The recession that started in 2007 quietly brought an economic shift to millions of American families – the woman of the house became the primary wage earner.

In June 2010, Labor Department data showed that nearly 22% of American men aged 25-65 were unemployed. This male population also undoubtedly makes up a big chunk of the “underemployed”, which includes part-time workers and those who have given up looking for jobs. As of June, 16.6% of Americans were underemployed.

So in mid-2010, we have a situation where perhaps about 25% of men aged 25-65 cannot find full-time work. (That figure might be higher.) It’s also worth noting that layoffs have plagued construction and manufacturing – two sectors of the economy with mostly male employees.

The effects? Women are presently breadwinners in millions of families. When a new breadwinner emerges in a family, you often have some shifts in the family’s financial life – and financial priorities and objectives can be altered.

As an article on the website of Financial Advisor Magazine noted, some financial consultants are seeing a “significant uptick” in the number of women asking them for advice.² When a secondary earner in a family becomes the prime earner, that person usually develops more awareness of the family’s financial state and may seek financial advice in a way that the previous breadwinner has not.

In 2010, are women more realistic about retirement?

The 2010 Retirement Confidence Survey from the respected Employee Benefit Research Institute (ebri.org) indicates that women are much more realistic (and pragmatic) about their financial readiness for retirement than men. In the 2010 survey, 19% of men said they felt that they would have enough money to live comfortably throughout their retirement years, while only 12% of women taking the survey said so. While 33% of men felt they would have enough money to cover basic retirement expenses, only 25% of women did.

If you ask many financial consultants, they will tell you that they find women more open to financial education, with fewer entrenched beliefs and presumptions. Women are often quick to realize how much they don’t know, how much they can learn, and how much needs to be done. Only 22% of the workers in the 2010 EBRI Retirement Confidence Survey said they had savings or investments of more than $100,000, so coming to the realization that you need to do more for retirement is a very good thing.

Some men have a very subjective take on the financial world and their financial status and potential, whereas women tend to be in search of a candid, objective assessment of what needs to be done and what options are available. With the economy affecting retirement accounts, retirement dreams, and employment, it isn’t surprising that high-earning women are taking the lead for millions of families – and taking and interpreting all the financial advice they can get.

10 Principles of Faith-Based Millionaires

2010 is Your Year!    WEBINAR REPLAY

Dear Jay,

Here is the replay link for last Tuesday’s Webinar. Over 200 people from all over the world joined us last night to learn 10 keys principles of faith-based millionaires.  I explained in great detail how 5% of the population was able to thrive through the toughest economic environment in over 50 years. Do yourself a favor and take 60 minutes to listen to this very TIMELY webinar!

LISTEN NOW

Here is what I covered on How to live a recession-proof life

1.       Give at least 10% away

2.       Save at least 20% for long-term

3.       Save  at least 10% for emergencies

4.       Automate savings and bills – become a faith-based investor

5.       Live on 60% or less of income

6.       Have multiple streams of income

7.       Have proper insurance in place

8.       Use debt wisely

9.       Have a coach/ financial accountability partner

10.   Money does not define success or happiness
LISTEN NOW!

Only 20 spots are open for the next Thrive Class – 4 week intensive wealth building course.

Thrive Don’t Just Survive – 4 week wealth building course
Starts July 6th, 2010 (for 4 Tuesday nights with one on one coaching)   enter code “peroni” to save $50

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP OR LEARN MORE

“Knowledge is the key to financial freedom”

How do you reach your financial goals without sacrificing your principles?

Jay Peroni, CFP® can help you find your way using a GPS System based on biblical principles:

	Grow your wealth: We’ll show you how to find investments that reflect your Christian values, morals and beliefs. You will receive specific investment strategies and advice designed to help you grow the assets God entrusts to you. We’ll teach you how to know what to buy, when to buy, and when to sell. It is about how to find good investments! Imagine making long term 20 year compounded rates of return of 20%, 30% or even 50% per year. We made over 50% in 2009! Some of the greatest investors of all time (Warren Buffett and Peter Lynch to name two) do this by asking two simple questions: Is it a wonderful business? Is it on sale? That’s it. Simple. Easy. We show you exactly what to do!
	Protect your wealth: Our training is designed for an environment such as this! High unemployment, low interest rates, volatile stock market. Our strategies are designed to help you weather the storm, gain peace of mind, and have confidence that you’re heading in the right direction. With specific training and strategies, you’ll know exactly what to do.
	Share your wealth: By having more you can give more and help advance God’s kingdom. Financial freedom allows you to help more of His people. We provide timely financial advice and training to help you better manage your finances.

To Listen to the Call CLICK HERE

Learn Jay Peroni’s GPS System that has helped thousands learn how to successfully build wealth

Jay personally guarantees that if you don’t get your money’s worth from this class, tell him what it WAS worth and he will refund the difference.  Jay is so confident that you will learn the keys to get unstuck and move forward financially that he offers payment plans and an unconditional guarantee.   Don’t let price or doubt hold you back.

SIGN UP TODAY

Here are a few testimonies:

“After the last crash I took a breather and reevaluated my investment philosophy. The idea of investing in companies that directly attacked biblical values gnawed at me. Also, just researching the companies to invest in, and when to do it, was becoming very draining. Well, with Jay’s Investing membership, it is all done for me. What an incredible find!

I now have an experienced and professional investing team that really cares about ME. You will learn to invest money with a clear conscience with their patient, teachable hearts. How do I know that? Not one email I have sent Jay has gone unanswered!” - D. K.

“I just wanted to write to you and say thank you for all that you are doing.  I have been following your picks since last June and am very pleased with the results.  I have made back all my losses from 07-08 and have watched my portfolio move into positive territory substantially.  You are a true answer to prayer.” - R. H.

“About a year and a half ago I prayed that God would bring a Christian into my life to help me with my investing.  To make a long story short I was in a Christian bookstore and bought Dan Miller’s book 48 days to the work you love.  I became a member of 48days.net and joined your group Faith-based Millionaire’s.  The rest is history.  Though I may or may not meet you in this life, I just wanted to say thank you for the great impact you have made in regard to my family’s finances.  And the way I look at investing. Thanks again and God Bless!” - E. S.

“I love the fact that this is a Bible-Based program and that Jay is a reader, teacher and doer of  the Word of God. He is a motivator, encourager and has a personal interest in the success of each person that wants to Thrive and not just Survive. The relationship with Jay has gone beyond great webcast teaching, documents and exercises. I count it a blessing to know Jay! God has orchestrated this opportunity with Jay as one of the means to fulfilling God’s purpose for success in my financial life. My desire is to bless many not only with my gifts and talents but with my finances.” – B. F.

“This program has given me and my husband an opportunity to discuss financial issues in a new way. We have had many useful discussions based on the exercises, clearing up some misunderstanding and confusion we were not aware of. It’s so helpful getting financial advice that doesn’t conflict with our basic principles. We look forward to sharing the blessings that we hope will sprout from the seeds we are planting in this process. Thank you for all the thoughtful planning and time you have put in to this. It’s nice to see someone put their heart into their work.” – L. W.

“Jay has opened our minds to Kingdom finances; tithing, saving, debt, investing, insurance, etc.  We are changing some of the ways we are using God’s money. Especially debt eradication.  This is an excellent program. Jay’s presentation is very clear and precise.”

- R. F.

“Throughout his presentations, I can see that Jay is truly putting God in the center of his financial planning and management. This is what I want for myself also. I feel very comfortable in communicating with Jay and learning from him.” - D. S.

You Should be Thriving, Not Just Surviving

Buy the Ebook Today “Thrive in Your Life!”

Reset your financial thermostat!
During this economic downturn, did you watch helplessly as your wealth evaporated? Have these downtimes left you down and out? Did you lose 10, 20, 30 or even 50 percent of your wealth? Foreclosure? Job loss? When times are good, it’s easy to remain the status quo. You can cover the mistakes: pretend things are fine as you rack up credit card debt and take out a second mortgage.

But in today’s uncertain economic climate, you need to make your own personal economy recession-proof. You need new strategies that can take you to new levels of success. Fortunately, your wealth building potential can be adjusted, like a thermostat. Is your financial thermostat set for success?

I want to help enable you to not only earn more money, but learn how to manage your money in a life-altering manner. Following a biblical template, we will look at good and bad uses of money and how to avoid the traps that keep millions of people from achieving their full financial potential. Given the current state of the market, there is no more important time than TODAY to reset your financial thermostat!

LEARN THE KEYS TO SUCCESS AND HOW TO TAKE ACTION
“Knowledge is the key to financial freedom”
How do you reach your financial goals without sacrificing your principles?

Learn how to Thrive in my new EBook!

ORDER NOW!

Are Annuities Right for You?

How many times have you gone to meet with a financial advisor and they offer you an annuity? How many times have you heard about how awful annuities are? The truth is annuities very rarely make good investment vehicles.

In light of the recent market volatility, variable annuities are being reintroduced to a broader audience. Pre-retirees and retirees are giving annuities a second look because of the tax-deferred features and income guarantees. Is an annuity right for you? Let’s take a look at a few of the basics:

What is an annuity?

An annuity is a contract between you and a life insurance company that promises you lifelong income in exchange for a lump sum payment or series of payments to the insurer. The income arrives in periodic payments, either at once (an immediate annuity) or in the future (a deferred annuity, which also offers you tax-deferred growth of the assets inside it).

A look at the Pros and Cons of Annuities

As an independent financial advisor who gets paid a fee only rather than commission, I am always looking at the pros and cons of various investments. Let’s take that same approach with an annuity. There generally are two types of annuities – fixed or variable annuities. Fixed are tied to interest rates or indexed annuities tied to various indexes and variable are tied to the investment performance of the mutual funds within the policy. Let us look at the good, bad, and ugly features of the most popular type of annuities- variable.

The Good

Annuity ownership does come with some attractive benefits such as:

1. Flexibility and investment choices – Variable annuities have sub-accounts with various mutual funds to select from. This makes it easy to change investment direction or your allocations with little or no costs.

2. Tax deferral for your investment gains – Just like your 401k or IRA, your contributions and earnings can grow tax-deferred until you withdraw funds. If this is in a non-qualified account (non IRA or retirement), you do not have to make mandatory withdrawals at age 70 ½.

3. Income for life – I will concede that no other investment allows for the creation of income for life. Once you select monthly payments (or annuitize) your annuity contract, the insurance company will guarantee you (and your spouse, should you desire) the income payment for the rest of your life. This is like creating your very own pension!

4. Asset protection – In certain states, annuities are a shelter from creditors. If you work in a field prone to lawsuits or even if you are in a car accident, protecting your assets is important. Annuities typically provide this type of protection.

5. Potential protection from market losses. Many variable annuities let you benefit from stock market gains while shielding you against stock market losses. In the past, many have offered the annuity holder at least a minimum rate of return (a GMIB, or Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit). Many have also offered guarantees that the annuity value will not dip below the value of the initial principal (a GMAB, or Guaranteed Minimum Accumulation Benefit). However keep in mind these guarantees are expensive and come with many strings attached. So buyers beware.

The Bad

1. Irreversible consequences. The idea of income for life sounds enticing but here are a few cavots. For example, once you annuitize (create income for life or a period of time), it often becomes irreversible. You often give up the ability to get your lump sum back or even pass it to “other beneficiaries”. So say you put $250,000 into an annuity at age 60 and accept the insurance company’s offer to pay you a monthly income for the rest of your life. It could take 20 to 25 for you to break even on that investment.

2. Locked up until 59 ½. Another downside is that once you put funds into an annuity contract you cannot touch those funds until you reach age 59.5. Otherwise you have to pay a 10% penalty for early withdrawals.

3. Poor tax planning. A withdrawal from an annuity is treated as ordinary income rather than qualifying for the often more favorable long-term capital gains treatment. When you do start to take funds from the contract, the portion of your payments that are considered investment gains are taxed at your ordinary income tax rate instead of the long-term capital rates. This rate could be higher than the current capital gains rate.

4. Insurance company financial health. You can’t judge a book by its cover, but you can judge an insurance company by its Comdex ranking. This is a useful place to start. As the name implies, the Comdex is a composite index: an average percentile ranking of credit ratings provided for life and health insurance companies by firms such as Moody’s Investors Service, A.M. Best Company and Standard & Poor’s Corporation.

The Comdex ranks insurers using a weighted average on a scale of 1 to 100, 100 being best. If an insurer has a Comdex rating of 85, for example, that means the Comdex has ranked its strength and solvency as superior to 85% of the insurance companies in the index. If you want to see the actual ranking/opinion of Moody’s or Best or another credit firm rather than an average, visit www.iii.org/individuals/life/buying/strength – this is the website of the Insurance Information Institute, a longstanding information source for media and the public about the insurance industry. Or find your state insurance department via www.naic.org.

5. Inability to screen for your moral and social preferences. Most annuities have no choice for morally or socially conscious investors. Your investments may be supporting companies involved in abortion, pornography, embryonic stem cell research, gambling, tobacco, alcohol, or other issues important to you.

The Ugly

1. Surrender charges – If it’s not bad enough that your funds are tied up until age 59 ½, you also have to be careful because most insurance companies also charge a surrender fee (usually on a five to seven year scale). These fees often start at around 8% in the first year down to 0% in year seven. So, a $100,000 investment could cost you $8,000 (8%) in surrender fees if you take your money out in the first year. It will usually go down 1% per year until reaching 0% at the end of the surrender period.

2. Up-front commissions. Annuities are still primarily a commission-based product. They can pay commissions of 5% or more to the agent who sells them to you. That’s $5,000 or more in commissions for each $100,000! Don’t be afraid to ask about the commission he or she collects by selling you the annuity before you invest. Not that it always influences a recommendation, but you have to be careful as some agents are glorified salespeople looking for their next commission check.

3. Annual fees, administrative charges, mortality expenses, and other charges – With so many layers of fees, how will you make money? I have seen investors who have been in annuities for 10 years or more make very little money because of these high fees. It will affect your investment performance. These charges are often buried into the cost of your annuity. Reading a prospectus is often eye-opening!

As you can see, everything is not what it appears with an annuity. You need to read all of the fine print before investing a dime.

Five questions I would ask before investing include:

1. Where is your money going and what values are you supporting?
2. How much risk are you taking?
3. Is your money liquid and easily accessible?
4. What rate of return should you expect in this low rate environment?
5. How do you protect yourself from taxes and inflation?

If the investment you are considering doesn’t answer these five questions in a way that you feel satisfied, go with your gut instinct, and look elsewhere. Annuities are certainly not a fit for everyone!

Battle scars

“Watch your thoughts, they become your words.

Watch your words they become your actions.

Watch your actions they become your habits.

Watch your habits they become your character.

Watch your character for it will become your destiny”.

– Frank Outlaw, Founder, Bi-Lo supermarkets in South Carolina

Scars show experience…

Scars show the pain that you’ve been there, done that…

But scars can be the best measure of future success if you’ve learned how to use them to your advantage.

When it comes to your financial life, you bear the scars of your past.  You need to understand exactly where you’ve been, what mistakes you’ve made, and what lessons you’ve learned in order to make progress.

I often see people trapped in the past, afraid to go forward because of previous failings.  They are scared of getting burned again so they do nothing.   They expect God to bless the steps they never take.  How can God bless your career when you’re trapped in the status quo?   How can he bless the investments you never make?  How can he bless the business you never start?  Or prosper the relationship you never commit to?

God can certainly bless anything He desires, but often He is looking for us to make the first move.   Unfortunately, many of us miss the greatest blessings that are right around the corner simply because we let our battle scars stand in the way.

Why do you want to succeed?

Mike longed for more money…   He worked harder and harder, longer and longer.  He longed for days of freedom.  When I asked him why he wanted more freedom, he looked at me like I was crazy.  Why would I ask such a foolish question was his insinuation?  Yet I was seeking the deeper reason why freedom was so important.   After breaking down his walls of comfort, Mike finally began to open up.

He wanted more time to do things he enjoyed.  Yet when we examined what he did with the free time he already had, he was perplexed.  So in other words he discovered what he was really saying was he wanted more time to do absolutely nothing.  This revelation came after analyzing the use of his current free time. It essentially was being wasted doing little of significance.

Using the Love, Live, Prosper method I developed,  Mike uncovered what was most important to him.   He found a new way to live life with fuller and deeper meaning with much more significance.  He discovered myths and false beliefs holding him back and how past failures were keeping him imprisoned.

Finally he broke the chains.   He was free!

Now freedom meant living out his dreams, of which he was committed to do until the day he reached his goals. A prosperous journey for Mike began and ended with the Word of God.  To prosper in God’s way, Mike kept God’s Word as his source of delight.

Introducing the “Faithful Five”

How did Mike make a 180-degree turn?  How did he discover:

• His true calling?
• His career path?
• His spiritual gifts?
• His proper financial plan?

Mike examined five critical areas of his life: where he worked, where he gave money, where he saved and invested his money, how he viewed debt, and where he spent money.

He recommitted to be a:

1. Passionate Income Earner – doing what he loves
2. Generous Giver – Using God’s money to bless others
3. Wise Investor – carefully multiplying the wealth entrusted to him
4. Cautious Debtor – committing to only use debt as a last resort
5. Prudent Consumer – spending only on things in line with values

“Does the song you sing have enough meaning? Inspire us to sing along? Does the song you sing keep echoing?  Inspire us to sing the song you sing?”

- From “The Song You Sing” from Creed

I was listening to this song the other day and the words grabbed my attention. It spoke to me because very few people sing a song worth singing… They hold back from living their ideal lives and miss the abundant blessings God had in store for them.

I talk with hundreds of people each week. Yet few are living their ideal life. Few people inspire me. I see a lot of people going through the motions – living for the moment yet no passion, no purpose, and no plan. I hear a lot of negativity, a ton of excuses, and a whole lot of reasons why it’s too difficult to succeed financially.

God wired each of us for a specific purpose as part of His plan. If you are still alive, God is not finished with you yet. He has a big plan for your life. Are you obediently waiting for your next mission? Or are you too busy living for yourself?

What is important to you?

What you invest your time, talent, and treasure in reflect your true priorities and what you truly deem important. I say show me a man’s checkbook and calendar and I can immediately see where his heart is. God said “where your treasure lies you heart lies also”. Are you building Kingdom wealth that will have eternal value or are you investing in earthly riches that “rust and moths will destroy”?

It all begins with a life theme. A mission that is so compelling that you will stop at nothing to succeed. Today, what is your life theme song? Have you found true meaning and purpose? Are you living it out each day inspiring others to buy into your vision? If not, what’s holding you back?

Depression? A lack of excitement? A safe job? Hopelessness? A lack of direction? Something is most likely getting in the way.

I saw a study recently that showed that if someone were to I saw a study recently that showed that if someone were to win the lottery, the likelihood that this person would continue working the same job was about 10 percent. Really? That low? Too many people are in it only for the money.

Yet 10 percent of the population loved what they do and would continue doing what they do despite having more than enough money. Are you in the 90 or 10 percent?

Maybe you have Stockholm Syndrome?

According to Wikipedia:

“The Stockholm syndrome is a term used to describe a paradoxical psychological phenomenon wherein hostages express adulation and have positive feelings towards their captors that appear irrational in light of the danger or risk endured by the victims.”

Are you lulled in by the dullness of your life? Have you allowed safety to become your top priority? What appears safe is often the riskiest thing you could do.

Being complacent you often miss God’s greatest blessings. Being too conservative with your investments you often lose purchasing power (inflation) and pay too much in taxes. Staying in a safe job often limits your God-given potential. Failing to live out your faith limits the opportunities God sends your way.

The Stockholm syndrome was named after a famous bank robbery that took place in Stockholm in August of 1973. The bank robbers held a host of bank employees hostage for six days. The victims then became emotionally attached to their captors. The hostages even refused to testify against the robbers and defended their illegal actions!

What is holding you captive? Are you justifying, making excuses for your lack of success? God does not want you to be poor. It does not make you more faithful. Wealth and success are morally neutral. It is your attitude that determines your motivations with money and success.

If you lack money and success you may not be singing a song with enough meaning. Chances are you are not inspiring others to sing along.

Keep seeking to develop your God given talents and gifts. Find a way to find more purpose and passion with everything you do: where you earn money, where you spend it, what causes you support, and where you invest.

Christ-follower involves risk.  It is the only way to grow. Get out of your comfort zone – get out of the boat and walk on water! Take that leap of faith God has been calling you to. Stop waiting! Seek to be a leader and help improve our world. You can make a difference!

“Knowledge is the key to financial freedom”

How do you reach your financial goals without sacrificing your principles?

Jay Peroni, CFP® can help you find your way using a GPS System based on biblical principles:

	Grow your wealth: We’ll show you how to find investments that reflect your Christian values, morals and beliefs. You will receive specific investment strategies and advice designed to help you grow the assets God entrusts to you. We’ll teach you how to know what to buy, when to buy, and when to sell. It is about how to find good investments! Imagine making long term 20 year compounded rates of return of 20%, 30% or even 50% per year. We made over 50% in 2009! Some of the greatest investors of all time (Warren Buffett and Peter Lynch to name two) do this by asking two simple questions: Is it a wonderful business? Is it on sale? That’s it. Simple. Easy. We show you exactly what to do!
	Protect your wealth: Our training is designed for an environment such as this! High unemployment, low interest rates, volatile stock market. Our strategies are designed to help you weather the storm, gain peace of mind, and have confidence that you’re heading in the right direction. With specific training and strategies, you’ll know exactly what to do.
	Share your wealth: By having more you can give more and help advance God’s kingdom. Financial freedom allows you to help more of His people. We provide timely financial advice and training to help you better manage your finances.

Learn Jay Peroni’s GPS System that has helped thousands learn how to successfully build wealth!

Only 15 spots left! Classes start March 2nd, 2010!

For Details go here:

http://www.jayperoni.com/seminar/sales.html

Brazil. Russia. India. China. These four nations have some of the fastest-growing economies on earth and are becoming drivers in the world economy. In the coming decades, they may command as much attention as the U.S., Japan and other “heavy hitters” … or more.

The future aside, we know one thing about the BRIC nations and other emerging markets: collectively, stocks in these countries have outperformed U.S. stocks for the last 20 years.

During this past decade alone, the MSCI Emerging Markets Index brought a total return of 102.4% while the S&P 500 posted a total return of -10.0% (-24.1% before dividends). Across the 1990s, the S&P 500 produced a total return of 432.0% – pretty impressive. Yet the MSCI Emerging Markets index posted a total return of 2408.6% for that decade.

Great volatility, but also great potential. If U.S. stocks soar or fall, emerging markets really feel the effect. We’ve seen them recoil in the first quarter of 2010. Yet short-term slumps aside, there are compelling arguments for investing in emerging market equities as part of a diversified portfolio.

Look at last year’s returns. In 2009, the benchmark index in Brazil (the Bovespa) gained 82.66%. Russia’s RTS gained 128.62%. India’s Sensex 30 advanced 81.03% and China’s Shanghai Composite rose 79.98%.

Look at the last decade. The Dow and the S&P 500 underperformed in the 2000s compared to previous decades. How did benchmark indices in the BRIC nations do?

Are you sitting down? Brazil’s Bovespa gained 301% across the 2000s. India’s stock market gained 249%. China’s Shanghai Composite was the laggard, only rising 72% over that stretch. Russia’s RTSI gained 863% in the past decade.

BRIC, or BRIMCK? Some economists would modify BRIC to BRIMCK, arguing that Mexico and South Korea belong in this collective powerhouse. The key market indices in Mexico and South Korea respectively advanced 44.87% and 49.65% last year.

The (corporate) opportunity of a lifetime? Wall Street bulls see wisdom in giving more and more weight to the BRICs in portfolios. They draw a line between the impressive, sustained growth of these nations to higher returns and rising demand for capital. They look at these nations and see a rapidly growing middle class and upper middle class and a corresponding rise in spending … translating to a momentous opportunity for global companies who leap into the right place at the right time … translating to great corporate profits down the line.

Of course, this vision assumes that the BRIC nations will a) keep economic policies in place that drive growth, b) avoid political and social upheaval, and c) escape the worst of global economic crises.

A new alliance? A decade ago, “BRIC” was simply Wall Street slang – a term coined by Goldman Sachs economist Jim O’Neill. Today, the BRIC nations appear to be heading toward some form of coalition. In recognition of their power, BRIC leaders have scheduled annual economic summits – the first one was in Russia in 2009, the 2010 summit is in Brazil. The presidents and prime ministers of these countries entered into dialogue to determine how their economies can work together and maintain their fantastic growth.

In sum, the BRIC nations are responsible for about 15% of global GDP, and about 40% of the gold and hard currency reserves on earth are in their possession.

Does the BRIC demand your attention? Some financial consultants think that any well-diversified portfolio should have a toe (or a foot or a leg) in emerging markets – the gains of recent years are simply too spectacular to ignore. Others counter with the argument that past performance is no guarantee of future results, and cite the remarkable volatility that can affect the stock markets of these nations. If you are interested in learning more, have a chat with the financial professional you know and trust.

Mistake # 1: choosing a salesperson instead of an independent professional with a fiduciary responsibility.

According to Registered Representative Magazine, salespeople in the financial services industry earn on average $175,000 to $200,000 per year. It’s not uncommon for financial advisors to earn millions annually.

Though many advisors may claim to have your best interest at heart, you actually fall to the third slot on the totem pole of many advisors:

1.         Your advisor’s interests

2.         His or her firm’s interests

3.         Your interests

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) govern brokers and investment advisors.  However, the odds of an advisor facing daily conflicts of interest are as common you spotting a Toyota while running an errand.

Conflicts are so widespread and entrenched on Wall Street that all attempts at reform have failed. The backroom deals, commission incentives, payments for shelf space, etc are happening as you read this.  Advisors are often “glorified salespeople” who have one goal: make as much money as possible.  Most have no fiduciary responsibility so the prudent rule says they can invest in anything as long as it does not harm you.   So the advisor is free to sell you a variable annuity with a 10 percent commission.  Your cost? Five percent annually in fees and by the way you can’t sell it for at least ten years or you’ll pay huge penalties.

So in essence, they are not bound to act solely in your best interest.  With commissions on the line, many sales people will act in their own self-interest, justifying the product with the highest commissions. With two identical product choices (one paying a 7% commission, the other 4%, which do you think the advisor would choose?)

From a legal standpoint, an advisor is only required to avoid selling you an “unsuitable” investment product. This meets a very minimum standard.  There is no requirement to act in

your best interests or as a fiduciary on your behalf. Additionally, they don’t even have to disclose any conflicts of interest that may exist.  Talk about a bum deal for you!

Mistake # 2:  Listening to the media

Money magazine, Fortune, USA Today, CNBC’s Jim Cramer, Forbes, you name it; they are all there to entertain! Let me repeat this they are all there to entertain. This means sell you something! If you don’t tune in, buy from their advertisers, and continue to frequent them regularly, they go out of business. Bold headlines, irrational advice, entertaining news, sensationalized stories…it must capture your attention.

How poor is the advice from the media? In 2000, Case Western Reserve University conducted a study showing that investors who follow media recommendations lose 3.8% of their money in the following six months after the recommendation. So why do so many people blindly follow the media’s investment advice? Predictions made about sports, weather, and Wall Street make good conversation pieces, but poor investment strategies!

Mistake # 3:  Listening to friends and family talk about “what’s hot”

Since 1990, we’ve seen investing fads come and go. In the 1990s it was technology stocks, followed by real estate, and then it became oil and gold, then emerging market countries like Brazil, Russia, India, and China. Today many flock to any form of green or environmental investing. Investment fads are only in vogue until everybody knows about them. Once they become cocktail party conversation, financial magazine material, or an internet sensation, the fad is as good as dead on arrival.

I remember late in 1999 when I received a call from one of my beloved clients Molly. Molly was in her mid-80s and a very conservative investor. She was wondering if she should sell many of her dividend stock investments and put them into an Internet mutual fund. I asked Molly about her nearly 30% return from the prior year. Was she not happy? She said she had a friend (and everyone has one of these friends) who made over 100% the prior year in an Internet fund. After explaining the risks, and discussing her personal situation, I talked Molly out of investing in the Internet fund. Not that I had a crystal ball or anything, Molly had no place being in the internet.

Normally a fixed income and dividend stock owner, this would have taken her risk level from a 4 all the way to a 10. Molly took my advice and we all know how the Internet story unfolded. I don’t always claim to get it right when it comes to trends or predicting short-term movements in the stock market, but what I can spot are troubled signs that a strategy is headed for disaster. Human nature drives people to invest in fads only after prices have already risen. This means those late to the game are the most apt to get hurt. We only hear about a trend after people have already been successful making it less and less likely that you can follow their success. Instead, you need to figure out how to buy low and sell high. Here’s a hint: investing in fads is not the way!

Mistake # 4: Listening to your co-workers

Too many people put too much in their own company’s stock or take too much advice from co-workers.  When it comes to investing, many turn to the well known well established companies. After all they can’t fail? Wait, Enron, WorldCom, Lehman Brothers, and Ginnie Mae to name a few, were giants who became extinct just like enormous dinosaurs. Bigger is not always better! In fact, much of the growth for many companies takes place within the first few years of operation.

Bloomberg provided further proof that the largest companies aren’t always the best. Their publications (as of December 31, 2008) show that 49% of the companies in the S&P 500 (largest, most widely known companies) had lower prices in 2008 than in 2000. In fact Merrill Lynch lost 78% in 2008, AIG lost 97%, Fannie Mae lost 98% Freddie Mac lost 98%, while Wachovia lost 85%. Still not convinced?

From 2000 to 2002 GE lost 53%, from 1999 to 2005 Coca-Cola lost 40% within seven years, from 2000 to 2002 McDonald’s lost 60% in three years, even trusty old Wal-Mart lost 37% from 2000 to 2007 (a 8 year span). These are some of the largest companies in the entire world. If they can lose almost half or more of their value within a relatively short period of time, biggest isn’t always best!

Don’t get me wrong, large company stocks have their place in a portfolio. My point is just don’t assume that if you buy the biggest and best companies you will profit. As they say “timing is everything”.

In order to truly understand an investment opportunity, much homework is needed. You should evaluate a company’s financial potential by looking at a wide number of financial data available at sites like www.Morningstar.com, www.valueline.com, www.zacks.com, and Yahoo Finance to name a few.

Where do you turn for financial advice?

So where do you turn? Rather than running from advisor to advisor, changing accounts from firm to firm, or seeking a savior, other than The Savior Jesus Christ, it starts with your education. You can’t expect someone else to bail you out of trouble.  It all starts with you!  You have the power to change your financial future if you are willing to put in the time, energy, and effort.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Truth being, there is no shortage of good ideas: Stocks, bonds, real estate, options trading, commodities, exchange-traded funds — there are dozens of ways to invest. Chances are you’ve probably tried some or many of these options. How successful have they been? If those ideas made you rich, why are you reading this book?

Your education is the key to your future success. If you want to grow your wealth, you cannot keep doing the same things you’ve done in the past and expect different results. You probably tried a lot of ideas with little to no success. This is okay. In fact better than ok, it’s perfect! This is perfect because you’ve seen what hasn’t worked and you now know there has to be a better way.

I found a better way!

Throughout the past 15 years, I have been managing millions of dollars for people just like you. I’ve spent years studying for the CFP® designation, years getting my masters degree in financial planning, and working for some of the largest firms on Wall Street. Then finally I had enough! I was tired of working for firms that claim to have the best interest of their clients at heart but their decisions clearly indicated otherwise.

The chain of command often does not work in your favor. If your firm is publicly traded, shareholders come before you. If you invest in mutual funds, your manager gets paid whether he makes you a dime or not. Mutual funds spend billions each year selling you product yet very few outpace their benchmark.  If you invest at a bank or credit union it’s often about fee revenue more so than making you money. If you invest with an insurance company often it’s about making a commission and there is little incentive for servicing your account.

Now don’t jump to conclusions. I’m not here to bash every financial advisor, broker, planner, or a Wall Street firm, I am here to say I have found a better way.  That’s exactly why I help start   We charge fees for our services based on the value of our time and the amount of money we are managing.  It’s all about having someone working in your best interests, if we can help you in any way, please let us know.