- The Downgrade What You Need to Know
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written on August 28, 2011
by Frank Fantozzi
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Wealth Planning
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Despite passing the debt ceiling and spending cut deal anticipated by the markets, last week's data and events pulled bond yields lower and left the S&P 500 now down about 10% from this year's high. The slide may seem all too familiar.
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- Debt Ceiling Raised
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written on August 05, 2011
by Frank Fantozzi
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Wealth Planning
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The hard fought debate in Washington has come to an end. A two-step deal to lift the debt ceiling by $2.1 trillion and cut about $2.4 trillion in spending over a decade has been signed into law.
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- Markets Transitioning into Spring
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written on May 02, 2011
by Frank Fantozzi
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Wealth Planning
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The transition from March to April generally marks the turning point in the seasonal calendar from winter to spring. For many Americans, this transition also marks the end of pothole season and the beginning of mud season.
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- Is Collective Bargaining Healthy for Taxpayers and our Financial Markets?
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written on April 12, 2011
by Frank Fantozzi
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Wealth Planning
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With Senate Bill 5 passing in Ohio and many States considering similar measures in dealing with deficit positions, reexamining collective bargaining and its merits to taxpayers and in general financial markets seems overlooked. Senate Bill 5 has clearly polarized groups.
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- Year End Financial Reminders
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written on December 20, 2010
by Frank Fantozzi
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Wealth Planning
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As entrepreneurs our engines are always running at full speed. With that in mind, I want to provide you with a few thoughts as year-end approaches and the new year begins.
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- Managing Wealth Across Multiple Generations
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written on December 02, 2010
by Frank Fantozzi
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Wealth Planning
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As parents or grandparents you focus a great deal of your time, energy and emotions on the physical and financial security of your children and grandchildren.
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- Post Election Thoughts and the Market
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written on November 23, 2010
by Frank Fantozzi
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Wealth Planning
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It’s been a couple of weeks since the American public voted and voiced their opinions. The American people made themselves heard across a broad range of issues from lower taxation to smaller government (less spending), free enterprise, and the concept that Washington should stick to governing the country, not telling people how to live their lives (healthcare reform).
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- One and a Half Cents on the Fourth Quarter
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written on November 08, 2010
by Frank Fantozzi
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Wealth Planning
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As the calendar turned to fall, the markets began to rise. While bonds posted a respectable 2.5% gain for the third quarter, measured by the Barclays Aggregate Bond index, the S&P 500 posted an outstanding 11% gain for the third quarter.
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- IRS Redefines Mortgage Deduction Limits
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written on October 25, 2010
by William Riccio
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Wealth Planning
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The Internal Revenue Service has issued Notice 2010-25 which redefine the interpretation of home acquisition indebtedness as it pertains to home equity indebtedness.
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- Time is Money Deciding When to Take Social Security
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written on September 28, 2009
by Fareed Siddiq
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Wealth Planning
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One of the few things you can control about Social Security is when to start collecting it. Should you take it when you become eligible at age 62, wait until "normal" retirement age (a function of your birth date) or consider delaying your benefits past normal retirement age?
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- Strategies for Rescuing Your Retirement
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written on July 06, 2009
by Fareed Siddiq
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Wealth Planning
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Work with your Financial Advisor. There are many do-it-yourself investment resources available to investors today, but none of them can replace the experienced, personal service a profiessional advisor could provide. Your advisor will have the expertise and resources to offer an understanding of your complete financial picture, not just your investments.
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- Planning Beyond the Numbers
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written on July 02, 2009
by Fareed Siddiq
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Wealth Planning
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While it's never a bad time to revisit the fundamentals of investing, it's an especially good time to do so when volatile markets start making investors feel anxious and uncertain. It's during times like these that you'll hear a lot about asset allocation.
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- Retirement Plan Sponsors Could Your 401k Benefit from a Roth Feature
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written on June 25, 2009
by Fareed Siddiq
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Wealth Planning
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Retirement plan sponsors have a dizzying array of options available to them as they attempt to create a meaningful benefits package for their participants. One optional feature that may be well worth considering is the Roth 401(k). A Roth 401(k) combines features of a traditional 401(k) with those of a Roth IRA. Like the traditional 401(k), the Roth 401(k) allows participants to make contributions via salary deferrals.
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- Exiting Your Business Is it about the Economy
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written on June 23, 2009
by Fareed Siddiq
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Wealth Planning
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You had a well-defined plan for exiting your business. You knew how, you knew when, and you knew for how much. But, if you're like most business owners, you might be wondering how changes in the economy and the business environment might affect the timing of your plans to retire or otherwise exit your business.
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- Helping Americans Do a Better Job of Saving for Retirement
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written on June 22, 2009
by Fareed Siddiq
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Wealth Planning
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Over the past 20 years, the 401(k) plan has gradually replaced the traditional pension plan as a primary source of retirement income for many American workers. This trend has shifted the responsibility for accumulating a source of retirement income from the employer to the employee.
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- Understanding the Pitfalls of Behavioral Finance
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written on June 10, 2009
by Fareed Siddiq
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Wealth Planning
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The severe downturn of the financial markets that began in 2007 has led many investors to question their investment strategies and the choices they made in the past. Investment decisions are among the most important life choices a person can make. They may determine where your children will be able to go to college, when you'll be able to retire and the type of lifestyle you'll enjoy after you retire.
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- Is the Market Turning Around
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written on May 07, 2009
by Frank Fantozzi
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Wealth Planning
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Here we are with the blessings of spring upon us. In these recent weeks the financial markets have started to rebound from the lows encountered this winter.n Still, broad equity price indices remain well below the 2007 peak levels and from a long-term perspective are about 40% to 45% below the peaks hit in 2000 and 2007. So, we have a long road to a full recovery; however, there are some signs that the market's recovery is progressing.
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