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You're Not Alone
If you think you need to learn more about investing,
you're in good company. In a recent poll, 97 percent
of American investors said it was important to
increase their investment knowledge. Almost half
said they could have avoided a negative experience
in the market if they had known more about investing.
In the old days, many workers retired at age 65 with
a gold watch and a lifelong pension. They didn't
need to know how the stock market works or
understand issues affecting bond prices. But as more
people are discovering, responsibility for
retirement income has shifted to the individual.
One advantage you have is the ability to tap a
source of professional advice to help with the
decisions you are likely to face as you prepare for
your financial future.
Do It Yourself or Do It with Help?
If your refrigerator stopped working tomorrow and
you wanted it repaired, you would be faced with a
decision: hire a qualified repairman or learn how to
fix it yourself.
So it goes with investing. You could set out to
learn for yourself what works and, given enough time
and money, could probably become an accomplished
investor. But time is a key element in successful
investing. After you had learned any lessons from
your mistakes, there might not be enough time left
to apply what you had learned to reach your goals.
The alternative is to take an active role in
planning your retirement, using professional
guidance along the way. Of course, professional
advice is no guarantee of success, but it may help
you make more informed decisions and better use of
your time and money.
Most people could afford to learn more about
investing, but don't let a lack of knowledge stand
in the way of your retirement goals. Call today if
you would like to review your personal financial
situation.
Full article...
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Greetings!
Is the prospect of planning for your financial future
overwhelming? Maybe it is because it is so far away?
Or maybe because the amount of money you will
need seems unattainable? We agree. We believe that
you need to think about your financial future in short
sprints of one to three years at a time. If you
practice good fiscal responsibility each day, the long
term picture will begin to take care of itself.
Time to Share. Create a Buzz. The
Downtown Women's Club (DWC), a business
networking group based in Boston, is pleased to
announce Paula Harris, co-
founder of WH Cornerstone Investments in Duxbury
as the Director for the new DWC-South Shore
chapter. Currently in its eighth year of existence,
DWC-Boston group has launched several satellite
clubs to meet the needs of their suburban
members. "Paula's energy, dedication and strong
networking skills make her a natural leader on the
South Shore," commented DWC founder and
executive director, Diane K. Danielson. "Under Paula's
direction I expect that the South Shore chapter will
be one of our strongest."
The Downtown Women's Club brings
together
talented, energetic businesswomen to connect,
share ideas and help propel each other toward
success. Founded in Boston in 1998, the club also
has chapters in Worcester, NYC, Pittsburgh, and
Washington, DC. For more information, or to
subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter, "The DWC
Dish," visit the
website.
Downtown Women: It's an attitude, not a
location.
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| Trusts for Every Need |
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Americans love to give. Whether it's to family or
charity, many Americans make a habit of giving
during their lifetime and cherish the thought of
leaving a lasting legacy. In fact, U.S. charitable
giving is about $250 billion per year, rivaling the
gross annual economic output of such industrialized
nations as Sweden and Switzerland.
If your family has a fondness for giving, or if you
plan to pass on the fruits of your life's labor to
younger generations, you may want to employ a giving
strategy that relies on trusts. Trusts can help
increase the benefits to both the giver and the
receiver.
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| Make Your Final Wishes Come True |
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In a 2003 AARP survey, 75 percent of individuals
responded that not being able to communicate their
wishes would be worse than death. Despite this
belief, less than half had taken steps to ensure
that their wishes would be carried out.
Although death is not an easy topic to discuss,
end-of-life planning can mean the difference between
survivors carrying out your wishes or
second-guessing them. By drafting a letter of
instructions, you can ensure that your preferences
are known, help protect your estate, and make
decision making easier for your loved ones.
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| How Would a Disability Affect Your Business? |
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Business owners should be prepared for the
unexpected. One unexpected event is the possibility
that you may become unable to work for a period of
time. And because the odds are as high as 50/50 that
you will suffer a disability, it's important to take
precautions to protect your livelihood.
Well over half, 65 percent, failed the quiz. Only 39
percent understood the relationship between bond
prices and interest rates, and 97 percent thought
they needed to be better informed.
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| Pension Plight |
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Just when you thought the future of Social Security
was the biggest problem facing American retirees.
When United Airlines received permission from
bankruptcy court in May to terminate $9.8 billion in
pension obligations, the American public got a peek
at a problem that has the potential to affect a vast
segment of the population. The airline's decision to
default on four of its pension plans is seen as a
bellwether by some experts.
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| Steady Payments for Life |
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Stock market volatility over the past several years
has led many investors in search of opportunities to
lock in guarantees. As a result, many retirees are
turning to immediate annuities for guaranteed income
during retirement.
By providing a guaranteed income stream for life, an
immediate annuity can help you preserve wealth
during your retirement years and ensure that you
always have income to help meet your needs.
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| Ladies-Take Charge of your Financial Future! |
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Have you ever said any of the following before?
- "I don't have enough money to pay my bills; let
alone think about retirement."
- "It's my husband's responsibility to take care of
the finances and I take care of the children."
- "When I get married, my husband and I will make
those decisions together."
- "I don't need to plan; I'm going to receive an
inheritance."
- "I don't have the knowledge."
- "I don't have the time."
Well, it's time to stop making excuses and take
charge.
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