tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78786362404190187882024-03-19T04:59:23.743-07:00 Smart FITTSmart FITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793903495778451682noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878636240419018788.post-4569016635885191732017-02-16T12:13:00.002-08:002017-02-16T12:13:21.255-08:00Using Tech to Stay on Track<b>Using Tech to Stay on Track</b><br />
<b>presented by Sharon Duncan, a Houston Financial Advisor</b><br />
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The New Year is symbolic in many respects. It gives you a chance to start fresh and set some goals that can improve your life in ways large and small. But if you’re like many people, familiar resolutions like “lose weight” or “go to the gym” slowly fade into darkness by mid-February, leaving you feeling disappointed in yourself.<br />
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This year, why not try focusing on a different aspect of your life—your finances? Instead of vowing to slim down, you can work on fattening your wallet with some tech-related resolutions. (And they’re probably more sustainable than waking up at 5:00 A.M. to hit the gym before work!)<br />
<b><br /></b><b>Making your finances a priority in 2017</b><br />
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Being aware of your finances, staying on budget, and spending less are easy resolutions to adopt. All you have to do is say these three phrases out loud: “I am going to be more cognizant of my finances this year,” “I am going to be extremely frugal this year,” and finally, “I am not going to spend as much as I did last year.” That’s it—you’re done with your New Year’s resolutions.<br />
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Only kidding! Simply making these resolutions and hoping for the best isn’t going to work. You need to take a more tactical approach to bettering your finances. Fortunately, a number of smartphone apps and other tech tools are available to help you be more disciplined in your budgeting and spending, turning those resolutions into worthwhile, maintainable habits.<br />
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There’s an app for that!<br />
<b>Mint</b>. One of the first budgeting apps available was Mint—a program that allows you to see all of your accounts in one place. By creating a log of your purchases, the app helps you keep track of your spending. After building up a large enough sample size of your purchases and transactions, Mint will even start categorizing them automatically. The app will alert you when bills are due and if any fees have been assessed on your linked accounts. In addition, Mint monitors your credit card balance relative to your spending limits, and it will warn you if any balances exceed a certain threshold of available credit.<br />
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<b>Digit</b>. Would you like to be better about putting money into your savings account on a regular basis? If so, then Digit could be the tech solution for you. This service, which also includes an app, monitors your spending patterns via your checking account to calculate a suitable amount to transfer to savings. You also have the option of manually adding money to your savings account by initiating transfer requests. Plus, as a Digit user, you’ll receive weekly reports via text message to keep you abreast of your current balances.<br />
<b><br /></b><b>Prosper Daily</b>. Given the growing threat of cybercrime, you may be worried about protecting your identity and making sure no one else has access to your hard-earned money. Prosper Daily helps deter scammers, targeting activity that doesn’t seem quite right on your linked accounts. It can even track your GPS location to see if your cards are being used elsewhere. For instance, if your card is used and it doesn’t match up to your current location, you’ll receive an alert via the app to notify you of this discrepancy. Then, you can dispute the charge right from your phone. To provide even more protection, it also performs regular “black market surveillance”—scanning websites and hacker forums to ensure that your personal information is not being traded, bought, or sold.<br />
<b><br /></b><b>Mint Bills.</b> If you need help keeping track of when bills are due during the course of the month, this app is for you. With Mint Bills, you can see all of your account balances, transactions, and the due dates of certain bills. It allows you to view your bills (e.g., credit card, insurance, and utilities) in one centralized place, includes a reminder system to help you avoid late fees, and lets you pay bills directly from the app.<br />
<b><br /></b><b>Toshl</b>. Skeptical of linking your whole world to your smartphone? More of a do-it-yourselfer when it comes to budgeting and spending? If you’re not comfortable uploading all of your information and account numbers to the digital world, Toshl may be the right fit for you. The app allows you to manually enter and categorize transactions as you see fit. It will also notify you when bills are due, analyze trends based on your past spending habits, and allow you to easily export your data to an Excel or PDF file.<br />
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<b>Cheers to better financial fitness</b><br />
In this day and age, using technology to your advantage is a must. With the help of your Houston financial advisor and these apps that are available right at your fingertips, you can ensure that you stick to your spending and budgeting resolutions. Here’s to greater financial knowledge, organization, and prosperity in the New Year!Smart FITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793903495778451682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878636240419018788.post-2942159403105737672017-02-16T12:11:00.002-08:002017-02-17T09:00:27.685-08:00Putting Our Technical Expertise to Work for YouPutting Our Technical Expertise to Work for You<br />
Presented by Sharon Duncan, providing Financial Planning Services in Houston<br />
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The workshop was intensive, digging into a wide variety of retirement topics including, IRA withdrawal strategies; the latest DOL rulings; tax planning for investment income; charitable IRA rollovers; and actual court decisions regarding retirement account beneficiaries.<br />
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Attending the Slott workshop and gaining insight into the latest retirement requirements helps ensure our financial planning services in Houston are up-to-date and accurate which is crucial for our clients' retirement success .<br />
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According to the Washington Post, 10,000 baby boomers per day are taking center stage on the retirement front and Selah Financial is prepared!<br />
Sharon Duncan and Derrick Callis completed an in-depth retirement training workshop from America’s IRA Experts with Ed Slott and Company at the end of 2016, just as about 2.8 million Americans turned 70.<br />
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The workshop was held in Coronado, California where members of Ed Slott’s Elite and Master Elite IRA Advisor Groups℠ convened to discuss the latest retirement account planning strategies, new tax laws, and guidelines for the recent Department of Labor (DOL) fiduciary rules.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">“Americans who turned 70 in 2016 are the first wave of baby boomers leading the way in tackling a new retirement challenge – required minimum distribution," says Ed Slott, CPA, founder of Ed Slott and Company and a nationally recognized IRA expert. "These mandatory distributions start once a taxpayer turns 70½, but many factors should be considered when timing your first withdrawal, including your income level, taxes and even your birthday.”</span>Smart FITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793903495778451682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878636240419018788.post-40319726064110935182016-11-17T09:35:00.000-08:002016-11-17T09:35:28.334-08:00Time, not timing, is what matters.<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 103%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 20.4pt; margin-right: 258.3pt; margin-top: 0in;">
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<span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">When it comes to investing in the market, we believe, it is not the market, but rather time in the market that truly matters. So many investors spend time trying to "guess" what the market is going to do. But any way you slice it, in our experience, timing the market just doesn't work.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">Rather, it is our belief that investors who have stayed the course through the long haul - even through periods of declining stock prices - are in a much better place when all is said and done.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">For some, this may be extremely difficult to do - especially during times when it appears that the market is in a state of decline. Nobody likes to sit and watch their money "disappear". So it can be tough to stay the course.</span></div>
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line-height: 103%;">o</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">ut</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.45pt; line-height: 103%;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">on</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.35pt; line-height: 103%;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">an</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; line-height: 103%;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%;">u</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">pward</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.9pt; line-height: 103%;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">swing</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.7pt; line-height: 103%;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">in</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.25pt; line-height: 103%;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">the</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.45pt; line-height: 103%;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">mar</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%;">k</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">et.</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.95pt; line-height: 103%;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">A</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%;">c</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">c</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%;">o</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">rdi</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%;">n</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">g</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1.25pt; line-height: 103%;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">to</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.25pt; line-height: 103%;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">Mar</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%;">k</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">et</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.9pt; line-height: 103%;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">A</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%;">n</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">al</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%;">y</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.05pt; line-height: 103%;">s</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%;">i</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.05pt; line-height: 103%;">s</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">,</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1.1pt; line-height: 103%;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">Re</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%;">s</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">ear</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%;">c</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">h</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1.2pt; line-height: 103%;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%;">a</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">nd</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.5pt; line-height: 103%;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">Ed</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%;">u</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.05pt; line-height: 103%;">c</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">a</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%;">t</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">ion</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1.2pt; line-height: 103%;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">(MARE) </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%;">g</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">roup,</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.75pt; line-height: 103%;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">a</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.25pt; line-height: 103%;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">u</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%;">n</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">it</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.5pt; line-height: 103%;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%;">o</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">f</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.3pt; line-height: 103%;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">Fi</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%;">d</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">el</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%;">i</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">ty</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.9pt; line-height: 103%;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">Man</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%;">a</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">gement</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1.55pt; line-height: 103%;">
</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">&</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.25pt; line-height: 103%;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">R</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%;">e</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">se</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%;">a</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">rch</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1.15pt; line-height: 103%;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">Co.,</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.55pt; line-height: 103%;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">t</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%;">h</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">e</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.45pt; line-height: 103%;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">i</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%;">n</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">vestors</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1.1pt; line-height: 103%;">
</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">who</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.55pt; line-height: 103%;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">so</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%;">l</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">d</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.55pt; line-height: 103%;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">and</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.45pt; line-height: 103%;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">remai</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%;">n</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">ed</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1.15pt; line-height: 103%;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">o</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%;">u</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">t</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.45pt; line-height: 103%;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">of</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.25pt; line-height: 103%;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">the</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.45pt; line-height: 103%;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">market</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.9pt; line-height: 103%;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">(S&P</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.7pt; line-height: 103%;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%;">5</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%;">00 </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 9.75pt;">I</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 9.75pt;">nde<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">x</span>)<span style="letter-spacing: .8pt;"> </span>af<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">t</span>er<span style="letter-spacing: .6pt;"> </span>it<span style="letter-spacing: .2pt;"> </span>fell<span style="letter-spacing: .4pt;"> </span>by<span style="letter-spacing: .3pt;"> </span>20<span style="letter-spacing: .4pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">p</span>er<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">c</span>ent<span style="letter-spacing: .95pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">o</span>n<span style="letter-spacing: .4pt;"> </span>Oct<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">o</span>ber<span style="letter-spacing: 1.0pt;"> </span>1<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">9</span>,<span style="letter-spacing: .45pt;"> </span>1<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">9</span>87,<span style="letter-spacing: .75pt;"> </span>wo<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">u</span>ld<span style="letter-spacing: .75pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">h</span>ave<span style="letter-spacing: .6pt;"> </span>m<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">i</span>s<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">s</span>ed<span style="letter-spacing: .9pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">o</span>ut<span style="letter-spacing: .45pt;"> </span>on<span style="letter-spacing: .35pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: .4pt;"> </span>15<span style="letter-spacing: .4pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">p</span>erc<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>nt<span style="letter-spacing: .95pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">c</span>limb<span style="letter-spacing: .7pt;"> </span>o<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">v</span>er<span style="letter-spacing: .6pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">t</span>he<span style="letter-spacing: .45pt;"> </span>f<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">o</span>ll<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">o</span>w<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">i</span>ng </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">t</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;">w</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">o<span style="letter-spacing: .45pt;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .65pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .65pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">L</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">i</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">kew</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">i</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">se,</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1.1pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">an</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">i</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">nv</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">e</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">st</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">o</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">r</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">who</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.55pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">s</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">old</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.5pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">aft</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">e</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">r</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.6pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">ei</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">g</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">ht</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.65pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">d</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">o</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">wn</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.65pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">da</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">y</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">s</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.6pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">in</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.3pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">t</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">h</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">e</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.45pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">fa</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">l</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">l</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">o</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">f</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.3pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">20</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">0</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">8</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.65pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">wou</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">l</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">d</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.75pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">h</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">a</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">ve</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.65pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">mi</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">s</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.05pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">s</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">e</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">d</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.9pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">o</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">u</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">t</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.45pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">of</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.3pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">t</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">he</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.45pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">6</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">t</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">h</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.45pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">l</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">a</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">rge</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">s</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">t</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.85pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">on</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">e</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">-day gain</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.6pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">ever</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.55pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">on</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">October</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">11,</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.45pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">when</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.7pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">the</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.45pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">S&P</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.6pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">rose</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.65pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">by</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.35pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">12</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.35pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">percent,</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.95pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">
</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">also</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.55pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">stated</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.8pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">by</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.3pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">MARE.</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.85pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">This,</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.65pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">too,</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.5pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">highlights</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1.2pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">
</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">the</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.45pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">importance</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1.35pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">of i</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">n</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">ve</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">s</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">ti</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">n</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">g</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1.1pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">for</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.35pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">the</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.45pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">l</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">on</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">g</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">-term,</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1.25pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">and</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.45pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">not</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">gett</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">i</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">ng</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.85pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">c</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">au</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">g</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">ht</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.85pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">up</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.35pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">in</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.25pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">the</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.45pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">"h</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">y</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">pe"</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.85pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">o</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">f</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.3pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">s</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">hort-t</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">e</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">rm</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1.25pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">mar</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">k</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">et</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.9pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">mo</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">v</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">em</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">e</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">nt</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">s</span><span style="color: #4d5548; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 103%; text-align: justify;">.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 8.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .35pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<i style="line-height: 117%;"><span style="color: #323232; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 117%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 8.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .35pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<i style="line-height: 117%;"><span style="color: #323232; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 117%;">All<span style="letter-spacing: .45pt;"> </span>indices<span style="letter-spacing: 1.0pt;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">r</span>e<span style="letter-spacing: .55pt;"> </span>un<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">m</span>an<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">a</span>ged<span style="letter-spacing: 1.7pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">a</span>nd<span style="letter-spacing: .6pt;"> </span>i<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">n</span>v<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>sto<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">r</span>s<span style="letter-spacing: 1.3pt;"> </span>ca<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">n</span>not<span style="letter-spacing: .9pt;"> </span>ac<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">t</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">u</span>ally<span style="letter-spacing: 1.15pt;"> </span>i<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">n</span>vest<span style="letter-spacing: .9pt;"> </span>directly<span style="letter-spacing: 1.0pt;"> </span>into<span style="letter-spacing: .55pt;"> </span>an<span style="letter-spacing: .45pt;"> </span>i<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">n</span>dex.<span style="letter-spacing: .85pt;"> </span>U<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">n</span>like<span style="letter-spacing: .95pt;"> </span>i<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">n</span>v<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>stm<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>nts,<span style="letter-spacing: 1.75pt;"> </span>indices<span style="letter-spacing: 1.0pt;">
</span>do<span style="letter-spacing: .45pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">n</span>ot<span style="letter-spacing: .55pt;"> </span>i<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">n</span>c<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">u</span>r m<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">a</span>na<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">g</span>em<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>nt<span style="letter-spacing: 1.9pt;"> </span>fe<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">s</span>,<span style="letter-spacing: .75pt;"> </span>c<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">h</span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">r</span>ges<span style="letter-spacing: 1.1pt;"> </span>or<span style="letter-spacing: .35pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">x</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">p</span>enses.<span style="letter-spacing: 1.45pt;"> </span>P<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">a</span>st<span style="letter-spacing: .7pt;"> </span>p<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>r<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">f</span>o<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">r</span>mance<span style="letter-spacing: 1.8pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">d</span>oes<span style="letter-spacing: .75pt;"> </span>not<span style="letter-spacing: .5pt;"> </span>gu<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">a</span>r<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">a</span>ntee<span style="letter-spacing: 1.45pt;"> </span>futu<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">r</span>e<span style="letter-spacing: .85pt;"> </span>r<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>s<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">u</span>lts.</span></i><i style="color: #323232; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 117%;">T<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">h</span>e<span style="letter-spacing: .6pt;"> </span>S&P<span style="letter-spacing: .7pt;"> </span>5<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">0</span>0<span style="letter-spacing: .6pt;"> </span>I<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">n</span>dex<span style="letter-spacing: .85pt;"> </span>is<span style="letter-spacing: .35pt;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">b</span>ro<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">a</span>d<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">-</span>based<span style="letter-spacing: 1.8pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">m</span>easu<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">r</span>e<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">me</span>nt<span style="letter-spacing: 1.95pt;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: .4pt;"> </span>ch<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">a</span>ng<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>s<span style="letter-spacing: 1.2pt;"> </span>in<span style="letter-spacing: .35pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: .5pt;"> </span>stock<span style="letter-spacing: .8pt;"> </span>m<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">a</span>rket<span style="letter-spacing: 1.05pt;"> </span>c<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">o</span>ndit<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">i</span>o<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">n</span>s<span style="letter-spacing: 1.45pt;"> </span>b<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">a</span>s<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>d<span style="letter-spacing: .9pt;"> </span>on<span style="letter-spacing: .45pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: .5pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">a</span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">v</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>r<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">a</span>ge<span style="letter-spacing: 1.2pt;"> </span>p<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">e</span>rfo<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">r</span>ma<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">n</span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">c</span>e<span style="letter-spacing: 1.8pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">o</span>f<span style="letter-spacing: .35pt;"> </span>5<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">0</span>0 widely<span style="letter-spacing: .9pt;"> </span>held<span style="letter-spacing: .6pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">c</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">o</span>mmon<span style="letter-spacing: 1.25pt;"> </span>stock<span style="letter-spacing: .05pt;">s</span>.</i></div>
Smart FITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793903495778451682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878636240419018788.post-77699879475684234812016-11-16T14:49:00.002-08:002017-05-03T09:47:32.631-07:00There is Always Scary News<div class="MsoNormal">
Every time I turn on the TV, it seems as though bad
news is flooding the screen. Of course, this news has an effect on the stock
market, keeping many investors away. While it may seem like times are tough
right now, there has actually always been negativity out in the world, and in
turn, reasons to keep your money close. But the truth is, if you stop investing
during "bad" times, you will lose out on quality investment
opportunities.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Here are just a few examples of what would have
occurred in terms of dollar amounts and average total returns if you had
invested $10,000 in the ( ) </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">on these historic days:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzqd86renmW7UkxOF7XY9WWZLMQwmbxX59lv2x8x2cVlWISAm4xYSaMWArszdv2p_BHvN0YZd3yZmOYInjcz4ebdUq-1H11I18knx3crN2GcAY5xZUXcV1xotWXNWhenx1OPt3OE7IDc/s1600/911-wtc-cross.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzqd86renmW7UkxOF7XY9WWZLMQwmbxX59lv2x8x2cVlWISAm4xYSaMWArszdv2p_BHvN0YZd3yZmOYInjcz4ebdUq-1H11I18knx3crN2GcAY5xZUXcV1xotWXNWhenx1OPt3OE7IDc/s320/911-wtc-cross.jpg" width="320" /></a>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Terrorists
attacked the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Ten years later, you
would have had $12,715 which is a 2.4% return. By the end of 2013, you would
have had $21,168 - a 6.3% return. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped a
record 22.6 percent in one day on October 18, 1987. Ten years later, you would
have had $44,268 which is a 16.0% return. By the</span></span><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">end
of 2013, you would have had $137,666 which is a 10.5% return.</span></li>
<li><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">President
Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963. Ten years later, you would have
had $22,945 which is an 8.7% return. By the end of 2013, you would have had
$2,171,751 which is an 11.3% return.</span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Pearl
Harbor was bombed on December 7, 1941. Ten years later, you would have had
$34,710 which is a 13.3% return. By the end of 2013, you would have had
$37,870,576 which is a 12.1% return.</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-indent: -24px;">
<span style="line-height: 18.4px;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-indent: -24px;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
Spreading fear is profitable for the 24/7 news channels and
is designed to keep you tuned in for more information. Their ongoing,
fear-based programming is harmful to you and your investing program. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[ *</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Results are calculated by ( )</span></div>
</div>
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<div>
<div>
<div class="msocomtxt" id="_com_1" language="JavaScript">
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Smart FITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793903495778451682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878636240419018788.post-49010605069919902222016-09-29T14:24:00.003-07:002017-05-03T09:42:24.815-07:00Reflection Reveals Economic Truth<h2 class="bard-text-block style-scope">
</h2>
<div class="bard-text-block style-scope">
Our
nation’s dialogue is drumming red, white, and blue as we continue to
draw closer to November 8th. Our upcoming election has prompted plenty
of debate across several avenues, including how the outcome might affect
our investments. It seems that even during family dinner, it is hard to
break away from the clatter of opinions. So, how are we supposed to
find solace in the middle of a heated presidential campaign? </div>
<div class="bard-text-block style-scope">
<br /></div>
<div class="bard-text-block style-scope">
<b class="bard-text-block style-scope">Answer: </b>Pause
and consider . . . because your investment return is not determined by
whether we have a Democrat or Republican in the White House. Sure, this
is easier said than done! While there is cJanita thisonstant rhetoric
around elections, it is important to ask yourself two things: </div>
<div class="bard-text-block style-scope">
<br /></div>
<ul class="bard-text-block style-scope">
<li class="bard-text-block style-scope">Do you remember the past elections affecting the performance of your investments over the long run? </li>
<li class="bard-text-block style-scope">Does
your experience reflect an investment return that was different whether
a Democratic or Republican president was in office? </li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigd6NQU44sMUyLWpfdScWX_WqtUdfD8k8977PapGze3uM8zfmSiXl03SvMLw83bpFGjm2BuyHSS_D6V4fM1X9AeZShtQiWGChKIVTLvcGnkvKEXSd79_Mq4HhGAhAsN0Nh2xfYr0wqvv0/s1600/trump+clinton+dead+heat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigd6NQU44sMUyLWpfdScWX_WqtUdfD8k8977PapGze3uM8zfmSiXl03SvMLw83bpFGjm2BuyHSS_D6V4fM1X9AeZShtQiWGChKIVTLvcGnkvKEXSd79_Mq4HhGAhAsN0Nh2xfYr0wqvv0/s1600/trump+clinton+dead+heat.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="bard-text-block style-scope">
This
is not the first time our economy has adjusted to a new president and
it certainly won't be the last. We encourage you to please let your
goals determine your actions, not the current president's political
affiliation. However, if you are struggling to make sense of this in
regards to your investments, please know that we are here for you. Just
reach out to our trained specialists at <a class="bard-text-block style-scope" href="mailto:advisors@selahfs.com">advisors@selahfs.com</a>. </div>
<div class="bard-text-block style-scope">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #333333;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="color: #333333;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In times like these, it helps to recall there have always been times like these.”<br /> </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> - Paul Harvey</span></span> </div>
Smart FITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793903495778451682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878636240419018788.post-32354839176033813422016-09-29T13:57:00.001-07:002017-05-03T09:47:27.440-07:00Six truths that won't be affected by the election's outcome.It is a common perception that
the stock market will fare better when a Republican is in the White
House because the Grand Old Party tends to be pro-business. A related
perception is that Democrats hinder economic and market growth with
higher taxes and increased regulation. The historical evidence just
doesn't support either notion.<br />
<div class="bard-text-block style-scope">
<br /></div>
<div class="bard-text-block style-scope">
In
truth, investors who stay the course are likely to fare much better
than those who invest only when one of the two major political parties
controls the White House. In
fact, if you look at the returns of the Dow Jones Industrial Average
since its invention in 1897, it's clear the stock market does not favor
either party.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTrasZ1-tpXz54BjikwnNAByr8MJQdreXtlxbTpjzVPHRwjR3RHRZ8fngwhOsAnJSbpBKk_D2XfpMorTQSO57AvSeW3WKjh1RGK1t6FeUrk-kvo0pzjGcsAO5piJR-NddDFsyI1FJuaC0/s1600/investors+who+ignore.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTrasZ1-tpXz54BjikwnNAByr8MJQdreXtlxbTpjzVPHRwjR3RHRZ8fngwhOsAnJSbpBKk_D2XfpMorTQSO57AvSeW3WKjh1RGK1t6FeUrk-kvo0pzjGcsAO5piJR-NddDFsyI1FJuaC0/s640/investors+who+ignore.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="bard-text-block style-scope" style="text-align: center;">
<b class="bard-text-block style-scope">Everything Investors Need to Know—and Should Ignore</b>—<b class="bard-text-block style-scope">About the Upcoming Election</b></div>
<ul class="bard-text-block style-scope" style="text-align: justify;">
<li class="bard-text-block style-scope">Gridlock doesn’t mean nothing gets done. </li>
<li class="bard-text-block style-scope">Changes in Washington don’t typically come all at once but in increments.</li>
<li class="bard-text-block style-scope">Campaign rhetoric doesn’t always influence what happens during a president’s tenure. </li>
<li class="bard-text-block style-scope">Consumers and businesses have a far greater impact on the economy than the government.</li>
<li class="bard-text-block style-scope">The state of the economy influences who is president, not vice versa. </li>
<li>The stock market doesn’t care if the public is happy with who is president. </li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The U.S. election will, as always, give us sufficient reasons for both
optimism and despair but as an investor, your long-term goals, plan and
behavior should shape your investment decisions, not your reaction to
who wins the presidential election. However, if you have needs or
concerns that you would like to discuss with us in person, please give
us a call at 281.990.7100 or email <a class="bard-text-block style-scope" href="mailto:advisors@selahfs.com">advisors@selahfs.com</a>!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<h2 class="bard-text-block style-scope" style="text-align: left;">
<b class="bard-text-block style-scope"><span class="bard-text-block style-scope" style="color: #3a7728;">"Well-positioned, well-led companies will create investment value regardless of who sits in the White House."</span></b><b class="bard-text-block style-scope"><span class="bard-text-block style-scope" style="color: #3a7728;"><br /></span></b></h2>
<div class="bard-text-block style-scope">
Jerry Webman, Ph.D., CFA Chief Economist for OppenheimerFunds</div>
</div>
Smart FITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793903495778451682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878636240419018788.post-32978923407086765772016-09-29T13:51:00.002-07:002016-11-16T14:56:34.944-08:00Bad news always gets more attention<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>It's easy to focus on the doom and gloom reported in our 24/7 news world. Simply put, bad news always gets more attention!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The focus on bad news seems even worse in an election year when candidates can't stop speaking about the country's problems. Of course this is followed closely by all the reasons the candidate is the man/woman for the job!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">According to Warren Buffett in his annual shareholder letter released this spring, it is because of this constant negative drumbeat that many Americans now believe their children will not live as well as they themselves do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYH_CbUCInjLaHzUoIxJ9uAkyBo4cvflENfeOwJMg_LWPGhh3oPTGulJyznYYjskmAzOztopsFq8nOsyofwJ31yyue_9I0v7GTzNdJoyiKaMMDdwxO3lUNPNcUfeWNU-Pm3uGQQRzF0Y/s1600/Buffetts+baby.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYH_CbUCInjLaHzUoIxJ9uAkyBo4cvflENfeOwJMg_LWPGhh3oPTGulJyznYYjskmAzOztopsFq8nOsyofwJ31yyue_9I0v7GTzNdJoyiKaMMDdwxO3lUNPNcUfeWNU-Pm3uGQQRzF0Y/s320/Buffetts+baby.jpeg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"That view is dead wrong: The babies being born in America today are the luckiest crop in history," said Buffett.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He goes on to claim that the American GDP (Gross Domestic Product) per capita is a staggering six times the amount it was in 1930.Moreover, Buffett doesn't believe that Americans are smarter or work harder now than they did then. They just work more efficiently, allowing for more production. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span data-mce-style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"This all-powerful trend is certain to continue: America's economic magic remains alive and well. For 240 years, it’s been a terrible mistake to bet against America, and now is no time to start. America’s golden goose of commerce and innovation will continue to lay more and larger eggs. America’s social security promises will be honored and perhaps made more generous. And, yes, America’s kids will live far better than their parents did," said Buffett. </span><br />
<strong><span data-mce-style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: trebuchet ms,sans-serif;" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></strong>
<strong><span data-mce-style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: trebuchet ms,sans-serif;" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">"Every
pessimist who ever lived has been buried in an unmarked grave. Tomorrow
has always been better than today, and it always will be."</span></strong><br />
<strong style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">- Paul Harvey</strong>Smart FITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793903495778451682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878636240419018788.post-48171748678732836762016-09-29T13:26:00.002-07:002016-11-17T13:40:26.368-08:00Will driverless cars be common by 2035?<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 1.5pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 655px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Remember as a kid watching old
Sci-fi movies where there were cars that drove themselves and drivers could
coast with auto-pilot? It all seemed far off, as if pertaining to a
futuristic society. Well, some of those "futuristic" ideas may
actually be on the verge of becoming a reality - and they might be doing so a
lot sooner than you think!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Today, automakers around the globe
are currently working on various different technologies that not only include
cars without drivers, but they're taking it one step further by putting these
vehicles on the road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">For example, Audi recently obtained
a permit from the state of California to test drive vehicles on public streets.
Other auto makers aren't far behind as Volvo and Mercedes Benz are in the
process of testing out different vehicles.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDoNxXpEWBL6PO4rr4FyqD6_cGx2BTFXHBKKFuULSVIklXNiO-w9z8sGZmym8UBGuzfklyQETafDlgvxh4e4Ss52LXJu4mfw8AIjCduqnz4qMW7wlWiCGlgH7OklEw4wn8iFF08vdNQY/s1600/Driverless+Car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDoNxXpEWBL6PO4rr4FyqD6_cGx2BTFXHBKKFuULSVIklXNiO-w9z8sGZmym8UBGuzfklyQETafDlgvxh4e4Ss52LXJu4mfw8AIjCduqnz4qMW7wlWiCGlgH7OklEw4wn8iFF08vdNQY/s320/Driverless+Car.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">You may be surprised to learn that
some non-auto manufacturers are also racking up miles with driverless cars as
well. Google, for instance, currently has about 700,000 test miles on its own
version of cars without drivers. IBM, Intel, and Cisco Systems are also in the
game. With so many driverless explorations happening, it seems as though the
future is now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">So what are the implications of all
this? In terms of investment, it could be substantial. According to Morgan
Stanley, the benefit of autonomous cars alone for the United States economy
could be somewhere in the range of between $700 billion to $2.2 trillion per year.
In any case, driverless vehicles are certain to transform the auto industry -
and our lives - in many ways, likely by the end of this decade.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Source: Chris Bryant and Andy
Charman, “Race Is on to Build World’s First Driverless Car,” October 13, 2014.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">"Some Google employees have
their self driving vehicles take them to work. These cars are a bunch of
sensors, wires, and software. This technology 'works'." </span></i></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">- Tyler Cowen</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <br />
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Smart FITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793903495778451682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878636240419018788.post-41318583879453666882016-09-29T13:24:00.002-07:002016-11-16T14:50:21.613-08:00Energy Independence: The Dream is Becoming a Reality.<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Energy Independence: The Dream
is Becoming a Reality.</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 1.5pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 655px;">
<tbody>
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<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">For many years, the argument has
raged on regarding how the United States should go about obtaining and paying
for its oil reserves. This debate has been the subject of many heated
discussions - and it may be for many years to come. However, the concept of
U.S. energy independence is becoming a reality much sooner than many people
realize, halting the argument in its tracks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Back in early 2007, many Americans
believed that the future of the United States energy industry appeared to be
bleak. Since then, however, a major transformation has taken place -
primarily in the country's three largest oil fields - in terms of key oil
production figures.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Bakken, the Eagle Ford, and the
Permian Basin, have all increased their oil production from 1 million barrels
per day to an estimated 4.6 million barrels per day (as of year-end 2014). In
fact, the oil production in Texas alone was more than 3.1 million barrels per
day, the most in more than 33 years, according to the Energy Information
Administration.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Given this steep increase in U.S.
oil production of late, a longer-term trend towards energy independence could
actually become a reality, lessening our future dependency on foreign oil
producers.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_iW0ymmndPdSUF9y2mO4Ik2w1g_c5Po82U-pZP71dNOYm8cpLOF4SqhcLfPYuUIHb6Q9BLgEfRER9fYBDvthv3VvCa3GWUeqS_KVnt-6SnLO1yK3UX8dKzbg9oKoxcJbiCOOmGW1fno/s1600/Oil+Well.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_iW0ymmndPdSUF9y2mO4Ik2w1g_c5Po82U-pZP71dNOYm8cpLOF4SqhcLfPYuUIHb6Q9BLgEfRER9fYBDvthv3VvCa3GWUeqS_KVnt-6SnLO1yK3UX8dKzbg9oKoxcJbiCOOmGW1fno/s320/Oil+Well.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">There are still some questions with
regard to long-term sustainability of U.S. oil production going into the
future. However, it could be a positive opportunity and dream come true not
just for U. S. oil producers, but also for consumers and investors alike.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Source: U.S. Energy Information
Administration. Data represent thousands of barrels per day (bpd) for the month
of July 2014.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">"As long as the United States -
and the world - gets its oil from the Middle East, we will be drawn into the
endless crises that seem endemic to the region. American energy independence
would not only liberate us, it would also drive down the worldwide price of
oil." </span></i></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">- Kathleen Trola McFarland</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <br />
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Smart FITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793903495778451682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878636240419018788.post-80915755877927589612016-09-29T13:23:00.001-07:002016-11-21T14:43:57.500-08:00Income is growing faster than any time in history.<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 1.5pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 655px;">
<tbody>
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<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">In many parts of the world today,
money is continuing to set new speed records. No, these records can’t be
measured in miles per hour, but rather in terms of Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) in various areas of the globe. And, as time marches forward, the speed
with which money is moving continues to increase.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">As an example, in the past, it
took approximately 150 years from the beginning of Britain's industrial
revolution for Gross Domestic Product per person (measured as purchasing
power) to double. Roughly 120 years later, in America, this was accomplished
in roughly one-third the time. But even more recently, though, in China, it
has doubled in only 12 years and with 100 times fewer people.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">In addition to the rise in GDP, the
average incomes in developing countries are also growing faster than they ever
have in the past. While China and Asia are responsible for a great deal of this
new wealth, South Korea, Mexico, and Nigeria are also following suit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Around the world, there are millions
of people who are moving quickly into the "middle class." This means
more discretionary income is available and ready to be spent on goods and
services. This speedy transition has, in turn, provided a golden opportunity
for businesses - and investors - as consumers continue to spend.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZHPMcsx7CQhaAvEHibcTpAKULeIe_dI0FXaFdEiJfponC4ptZH9Sa6oB8IWamQVK8LqPqVt8atMZZSiRIBpPxm7Re4AACbQpwe1Ay-9t0cul01uyQ6Iyqopt1ebCfgPFK7VvNH9cVGU/s1600/Buy+More.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZHPMcsx7CQhaAvEHibcTpAKULeIe_dI0FXaFdEiJfponC4ptZH9Sa6oB8IWamQVK8LqPqVt8atMZZSiRIBpPxm7Re4AACbQpwe1Ay-9t0cul01uyQ6Iyqopt1ebCfgPFK7VvNH9cVGU/s320/Buy+More.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">"By increasing productivity and becoming
more competitive, we will be able to offer better opportunities and improve the
standard of living for all Mexicans." </span></i></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">- Enrique Pena Nieto</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Source: </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Urban World:Cities and the Rise of the Consuming Class</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">,</span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">June 2012, McKinsey Global Institute</span></span></div>
Smart FITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793903495778451682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878636240419018788.post-64962886441331610362016-09-29T13:17:00.003-07:002016-11-16T14:48:37.211-08:00The digital revolution is lifting the world to a new level.<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The digital revolution is lifting
the world to a new level.</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">While many people understand that
the Internet and smartphones are changing the way that we live and work
today, what most may not realize is that this modern "digital
revolution" of today actually got its start more than two and a half
centuries ago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">What we now refer to as the
Digital Revolution - inclusive of laptop computers, cell phones, tablets,
e-readers, and other modern electronics - was actually begun 250 years ago.
The first and second Industrial Revolutions preceded the Digital Revolution,
opening a pathway for the evolution of technology and modernization. Over
time, our global economy has shifted from relying on people for operations to
relying on technology for efficiency.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">When you think about it, though, it
all makes a lot of sense. This is because as our needs change, new devices are
constantly being developed in order to replace the old ones. For example, the
water mill was replaced by the steam engine, the computer replaced the
transistor, etc. In fact, each new wave of technology brings about new surges
in productivity - and because of that, new businesses are able to consistently
emerge.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1nxsPtHBHzqBudMfu_CSLe9ia0teI6tjO8tGk5jv0L-r9RE7qWUe6p6H3s0I30CB_9Wir5kAcT9StUSW0XHkZr2NwEXHtbG4X65Oq-Ex1CNzEIobClgbqwrMT800mytHlvOGVcSoczTQ/s1600/iphone.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1nxsPtHBHzqBudMfu_CSLe9ia0teI6tjO8tGk5jv0L-r9RE7qWUe6p6H3s0I30CB_9Wir5kAcT9StUSW0XHkZr2NwEXHtbG4X65Oq-Ex1CNzEIobClgbqwrMT800mytHlvOGVcSoczTQ/s1600/iphone.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Many of these technologies have led
to substantial advances that have improved the overall standard of living
across the globe. And, some of our biggest businesses today are providing
opportunity for both commerce - and investment - that people did not even
imagine just a decade ago. Some examples include the Apple iPhone, tablets, and
the Go-Pro. With easy access to endless technology, we could be in the midst of
the next level of the digital revolution.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">"The number one benefit of
information technology is that it empowers people to do what they want to do.
It lets people be creative. It lets people be productive. It lets people learn
things they didn't think they could learn before, and so in a sense it is all
about potential."</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">- Steve Ballmer</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Smart FITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793903495778451682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878636240419018788.post-25490228270703052422016-09-29T13:16:00.001-07:002016-11-16T14:43:18.938-08:00The Future Looks Bright.<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
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<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Today, we are living through an
era that is just as significant as the Industrial Revolution was so many
years ago. In these modern times, change is being created almost at the speed
of light - and, with these changes, there are both big challenges and
opportunities that are presenting themselves for long-term investors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">While some of these changes may be
slow to develop, they are having profound implications for the entire world
economy. One example is the evolution of a middle class in developing
countries. Many of these individuals have gone from lacking opportunity to
creating opportunity, by establishing their own businesses and moving forward
financially. Literally hundreds of millions of people are being affected -
and it is likely that the effect will continue to build. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Other changes have burst onto the
scene quite rapidly, such as smart phones and the Internet. Today, people from
all corners of the globe have more access to information than ever before - and
that is powerful. This is something that was unimaginable even just a decade
ago, but today is common.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUrgkor2sEwQFxmbi9vAvrWWg2LTMFGCvPmUdsggBq5-EYReIR3ujCF9LOY-Ic6NqZcr93x8PhXWCvjzxe8pXKJZjRfsnT_verwCu_9vLqWBKYr6DK6fozHngbRuUv8CvCZbsCJsM759U/s1600/Industrial+Revolution.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUrgkor2sEwQFxmbi9vAvrWWg2LTMFGCvPmUdsggBq5-EYReIR3ujCF9LOY-Ic6NqZcr93x8PhXWCvjzxe8pXKJZjRfsnT_verwCu_9vLqWBKYr6DK6fozHngbRuUv8CvCZbsCJsM759U/s320/Industrial+Revolution.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">While we may not see inventions like
hover boards or flying cars any time in the near future, the inventions that we
do have such as the Internet and instant communication have created significant
opportunities - for people and for investment - worldwide, for both the short-
and the long-term horizon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">"Knowledge is power.
Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every
society, in every family" </span></i></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">-
Kofi Annan</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">
<br />
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Smart FITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793903495778451682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878636240419018788.post-72089186769515204262016-07-21T09:12:00.000-07:002016-07-21T09:12:11.376-07:00There have always been tumultuous events. How you react to them is what really matters. <br />
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">For most people, action is the antidote to anxiety. However, taking action is usually the wrong thing to do when you're a long-term investor. And, investor doubts are especially prevalent during presidential election years.</span></div>
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<span style="color: #050505; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">To help you stick to your long-term investment goals, even during the current political scene, consider the following:</span></div>
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<span style="color: #050505; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://d1yoaun8syyxxt.cloudfront.net/wm175-af1dcacb-0b3e-438b-b0d1-62348b109452-v2" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img align="bottom" border="0" class="align_bottom" data-mce-src="https://d1yoaun8syyxxt.cloudfront.net/wm175-af1dcacb-0b3e-438b-b0d1-62348b109452-v2" data-mce-style="margin: 0px;" height="596" mce_advimageresize_id="hat-content_mce_0" src="https://d1yoaun8syyxxt.cloudfront.net/wm175-af1dcacb-0b3e-438b-b0d1-62348b109452-v2" style="color: #050505; margin-top: 0px;" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span data-mce-style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">→ </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Successful long-term investors stay the co</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">urse and rely on time rather than timing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span data-mce-style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">→
Investment success depends more on the strength and resilience of the
American economy than on which candidate or party holds office. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span data-mce-style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span data-mce-style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;" style="font-size: 12pt;">→</span>
Working closely with experienced investment professionals who have you
best interest in mind is the first step to helping reach your long-term
goals. </span><br />
<span data-mce-style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span data-mce-style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span data-mce-style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span data-mce-style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;" style="font-size: 12pt;">→</span> Long-term investing should be based on your lifetime and not what's happening in the news. </span><br />
<br />
<span data-mce-style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span data-mce-style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span data-mce-style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span data-mce-style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Don't forget that it is inherently in the media's best interest to fixate on the negative because it sells more advertisements. </span><br />
<span data-mce-style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<span data-mce-style="color: #3a7728; font-size: 14pt; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" style="color: #3a7728; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b><em>"Headlines, in a way, are what mislead you because bad news is a headline, </em></b></span><b style="color: #3a7728; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><em>and gradual improvement is not."</em></b></div>
<span data-mce-style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: #000000;" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<div align="center" data-mce-style="text-align: center;" mce_advimageresize_id="hat-content_mce_2" style="text-align: center;">
<span data-mce-style="color: #888888; font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" style="color: #888888; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span data-mce-style="color: #3a7728; font-size: 14pt;" style="color: #3a7728; font-size: 14pt;"><b>Bill Gates</b></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="text-align: center;" mce_advimageresize_id="hat-content_mce_2" style="text-align: center;">
<span data-mce-style="color: #888888; font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" style="color: #888888; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span data-mce-style="color: #3a7728; font-size: 14pt;" style="color: #3a7728; font-size: 14pt;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
Smart FITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793903495778451682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878636240419018788.post-17088328540509183102016-05-27T11:42:00.000-07:002016-11-17T09:34:22.955-08:00The Critical Factor is not Red or Blue, but You. <span data-mce-style="font-size: 10pt;">As the battle for the White House heats up, candidates are drawing attention to the challenges facing the<img align="right" border="0" class="align_right" data-mce-src="https://d1yoaun8syyxxt.cloudfront.net/wm175-6afa5262-529f-4ac6-b2a6-59f75fe12962-v2" data-mce-style="margin: 10px;" height="455" src="https://d1yoaun8syyxxt.cloudfront.net/wm175-6afa5262-529f-4ac6-b2a6-59f75fe12962-v2" style="margin: 10px;" width="509" />
nation--everything from economic instability to immigration. With all
this negative campaign rhetoric, it's no wonder investors grow more
concerned. However, <span data-mce-style="font-size: 10pt;">history shows the value of not giving in to election-year fears.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-mce-style="font-size: 10pt;"><span data-mce-style="font-size: 10pt;"></span>In
fact, investing during election years has almost always turned out to
be a good idea for long-term investors as you can see in this chart.
When preparing to invest, however, the most important decision that
needs to be made is deciding to commit to the long-term big picture.
This commitment is what helps you ride the natural ebb and flow of the
market.</span><br />
<br />
<span data-mce-style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As
you can also see from this chart, it doesn't really matter whether
Republicans or Democrats are in office. Investment success really
depends more on the strength of the U.S. economy, which, according to
Mike Kerr, portfolio manager at Capital Group, there are many reasons
for optimism about the future of the U.S. Please watch <a data-mce-href="~Link-17261~" href="https://wm175.infusionsoft.com/app/funnel/~Link-17261~" nottracked="false" shape="rect">U.S. Outlook Bright-and Only Getting Brighter </a>if you would like to hear more from Mike Kerr.</span><br />
<span data-mce-style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span data-mce-style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: trebuchet ms,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><em><span data-mce-style="color: #4a7637;" style="color: #4a7637;">"The
Tortoise, in the meantime, continued to plod on, albeit, ever so
slowly. He never stopped, but took one good step after another." <span data-mce-style="font-size: 12pt;" style="font-size: 12pt;">"The
Hare dashed as quickly as anyone ever could up to the finish line,
where he met the Tortoise, who was patiently awaiting his arrival."</span> <br clear="none" /> </span></em></span></h3>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: trebuchet ms,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><em><span data-mce-style="color: #4a7637;" style="color: #4a7637;"> </span></em><strong><span data-mce-style="color: #4a7637;" style="color: #4a7637;"></span><span data-mce-style="color: #4a7637;" style="color: #4a7637;">The Tortoise and the Hare <br clear="none" /> an Aesop Fable</span></strong></span></h3>
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Smart FITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793903495778451682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878636240419018788.post-37087509075381069722016-01-14T12:51:00.000-08:002016-01-14T12:51:55.423-08:00Losing money in the market feels twice as bad as making money in the market.<div>
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<tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1">Psychology tells us that we feel losses in our investments twice as strongly as we feel gains. It is called loss aversion. So why invest at all? Some people just enjoy the sport of investing, but most families invest in order to meet their long-term goals. That’s easier said than done when your investments are losing money. Sometimes when we get caught up in our concerns about short-term market losses, it becomes hard to stay focused on our long-term goals. Thank you Mr. Brain and loss aversion! Add the 24/7 news cycle on top of that and it gets even trickier.<br /><br clear="none" />Since losing money feels twice as bad, why not skip taking the risk of losing money in our investments altogether? The problem is that you have to take risk to get returns that are better than a savings account interest rate.<br /><br /><div style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium;">
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Most families need higher returns over the long run, so severe risk aversion may not be the best option. If you’re taking risk, then you’re either going to see your accounts go up or go down. Quite frankly, it’s also possible to pay an insurance company to take on the risk for you, usually for a handsome fee.</div>
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The reward of interest in your savings account is small because your risk is small. It takes risk to have the opportunity to increase your returns and that means you will probably watch your accounts go up and down in the short run.</div>
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"Most people would rather be certain they're miserable, than risk being happy." - Robert Anthony</div>
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Smart FITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793903495778451682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878636240419018788.post-12591452171340639112015-11-06T13:58:00.002-08:002016-11-17T12:25:40.353-08:00Are you affected by the Bipartisan Act of 2015?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvXrDeqyQN5R1lCKKOqv6-AwS2rsYvJs2E3QkQmOCiN5Dcdhpdm88TVD0LqgdG68QgK4L133Du_bzn9B3a7L-pRGEOXe8CTI9cTwr1KDZe410Y75MqgOvgs_NN9_sDuejfROgRTGS48N4/s1600/Bipartisan+Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvXrDeqyQN5R1lCKKOqv6-AwS2rsYvJs2E3QkQmOCiN5Dcdhpdm88TVD0LqgdG68QgK4L133Du_bzn9B3a7L-pRGEOXe8CTI9cTwr1KDZe410Y75MqgOvgs_NN9_sDuejfROgRTGS48N4/s320/Bipartisan+Pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
President Obama recently signed
the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 into law. This two-year budget deal is designed
to close perceived loopholes in social security claiming strategies. It <i>eliminates</i> the ability to file for
dependent spousal benefits on a retiree’s record when that retiree is not
currently receiving benefits. The dependent spouse will now be limited to
receiving the higher of his or her own or spousal benefit.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The good news is that those who
have already filed for and immediately suspended benefits, while their spouse is
receiving spousal benefits through a restricted application—can continue doing
so! <o:p></o:p></div>
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But new social security
claimants will definitely see a change in their options. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">1. If you and your spouse are less
than six months away from reaching your full retirement age (FRA) for social
security, </b><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">there
is still a window of opportunity for you to file for dependent spousal
benefits.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">2. If you turn age 62 by year-end
2015</b><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">, you may
still be able to file a restricted application for spousal dependent benefits
when you reach your FRA.</span></div>
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We continue to monitor these
rule changes closely and are ready to discuss your social security planning
strategy with you in light of this new legislation. If you have any
questions or concerns
about your family’s social security claiming plan, please feel free
to call our office at 281.990.7100.<o:p></o:p></div>
Smart FITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793903495778451682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878636240419018788.post-51165245930387892972015-08-25T11:16:00.000-07:002016-11-17T13:18:42.742-08:00Nurturing an Independent College Student<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzc8liSKqADUHdzAgr-Fx6ta0M6CDgayAfe-4hP_TGnYb-f3MBtDjcpczYzpxA4RlYtDU09j2lR7xBsTmRG2hbJ_vbkxEk78o4Cyb4cmFAi03FqA5zgVx24i_rg0TEbNGCF351TOMv4c/s1600/bigstock-Back-To-School-640x480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzc8liSKqADUHdzAgr-Fx6ta0M6CDgayAfe-4hP_TGnYb-f3MBtDjcpczYzpxA4RlYtDU09j2lR7xBsTmRG2hbJ_vbkxEk78o4Cyb4cmFAi03FqA5zgVx24i_rg0TEbNGCF351TOMv4c/s320/bigstock-Back-To-School-640x480.jpg" width="320" /></a>In a recent appointment, I was talking with clients who are sending their daughter off to college for the first time. I was reminded that August is when many are going through this exciting, and sometimes scary transition. The majority of what my clients wanted to talk about wasn’t so much about how their portfolio was doing, but how they can help their daughter manage her own finances for the first time. As a parent having gone through this, I get it! <br />
<br />
Here are a few things that came to mind which may help you or someone you know:</div>
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<i>Decide who’s paying for what up front</i>. Discuss with your student what you plan to cover (tuition, housing, meal, plans, and so on) and what expenses you expect your child to pay for. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>Make a budget.</i> Work with your student to figure out how much money they’ll need per month, whether using their savings or from an allowance you’re providing. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>Don’t save them</i>. It’s pretty easy to fall prey to sympathy for your student who is dealing with so much newness, but try not to just give in to the requests for more money. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>After they prove themselves.</i> Although you shouldn’t save them when they’re struggling to stay inside a budget, there’s nothing wrong with rewarding success at handling their finances. Perhaps a nice dinner at their favorite restaurant or a little extra cash left behind on a visit.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>Provide motivation to do well</i>. If you are paying for your student to go to college, consider telling them you’ll pay for the spring semester in percentages based on how well they do in the fall. <br />
<br />
It’s true that your child will face many challenges when leaving home for the first time. But, it’s much better for everyone if you are a little tough in the beginning. You would be amazed at how often the subject of dependent adult children comes up during client meetings! The universal plan is for our children to eventually learn to be financially independent adults, is it not?<br />
<a href="http://www.selahfs.com/">www.selahfs.com</a></div>
Smart FITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793903495778451682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878636240419018788.post-76754714208336671572015-07-09T14:09:00.001-07:002016-11-17T12:52:26.580-08:00Patience is KeyEven if you lose money in the stock market, there is still
the opportunity to benefit. There have been numerous examples of investors who
put money into the stock market during periods when the market was flat, and
they still came out ahead. <o:p></o:p><br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d1yoaun8syyxxt.cloudfront.net/wm175-731669c8-43a2-40f5-b404-0433c63c69b6-v2" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img align="top" border="0" class="align_top" data-mce-src="https://d1yoaun8syyxxt.cloudfront.net/wm175-731669c8-43a2-40f5-b404-0433c63c69b6-v2" data-mce-style="margin: 10px;" height="212" src="https://d1yoaun8syyxxt.cloudfront.net/wm175-731669c8-43a2-40f5-b404-0433c63c69b6-v2" style="margin-top: 10px;" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">A good course of action is to put money into your
long-term investments on a regular basis. Let’s look at one family that had
setup their Roth IRAs before the 2007-8 market losses. When they lost money in
their accounts, he decided to stop putting money in because he wasn’t sure it was
still a good idea. She, on the other hand, kept contributing. The difference in
their accounts 5 years later was shocking. You see, even though she didn’t like
losing money in 2007-8, she kept investing each month and she bought more
shares when the market was low. He, on the other hand, waited for the share
prices to go back up before contributing again and, thus, bought his shares at
a higher price than she did. Buy low and sell high is still the best idea. So,
yes, even though we feel the losses twice as much as we feel gains, consistent
long-term investing is a good approach for establishing the kind of retirement
you would like.</span><br />
<a href="http://www.selahfs.com/">www.selahfs.com</a><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span>Smart FITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793903495778451682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878636240419018788.post-80870924914814804922015-07-09T13:46:00.000-07:002015-10-02T11:54:25.769-07:00The Portfolio Managment Approach MattersWhen investment experts Peter Lynch and Bill Gross left the
funds they managed, the funds seemed to change course. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA6x58Y5Expr-8SeZI_c7g3QWy8Yzsi-LaH3dGCwOZdhVcMH5SKOoxetITa3oXJw9vcKZrpIX04h0-RCoBfrwbncK_YuxAH7GDUR19nLWKnpLn3DICHCfsA-4e-ULOcY-6AOga7R3qQuc/s1600/Astros+Team+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA6x58Y5Expr-8SeZI_c7g3QWy8Yzsi-LaH3dGCwOZdhVcMH5SKOoxetITa3oXJw9vcKZrpIX04h0-RCoBfrwbncK_YuxAH7GDUR19nLWKnpLn3DICHCfsA-4e-ULOcY-6AOga7R3qQuc/s320/Astros+Team+pic.jpg" width="320" /></a>Unfortunately, at any
company or investment, when the bulk of the return is depending primarily on
just one person, a lot can go wrong when that person is no longer associated
with the entity. <br />
<br />
A multiple-manager system can overcome this hurdle when it’s
done right. This approach helps combine independence and teamwork, and works
better to pursue investment opportunities. A team of managers that share
research and resources, but are empowered to act on their own investment
decisions, is a method we like to see! It’s like comparing a solid baseball team of 9 players with
diverse skills to a team of one superstar player. No matter how great the one
superstar is, he can’t cover the whole field as well as a solid team.</div>
<br />
<br />
Here are some of the advantages of a well-functioning
multiple-manager system:<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Broad
Diversification - Each of the fund managers invests in his or her highest
conviction ideas. Because of this, the portfolios within the fund are able to
contain a highly diverse group of securities. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rigorous
Risk Management - Superior long-term performance with less market fluctuations
is the result that we’re looking for from the portfolio manager team. This is
partially related to the higher level of diversity typically seen with this
approach. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Consistency
of Objectives - The fund's principal investment group review investments to
ensure consistency with fund objectives and overall guidelines.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
When all of this is combined, it makes for a fund that is
diverse, yet works together like a well-oiled machine. <o:p></o:p><br />
<a href="http://www.selahfs.com/">www.selahfs.com</a></div>
Smart FITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793903495778451682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878636240419018788.post-53035385179542081092015-05-06T13:06:00.005-07:002015-10-02T12:03:53.016-07:00Proven Advice to be a Successful Investor<div align="left">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8RmAJOhZdQsrzawzOiXMCPWLZZWQusO-clIO56COXxkcsQltH0d1Nu86pIAcPT1_kB3T5GeW_ccXUKugCjin-I8G3lj9WrAvhqPZZo7aRRE9-iseqQvT6VPNjogIMvU5fNfzWMagqPV4/s1600/Trust.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8RmAJOhZdQsrzawzOiXMCPWLZZWQusO-clIO56COXxkcsQltH0d1Nu86pIAcPT1_kB3T5GeW_ccXUKugCjin-I8G3lj9WrAvhqPZZo7aRRE9-iseqQvT6VPNjogIMvU5fNfzWMagqPV4/s1600/Trust.jpg" width="320" /></a>When you are preparing to invest, one of the very first - and the most important
- decisions that must be made is determining who to trust with your money. Once
you have done so, you will be able to move forward much more easily with all of
the other essential investment-related decisions.<span style="font-size: 8px;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 8px;"><br /></span>That
sounds simple enough but getting it done right is a different story. One
important step that is easy to miss is evaluating the fundamentals.<br />
When you
evaluate investment ideas, strategies, and approaches for inclusion in your
investment plan be purposeful.<br />
Trust but verify that the fundamentals are
actually put into practice for any investment you are considering. Some of the
core values we look for include: </div>
<ul>
<li>
<div align="left">
A defined, high-quality
research process that is actually used, and favors long-term investors like you.
</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="left">
An even-handed or reasonable balance between cost and return. Be
willing to pay a fair price for the type and level of returns that you expect or
desire. Don’t be fooled by low cost investments with low returns or high return
investments with high fees. </div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="left">
Adjustments to ensure your cost and return expectations match
the right amount of risk for you, your family, and your goals. </div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="left">
A total commitment to honesty and integrity.</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div align="left">
While these core values may not include in-depth mathematical
formulas for choosing the proper investments based on numerical factors, they
are actually more important in many ways. Trust and integrity are something that
cannot be bought – it has to be earned.<br />
<span style="font-size: 8px;"><br /></span>So, before investing your hard-earned money,
be sure to check out the <br />
core values, management team, long-term history,
results, fees and overall track record of where you plan to place your
investment funds. Chances are that you will be much better able to sleep at
night, knowing that your money is with a company that you
trust<b>.</b><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.selahfs.com/">www.selahfs.com</a></span></div>
Smart FITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793903495778451682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878636240419018788.post-62925146302878037492015-05-06T13:06:00.004-07:002016-11-17T13:15:37.672-08:00Dare to Diversify So You Can ProsperThroughout the years, successful investing has actually had less to do with the
picking of individual stocks and more to do with the choosing of a
well-diversified portfolio that consists of a nice mix of different types of
assets. We've all likely heard the famous phrase, "Don't put all of your eggs in
one basket." This is very good advice when it comes to investing.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9a5U90XY1pVtAq07PyDXC-y_-EDUM47JQGuhyH1D4n_Nv2X5XOi_DHYac0RlijdhCxiFsohD3xv8Go6SLE11M1x73v16Eb2ojHpmQUKTcj0A3Se4XTf9DrjeEEogqje7wxQuqY5jOHg/s1600/Diversify+Spice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9a5U90XY1pVtAq07PyDXC-y_-EDUM47JQGuhyH1D4n_Nv2X5XOi_DHYac0RlijdhCxiFsohD3xv8Go6SLE11M1x73v16Eb2ojHpmQUKTcj0A3Se4XTf9DrjeEEogqje7wxQuqY5jOHg/s1600/Diversify+Spice.jpg" /></a>There are
numerous ways you can diversify your investment mix, depending on your tolerance
to risk, your investment time horizon, and your overall financial goals.While
the idea of putting together a well diversified portfolio of investments may
seem to be a bit daunting, the good news is that it does not have to be
difficult.In fact, by starting out with a plan, you will be able to get a good
idea of the types of assets to include in your portfolio initially - as well as
how and when you may need to adjust your diversification strategy over time.An
actively managed portfolio can help to alleviate much of the work that must be
done by an individual investor.<br />
By allowing specialists to take over the task of
replacing various investments at the appropriate times, you can see a difference
in their overall portfolio return while still having time to play with your
children or take those important vacations.<br />
<a href="http://www.selahfs.com/">www.selahfs.com</a>Smart FITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793903495778451682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878636240419018788.post-65610688232701013832014-02-25T08:18:00.005-08:002016-11-17T13:13:59.109-08:00Not Too Big For The Small Table<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It is often said a small business is like a family. Likewise
the break-room table is much akin to the family dining room. The typical
family, stretching their collective imagination to its limit, could never
imagine their favorite rock star, movie star, athlete or politician stopping by
for dinner and a few laughs. Much the same, the typical small financial
services company would not expect a portfolio manager from the largest mutual
fund in the world to spend an hour and a half at the break-room table
discussing investments with an audience of nine people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet today we had the pleasure of having a portfolio
manager, accompanied by an investment analyst, and a wholesaler, do just that.
It’s probably reasonable to assume a large and lavish conference room filled
with plush chairs, power suits and power ties is a more typical environment for
such an impressive trio. Nevertheless, the enthusiasm for the discussion in our
everyday break room was top shelf and they seemed right at home in our familial
digs. A visit like this is solid evidence in the confirmation of two things: we
are doing things the right way and so are they. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><a href="http://www.selahfs.com/">www.selahfs.com</a></span></div>
Smart FITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793903495778451682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878636240419018788.post-50277140451315643732014-02-25T08:18:00.001-08:002016-11-17T13:13:02.721-08:00A Pie For All Seasons<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I’ve never met an American who doesn’t like at least one
kind of pie. So many delicious crusts, cream fillings and meringues to choose
from; but for me a pie is all about the fruit filling. Apples, peaches,
cherries, blueberries, blackberries and any other delicious fruit that can be
stuffed into a pie all have their seasons and climates in which they thrive and
produce the best results for pie. Unfortunately, I have not discovered a year
round, all season, and all climate fruit that makes a delicious pie. I’ve often
thought about creating a “Frankenpie” with a different fruit in each slice but
I imagine the results wouldn’t match the dream. I’m sure they don’t call it
“Frankenpie” but the primary mutual fund company we work with applies this
approach to portfolio management. During a recent meeting with the portfolio
manager, he described how the company slices up management of their funds
between 3 to 12 different managers per fund. These managers are responsible for
their own slices and manage them based on their own style, experiences,
convictions, strengths and weaknesses. The result is portfolios that are as
naturally diversified as any group of individuals would be and structured to be
complementary so that one manager’s weakness in a given investment climate is
countered to some extent by another manager’s strength in that same climate.
Over time, this approach provides a fund the ability to generate more stable returns
in an ever-changing market place. This portfolio management theory is in
essence management for all seasons. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><a href="http://www.selahfs.com/">www.selahfs.com</a></span></div>
Smart FITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793903495778451682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878636240419018788.post-23084246792229064022014-02-25T08:13:00.000-08:002016-11-17T13:12:18.575-08:00Plan Your Attack!<br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Plan your attack then attack your plan! The key word in
this age-old saying is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">plan</b>. Today
is a great day to set some goals, get a plan going and then get going on the
plan. The average investor has underperformed the S&P 500 by almost 4% for
the last 20 years due to getting in and out of the market at the wrong times*.
We feel that this is largely because of a lack of measurable goals. There are
many ways to estimate what your required spending will be in retirement
planning. Please ask us if you need help with this. These numbers will help you
set a savings goal for today. Just remember, if you know where you are going
it’s a lot easier to get there. We can help you set your goals, plan your
attack and decide if you have financial independence for today and tomorrow. * </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 6pt;"><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://myadvisorcenter.com/lw/advisors/documents/DBP_Protect_trifold_brochure.pdf">DALBAR
study Quantitative Analysis of Investor Behavior (QAIB) 3/2013</a></span></span><span style="font-size: 6pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 6pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.selahfs.com/">www.selahfs.com</a></span></span></div>
Smart FITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793903495778451682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878636240419018788.post-82204415632605524872014-01-07T12:51:00.000-08:002016-11-17T13:11:33.508-08:00Exceptional Service<div class="MsoNormal">
Why do we often cringe at the thought of having to call a
customer service center and ask for help? Haven’t we all been through the call
center experience where we’ve received less than stellar service? What makes Selah different?</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I believe good service starts with a servant’s heart. Those individuals possess character traits of
respect, kindness and willingness to be of service to others. They are also leaders who take ownership of
tasks and are able to create successful outcomes. We seek to hire exceptional, unique and
special people who embody this kind of character. To make great service happen we also surround
ourselves with exceptional, high quality industry professionals. Everyone at Selah will know about you, your
circumstances and your accounts. As you
move through the process of setting up your investments you will begin to
establish relationships with us, not just with our advisors, but with the
entire service team. We look forward to delivering a positive
service experience for you. Give us a
call any time.<o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><a href="http://www.selahfs.com/">www.selahfs.com</a></span></div>
Smart FITThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10793903495778451682noreply@blogger.com