Summer 2011

In This Issue
Living with Uncertainty
The Spousal IRA Rule
Medicare and Medicaid: Do you Know the Difference?
Could You Handle a Financial Windfall?

In uncertain economic times like these, it's important to remember two very important values that successful, long-term investors have: patience and discipline. Patience allows you to avoid reacting and feeling the need to change your core investment practices, especially in the face of today's challenging economic circumstances. It is a principle that dictates your decision not to do something wrong. Discipline allows you to keep to those core investment practices. It enables you to decide to keep doing the right things. Both of these are important characteristics of successful, long-term investors. The investment article in this summer's newsletter provides some thoughtful comments to help you keep things in perspective during this summer's market volatility.

Summertime is often a busy time for people, so I've included a great personal productivity reference below. If you have any inclination to "take your game to the next level," I'd love to chat with you. Hope you are enjoying the summer!

Rob Lyman, CFP®
Lead Advisor, Partner

Living with Uncertainty
In volatile times like these (we seem to have triple-digit moves in the Dow every day or so, with the market down significantly since its April peak), it is completely natural for investors to have feelings of anxiety and fear, and even a feeling of powerlessness. The problem is that acting on these emotions can end up doing more harm than good.
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The Spousal IRA Rule
Generally, you can contribute up to $5,000 to an IRA in 2011 ($6,000 if you'll be age 50 or older by the end of the year), as long as you have taxable compensation at least equal to the amount of your IRA contribution. But what if you have little or no taxable compensation for the year?
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Medicare and Medicaid: Do you Know the Difference?
Medicare and Medicaid were signed into law 36 years ago to protect older and poorer Americans against the high cost of health care. Ironically, it's the high cost of providing health care through these programs that now threatens federal and state budgets, leading to calls for Medicare and Medicaid reform.
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Could You Handle a Financial Windfall?
Receiving a financial windfall is often a life-changing event. It's a relatively common one, too. You might never win the lottery, but the odds are that at some point you'll receive a significant amount of money, perhaps from an inheritance, bonus, insurance settlement, or the sale of a home or business. If so, would you be prepared for the financial decisions you might suddenly face?
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