2016 First Three Quarter Newsletter Opinions and Financial Planning Priorities

2016 Year-to-Date
My Comments and Opinions

During the first three quarters of 2016 our economy has been stumbling along at a tepid pace. Where we would hope for a 3% to 4% annual growth rate in a healthy recovery, we have only a mere 1.5% to report so far. Year-to-date the S&P Index is up about 7%*, despite a decline earlier in the year of 11%. Compare that to our slow economic growth which in the first-quarter was 0.8% and only 1.1% in the second. The entire year is still expected to grow only 2%. For an economy to expand there has to be some degree of inflation. Today inflation is almost flat along with interest rates. One way to look at this is to consider how low interest rates are now. With a total federal debt approaching $20 Trillion, each one percent increase in interest rates adds another $200,000,000,000 each year to the national debt because of the effect of compounding interest. So it’s easy to see why the Federal Reserve Bank is reluctant to pile on more debt by increasing interest rates. However, at some point we will see higher interest rates and more inflation. At that point our hope is to see our economy grow 3% to 4% per year.

Among the many issues the voters have been considering lately is what the outcome of the election will mean to our economy and our ​markets long-term. At this point all we can do is guess. But when it comes to our financial wellbeing, guessing is not very helpful. Regardless of what the future brings, our goal is to help you achieve your financial goals. Over the next several months Sue, Alecia and I will be working to bring attention to the need for solid financial planning. When well-constructed, a written financial plan is inter-generational. We want you to keep together what you’ve put together. Money isn’t everything, but it becomes a necessity when you need it.

The second and third pages of this letter illustrate life’s financial journey and the steps we should take to help us achieve our financial goals. The fourth page is our end-of-year reminder checklist. As always, you’re invited to call to discuss any item or items on the checklist.

If we do not have your email address please call us at 508-240-0320 or email us at: [email protected] or [email protected]. Also, you can visit us at our new website: www.brimmerfinancial.com.

*through 9/30/16

 

Financial Planning Matters Name____________________ Date_________
Place a check mark next to each item you believe to be in good order.
_________ Brimmer Financial has your email address
_________ Personal financial plan
_________ Up-to-Date Will
_________ Up-to-Date Trust
_________ Health Proxy or Living Will
_________ Current Durable Powers of Attorney
_________ Adequate Health Insurance: Hospitalization, Major Medical
_________ Adequate Life Insurance
_________ Adequate Long-Term Disability Insurance
_________ Adequate Property/Casualty Insurance: Home, Car, Umbrella Coverage
_________ Adequate Professional Practice/Business Owner Insurance
_________ Adequate Long-Term Care Insurance
_________ Investment Portfolio Review
_________ Collect Cost Basis Information on Sold Securities
_________ Tax Planning with Your Tax Advisor before Year-End
_________ Sell any losses in your portfolio for tax purposes
_________ Timely Contributions made to Retirement Plans
_________ Review Beneficiary Designations on your IRAs, Retirement Plans, Annuities, and Life Insurance Policies
_________ Any Required Minimum Distribution this year
_________ Annual Charitable Contributions made before Year-End
_________ Annual Gifts made to Family Members before Year-End
_________ You have other investments you’d like to have consolidated with us

 

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