financial planning week
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Financial Planning WeekTRANSCRIPT
Columbus FinanCial Planning Day saturDay, oCt. 6
is made possibleby the following:
Social Security Administration
Financial planning weekOCT. 1-7, 2012
Sponsored by The Financial Planning Association of Central Ohio
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH | Special Advertising Section | SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2012
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The Legal Aid Society of Columbus
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH | Special Advertising Section | SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2012 ■2
You may have excelled in planning a secure finan-cial founda-tion for your ideal retire-ment, but you may still have some work to do if you haven’t planned what you’ll be doing in the wake of your career. Financial security is necessary, to be sure, but it’s not the equivalent of achieving real satis-faction later in life.
Surveys of retirement happiness show that those who are physically and socially active are the happiest — far more satis-fied with life than those who wake up on Monday following the retirement party wondering what to do. Watching televi-sion or lounging around on the porch or at the beach may be pleasant for your first few days or weeks. However, for most people this kind of uninvolved, too-much-time-on-your-hands existence quickly leads to loneliness, boredom and depres-sion, according to studies done by the AARP.
the value of a list
You can plan ahead to avoid this. A list of your retirement plans and hopes can help you gain focus. Sketch out the kinds of regular physical activities that will keep you mentally and physically healthy.
Note what social plans you’ll have with
friends and relatives, and get in touch with organizations for which you would like to volunteer. Decide whether you want to further your education. If extensive travel is on your agenda, make a priority list. Do you plan to keep a hand in the workforce? What about getting a pet, if circumstances allow and your health is up to it? Studies show that pets can help keep you active and are even credited with lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
If you’re retired, you already know this and undoubtedly have taken action to make sure you remain active and involved with the world. If you’re not yet retired, now may be the ideal time to plan ahead by staying physically active and socially involved in ways that can be continued throughout retirement.
Article provided by Raymond James & Associates.
Plan ahead for active and happy retirement years
Financial PlanningAssociation
of Central Ohio
bOArd OF direCtOrs
Julia S. Seitz, CFP®ProgramS direCtor
Summit Financial Strategies, Inc.(614) 885-1115
Bill Shorthill, CFP®PartnerShiPS direCtor
Beacon Hill Investment Advisory, LLC(614) 501-3205
Kristen e. moosmiller, CFP®Pro Bono direCtor
PDS Planning, Inc.(614) 481-8449
Paul J. dolce, CFP®Career develoPment
Financial Solutions, LLC(614) 604-3551
Shawn r. Ballinger, CFP®PreSident
Budros, Ruhlin & Roe, Inc.(614) 481-6900
ralph abbottmemBerShiP direCtor
Insight Bank(614) 807-3899
erin mentel-gaeta, CFP®PuBliC relationS direCtor
Cephas Capital Management, LLC(614) 354-4740
tammi gourleyChairPerSon
Diamond Hill(614) 255-3349
anthony d. Konecnygovernment relationS
direCtor First Command Financial Services, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
larry r. Zapp, CFP®SeCretary
Larry R. Zapp & Associates, Inc(614) 478-0500
matthew J. Stewart, CFP®treaSurer
Key Private Bank(614) 460-3453
These days, cover-age of the 2012 election dominates the news. The incoming president, whether Democrat or Republican, will have to deal with a lot of the same financial issues we face today as individuals — evaluating debt, handling a budget and making financial decisions that will impact our families, or in the President’s case, the citizens of the United States of America.
In order to best tackle these concerns, the President surrounds him-self with educated advi-sors with expertise in areas that he simply does not have time to focus on given his other respon-sibilities. They help him prioritize his goals and create a plan and timeline to achieve them.
Members of the Financial Planning Association of Central Ohio serve a role that is very similar to a presi-
dential advisor. Using an objective, client-centered, ethical process, they help bridge the gap between the economic forces of the world at large, and the personal situation of the individual and his or her family.
While none of us can control government rules and regulations, except indirectly through exercis-ing our civic duty as vot-ers, an FPA professional can provide expert guid-ance and focus. Whether you desire to create a plan for retirement, pay down your mortgage, plan for your children’s education, or perhaps all three, their competence in these areas
can help you achieve your goals.
On Saturday, Oct. 6, the FPA of Central Ohio will once again be host-ing Columbus Financial Planning Day, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Columbus Metropolitan Main Library. One-on-one counseling sessions will be available, as well as workshops on a variety of topics, includ-ing Social Security, college planning, budgeting and debt management and estate planning.
Best of all, there are no strings attached — vol-unteer financial planners will not pass out business cards, marketing materi-als or sell products or ser-vices. Our goal is that you receive unbiased answers to your questions and leave with the tools and resources to assist you in making informed deci-sions. Please join us and take the steps to control your financial world. We hope to see you there.
Message from thePro Bono Director
Kristen e. moosmiller
Pro Bono Director,
Financial Planning Association of
Central Ohio
Whitneylogan
Logan Financial
Group
■ THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH | Special Advertising Section | SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2012 3
FutureInvesting in Your
For over 35 years, Waller Financial Planning Group hassuccessfully helped clients to pursue lifestyle andlegacy goals by taking a team-based, comprehensiveapproach to fi nancial planning and combining it witha long-term vision.
To learn more about taking the fi rst step in controllingyour fi nancial future, contact Waller Financial PlanningGroup today.
941 Chatham LaneSuite 212
Columbus, Ohio 43221
801 Laurel OakSuite 610
Naples, Florida 34108
Securities offered by LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advice offered through Waller Financial Planning Group, Inc., a registered investment advisor and separate entity from LPL Financial.
(800) 676.7026 • www.waller.com
Lifestyle & Legacy Choices by DesignSM
Taking care of one’s assets requires a bit of time, disci-pline and basic knowledge of a few financial rules.
pay yourself first, and control your expensesIt is critical that with
every paycheck, we pay our-selves first. With each pay-check, set aside 10 percent for savings and investing. Consider setting aside up to eight months of income for emergencies. When we con-sistently pay ourselves first, we build a nest egg and force ourselves to control expenses (because we reduce our dis-posable income).
take advantage of compound interest
Invest a comfortable portion of your savings in “safe,” income-building investments, and take advan-tage of compound interest. Compounding takes place when your invested funds earn interest that builds upon your original invest-
ment. The larger principle now earns more interest and continues to grow. Compound interest helps build principle that earns even more interest.
limit your lossesWhether you invest in
Certificates of Deposit (CDs), bonds or stocks, it’s a good idea to put your money in good-quality, value-earning and dividend-increasing investments. Invest a com-fortable portion of your saved 10 percent in “safe” income-growing investments. Manage your expectations and don’t expect to achieve casino-like results, such as doubling your money overnight.
preserve your capitalLook for quality, value
and income-producing investments that offer diver-sification. No one can predict which stocks will perform well, and value outperforms growth over long periods of
time. Quality, value, income and diversification are things that help build returns and limit losses. By tracking your investments and selling some shares to take profits as your investments grow, you can preserve your original
investment.If you’d like to learn more
about how to invest wisely and grow your own assets, consult a professional finan-cial or investment planner who can help you achieve your own goals and dreams.
Follow the financial investment processto benefit your financial planning
Douglas C. Smith
The Douglas C. Smith
Company, LLC
The Financial Planning Association of Central Ohio serves and inspires those who deliver, support and need financial planning.
FINANCIAL PLANNING WEEKJoin the Financial Planners of Central Ohio in Celebrating
Teri R. Alexander, CFP®, MSFPAlexander Financial Planning, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
Aaron T. Armstrong, CFP,® CFABudros, Ruhlin & Roe, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
Diane Armstrong, CPA, CFP®WealthStone, Inc.(614) 267-2600
Brian W. Becker, CFP®Hamilton Capital Management, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
Geoffrey R. Biehn, CPA, CFP® President
Trinity Financial Advisors LLCwww.tfadvisors.com
Pamela S. Birkenholz, CRPCWaddell & Reed, Inc.
(614) 799-0373 ext. [email protected]
Carl C. BucknerJohn E. Sestina and Company
(614) [email protected]
Joseph A. Chornyak, CFP®Chornyak & Associates
(614) [email protected]
Joseph A. Chornyak, Jr., CFP®Chornyak & Associates
(614) [email protected]
Robert Cochran, CFP®PDS Planning, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
Mark Coffey, J.D., CFP®Summit Financial Strategies, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
Tracey Danison, CFP®Danison & Associates, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
Tom Davison, MA, Ph.D, CFP®Summit Financial Strategies, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
John R. Deitrick, CFP®Advanced Retirement Design
(614) [email protected]
Connie E. Demers, CFP®Demers Financial Planning
(614) [email protected]
Kevin M. Doll, CFP®Hamilton Capital Management, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
Ellen Dorle, CFP®Dorle Financial, LLC
(614) [email protected]
Daniel Due, CFP®Budros, Ruhlin & Roe, Inc
(614) [email protected]
Jason Eliason, CFP,® ChFC, CFAWaller Financial Planning Group, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
Andrea N. Ellis, CFP®Budros, Ruhlin & Roe, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
Lori L. Embrey, CFP,® MSHamilton Capital Management, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
Michael P. Faieta, CFP®Hamilton Capital Management, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
Jason E. Farris, CFP®Waller Financial Planning Group, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
Douglas Feller, CFP,® CFAInvestment Partners, Ltd.
(614) [email protected]
Brian D. Fenstermaker, CFP,® AIF, RFCEnvision Consulting Group, LLC
(614)[email protected]
Peter S. Geldis, CFP®Hamilton Capital Management, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
Gwen Gloeckner, CDFAGloeckner Financial Group
(614) [email protected]
Paul A. Gydosh, Jr., CFP®Kensington Wealth Partners , Ltd.Lincoln Financial Advisors, Corp.
(614) [email protected]
Jim Hamilton PDS Planning, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
R. Matthew HamiltonHamilton Capital Management, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
Robert Hamilton, CFP®PDS Planning, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
Rita ItsellPDS Planning, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
Gregory R. Johnson, CFP®Budros, Ruhlin & Roe, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
Andrew P. Keeler, CFP®Keeler & Nadler Financial
Planning and Wealth Management, LLC(614) 791-4123
Robert KeidanKeidan Financial Consultants
(614) [email protected]
Charles A. Kerwood III, CFP,® ChFCWaller Financial Planning Group, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
Scott R. Kidwell, CFP®Budros, Ruhlin & Roe, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
Katherine E. Kincaid, CFP®Waller Financial Planning Group, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
Matthew J. Kirby, CFP®Hamilton Capital Management, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
Michael D. Kline, CFP®Budros, Ruhlin & Roe, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
Adam Koos, CFP®Libertas Wealth Management Group, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
Jessica A. LeeBudros, Ruhlin & Roe, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
William A. Leuby, J.D., CFP®Hamilton Capital Managment, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
Jeffrey R. Loehnis CPA, CFP®Hamilton Capital Management, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
Whitney T. Logan CFP,® CLU, ChFC ®Logan Financial Group, LLC
(614) [email protected]
Samantha Macchia, CFP,® ChFC ®Summit Financial Strategies, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
Richard J. Martin, CFP® Steinhaus Financial Group
Lincoln Financial Advisors, Corp.(614) 431-4342
Robert A. Mauk, CFP®Chornyak & Associates, Ltd.
(614) 888-2121 [email protected]
John McHugh, CPA, CFP®Budros, Ruhlin & Roe, Inc.
(614) 481-6900 [email protected]
Jamie P. Menges, CFP®, CPAInvestment Partners, LTD
(614) [email protected]
Joseph S. Messinger, ChFC,® CLU®Capstone Wealth Partners, LTD
(614) 754-7805 x 11
Andrew L. Michel, CLU,® ChFC®Andrew Michel & Associates, LLCLincoln Financial Advisors, Corp.
(614) [email protected]
Brian T. Mills, CFP®SS&G Wealth Management
(614) [email protected]
Timothy M. Montague, CPA, CFP,® MTHamilton Capital Management, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
Michael H. Mulhern, CFP,® CRPC®Total Retirement Solutions
Lincoln Financial Advisors, Corp.(614) 854-6669
Richard D. Nadler, MBA, CFP,® CPA Keeler & Nadler Financial Planning
and Wealth Management(614) 791-4123
Mike O'Brien, CFP,® CRPC®Lincoln Financial Advisors
(614) [email protected]
Christopher O. Olsgard, CFP®Waller Financial Planning Group, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
Darnell C. PerkinsLincoln Financial Advisors
(614) [email protected]
Christina Povenmire, MBA, CFP®CMP Financial Planning
(614) [email protected]
Debbie Price, J.D., CPA, CFP®Price Planning, LLC
(614) [email protected]
Cathy A. Quinn, CFP®UBS Financial Services Inc.
(614) [email protected]
Richard A. Ray, CFP®Hamilton Capital Management, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
Scott E. Rendle, CFP®Waller Financial Planning Group, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
John E. Roessler, CPA, CFP® Budros & Ruhlin & Roe, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
James A. Rogers, CFP®Hamilton Capital Management, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
Ted Saneholtz, CPA, CFP,® ChFCSummit Financial Strategies, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
Douglas C. SmithThe Douglas C. Smith Company, LLC
(614) [email protected]
Beth K. Sparks, Vice President, Investments
Raymond James & Associates, Member New York Stock Exchange/SIPC
(614) [email protected]
Isaiah S. Stidham, CPA, CFP®Budros, Ruhlin & Roe, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
Jeffrey E. Suchy, CFP®Budros, Ruhlin & Roe, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
Gary Vawter, CFP,® MS, AEP Vawter Financial, Ltd.
(614) [email protected]
Lisa S. Walls, CFP®Hamilton Capital Management, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
Amy Weldele, CFP®Budros, Ruhlin & Roe, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
Kevin W. Wuebker, CFP®Budros, Ruhlin & Roe, Inc.
(614) [email protected]
J. Timothy Young, J.D., CFP®Hamilton Capital Managment, Inc
(614) [email protected]
■ THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH | Special Advertising Section | SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2012 5THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH | Special Advertising Section | SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2012 ■4
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH | Special Advertising Section | SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2012 ■6
You can’t pick up a news-paper, magazine, go online or turn on the television without hearing about the skyrocketing costs of college. One of the biggest concerns for parents today is how to finance their children’s col-lege education.
Tuition and fees at our nation’s colleges and universi-ties continue to rise at twice the pace of general inflation. The average price of public universities across the coun-try has doubled in the last decade. Two thirds of college students graduated with debt in 2010, and on average they have $25,250 in student-loan debt. Collectively, student-loan debt exceeds $1,000,000,000,000. Yep, that is a trillion dollars.
If you have a high school student and feel a bit over-whelmed with college, take a deep breath — you are not alone. The vast majority of children don’t know what they want to major in, and
many parents don’t know how they are going to pay for college. As parents enter their peak earning years they are also sending kids off to college.
Our college financial-aid system is built to ensure that funds go to those who need it most. The reality is, an increasing number of families qualify for very little need-based financial aid other than federally backed education loans, and they certainly don’t have the money to pay for everything.
Here are six practical tips to help you plan and pay for college regardless of your financial circumstances:
• Don’t procrastinate. Create a proactive college admissions and funding plan to ensure you don’t miss key deadlines in the process that could cost you dearly.
• Project and know your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Your EFC is deter-mined each year by submit-ting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can estimate your EFC by going to www.fafsa.ed.gov and clicking on the FAFSA4CASTER tool.
• Decide on your college-funding philosophy. As a par-ent, think about how much you are committed to paying,
and how much you are com-fortable having your student pay. For example, you could pay for half of four years at an in-state school for each of your three children.
• Remember that a sound college plan is critical to your retirement plan. As you plan for what you can commit to paying for college, strongly consider how this impacts your retirement goals. Will you have to work longer, or retire with less?
Know how you will pay for all four years of school — before you commit to a school. One of the most common reasons students leave school is because they run out of money to pay for tuition. Before committing to attend a school, have a plan to pay for all four years — down to the penny. For example, one-third will come from savings, one-third will come from cash flow, and one-third will come from stu-dent loans.
• Utilize a “net cost cal-culator” to determine your child’s true out-of-pocket cost to attend college. Financial aid award letters typically combine gift aid, money you do not have to pay back like grants and scholarships, and self-help, money you have to pay back or work for, such as loans and work study. Be sure you know the difference and compare the out-of-pocket cost to attend each school before making a decision.
What is your college-funding plan?Joseph S.
MessingerAdvanced
College Planning Specialist,
Capstone Wealth Partners, LTD
The average price of public universities across the country has doubled in the
last decade.
When you have a child with special needs, your world can be turned upside down emotionally and financially. The way you plan your life and the way you plan for the future will change.
Your financial planning needs are important to address with this in mind. Embracing a new estate plan that takes into con-sideration the child’s daily needs, ongoing support and financial assistance should be addressed early in life.
Many children today will need lifelong care and finan-cial support. Engaging a quali-fied financial professional, attorney and child-care advo-cate will help you navigate the process and reduce your worries for the future. Utilizing professionals may improve your situation today and guide you in look-ing forward. With help, you can draft a comprehensive estate plan to ensure that your child is well provided for after your death.
A special-needs trust is specifi-cally designed for the benefit of individuals with special needs, and can allow you to provide for your child without jeopardiz-
ing his or her eligibility for gov-ernment benefits — an advan-tage not offered by traditional trust. Government benefits, such as Medicaid and Social Security
can be vital sources of support for your child, however they are needs based and could be jeopardized with an inheritance or a well-intended gift from a relative that pushes the child’s assets over the current limit of $2,000.
A special-needs trust that is ideally designed could be used for expenses not covered by gov-
ernment benefits, thus maintain-ing the lifestyle that you had been providing prior to your death. Providing for your loved ones is an important part of your financial success. Confirm that your needs are met for your cur-rent and future situations. The future will include many special children with needs, and we are part of your support team.
Special-needs planning and providing for
the future
Gwen Gloeckner
Gloeckner Financial Group
As children, we enjoyed the rush of adrenaline when riding a roller coaster — the feeling of climbing to the top and then falling fast. As we get older, roller coast-ers are likely less enjoyable, particularly in the stock market.
Market volatility is some-thing we must learn to live with for the long term, and it should be part of ongo-ing financial planning. By implementing a few key concepts, the ups and downs can be a little easier.
set an asset allocation strategy that matches
your tolerance for risk You can use your age to
determine how much to have invested in the stock market. To determine this, subtract your age from 110 to determine the percentage you should have in stock or stock mutual funds. Also factor in how much you need to draw down from your investments each year for your income. Make sure to set aside in bonds or cash three to five times your annual income require-ment.
understand the investments you have
During the past 10 years, new types of investments
have become more popu-lar. Exchange traded funds, target funds, currency-related funds and long-short funds are several that have become more widely used as part of a diversified asset allocation. Understanding the investment’s objective is important. Many might sound good, but you must understand how they could make money for you or cause you to lose money.
do your due diligence
Find out how the invest-ment performed during good markets and bad. How did the bond perform when interest rates went up or down? Look at the beta (risk) of the invest-ment. A beta of 1.0 means the investment should per-form as well or bad as the stock market. A beta of 0.7 means the investment has 30 percent less risk than the overall market. A beta of 1.2 means the investment has 20 percent more risk than
the overall market.Review the portfolio at
least biannually and rebal-ance when necessary. Over time, your asset allocation could get skewed and you would be more invested in bonds or stocks. The goal of rebalancing is to move the current asset allocation back in line to the origi-nally planned asset alloca-tion. This rebalance, or trimming, of gains in either bonds or stocks helps mini-mize risk exposure to your investments during good and bad markets.
By implementing these simple strategies and con-cepts, the roller coaster ride can be more enjoyable.
When will the market volatility go away?
Brian T. Mills
Financial Adviser,
SS&G Wealth Management, LLC
A special-needs trust is specifically designed
for the benefit of individuals with
special needs, and can allow you to provide
for your child without jeopardizing
his or her eligibility for government benefits.
■ THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH | Special Advertising Section | SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2012 7
Your divorce is finally over, the assets have been divided, and your new budget is in place, so you can breathe easy — right? Well, not exact-ly. This is a critical time when financial planning is a must. Take the fol-lowing actions to ensure your long-term financial health:
• As early as possible, pull the most recent copy of your credit report. You can do this quickly and at no cost by visiting annualcreditreport.com. Make sure that every-thing is accurate, and be certain that you under-stand the accounts that are reported and how they impact your credit.
• Review your will
and other estate-plan-ning documents, such as your health-care direc-tive, with your attorney. Changes are most likely in order. Do you really want your future health-care decisions decided by your former spouse?
• Review your ben-eficiary designations on life insurance policies and retirement accounts. These are commonly overlooked after a
divorce, and most people don’t realize that these assets are not controlled by your will. Are your current wishes as to what happens in the event of your death reflected in your documents?
• Review your invest-ment accounts. Verify they are consistent with your risk tolerance and future goals. Often during marriage, one spouse tends to handle the investments so the accounts may reflect his or her bias. Also, verify that the cost basis (what you paid for the securi-ties) is accurate and in order. This will impact your future tax liability. Finally, diversify your portfolio by eliminating
Recently divorced? Take these five action steps to take to protect your financial future
Investors typically jump into bonds near the bot-tom of stock bear markets, and they often con-tinue to pur-chase bonds through most of the market’s bull run. When they finally change gears and move into stocks, it is often near the market’s peak.
This certainly held true in the most recent bear market, as heavy buying of bonds began in January 2009, just before the stock market bottomed two months later. Since then, many inves-tors have poured money into bonds like there was no tomorrow.
And now, three years later, bonds are still the investment of choice for much of the investing populace. This has occurred even as interest rates have been pushed to historic low levels, and prices for existing bonds are in the stratosphere. From January 2009 through June 2012, domestic stock funds had a net redemption of more than $300 billion, while taxable bond funds gained more than $790 billion in new dollars. Talk about bad timing.
Yields on five-year U.S. Treasury Bills are just above 0.5 percent as of this writing. Local bank money market rates are, at best, 0.07 percent, and one-year CD rates average 0.2 percent local-ly. To get more than one percent in central Ohio, savers must extend their maturities to at least five years. Seniors may remember with fondness the 15-percent CD rates in the early 1980s. But much of that high yield was eaten up by double-digit inflation that was rampant then. It’s unlikely we will see those short-term rates again, but there
is no doubt that higher inflation and higher interest rates are in our future.
Until then, investors must either be content with extremely low yields, or take a bit of risk to achieve higher income on their investments. While neither option may be palatable, that is the reality of the moment. Salespeople wave guarantees of 5 percent or 6 percent in front of seniors hungry for yield. But the guarantees come with many conditions, as well as a lock on principal access for as many as 15 years. Caution is definitely the better part of valor with these products.
So what are investors to do as they wait for interest rates to rise? Pouring more money into long-term Treasuries is certainly not a logical option. While these have provided investors with much higher returns than CDs, there is now significant risk to owning them. Just a one-percent increase in interest rates could result in a principle loss of more than 15 percent. That is not the kind of safety folks look for in govern-ment bonds.
A truly diversified mix of the follow-ing investments might be an option that has lower risk than long-term Treasuries:
• Short-maturity CDs• No-load, short-maturity tax-free
bond funds• No-load bond mutual funds with
flexible investment strategies• Investments in high-yielding pre-
ferred stocks• No-load bond mutual funds that
own foreign corporate bonds• Conservative, high-dividend stocksOf course, the right mix is depen-
dent on each person’s income needs, risk tolerance and time horizon. Be sure to consult a CFP practitioner before making changes to your invest-ment plan.
Finding income in today’s low-yield environment
Robert Cochran
PDS Planning, Inc.
The average cost
of owning a car is
$7,967.
(Car and girl are extra.)
pdsplanning.com
2200 West 5th Avenue, Suite 200 Columbus, OH 43215 614.481.8449
S_Dispatch_Car_4.6x6.6_FA.indd 1 9/7/12 10:27 A
Diane Armstrong
WealthStone, Inc.
any large or concentrat-ed security positions.
• Review your health insurance benefits and explore other options. If you were covered under your spouse’s health plan and he or she worked for a com-pany with 20 or more employees, federal law
requires the company to let family members con-tinue coverage under the group plan for up to three years after divorce. However, you must pay the entire cost of the premium, which can be surprisingly expensive. If you’re in good health, you may find a lower-
priced policy on your own.
These are a few critical steps to get you started. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. This can be a difficult time, so seek advice from objec-tive experts that can help you navigate the financial landscape.
A divorce can present many challenges. Take time to review documents that will impact your financial future that may need updating due to the separation.