Email Newsletter Website :  http://p0.vresp.com/cCWlDx

June 2013 AAM Newsletter

Hello and thank you for reading my e-newsletter.

I hope you find the information useful.  If you enjoy the newsletter please forward to a friend.   Please also let me know what you like to see so that I may continue to provide relevant content.

If you are a client of mine, thank you for your continued business and please update me on any changes in your situation do that I can make the appropriate changes to your financial plan and investments.

If you are not a client please consider giving me a call or emailing me if you would like to begin a plan to get you to your financial goals.  I consider myself different from many of the advisors out there for the following reasons:
1) You will not be pressured to purchase any products because I am a fee-only advisor and a NAPFA® Member (no commission sales)
2) You will have a comprehensive financial plan completed by a Certified Financial Planner ™ Practitioner or CFP® - I have committed to financial planning and continuing education.
3) You will have a reasonable fee for the services performed.  I charge less than the typical large financial planning firm by being a small shop and keeping my business expenses low.

Ronald J. VanSurksum, CFP®

For more insight on these groups and myself please click on the following links
www.napfa.org
www.cfp.net
www.fpanet.org
www.aamllc.com

Markets

Stocks continued to move higher and have been positive for every month so far in 2013.  Jobs data, home data and retail sales helped push US stocks higher despite a jump in interest rates and disappointing news from overseas.

Index performance                                          May 2013    Year-To-Date (5/31)

• The S&P index                                   +2.08%                 +14.34%
• Dow Jones industrial 30                 +1.86%                 +15.35%
• The NASDAQ Index                         +3.82%                 +14.45%
• The Russell 2000 Small cap           +3.87%                 +15.87%
• EAFE International Index              -3.02%                  +5.65%
• The US Dollar                                     +1.91%                 +4.37%
• Oil                                                           -1.82%                  -0.07%
• Gold                                                      -6.12%                  -17.21%
• Yields moved significantly higher in May, the 10-year treasury is currently yielding 2.16% and the 30 year treasury is yielding 3.31%

May was off to a big start with a very positive April jobs report and positive revisions to previous months pushing the Dow index well above 15,000.  Retail sales and construction data were positive for the month as well.  Consumer confidence hit a six year high but manufacturing data was mixed.

Treasury bonds suffered their worst month since 2010 as concerns that the Fed will begin to slow the asset purchase plan pushed bond yields higher and prices down.

Overseas Japan endured an extremely volatile month dropping more than 7% in one day of trading after an 80% gain over the last 12 months.  The Eurozone unemployment data hit record highs and global growth forecasts were lowered sending International stocks lower for the month.

 
For weekly market updates please visit my blog which is now part of my new website at www.aamllc.com

Mortgage Rates
Mortgage rates jumped higher last month.   The national average on mortgage as per Bloomberg.com shows the 15-year rate is now at 3.18% and the 30-year rate is at 4.03%. These rates are as of 6/7/2013 and may include points.   Again, if you have the equity in your home and a 5+ year time frame this could be a great time to refinance and lock in historically low rates.

With the money you save you could be paying off your mortgage sooner, paying off other bills, increasing your cash reserves or building up your long-term investments.

CD Rates
CD rates were mixed over the last month.  Charles Schwab has access to CD’s from banks all over the country.  Here are some of the current CD rates offered.

6 mo CD @ 0.15%             1-Yr CD @ 0.25%
2-Yr CD @ 0.55%              5-Yr CD @ 1.35%

Currently I am not doing much with CD Ladders.  I will start using them again as rates begin to rise.  If you want to know what I am doing as an alternative let me know.

Tips and Suggestions

Do a midyear review of your budget to see how well you’re sticking to spending limits and savings goals.  Make adjustments if necessary.

Are you on track to meet your financial goals?  Do you have a plan to get you where you want to be?  If you do not you probably will not reach your goals.  Let’s make a plan to Maximize your financial potential.

What is your tax plan for 2013?  Is it time for one?

Need help with your 401k?  I am now using GoToMeeting.com to allow me to help review your 401k online and help you rebalance.  We can access the plan together online, I can give you control to log in and then we can discuss and make changes together.  Let me know if you want to discuss!

Are your cash reserves earning less than 1%?  Consider a short-term US treasury fund or Corporate Bond fund to give your secondary cash reserves a yield boost.

I added a new section on my blog for social security tips.  Check out the latest at:
http://www.aamllc.com/2013/06/social-security-tips-june-2013/

If you have any question or if you would like to have help with your financial plan please give me - your Fee-only Certified Financial Planning ™ Practitioner a call.

Articles

All articles are now found on my website which has been combined with my blog: www.aamllc.com

Sector Funds, Are They Worth A Look?
http://www.aamllc.com/2013/05/sector-funds-are-they-worth-a-look/

Understanding Correlation
http://www.aamllc.com/2013/05/understanding-correlation/

High-Yield Bonds: Income Potential at a Price
http://www.aamllc.com/2013/05/high-yield-bonds-income-potential-at-a-price/

In Volatile Markets Investors May Find Comfort in Dividends
http://www.aamllc.com/2013/06/in-volatile-markets-investors-may-find-comfort-in-dividends/

What Are Health Savings Accounts?
http://www.aamllc.com/2013/06/what-are-health-savings-accounts/

Contact Me
Do you want more information on how I can help you?  Give me a call or drop me an email to review or set up a free initial consultation.

“Like” AAM on www.facebook.com/AAMLLC
Follow me on www.twitter.com/aamllc
Get LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/ronaldjvansurksum
Weekly Blog Updates and My Website www.aamllc.com

Email Newsletter Website :  http://p0.vresp.com/OLwSy0

April – May 2013 AAM Newsletter

Hello and thank you for reading my e-newsletter.

I hope you find the information useful.  If you enjoy the newsletter please forward to a friend.   Please also let me know what you like to see so that I may continue to provide relevant content.

If you are a client of mine, thank you for your continued business and please update me on any changes in your situation do that I can make the appropriate changes to your financial plan and investments.

If you are not a client please consider giving me a call or emailing me if you would like to begin a plan to get you to your financial goals.  I consider myself different from many of the advisors out there for the following reasons:
1) You will not be pressured to purchase any products because I am a fee-only advisor and a NAPFA® Member (no commission sales)
2) You will have a comprehensive financial plan completed by a Certified Financial Planner ™ Practitioner or CFP® - I have committed to financial planning and continuing education.
3) You will have a reasonable fee for the services performed.  I charge less than the typical large financial planning firm by being a small shop and keeping my business expenses low.

Ronald J. VanSurksum, CFP®

For more insight on these groups and myself please click on the following links
www.napfa.org
www.cfp.net
www.fpanet.org
www.aamllc.com

Markets

Stocks continued higher in March and April with the S&P 500 adding more than 5% over the two months on continuing but slow job growth, manufacturing growth and an overall resilient and expanding economy.

Index performance                                          April 2013    Year-To-Date (4/30)

• The S&P index                                   +1.81%                 +12.02%
• Dow Jones industrial 30                 +1.79%                 +13.25%
• The NASDAQ Index                         +1.88%                 +10.24%
• The Russell 2000 Small cap           -0.43%                  +11.55%
• EAFE International Index              +5.02%                 +8.93%
• The US Dollar                                     -1.46%                  +2.42%
• Oil                                                           -3.72%                  +1.79%
• Gold                                                      -7.53%                  -11.81%
• The 10 year treasury moved lower and is currently yielding 1.75%
• The 30 year treasury moved lower and is yielding 2.97%

Despite some slowing or even contracting manufacturing data stock markets continued to surge over the last few months.  The most recent encouraging data showed better than expected job growth not only in April but the last two months were also revised higher.  Jobless claims have continued to move lower reinforcing an improving jobs picture.  We are still a long way from creating enough jobs to make a substantial difference but it is continuing to improve.

The most interesting moment of the last month was a fake tweet sent by a hacked AP news account.  The markets were up about 1% on the day at the time of the tweet and gave back all of the gains on the tweet.  In a matter of 4 minutes the market jumped back up again after it was found that the tweet was a fake.  A mini “flash crash” about 3 years from the original back in 2010.

The US markets are now pushing all-time highs with the Dow breaking the 15,000 mark and the S&P 500 closing above 1,600 for the first time ever.

Overseas, China data has been up and down but Euro news seems to be improving in 2013.  Overall the world markets are higher on continued stimulus plans out of the Euro nations, Japan and of course the US.

Where will all of this stimulus take us?  What will happen when the stimulus stops?  It is nearly impossible to say since this is all so unprecedented.

For weekly market updates please visit my blog which is now part of my new website at www.aamllc.com

Mortgage Rates
Mortgage rates moved lower over the last few months.   The national average on mortgage as per Bloomberg.com shows the 15-year rate is now at 2.69% and the 30-year rate is at 3.48%. These rates are as of 5/03/2013 and may include points.   Again, if you have the equity in your home and a 5+ year time frame this could be a great time to refinance and lock in historically low rates.

With the money you save you could be paying off your mortgage sooner, paying off other bills, increasing your cash reserves or building up your long-term investments.

CD Rates
CD rates were flat over the last few months.  Charles Schwab has access to CD’s from banks all over the country.  Here are some of the current CD rates offered.

6 mo CD @ 0.20%             1-Yr CD @ 0.25%
2-Yr CD @ 0.55%              5-Yr CD @ 1.214%

Currently I am not doing much with CD Ladders.  I will start using them again as rates begin to rise.  If you want to know what I am doing as an alternative let me know.

Tips and Suggestions

Are you on track to meet your financial goals?  Do you have a plan to get you where you want to be?  If you do not you probably will not reach your goals.  Let’s make a plan to Maximize your financial potential.

What is your tax plan for 2013?  Is it time for one?

Need help with your 401k?  I am now using GoToMeeting.com to allow me to help review your 401k online and help you rebalance.  We can access the plan together online, I can give you control to log in and then we can discuss and make changes together.  Let me know if you want to discuss!

Are your cash reserves earning less than 1%?  Consider a short-term US treasury fund or Corporate Bond fund to give your secondary cash reserves a yield boost.

I added a new section on my blog for social security tips.  Check out the latest at:
http://www.aamllc.com/2013/04/social-security-tips-for-april-2013/

If you have any question or if you would like to have help with your financial plan please give me - your Fee-only Certified Financial Planning ™ Practitioner a call.

Articles

All articles are now found on my website which has been combined with my blog: www.aamllc.com

Marriage & Money: Finding a Happy Balance
http://www.aamllc.com/2013/05/marriage-and-money-finding-a-happy-balance/

Nearly Half of Middle-Aged Americans “Sandwiched” Between Kids and Parents
http://www.aamllc.com/2013/04/nearly-half-of-middle-aged-americans-sandwiched-between-kids-and-parents/

Is Increased Inflation on the Horizon?
http://www.aamllc.com/2013/04/is-increased-inflation-on-the-horizon/

Most Employers Have Not Calculated the Cost of Health Care Reform
http://www.aamllc.com/2013/04/most-employers-have-not-calculated-the-cost-of-health-care-reform/

Spring Cleaning – Putting Your Financial House In Order
http://www.aamllc.com/2013/04/spring-cleaning-put-your-financial-house-in-order/

Contact Me
Do you want more information on how I can help you?  Give me a call or drop me an email to review or set up a free initial consultation.

“Like” AAM on www.facebook.com/AAMLLC
Follow me on www.twitter.com/aamllc
Get LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/ronaldjvansurksum
Weekly Blog Updates and My Website www.aamllc.com

Email Newsletter Website :  http://p0.vresp.com/6ZUMlf

March 2013 AAM Newsletter

Hello and thank you for reading my e-newsletter.

I hope you find the information useful.  If you enjoy the newsletter please forward to a friend.   Please also let me know what you like to see so that I may continue to provide relevant content.

If you are a client of mine, thank you for your continued business and please update me on any changes in your situation do that I can make the appropriate changes to your financial plan and investments.

If you are not a client please consider giving me a call or emailing me if you would like to begin a plan to get you to your financial goals.  I consider myself different from many of the advisors out there for the following reasons:
1) You will not be pressured to purchase any products because I am a fee-only advisor and a NAPFA® Member (no commission sales)
2) You will have a comprehensive financial plan completed by a Certified Financial Planner ™ Practitioner or CFP® - I have committed to financial planning and continuing education.
3) You will have a reasonable fee for the services performed.  I charge less than the typical large financial planning firm by being a small shop and keeping my business expenses low.

Ronald J. VanSurksum, CFP®

For more insight on these groups and myself please click on the following links
www.napfa.org
www.cfp.net
www.fpanet.org
www.aamllc.com

Markets

Stocks continued to march higher in February with the S&P 500 adding 1.34% on continued positive housing and jobs data, despite the sequester.

Index performance                                          Feb 2013    Year-To-Date (2/28)

• The S&P index                                   +1.34%                 +6.45%
• Dow Jones industrial 30                 +1.40%                 +7.25%
• The NASDAQ Index                         +0.57%                 +4.66%
• The Russell 2000 Small cap           +1.00%                 +7.27%
• EAFE International Index              -1.29%                  +2.39%
• The US Dollar                                     +3.47%                 +2.69%
• Oil                                                           -5.58%                  +0.25%
• Gold                                                      -5.06%                  -5.58%
• The 10 year treasury moved higher and is currently yielding 2.06%
• The 30 year treasury moved higher and is yielding 3.26%

Gains continued in February despite the looming sequester and federal budget cuts.  Corporate earnings, world growth and US data continue to push stocks higher.

Factory orders missed
ISM Service Sector beat expectations
January retail sales beat
4^th Quarter Productivity contracted, labor costs were higher
Small business optimism rose but less than expected
Import prices remained tame
Industrial production fell
US Homebuilder sentiment decreased
Housing starts declined
Home prices rose
New home sales jumped
Existing home sales beat
4Q GDP was revised higher

Overseas, an Italian election caused the markets to pause but quickly rebounded.

Eurozone business activity beat expectations
China posted positive trade data
Eurozone finance ministers met to discuss Greek bailouts & political uncertainty in Spain and Greece
Eurozone economy contracted more than expected
German confidence and business sentiment rose
Italian elections concluded with no decisive winner
Bank of Japan leaning towards additional stimulus
Italy had a positive debt auction

For weekly market updates please visit my blog which is now part of my new website at www.aamllc.com

Mortgage Rates
Mortgage rates moved lower over the last month.   The national average on mortgage as per Bloomberg.com shows the 15-year rate is now at 2.84% and the 30-year rate is at 3.55%. These rates are as of 2/28/2013 and may include points.   Again, if you have the equity in your home and a 5+ year time frame this could be a great time to refinance and lock in historically low rates.

With the money you save you could be paying off your mortgage sooner, paying off other bills, increasing your cash reserves or building up your long-term investments.

CD Rates
CD rates were mixed over the last month.  Charles Schwab has access to CD’s from banks all over the country.  Here are some of the current CD rates offered.

6 mo CD @ 0.20%             1-Yr CD @ 0.25%
2-Yr CD @ 0.55%              5-Yr CD @ 1.25%

Currently I am not doing much with CD Ladders.  I will start using them again as rates begin to rise.  If you want to know what I am doing as an alternative let me know.

Tips and Suggestions

Is getting your financial house in order one of your new year’s resolutions?  If so, let’s meet soon so that I may help you maximize your financial potential!

Before you give all of your tax information to your tax preparer, make a copy for your financial advisor so that he/she will have updated information to maintain your financial plan!

What is your tax plan for 2013?  Is it time for one?

It’s IRA funding season.  Roth or Traditional?  Let me know if you want to discuss your options.

Need help with your 401k?  I am now using GoToMeeting.com to allow me to help review your 401k online and help you rebalance.  We can access the plan together online, I can give you control to log in and then we can discuss and make changes together.  Let me know if you want to discuss!

I have added a social security projection program to help me provide advice on when to begin taking social security payments.  Should you wait to your full retirement age?  Should you draw at 62?  Is there a strategy that could allow you to draw more over your lifetime.  If you are wondering, let me know and let’s check it out.

I have also added a document vault to allow us to share documents and store them on a secure online server.  Check it out at www.aamllc.sharefile.com. Let me know if you would like to meet to set up for your use.

Are your cash reserves earning less than 1%?  Consider a short-term US treasury fund or Corporate Bond fund to give your secondary cash reserves a yield boost.

I added a new section on my blog for social security tips.  Check out the latest at:
http://www.aamllc.com/2013/02/social-security-tips-for-february-2013/

If you have any question or if you would like to have help with your financial plan please give me - your Fee-only Certified Financial Planning ™ Practitioner a call.

Articles

All articles are now found on my website which has been combined with my blog: www.aamllc.com

Bond Laddering: Generating Income From Your Portfolio
http://www.aamllc.com/2013/02/bond-laddering-generating-income-from-your-portfolio/

Three Steps to Help Reduce Debt
http://www.aamllc.com/2013/02/three-steps-to-help-reduce-debt/

Safety In Numbers : Why Diversification Matters
http://www.aamllc.com/2013/03/safety-in-numbers-why-diversification-matters/

Contact Me
Do you want more information on how I can help you?  Give me a call or drop me an email to review or set up a free initial consultation.

“Like” AAM on www.facebook.com/AAMLLC
Follow me on www.twitter.com/aamllc
Get LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/ronaldjvansurksum
Weekly Blog Updates and My Website www.aamllc.com