary


Gary Silverman, CFP
Personal Money Planning
 


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