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2008

April 2008

Speaking the Language of Investing

A 2004 survey by a major financial services company reported that 44 percent of investors describe themselves as having little or no investment knowledge. Even if you entrust your investments to a financial advisor, it’s good to know the basics about investing to be able to let your advisor know your preferences. Here are some common investing terms, defined and explained.
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January 2008

Stock Market: Trouble or Opportunity?

Investors during 2007 saw a little bit of everything and experienced a wild ride during much of the year. Stocks reached an all-time high, dropped a thousand points, reached another all-time high, then sold off yet again at the end of the year. Bonds rose for the year, as questions about the U.S. economy mounted, although many individual issues suffered as mortgage troubles worsened. Is now a good time to sell or a good time to buy? A closer look at the market may help you evaluate the correct course of action.
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2007

November 2007

Can You Afford to Retire?

As the baby boom generation approaches retirement, more and more people are asking the question “Can I afford to retire?” Given concerns about the future of Social Security, this question is more important now than ever before.
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August 2007

Economics, Oil and Butterflies

You may have heard the saying from Edward Lorenz and Chaos Theory that when a butterfly flutters its wings in one part of the world it can eventually cause a hurricane in another. This seems especially appropriate given that the dominant stories of recent years have been the rash of hurricanes that have battered the Gulf Coast and the rising price of oil. In an economic system like ours, everything affects the economy in some way, which in turn affects the capital markets. Trying to make sense of these cause and effect relationships can be daunting. As we experience yet another hurricane season, it makes sense to look at the impact of certain events and how they affect your investments.
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June 2007

To Plan for a Secure Retirement, There's No Time Like the Present

As more and more businesses move away from traditional company-controlled retirement plans and move toward employee-controlled 401(k) plans, an increasing number of people are at a loss about how much they need to save, and how that money should be invested.
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