	Extra Point eUpdate Spring 2015

New Year, New You, New Goals!

While the New Year brings out lists of resolutions for fitness, wealth and other personal goals, most of these resolves will last but a few weeks. Pick one. No need to overwhelm your world with lengthy goals that may all seem unattainable. Choosing one single goal to focus on could be easier to stick with; why not make a financial resolution? Among those who made a financial resolution last year, 51% report feeling better about their money now, according to a new survey from Fidelity Investments. We are here to help you pursue that financial goal for the future you envision.

We're Expanding...

This last quarter has been an exciting time of growth for the Thiesen Dueker Group as we welcome three new team members. Shaley Reagan, Retirement Plan Services Assistant, joined the team at the turn of the New Year and is featured in our team member spotlight.

Layla Murphy-Long, Client Services Associate, has come on board with Thiesen Dueker Group after 9 years advancing through several positions in the banking industry. She prides herself in excellent customer service skills and is a tremendous asset to the clients she serves and the team at Thiesen Dueker Group. Always striving for individual growth, Layla is excited to build great partnerships with the advisors and clients as well as our team.

Shannon Stewart, Director of Marketing Communications is joining the Thiesen Dueker Group with over a decade of marketing, sales, and large-event management experience after working for a worldwide entertainment and convention venue management company. As a former Senior Event Manager and Sales Manager, she has worked with a wide variety of clientele, vendors, and organizations, giving her a knack for detail and communications. She is excited to take on this new position of further branding the Thiesen Dueker name by making clients feel personally engaged with the company, as well as executing external communications, annual charity events, seminars and client appreciation engagements.

In The Past...

After rave reviews from our Charity Bowling event last year, we held our 2^nd annual event on February 20^th at AMF Sierra Lanes in Fresno. Our wonderful clients, friends, families and lovers of bowling joined in and helped us reach our ambitious goal of raising $20,000 for charities like the Marjaree Mason Center, Valley Caregivers Resource Center and The Boys and Girls Club of Fresno County. We rose just over that goal and doubled our total from last year! One hundred percent of the donation amount asked of each bowler goes to charity and they received food, drinks, and three hours of bowling plus a ton of fun! We awarded some great prizes for the high scoring team and the best men's and women's individual score. Don't miss out on this great event next year.

In The future...

The 8^th annual Thiesen Dueker Charity Golf Tournament is coming up! Mark your calendars for Monday, June 22 as we take over Sunnyside Country Club once again. Join us for an exciting day of golf, food and drinks, prizes, and a silent auction with all proceeds of this great day benefitting some wonderful local charities. As Thiesen Dueker grows, so does our golf tournament and space is limited, so don't miss out on one of the most entertaining tourney's in the valley!

Creating a Plan for Effective Wealth Transfer

Have you implemented estate planning strategies to help pass along more of your wealth to your heirs? If not, this article will motivate you to do so.
Investors often concentrate on accumulating assets, but how much time and energy is spent on preserving those hard-earned assets for future generations? Not nearly enough. Have you considered any of the following strategies to help pass along more of your estate to your heirs?

Nuts and Bolts of Estate Planning

Many people don't begin thinking about transferring their assets until retirement. In reality, effective estate planning is an ongoing process -- often best begun at a much younger age. At the very least, you should have a will to ensure that your final wishes are known. If you have dependent children, also consider naming a suitable guardian for them. After determining the value of real estate, cash-value life insurance policies, and assets held in retirement and investment accounts, a more encompassing plan may also be necessary.

Giving Less to the Tax Man

What can you do to avoid drastically reducing your estate to meet tax obligations? Life insurance may be a tax-efficient way of transferring accumulated wealth. Some types of policies offer current tax benefits and also reduce or eliminate taxes for beneficiaries. And life insurance may also increase the amount passed on to your heirs. Plus, it may also help owners of highly appreciated property or small businesses retain their assets, rather than be forced to sell those assets to pay Uncle Sam.

Trusts may also be appropriate, and there are many types from which to choose. A grantor retained annuity trust (GRAT), for example, allows you to transfer assets to an irrevocable trust and then receive a yearly annuity for a specific number of years. Once the GRAT is dissolved, the remaining assets pass to the beneficiaries, usually free of estate and gift taxes. Charitable remainder trusts are also popular. They can be arranged so that you -- and, if you desire, a named beneficiary -- receive tax benefits and, in some cases, income during life. What's more, the trust also benefits a charity of your choice. If appropriate, trusts are a key part of the estate planning process.

This article just scratches the surface of effective wealth transfer. Contact your financial advisor or lawyer about these and other suggestions to make the most of your assets -- for both you and your heirs.

LPL Financial Representatives offer access to Trust Services through The Private Trust Company N.A., an affiliate of LPL Financial.

Because of the possibility of human or mechanical error by S&P Capital IQ Financial Communications or its sources, neither S&P Capital IQ Financial Communications nor its sources guarantees the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or availability of any information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information. In no event shall S&P Capital IQ Financial Communications be liable for any indirect, special or consequential damages in connection with subscriber's or others' use of the content.

Think About it.

What Should You Do With That Refund?

A few possibilities to consider.

Presented by Thiesen Dueker Group

Will you be receiving a tax refund this year? If so, you might want to think about the destiny of that money. Here are a few options to consider:

Start (or add to) an emergency fund. Do you have a dedicated rainy day fund? Consider setting this money aside for a tight spot you may find yourself in at another time.
Invest in yourself. You could put the money toward education, career training or personal improvement.
Use it for a down payment on a vehicle or real property. Real property may represent a better financial choice, but updating your vehicle may have merit - cars do wear out.
Put it into an IRA or workplace retirement account. If you haven't maxed out your IRA this year or have a chance to get an employer match, it may be worth considering.
Pay down debt. Almost always a wise move.
Get your home ready for the market. Spruce up the yard, exterior, or interior of your residence or hire professional who can assist you with staging it.
Improve your home with energy-saving appliances. Or windows, or weather-stripping, or solar panels - just to name a few options.
Create your own food bank. What if a hurricane or an earthquake hits? Where would your food and water come from? Worth thinking about.
See a doctor, optometrist, dentist or physical therapist. If you haven't been able to see these professionals due to your insurance situation or your personal cash flow, why not do it now?
Pay for that getaway you've been dreaming about. If you're debt-free and feel financially confident, perhaps you should consider rewarding yourself.
Pay it forward. Your refund could turn into a charitable contribution (deductible on next year's federal tax return, if you itemize deductions).

By carefully considering how to use your refund in advance, you may be able to avoid asking yourself, later, that age-old question ... "Where did it all go?"

This material was prepared by MarketingLibrary.Net Inc., and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting party, nor their affiliates. This information should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, we make no representation as to its completeness or accuracy.

Spring Recipe

5 Ingredient Smoky & Spicy Scotch Eggs

Makes 6 Scotch Eggs

Ingredients

6 eggs
1.5 lbs Ground Pork Sausage
1 Teaspoon Chili Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Smoked Paprika
2 Tablespoons Fresh Chives, Chopped
Sea Salt and Pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Put eggs in a pot and cover with water, bring to a boil.

3. Once the water is boiling, remove the pot from heat and cover.

4. Let sit for 10-12 minutes or until yolks are done to your liking.

5. Remove eggs from the water and let cool until they are cool enough to handle.

6. Peel the shell off the eggs.

7. While eggs are cooking, mix sausage, chili powder, smoked paprika, green onions and salt and pepper in a bowl until well combined.

8. Divide sausage into 6 sections.

9. Flatten each sausage section and mold it around the cooked egg and then place the sausage wrapped egg on a baking pan.

10. Repeat with remaining sausage sections and eggs.

11. Bake for 30 minutes or until sausage is cooked throughout and slightly browned on top.

12. Eat just as they are or serve with dijon mustard or sriracha sauce.

13. Enjoy!

UPCOMING EVENTS

April 3 Good Friday Our office will be closed	April 25 AMSOIL Arenacross
April 5 Easter Sunday	May 2 Spring Wine Walk
April 3-6 Marvel Universe Live	May 10 Mother's Day
April 11-12 Big Hat Days	May 22 Celtic Woman 10th Anniversary World Tour
April 16 Chris Tomlin Love Ran Red Tour	May 24 Glorious Junk Days
April 19 Black Pot Cook Off & Brew Fest	May 25 Memorial Day Our Office will be closed
April 22 Administrative Professionals Day	June 9 Eddie Izzard
April 23-26 Clovis Rodeo	June 21 Father's Day Summer Begins
April 25 Evolution Sports Expo & Fresno Classic	June 22 Thiesen Dueker Charity Golf Tournament

Market Stats 
as of 
March 25, 2015
 
Index          YTD
Dow Jones   -0.11% 
Nasdaq      +3.58%
S&P 500     +0.73%
 
US Treasury Yield
Maturity   Last Yld
3 mo.        0.02%
5 yr.        1.37%
10 yr.       1.88%
30 yr.       2.47%
       
      CNNMoney.com

If you know you are spending way too much, going all-cash for a spell might be a good move for your budget and might lead you to revise your spending habits for the better.

Retirement living is fundamentally about income versus expenses. If you retire with numerous debts and liabilities and high expenses, retirement may fast become financially uncomfortable for you. Do what you can to whittle debt and expenses down.

Have you recently become a caregiver, or are you about to become one? It might be wise to try and estimate the impact of your care-giving duties on your finances (work hours lost, out-of-pocket expenses incurred).

TEAM MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Meet Shaley Reagan

After 10 years in the financial industry, Shaley came on board with Thiesen Dueker Group with an extensive banking background which brings an excellent skill set to our business. Shaley started as a bank teller, working her way to assistant branch manager and loan officer. In 2013 she acquired her life insurance license and looks forward to expanding her industry knowledge with our team. Shaley is dedicated to her work at Thiesen Dueker Group and enjoys the people she works alongside and the clients they serve together. Shaley is a positive person who prides herself in being thorough and having exceptional customer service skills, along with a dedicated drive to develop great client relationships. She appreciates the group's supportive and encouraging "family" atmosphere and enjoys supporting the charitable organizations that the group donates to. Outside of work, Shaley's number one priority is her son, Bretton, and enjoys all of their time together and seeing the joys of life through his eyes.

Jeff Thiesen

Partner & LPL Financial Consultant

Lance Dueker

Partner & LPL Financial Consultant

David Johnston

Partner & LPL Financial Consultant

Jasin Carlen

Partner & LPL Financial Consultant

Tom Fife

Partner & LPL Financial Consultant

Holly Bare

Associate & Retirement Plan Consultant

Thomas Frost