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Creative Wealth Maximization Strategies - December 2011

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This month's newsletter features the following articles:

HOW WILL THE ‘GREAT RECESSION” CHANGE YOUR PERCEPTION?

When it comes to money, the financial climate in which you grew up can have a life-long impact on your financial perceptions and behavior. The influence appears to be particularly strong if the financial events are extreme, such as those occurring in a boom or bust period. From a broad survey of current financial commentary, here are some possible perception changes that are in the making in the aftermath of the Great Recession.

RESEARCH SHOWS FINANCIAL I.Q. DECLINES – JUST WHEN YOU’LL NEED IT MOST

For many Americans, their most important financial decisions come at the end of their lives. These decisions not only involve large dollars, some of them are irrevocable. Yet a new study shows that, regardless of gender or education level, Americans’ financial literacy diminishes rapidly after age 60. Some compelling information on the value of planning now, even if the big decisions are far in the future.

APPLES AND ORANGES: The Chance To Get Rich vs. The Guarantee of Avoiding Poverty

Every now and then, a look backward can be enlightening. That’s the case with the on-going debate about how whole life insurance fits into individual financial programs. Because whole life insurance is a unique financial asset, the challenge for professionals and consumers has always been to properly evaluate its value in relation to other alternatives. Read a short 44-year-old commentary that clearly articulates the issues.

INFLATION DISTORTIONS

We all know inflation exists. In fact, we expect it, and accept it as part of our financial lives. If you can remember when gas was $1.00/gallon and hamburgers were 50 cents, you’ll recognize it’s unlikely we will see those prices again. But over time, inflation distorts past values and makes it harder to determine our financial future. Inflation is why a 2011 Thanksgiving dinner can cost both more – and less – than the same meal in 1934. Really.

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Ashford Advisors Creative Wealth Maximization Strategies - December 2011

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Guardian, its subsidiaries, agents, or employees do not provide tax or legal advice. The Associates of Ashford Advisors, Inc., are not licensed to sell insurance in all 50 states. To find out if an agent is licensed in your state, please contact Johnny Howard at 770 390-2600. The Registered Representatives are securities licensed in Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, New York, Colorado, Arizona, Michigan, Illinois and Nevada and is strictly intended for individuals residing in those states. No offers may be made or accepted from any resident outside these specified states. The information or opinions contained in this Internet site should not be construed by any consumer and/or prospective client as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any particular investment product. The information contained herein is directed solely to those individuals who reside in jurisdictions in which the representative is registered in the state where the consumer and/or prospective client reside. Any subsequent direct communication with a consumer and/or prospective client shall only be conducted by a representative that is registered in the state where the consumer and/or prospective client reside. The information on this web site is designed to be general in nature and for educational purposes only. Guardian, its agents and employees do not give tax or legal advice.

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* Registered Representative of Park Avenue Securities LLC (PAS), Two Ravinia Drive, Suite 750, Atlanta, GA 30346. Securities products and services offered through PAS, (770) 390-2600. Financial Representative, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian), New York, NY. PAS is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Guardian. Ashford Advisors is not an affiliate or subsidiary of PAS or Guardian.
PAS is a member FINRA, SIPC.

** Registered Representative and Financial Advisor of Park Avenue Securities LLC (PAS), Two Ravinia Drive, Suite 750, Atlanta, GA 30346. Securities products/services and adv isory services are offered through PAS, a registered broker-dealer and investment advisor, (770) 390-2600. Financial Representative, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian), New York, NY. PAS is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Guardian. Ashford Advisors is not an affiliate or subsidiary of PAS or Guardian.
PAS is a member FINRA, SIPC.

Material discussed is meant for general illustration and/or informational purposes only and it is not to be construed as tax, legal or investment advice. Although the information has been gathered from sources believed reliable, please note that individual situations can vary, therefore the information should be relied upon when coordinated with individual professional advice.

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