Great news! The hot weather is upon us. My wife says it is hotter here in the summer than in her home country in South America which sits on the equator. How is that possible? The hours of sunshine we have here in the summer really heats us up!

Here in Michigan we go from cold to hot. A few weeks of more temperate weather thrown in just to increase the cost of our wardrobe. The reality here is that you need two or three different wardrobes just to get by. You need thick warm winter clothing to survive our long winters, fashionable summer wear such as shorts and sandals to survive our hot summers, and then, of course, nice stuff for in between. So my wife is correct, there is always more shopping to do!
continue reading "It’s Hot Out There!"

The words “lifetime guarantee” or money-back guarantee” are on many products we buy. But when was the last time you based your decision to buy on the type of guarantee a product offered?

In recent years, many variable annuity contracts have begun to offer certain “living benefit” guarantees. In fact, more than 85 percent of variable annuity contracts sold today offer one or more living benefit guarantees.

If you are concerned about market volatility or running out of money in retirement, you might want to learn more about the guarantees available with some variable annuities for an additional cost.
continue reading "Guarantees you can Live with"

Getting people to make a decision is the number-one problem financial professionals face when working with their clients, according to a recent poll.

Of the three main barriers that most people face when trying to reach their financial goals - taxes, inflation, and procrastination- the first two are practically guaranteed to occur, but the latter has the potential to be the most costly, yet is the easiest to overcome.

Why do people procrastinate when preparing for their financial future? Here’s a look at some common reasons.
continue reading "Procrastination: Your Costly Foe"

Mark your calendars for our fourth Annual Open House and Wine Tasting Event. It will be held on May 3, 2007 at our Livonia Office. We will start off with healthy appetizers and such then some decadent desserts from my favorite bakery Elite Sweets at 4:30 and then start our wine tasting in earnest at 6:00. Please feel free to invite a friend or two, especially that rich uncle of yours that is looking for a good financial advisor! Many smiles.
continue reading "Seasons Change"

In May 2006, a new tax law passed that has the potential to affect investors of all stripes. Because the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 (TIPRA) received only brief attention from the news media, you may have overlooked some of the changes. It’s important to understand how this new tax law applies to your situation. The fact that you are reading this means you will almost certainly be affected by some of the major provisions.
continue reading "Did you Miss the News?"

Identity theft continues to be a major source of fraud in this country. In 2005, 8.9 million Americans were victims of identity theft, with a total cost of $56.6 billion. When it comes to your identity, knowledge is power. Take this short quiz to see how much you know.
continue reading "What do you know about Identity Theft?"