Charting a Sound Financial Course

INSURING YOUR INCOME-EARNING ABILITY

Securing your financial well-being is one of the most important things you'll ever do. No matter how much or little money you have, the important thing is to start, get good information, and not be distracted every time the wind blows.

Some people try to "read" the market and stay one step ahead of trends. The result is often confusion and anxiety over every market fluctuation and how they should react: Should I buy or should I sell? Hibernate with the bears or run with the bulls? Move into bond funds, put more into stock funds, or go for safety in fixed-return vehicles?

There's good reason for uncertainty. Until recently, our financial markets had enjoyed an up-up-and-away boom. Today, it's more like a roller-coaster ride in the dark through Scary Mountain.

Two recommendations for peace of mind in your long-term strategies:

1. Don't ignore your protection needs. While investment markets may rise and fall, life insurance can provide durable protection for your family, especially during volatile economic times. Protection is the foundation of individual financial security, so be sure to review your insurance coverage and make sure it is in sync with your current needs.

2. Put today's financial trends in long-haul perspective. In spite of periodic corrections and a few frightening free-falls the big-picture trend is steady, overall growth. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (insert footnote) -- a consistently reliable indicator -- has enjoyed steady expansion, with periodic corrections, over the last 50 years.

The key: You must be prepared to weather the short-term ups and downs of market volatility. There is always risk when it comes to investing. So, it is important to protect yourself and your assets -- to minimize your downside risk while attempting to maximize your upside opportunities. Here are several tactics:

Boost your IQ (investment quotient). You don't have to become a Wall Street Wizard, but you should build an understanding of basic investment concepts and options, if only to be better able to work with your advisors. After all, it is your money.
Map out your goals and risk tolerance. Determine what you want to accomplish, and what you are willing to do, investment wise, to achieve goals.
Develop a long-term investment strategy, a blueprint, that reflects your long-term objectives.
Invest for value and quality. Unless you're a wildcatter who likes the thrill of big-time speculation, don't "play" with your money. Select quality investments that will help meet your objectives. If you're looking for a thrill, buy lottery tickets.
Diversify to lower risk. Balance helps you achieve long-term objectives, especially during uncertain economic times. A well-diversified portfolio can remain fairly steady even as market conditions fluctuate.
Stay the course. Don't flinch in the face of downturns without strong evidence that a change of course is advisable. A common mistake some investors make is to hang tough part way through a market correction, then panic and bail out...often at the very time the market is turning upwards again.
Review and adjust your strategies periodically in light of changing economic conditions; your own personal life cycle changes, goals and financial situation; and new opportunities that may arise.
Keep your life insurance and annuity program current. This helps ensure completion of a desired lifestyle (A) for your family in the event of your untimely death and (B) for you if you live to a ripe old age.
Work with people you know and trust. Your financial professional provides products and services developed to help meet a range of protection and accumulation goals. For more information, call me for an appointment, at no cost or obligation.

Bull markets. Bear markets. Both can provide opportunities for people who understand their choices. By following the above common sense suggestions, you can be better prepared to ride the wave of today's economic volatility and help assure your family's life insurance needs and long-term financial security.