- Alphabet Soup... How to Choose a Financial Advisor
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written on June 06, 2011
by Frank Fantozzi
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Business Financial Planning
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I’m often asked ”Why should I hire you as my financial advisor?” I normally respond that it depends on what you need. I’ll be the first to tell you that one financial advisor does not fit all.
As the financial markets become increasingly complex, so does the process of choosing an advisor. In 2008, we saw thousands of investors flee Wall Street and bank-affiliated advisors, but more often than not, they were not sure where to go once they left. Selecting the right advisor for you is no easy task, but a little guidance can go a long way in helping you cut through the clutter.
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- Why is Unemployment Stuck at Nine Percent
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written on February 10, 2011
by Frank Fantozzi
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Business Financial Planning
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When a recession strikes, an unfortunate by-product is that many workers are let go, and not always for economic reasons. A dark undertone plaguing unemployment is that many companies view difficult economic times as an opportunity to let go of marginal performers.
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- What I Enjoy Most About Being a Difference-Maker as an Entrepreneur
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written on January 27, 2011
by Frank Fantozzi
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Business Financial Planning
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Many view entrepreneurs as nonconformists seeking greater control over their own destinies. This is true, along with the many other common beliefs, including the fact that we thrive on the agility and lack of red tape and bureaucracy.
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- Market Update
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written on September 28, 2009
by Frank Fantozzi
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Business Financial Planning
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This is a market update from Planned Financial Services on Politics and Taxes from August 31, 2009.
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- Always Carry Your Knife to Survive an Anaconda Attack
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written on June 01, 2009
by Frank Fantozzi
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Business Financial Planning
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Sometimes our natural reaction to a threat is not the best one. With the liberal press screaming recession and the supposed economy experts scattered with opinions leaving people puzzled, investors are asking themselves, "Should we run from the market?". I heard this great story, which I hope will provide you with some guidance in handling your personal investments.
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- Doom Gloom and Opportunity
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written on April 30, 2009
by Tom Gilbride
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Business Financial Planning
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In a recession there is a lot of belt tightening that goes on in businesses of all sizes. In some cases there is no choice. Business is down and costs and expenses have to go down too or the business will start losing money. In other cases sales are off only slightly or flat. But managers may cut expenses in anticipation of things getting worse. Yet some businesses, in spit of economic conditions, continue to do well.
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- Are Recovery Efforts Showing Results
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written on April 09, 2009
by Frank Fantozzi
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Business Financial Planning
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The Obama administration and the Federal Reserve (the Fed) have been very busy in the first quarter moving ahead quickly with policy actions aimed at countering the recession. In addition to accommodative monetary policies, the government's large stimulus spending initiatives will begin to work its way through the economy and at least part of it will be helpful.
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- Why Consider Life Settlement Options
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written on March 09, 2009
by Frank Fantozzi
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Business Financial Planning
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Many people purchase life insurance initially for the right reasons. Life insurance is customarily purchased for planning needs that may span a time horizon as few as five or as many as 50 years. They have a long term insurance need that is best met by permanent life insurance.
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- How to Weather a Stock Market Correction
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written on February 25, 2009
by Frank Fantozzi
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Business Financial Planning
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When equity market prices are falling, some investors find themselves trapped in a vicious emotional cycle: fear of losing money often leads to anger, and anger can lead to a quick, poorly planned decision. But investors who have taken steps to prepare their portfolio for occasional market drops generally are better able to manage their emotions when equity prices head south.
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- Financial Stability Plan Not Clear Yet
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written on February 25, 2009
by Frank Fantozzi
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Business Financial Planning
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Financial markets remain choppy and distressed as markets fall apparently viewing Treasury Secretary Geithner's rollout of the "Financial Stability Plan" as a disappointment. We certainly were underwhelmed by the plan and its lack of details.
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- A Graph on Total Annual Returns for the S and P 500
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written on February 25, 2009
by Frank Fantozzi
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Business Financial Planning
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Many investors do not realize the number of equity investment classes. Besides the general categories of growth and value, there are large company, mid size company and small company mutual funds. Not to mention these same categories are duplicated from domestic equities to international.
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- Good News Bad News Where we are now 262009 Market Update
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written on February 09, 2009
by Frank Fantozzi
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Business Financial Planning
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Since his inauguration President Obama and Congress has been moving swiftly to address the recession and financial collapse, but in some areas the recovery effort has been stalled by the transition and other issues. Also, a raft of post-September economic and financial market statistics have been coming out that document a serious recession around the globe. All this bad news has slowed the "healing" in credit markets and led to further weakness in equity markets.
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- What Kind of Estate Plan Makes the Most Sense for You
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written on May 05, 2008
by Tom Gilbride
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Business Financial Planning
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An estate plan consists of a series of legal documents and legal and financial arrangements that are assembled in a particular way. This arrangement is designed to accomplish your objectives with regard to the use and distribution of your assets, including your business, for yourself, in the event of your incapacity, and for your heirs in the event of your death. It also includes provisions for transfer costs, taxes, debts and creditors as well.
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- Gross Margin The Potential for Profit
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written on March 24, 2008
by Tom Gilbride
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Business Financial Planning
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The next line on a P&L is gross profit. Subtract COGS from net sales and you have gross profit. This number is frequently referred to as gross margin and is expressed as a percentage.
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- Cost of Goods Sold What does it cost to do what you do
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written on March 03, 2008
by Tom Gilbride
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Business Financial Planning
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What does your company do? Some companies manufacture, some provide a service, others distribute. The second line on a P&L is entitled Cost of Goods Sold (COGS). It tells you how much money you spent doing whatever it is you do.
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- The Top Line It All Starts Here
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written on February 25, 2008
by Tom Gilbride
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Business Financial Planning
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One of the three reports found in a standard set of financial statements is a profit and loss statement (P&L). This statement is also known as an income statement or statement of income. It tells you what the sales and expenses of the business were in a particular time period, usually a year. Once you subtract all of the expenses from sales you know whether or not you made profit. It sounds pretty simple but the rules of accounting make it a bit more complicated.
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- Profit Cash Wealth Running Your Business by the Numbers
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written on February 18, 2008
by Tom Gilbride
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Business Financial Planning
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A great business makes a profit and generates cash from those profits. It accumulates cash over time and can do so without much in the way of debt. It makes regular investments in R&D. Such a business pays its expenses and taxes and perhaps makes distributions to stockholders along the way. In doing these things the great business makes its owners wealthy.
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