Greetings!
Hi folks! I hope everyone enjoyed the summer. Now that the kids are back in school and vacation is over, things can get back to normal. We've kept busy over the summer, but did manage to take a little well deserved time off (not much though). Many folks have complimented us on the articles I have been writing every month in Lake Norman Magazine, and I always appreciate any feedback. If anyone would like copies of these articles just let us know and we can email them to you. We have included them with our monthly newsletters, too. Also, if there are any topics you'd like me to write about let us know. My daughter Kelly has been a great help (she started in June), and she continues to learn the business every day. I can't wait for all of our clients to meet her (proud daddy speaking). The rest of this year however, will be anything but normal! With the November election, the fiscal cliff, taxes getting ready to go up, etc., it's probably one of the most important periods in time I can remember to review your financial plan, and make sure what your financial goals are moving forward and that they have not changed. For example, ask yourself these simple questions: How much of your money do you want to keep safe (and should you keep safe)? How much income will you require in the future? How can you get higher rates of return and still be safe? How will taxes affect you and your family in the future? How can you remove the IRS from your list of beneficiaries? These are all important questions for every family. New strategies and updated programs are introduced every day, please don't get left behind! Contact us if you have ANY CONCERNS! Enjoy this month's articles. Sincerely, 
--James D. Stillman
P.S. - To all our clients, we're doing it again! Get ready for the annual Lake Norman client appreciation event Oct. 5th. You won't believe what we've got planned, and everyone who brings a guest will receive a special gift that's guaranteed to bring back memories of the "GOOD OLD DAYS". Save the date!! SAVE THE DATE!!! Friday October 5th, 2012 Client Appreciation Cruise on Lake Norman
aboard the Ragin' Mistress
More Info to Come... |
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Understanding "The Three Stages of Money"
for Retirement Security
Lake Norman Magazine, September 2012
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Have you ever sat back and thought about where your money should be at the different stages of your life? With market volatility, low interest rates, uncertain tax rates, and depressed real estate markets, this question often comes up in our office. We have a simple conversation with our clients called "The Three Stages of Money". In a previous article, we also talked about "Three Money Worlds". Our goal is to simplify a complex financial landscape and apply common sense solutions.
Here are the three stages:
1) SAVINGS: this primarily means banks. When we were young and just starting out, most of us were taught to save some of our money. These monies needed to be safe and liquid, so we developed a relationship with a local banker and opened a checking or savings account. I know rates of return are low, but that's the price you pay for safety and liquidity. A banking relationship typically lasts forever, because we will always need some safety and some liquidity as we move through life.
Read more...
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Q.E. III: What are the Chances?
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In addition to being swayed by the current European crisis, the direction of U.S. markets has been heavily influenced of late by the potential for the Federal Reserve to launch their third Quantitative Easing program (Q.E. III).
Q.E. programs are basically periods wherein the government pumps money into the financial system with the goal of lowering interest rates and stimulating the economy. In our opinion, the first two iterations of Q.E. have failed to stimulate the economy but have definitely created demand for both Treasuries and Equities. This creation of demand has led to price increases in both asset classes. Therefore, investors are now making bets on the probability for Q.E. III as further easing will be positive for markets.
Read more... |
| A Recovery Building? | | We've said it before, but we'll say it again: as investment managers we look to benefit from long-term trends while managing the short-term volatility along the way. In our opinion, one way to define a successful asset manager is:
*One Decent idea every One year
*One Good idea every Three years and
*One Great idea every Ten years
With this in mind, we wish to draw investor attention to the data which is suggesting housing may be turning the corner.
Housing is a required cornerstone for a healthy growing economy, unlike the situation in Europe, the potential for the third tranche of Quantitative Easing and the other issues that have recently caused markets to swing on a daily basis.
Read more... |
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