What About This “Double-Dip” Thingy? [ October 16th, 2010 ] Posted in » Financial Ideas

For the last few months, this term has been thrown around with almost complete disregard for the likelihood of it happening. But first of all, what is it?

It refers to a fairly significant pull-back in the economy, specifically in the major stock market indices such as the Dow and the S&P 500, as well as consumer sentiment about the near future, very shortly after a previously significant pull-back followed by a partial recovery. To make it simpler, picture a “W” in your mind, where the middle of the “W” doesn’t come completely back to the top, and pretend it’s a graph of the economy.

OK, so that’s what it is, and it’s what we hear about almost every day if we tune into any financial broadcasts or news programs. “This group of economists is saying…..”

So could it really happen? Sure it could happen. It did happen in 1981.

A more relevant question, though, would be “Is it very likely to happen?”

To that, the answer is “no”. In fact, since the Great Depression which began in 1929, the United States has had 12 recessions, including the most recent one in 2008 – 2009. In those 12 recession, we have had exactly 1 double-dip – the aforementioned 1981. And anyone who remembers 1981 also remembers runaway inflation exceeding 15%, home mortgage rates and CD yields in that same range.

This was the direct result of the Federal Reserve jacking up interest rates quickly in an effort to curb inflation and it didn’t work – so we can effectively blame that sole double-dip on something the government caused to happen – and that’s not happening now.

Bottom line? You have better things to think about. Go do that.

Want to know more? Schedule a no-obligation phone consultation at http://www.whattoinvestinnow.com.

Let’s talk, and create a plan that’s right for you and your family.

Should I Invest Internationally?

Maybe. This concept, like most investing concepts, is a very individual thing and is not necessarily the right thing for everyone. The explanation given here is not in any way intended to encourage you to invest internationally, only to understand the idea so that you can properly consider it.

It seems obvious that investing internationally means buying stocks, mutual funds or bonds which are issued by companies not based in the United States, but do you know what those companies are or what they do? We can guess with some names, like China Mobile (CHL), for example, and we might be mostly right, although they may also do some things that would surprise us.

Then there are harder ones, like Diageo (DEO) from the United Kingdom. What do they do? They’ve built themselves up over the years to where they now own brands like Guiness, Moet, Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Captain Morgan and Tanquery, among others. They also own Louis Vuitton, the maker of really expensive things for women.

So, is that all you need Read More …

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September 26th, 2010 | 1 Comment

What Does A College Plan Do For Me?

Well, it does lots of things – so where do we start? OK, before the first thing :) , let’s point out that anyone can contribute to it. That is, you can be our future student’s mom and dad, or grandma and grandpa, or godparents, or just family friends wanting to give a shower gift.
That aside, what it does for everyone involved is make it possible to have enough money for post-secondary education, which goes up at a rate of about 7% every year, double the amount of normal inflation.
This happens as a result of putting together a plan well before the last minute to ensure that your goals can happen. I can’t tell you how many people Read More …

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September 2nd, 2010 | 9 Comments

Your Kid’s College Loan: Who Should Foot The Bill?

Discover the federal student loan options for both parents and students.

If you could afford it, you’d pay for your kid’s future education expenses and not borrow a cent. But after reviewing your finances and potential scholarships offered, you may realize that student loans will be required to pay for part or all of the cost of college for your entering freshmen.

What are the federal student loan options for both parents and students for borrowing money? Read on to find out.

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September 2nd, 2010 | Leave a Comment

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