You Know You're from Michigan If...

As Jeff Foxworthy so eloquently phrased it, “You know you’re from Michigan if”:

You’ve ever had your heat and air conditioning on in the same day.

You can use your hand as a map.

You can drive 65 mph through 2 feet of snow and a raging blizzard…without flinching.

During Michigan/Michigan State week at least one member of your household disowns you.

To people who live and work in Michigan it has always been with a sense of pride that we talk about our State.  In fact, we have one of the highest percentages -- over 76% -- of people who were born in Michigan that still live in Michigan.  However, this may not be by choice alone.   Over the past few years, the state of Michigan has come upon harder times than most.  Michigan lost 860,000 jobs from 2000 to 2009, almost half in the final two years.  Add to that the fact that real estate prices are depressed, and you may have a lot of people feeling stuck. 

Unfortunately, much of our state hinges on the health of automotive production. 

When the automotive companies are struggling, so is the economy of the state.  While it may seem like the downswing is here to stay, there are several signs pointing to better times ahead.  Recently, a Bloomberg index that tracks the pace of state growth shows the pace of Michigan’s recovery surpassing all but North Dakota -- thanks mostly to automotive industry recovery.  While our unemployment average is still well above the national levels, it has improved a full percent over this time last year.   

And you never know with Michigan. This past summer, while ratings agencies were downgrading US Government debt, they were making positive comments about Michigan debt, citing a balanced budget and an improving economy as the catalyst.

While the last decade has indeed been a lost decade for Michigan, there is hope on the horizon.  So next time you are driving coast-to-coast -- that is Muskegon to Port Huron -- remember how wonderful life in Michigan can be.

Sources:  The Geography of Stuck, http://www.theatlanticcities.com/housing/2011/11/geography-stuck/534/

No Free Lunch – But Maybe a Free Capital Gain?

fThe financial and investment profession is full of acronyms, jargon, and common phrases such as “buy low – sell high” and is “there’s no free lunch when it comes to investing”.  Believe it or not, some things are free in personal finance (and our role is to help you find them) such as the 0% capital gain rate for many taxpayers.  Yes…..0%....and hopefully we don’t have to argue that that is a good rate! 

Single taxpayers with taxable incomes of less than $34,500 and married couples filing jointly with taxable incomes below $69,000 are considered to be in the 10% or 15% marginal bracket.  One of the luxuries of being in the 10% or 15% marginal tax brackets is a 0% capital gain rate through the end of 2012. Those in marginal brackets higher than the 10% and 15% currently are subject to a 15% capital gain rate.   

Here are a few examples of who might benefit from such a rate: 

• Those holding appreciated securities that have been hesitant to sell because of the tax implications.
• Those interested in selling an appreciated security in order to reset the cost basis. (Don’t forget to avoid the wash sale rules)
• Those in higher tax brackets looking to make gifts to relatives that are in lower brackets (say a child that has moved back into their high school bedroom). 

Example:   John and Mary’s son Steven recently graduate and is finding full time employment illusive.  John and Mary expect to help Steven out with expenses for the near future.  John and Mary are in the 28% marginal bracket and Steven (with little income) is in the 10% marginal bracket.  John and Mary can gift Steven appreciated securities….Steven can then sell them and take advantage of the 0% capital gain rate. 

As always, work with your professional advisors before implementing any tax strategies….and possibly enjoy a free lunch thanks to a free capital gain.

Note: Changes in tax laws may occur at any time and could have a substantial impact upon each person’s situation.  While we are familiar with the tax provisions of the issues presented herein, as Financial Advisors of RJFS, we are not qualified to render advice on tax or legal matters.  You should discuss tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional.

The Center Honored as AHA 2011 Start! Fit-Friendly Platinum Status Company

For four consecutive years the Center has been recognized as an American Heart Association Start! Fit-Friendly Company. 

For the most recent two years the firm received Platinum status, the highest recognition level.

To achieve this award the health and wellness program met the following criteria:

•  Physical activity options in the workplace
• Healthy eating options at the worksite
• Promotion of a wellness culture
• Implement at least nine criteria outlined by the AHA in the areas of physical activity, nutrition  and culture
• Demonstrate measurable outcomes related to workplace wellness.

Deck the Halls with Tactical Allocation

One of my favorite things during the Christmas season is to decorate my house.  When driving down the street, my house tends to be the eye-catching one... think the Griswold house. As we string lights, hum Christmas tunes, and watch my husband crawl around on the roof with his staple gun, we really get into the holiday spirit. 

Now, let's put my slightly over-the-top "ode to the holidays" in investment terms. I recently explained that strategic investing, when you pick the mix of stocks, bonds and cash to make up your portfolio, serves as the foundation of your house. Well, I like to think of Tactical Allocation as decorating or changing for the season.  Of course, it shouldn’t be as drastic of a transformation as the Griswold’s (we don't want to blow a fuse or catch the tree on fire). Rather, a Tactical Allocation approach provides for overweighting or underweighting asset classes as perceived market opportunities arise. In yard decorating terms, you're not leaving the inflatable Santa out in the yard all year, that would be the traditional investing “buy and hold on for dear life” approach. You're watching conditions and judging when it's the opportune time to deflate old Saint Nick,  pack him away and move on to the next holiday. The goal of Tactical Allocation is to reduce risk, increase returns or both. 

While we believe that the relationship of valuation between markets over long periods will be efficient and will correspond to fundamentals, we also acknowledge that over shorter periods, some markets may become overvalued, while other asset classes will become undervalued. This is where Tactical Allocation can be considered. A somewhat modified asset allocation can potentially offer better returns and less risk when executed correctly.[1]

A tactical asset allocation strategy can be either flexible or systematic.  In a flexible approach an investor modifies his portfolio based on valuations of different markets or sectors (i.e. stock vs. bond markets).  Systemic strategies are less discretionary and more model based methods of uncovering market anomalies.  Examples of these are trend following or relative strength models. 

All of these methods require knowledge, discipline and dedication to execute successfully; it's not like throwing a single strand of lights over a tree branch and calling it festive. And with Tactical Allocation, less can be more, which is an approach I sometimes wonder if I should apply to my Christmas decorations. So, talk to your Financial Planner to determine what may be appropriate to incorporate into your portfolio.

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[1] Keep in mind that all investing involves risk, and there is no assurance that this or any strategy will be profitable nor protect against loss.

The Holidays – A Great Time for a Family Board Meeting

If your family is like most, the holidays are one of the few times during the year that the entire family gets together in the same place at the same time.  If you happen to be an adult child serving as a caregiver for an elderly parent (or parents), now is the perfect time to take charge as CEO of your “family care corporation” and schedule your annual board meeting.

Typically, if children are caring for aging parents, one of the children shoulders the burden more than the others.  If you are in this position, do what any corporate CEO would do…schedule a board meeting and do some strategic planning.  Manage the business of family caregiving by working with other members of the board (your siblings and your parents, if they are able) to make sure all parts of the business are being managed efficiently and that all parties are contributing to its success. 

Make sure the following job duties are covered by members of the board:

• Managing the finances.  Making sure that someone is overseeing the finances and making sure that bills are being paid.  With online bill pay and access to bank accounts from remote locations, this may be the perfect job for the out-of-town sibling that is demographically unable to handle other duties. 
• Managing the care.  If you are working with a Geriatric Care Manager or in-home care company, someone needs to be the primary contact for these services and communicate any developments to the rest of the family.
• Managing the day-to-day operations.  This is likely the job for the sibling that lives nearest. It includes running errands and accompanying elderly parents to medical appointments and getting groceries, amongst other things.

Once duties have been delegated, be sure that each sibling has the tools he or she needs to do their job.  Make sure necessary authorizations are in place, which may include legal documents including Durable Powers of Attorney for General/Financial and Durable Powers of Attorney for Health Care.  Schedule frequent reporting sessions so everyone can stay on the same page.  And make it a point to schedule family meetings with your parents’ professional advisors – financial planner, CPA, estate planning attorney, etc.  This group of professionals can serve as a crucial advisory board for you and your family.

A business cannot be successful if one person is trying to fill every position.  As the sibling who has chosen to take charge, make sure you empower your siblings to contribute to the success of your family care corporation.

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The Newest Retirement Roadblock…KIPPERS

You have likely heard about some of the most common roadblocks to a successful retirement -- inflation, longevity, income taxes, and long term care expenses.  But have you heard about the newest addition to the list?  The newest threat to successful retirement is KIPPERS -- Kids Invading Parental Pockets and Eroding Retirement Savings. While not mainstream just yet, Tom Sedoric, a financial advisor in Portsmouth, N.H. has apparently coined the acronym KIPPERS in his Financial Planning magazine article titled “Full-Nest Syndrome”. 

The article refers to data that suggests, “A stunning 85% of this year's college graduates were planning to head back to live with mom and dad for at least a while.  A study in 2010 by researchers at Columbia University using the U.S. Current Population Survey found that 52.8% of 18- to 24-year-olds were living at home, up from 47.3% in 1970.” 

Is there a cure for KIPPERS?  The first step is to acknowledge that this might just have an affect on your own retirement plans.  Financial support of a child, right or wrong, may prevent those still working from saving as much as they otherwise could.  Or, worse yet, force a retired parent to increase their investment withdrawals to higher levels.  

The best advice: Talk with your little KIPPER and set financial boundaries as soon as they step foot into the childhood bedroom.  Help them develop sound financial habits so that their financial dependence does not threaten your retirement success.

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A Time to Give Thanks!

                  

Dear Clients and Friends,

By the time you receive this note of gratitude, Thanksgiving may have come and gone.  We trust that you paused, at least for a moment, to reflect on all there is to be grateful for too.   While this message is not in the form of a traditional Thanksgiving Day card, we are thankful for the opportunity to work on your behalf.  After celebrating 25 years recently, we couldn’t be more grateful to all of you who have contributed to making The Center the special place it is today.

Simply put, we love what we do and your continued confidence and trust inspires us to show our gratitude each and every day.   We hope our enthusiasm has shone through over the years and will continue to shine bright for many years to come. 

Best Wishes from The Center family to your family . . .  Happy Holiday Season!

Jennie Bauder, Jennifer Hackmann, Marilynn Levin, Amanda Toia, Jaclyn Jackson, Melissa Joy, Angela Palacios, Gregg Bloomfield, Gerri Harmer, Betsey Schrock, Brenda Spencer , Sandy Adams, Dan Boyce, Matt Chope, Marilyn Gunther, Julie Hall, Laurie Renchik, Troy Wyman, Tim Wyman

A Holiday Shopping Three-Step Challenge

If you’re like millions of Americans, one of your after Thanksgiving dinner activities tomorrow will be making your holiday shopping list and browsing the Black Friday savings deals that are published in advance.  Your excitement will build as you anticipate the first store door opening on Friday morning.  You will prepare to feel the adrenaline rush as you dash in for the best buys of the season.  You are ready to save!  Or are you?

For most of us, we feel a great sense of accomplishment in finding great deals during the holidays.  In fact, many of us will buy an item that isn’t even on our list because the deal is just too good to pass up.  So, are we actually saving or just spending?  Wouldn’t it be a better strategy to find good deals on those items actually on our list, and save the rest?

My three step challenge for you this Black Friday (and the entire holiday shopping season) is this:

1. Make a list of those items you wish to buy for each person on your shopping list – before you leave home – and set a limit on what you can afford to spend.
2. Find the best deals you can find on those items you have listed, but avoid buying additional items just because the deal is too good to pass up.
3. If you find that you have money left over in your budget after your shopping list is completed, invest in yourself.  Put the extra dollars towards either a short-term savings goal (like a car) or a long-term savings goal (like retirement).  Add the cash to a savings account, investment account, or to your IRA or ROTH IRA (if you haven’t already contributed the maximum amount allowable this year).

Meeting the three step challenge will help you to cross of all of the items on your gift list, feel the accomplishment of finding great deals, and invest in yourself all at the same time!  So get ready, get set, and SAVE!