February 2011

By now, most people are aware that Congress extended the so-called Bush tax cuts through 2012.  One of the lesser-known provisions is to eliminate capital gains for people in the two lowest tax rate categories (10-15% tax rates).  Speak to your advisor and see if you can exploit this opportunity to sell winners or "reset" your basis for keepers.

January 2011

We are offering a complimentary workshop discussing long-term care insurance and associated ssues on January 19th.  Please contact us if you would like further information.

Also, in February we will be repeating both the Financial Basics and IRA Workshops and in March we will offer an Executor Workshop.  Let us know if you would like be included in any of these educational workshops.

December 2010

Flexible spending account funds must be used by year end or they are forfeited.  You can use these funds for eyeglasses, co-payments, acupuncture and through 2010, over-the-counter medications such as asprin.  Starting in 2011 you'll need a doctor's approval to purchase over-the-counter items for flex spending reimbursement.

November 2010

Recently, prominent financial writer Gail MarksJarvis wrote a column about how balanced portfolios that people held steady rather than selling have basically recovered.  It was difficult to imagine at the market low in March of 2009 that we would see such a dramatic recovery in 18 months. See www.chicagotribune.com/business/sc-cons-1021-marksjarvis-20101021,0,7993103.column to read more. 

If you would like a review of your portfolio, please call 847-245-7483 for an appointment.

October 2010

We are hosting 2 workshops; the first will be on Thursday, October 21st from 7:15 - 8:30 PM and will cover financial basics such as building a spending plan and basic financial terminology.  The second will be on Thursday, November 18th from 7:15 to 8:30 PM and will discuss IRAs and Roth IRAs.  Please call 847-245-7483 for more information or to register.

September 2010

According to a Wall Street Journal survey, companies favor the large state universities for recruiting students because of the practical skills they teach and large student population - and it's more efficient to recruit at fewer schools.  The top 3 choices are Pennsylvania State University, Texas A&M University and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

August 2010

The dog days of summer have hit us hard this year compared to recent summers.  Keep your cool by using fans to help keep air conditioning costs down.  Ceiling fans or box fans can help you feel cooler with the temperature set up a bit higher.

July 2010

Thinking about remodeling?  You can see cost and value (how much would you recoup) comparisons for home projects such as decks, basements, etc. by going to www.remodeling.hw.net/2009/costvsvalue/national.aspx  You can read more about strategies for waiting out the housing slump by going to our 3rd Quarter 2010 Newsletter.

June 2010

According to the 2010 Retirement Confidence Survey published by the Employee Benefit Research Institute 25% of Americans have less than $1,000 in retirement savings compared to 20% in 2009.  This lack of savings may be indicative of a lack of retirement goals.  Less than half of workers tried to estimate how much money they'll need to live in reasonable comfort.

May 2010

According to US News and World Report, more Americans are delaying retirement for reasons such as the stock market slump, not saving enough, less employer assistance (like pensions or reduced/eliminated 401(k) match), some are waiting until 65 when Medicare kicks in, and many are delaying for personal fulfillment reasons. 

April 2010

It is tax time, so after you have completed your 2009 taxes, get started with your spring cleaning and get a jump on 2010 taxes by donating used clothing and other items, assuming you itemize your deductions.  Also, be sure to list a "fair value" (think what the item woudl sell for in a thrift shop).  Then store the list in your tax file for 2010.

March 2010

One year ago the “bear” market hit its trough and a new “bull” market has taken hold with markets rising over 50%.  How long will the bull market run?  No one knows for sure, but the long-term historical trend has always been positive.  Contact us if you’d like to secure gains and prepare your portfolio to meet your objectives, both short-term and long-term.

February 2010

According to the Employee Benefit Research Institute about 47% of those currently retired left their jobs before they had planned to.  Numerous reasons were cited including job loss, divorce, death of spouse, or disability (self or loved one).  About 60% of the survey respondents had some type of major financial setback during their careers.  These results show that saving for that proverbial “rainy day” is always a good idea.

January 2010

New tax rules effective January 1, 2010 allow virtually everyone with an IRA to “convert” it to a Roth IRA.  Until now people with incomes over $100,000 – and married couples filing separately – were ineligible to convert to a Roth IRA.  There are a number of things to consider when deciding whether a conversion makes sense for you; understand the pros and cons before making any changes.  Please call our office if you’d like to learn more about this new opportunity.

December 2009

With winter upon us, you may be looking for ways to cut your utility bills.  We all know about the benefits of energy efficient appliances, insulation and programmable thermostats, but did you know that you may qualify for rebates or tax credits when making these changes?  To learn about federal, state, and local government and utility incentives go to: http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/  Click on See Federal Incentives; or to see state-specific incentives, scroll down to find your state.  It’s an easy way to get more bang for your buck.

November 2009

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (a.k.a the stimulus package) has help for those who lost their health insurance between September 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009.  Among the many provisions, those who lost their jobs and health insurance will pay only 35% for their COBRA premium for up to 9 months.  Their past employer will pay the rest of the 65% and get a tax credit for reimbursement.

October 2009

The class of 2009 is more likely to become Boomerang offspring than previous classes.  With employers continuing to shed jobs, many recent graduates are deciding to stay in – or move back into – the parental home.  The National Association of Colleges says their job prospects are considerably lower than those of the past 5 classes.  Clearly this can lead to some new challenges however, remember this is a temporary situation.  Most economists expect job growth to resume next year.

September 2009

The Journal of Financial Planning reports that $16,771 is the 2009 average annual medical spending for an American family of four enrolled in a company-sponsored Preferred Provider Option (PPO).  This includes both employee and employer costs and compares to $15,609 in 2008. 

August 2009

The Roth IRA has been somewhat limited in its use however, beginning in 2010 a key restriction is scheduled to be removed.  There are some big advantages to a Roth IRA, along with potential drawbacks.  New York Times Your Money columnist Ron Lieber discusses some of these issues in a July 17 story: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/18/your-money/individual-retirement-account-iras/18money.html.  Our email contribution to the story ended with: “As with any financial move, many factors must be considered to determine if, when and how much of a move to make.”

July 2009

The Journal of Financial Planning reports that American consumers are cutting spending in hopes of achieving their retirement goal.  Consumers are focusing on paying down debt and plan to reduce the size of the estate they leave to their heirs in order to retire when they planned.  Even with these changes, many will find they need to work longer than anticipated to retire comfortably.  Sometimes working part time for several years is enough to bridge the gap; keeping expenses low is a key factor.

June 2009

With Certificate of Deposit interest rates so low, you may wonder if there is a benefit to put any money into a CD.  However, the annual inflation rate is near zero which means that a 2-3% CD purchased today has greater inflation-adjusted purchasing power than a CD earning 4% when the inflation rate is 3%.  Also, keep in mind the CDs are generally insured up to a certain amount. 

May 2009

The massive economic stimulus bill includes a substantial tax break - $8,000 - for first-time home buyers and people who have not owned a home in the past 3 years.  Other qualifications are that married couples must earn $150,000 or less and singles must earn $75,000 or less to take full advantage of the credit.  This tax credit, along with very low interest rates and low housing prices will help slow the downward spiral of housing prices.  The credit is refundable which means that if you owe less than $8,000, say $5,000, you will not only owe $0 taxes, you will receive a check from Uncle Sam of $3,000.  However, act quickly; the home must be purchased before the end of the year.  There are other stipulations, so do your research or call a professional before moving forward.

April 2009

April 15th is the tax filing deadline and you may contribute to your IRA or Roth IRA up to the 15th and still have it count as your 2008 contribution.  The contribution maximum for 2009 remains the same as 2008, $5,000 for those under age 50, and for people 50 and better, an extra $1,000, for a total of $6,000.  While the IRA limits have remained the same, annual gift tax exclusion has increased to $13,000, up from $12,000 and the estate tax exclusion is $3,500,000, up from $2,000,000.

March 2009

The new “Making Work Pay” tax credit is available for singles earning up to $75,000 and married couples earning up to $150,000.  The credit gets phased out beyond these levels.  You may have heard about this on the news.  Making Work Pay will reduce payroll taxes and the net effect for those who qualify for the full credit will be an additional $13 per week in your paycheck starting in June.  In January 2010 this credit will drop from $13 to $9 per week.      

February 2009

The economy is still struggling and may continue to do so while our elected officials hash out the latest stimulus plan.  When the markets get some sense of understanding of the final plan and implications, and a hint of stability, a recovery should soon follow.  Jobs and growth (GDP) typically lag the market recovery; ideally, the stimulus will create jobs in the short run, with the return to growth creating jobs in the longer term.

January 2009

The S&P 500 index hit its most recent low on November 20th and has risen 17% in the 6 weeks that followed.  Was that the low for this bear market?  No one knows for sure.  What we do know is that we have been in a recession for a year (the average length is 11 months) and that the stock market historically starts to recover months before the economy begins to rebound.  We may experience some more bumps and bruises on the road to recovery however, there are unprecedented efforts underway to get the economic engine moving again.

December 2008

This holiday season spend liberally – with your time, if not your money.  Take time to enjoy old traditions or start new ones.  Spending time with family and friends makes us feel better and after these past few months we could all benefit from the good cheer of loved ones.  Helping those less fortunate – by donating time or used clothing – also makes us feel better.  Don’t forget to document items you donate to charity; you may qualify for a tax deduction.

November 2008

Many people are surprised to learn that Medicare does not cover nursing home care beyond short-term rehabilitation.  Long-term care insurance will help pay for nursing home and, usually, home health care, for people needing assistance with at least 2 of the 6 daily living activities such as bathing, eating, etc. The average yearly premium for long-term care insurance for a 55-year old, healthy individual is about $1,578 for a maximum daily benefit of $150.  This presumes a 3-year benefit period, 90-day waiting period and 5% inflation.  Long-term care insurance is generally most appropriate for those who have enough assets to continue premium payments and want to protect their estate for their loved ones.

October 2008

Even with all of the turmoil we are now faced with, the S&P 500 index is up an average of 8% per year since its 1987 high. In 1987 the market went though a bear market, losing over 30% in 2 months. If you had invested $10,000 in guaranteed investments in 1987 and earned, say 4% annually since then, you would now have $22,787.  If you had invested $10,000 in a low-cost S&P 500 index fund at the 1987 high, you would have over $50,000 today.  Invest for the long-term.

September 2008

With school starting again, many parents are wondering how much pocket money a college freshman living in a dorm needs.  Wall Street Journal writer Karen Blumenthal says that the suggested personal expense budgets vary widely from school to school.  For example, New York University suggests a budget of $1000 per year while the University of Kansas recommends a budget of nearly $2300 per year.  However you and your student determine the amount for personal expenses, this is a great opportunity for them to take more responsibility for their finances.  Sooner or later, depending on your child’s maturity, they should get a credit card in their own name.  Help them with ground rules on when – and when not – to use it.  Having their own credit card can help them establish credit in their own name, which is important with more employers checking credit scores for new hires.

August 2008

According to the Employee Research Benefit Institute, fewer than half of workers surveyed said they tried to figure out how much they’ll need to retire comfortably.  The people who have calculated their retirement needs changed their behaviors or goals, with most people increasing their savings and investments.  However, almost half of the people that tried to determine their retirement needs said they guessed at how big their portfolio should be.

July 2008

We recently led a panel discussion for the Lindenhurst/Lake Villa Chamber of Commerce Women in Business group on Preparing to Meet with a Financial Professional.  The panel discussed reasons people may want to meet with an advisor, questions to ask, and information you’ll need to share such as tax returns, investment statements and social security statements. We suggested asking if the advisor is a fiduciary, in other word are they working in your best interest. Also, ask how you will be paying for their advice (fees, commissions, incentives or other) and whether there is a conflict of interest.

June 2008

With gas up over $4 a gallon, most everyone is looking for ways to cut down on driving.  But when you do drive, consider slowing your rate of acceleration from a stoplight.  According to Edmunds.com, this can help conserve a lot of gas – as much as a quarter of a tank each time you fill up, if you drive with an extremely light foot. That extra savings can go towards groceries(!).

May 2008

What to do with the tax rebate checks: first and foremost, pay down credit card balances, starting with the highest interest card.  If you don’t carry any balances month-to-month, give yourself a pat on the back in the form of saving at least 10% of your rebate.  Finally, when you think about spending what’s left, consider your priorities and what will provide you with the most value for the money.  See “Pursuing Happiness” in our 4th Quarter 2007 Newsletter for some thoughts on money and happiness.

April 2008

The IRA contribution limits have increased for 2008 to $5,000 for people under 50 and $6,000 for people 50 and older.

BusinessWeek personal finance columnist Lauren Young wrote an article about Roth IRA conversions and cited Mary Erl based on a conversation the two had about Roth conversion considerations.  Ms. Young hit key points in her clear, concise manner.  To see the article, Click Here or access it through the 'Articles' Menu above.

March 2008

The economic stimulus package has been approved by all parties and most taxpayers will receive a “rebate” in the next few months.  In fact, even the elderly who aren’t required to file an annual return may be eligible for a rebate.  However, in order to qualify they must file a tax return for 2007 with “Stimulus Payment” written across the top.  For more information and to see a sample 1040A go to: IRS Stimulus Information.

February 2008

We’ve had difficult start to the year in the stock market.  We won’t know for certain whether we’re in a recession until we’re well into it – a recession is generally defined as 2 quarters of negative growth.  But keep in mind that since the last recession and stock market decline in early part of the decade, we saw the total US stock market index rise 31% in 2003, 12.5% in 2004, 6% in 2005 and 15.5% in 2006.  Last year, even with all the volatility, the US stock market index rose about 5.5%. Make sure you have a robust emergency fund in case of cutbacks at work.

January 2008

Do you make resolutions every January only to let them fade away by mid-February?  You’re not alone…many resolutions are broken shortly after they are set.  This January, instead of making a resolution, try setting goals instead.  Goals should be specific, measurable, meaningful, and time- bound; the more details you define, the more likely you are to meet your goals. For example, instead of just saying you want to save more, decide how much more (maybe 5%?) and set up an automatic savings plan so you won’t be tempted to spend it.  Knowing what you ultimately want to do with the money (and when) will help you dismiss or delay discretionary purchases while you save for your goal.

December 2007

Research by happiness experts tells us that regularly spending time with family and friends will make us happier than a shiny new car or big-screen TV.  Sure these news toys will provide a thrill for a while, but we quickly adapt to them and start longing for something new.  A shared dinner at home or out on the town, or taking a trip together, will create lasting memories and that’s a great investment.

Happy Holidays!

November 2007

Mutual funds generally pay out capital gains distributions in November and December. Even if you reinvest the distributions automatically you're still required to pay taxes on these gains. This year distributions are expected to be higher than in years past in part due to the rally in the stock market and the fact that most of the losses from the bear market in the early part of the decade have been exhausted. Keep this in mind if you're planning to make any portfolio changes in a taxable account before the end of the year.

October 2007

According to Marketwatch, October is the month to get good deals on jeans – it’s past the back-to-school rush and retailers need space for new goods.  It’s also a good month to buy toys.  Most “must-have” toys debuted in September and retailers are vying to stay competitive on price.  Besides, buying toys now ensures you get the ones you want and helps avoid the last-minute holiday rush.  November is good for sneakers and wedding dresses.

If you’ve read our 4th quarter newsletter and want to learn more about FICO scores, click on Understanding Your FICO Score to view or download the FICO 20-page informational booklet.  If you would like to try the FICO Estimator to see how different factors may affect your score, please click on FICO Estimator.

September 2007

Review all of the mail you receive from your credit card companies.  According to the Wall Street Journal some companies are boosting interest from fixed to higher variable rates. Others are raising their late fees. They have the right to change terms and conditions, but you may be able to opt-out of these increases if you call customer service.  For example you may be able to pay off existing balances under current terms.

We have a new web host provider and a new look to our web site.  Please browse through it and let us know what you think.

August 2007

We have had technical difficulties with "Contact Us" e-mail.  We apologize if we missed your email.  Please try again, or call us 847-245-7483. 

The markets have been volatile with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping about 6% and the NASDAQ and S&P 500 each dropping about 8% in the past few weeks.  The volatility is being attributed to the fallout in the subprime lending market.  We could see more uncertainty in the coming weeks, as additional information becomes available.  Call or email us to set up an appointment to discuss your risk tolerance and portfolio allocation if you're uneasy about the markets.

July 2007

Variable annuities (VAs) soared from obscurity a decade ago to have $1.3 trillion in total assets in late 2006, according to the National Association for Variable Annuities. However, many skeptics say VAs are popular not because they’re great for investors, but because they’re usually great for the people selling them. VAs are often laden with punishing fees that can drain the value of your account.

June 2007

Reuters columnist Linda Stern writes about new rules for brokerage relationships and suggests you have a long talk with your financial advisor, especially if they work for a bank or brokerage firm. Most affected will be those who have "wrap" accounts - a mix of fees and commissions.  Until recently advisors for these accounts were subject to a lesser standard of suitability whereas independent advisors accept fiduciary responsibility, putting their clients' interests above their own.  Mary Erl has always worked in a fiduciary capacity.  Read the entire article at: http://www.reuters.com/article/reutersEdge/idUSN15253920070530?src=053007_1258_FEATURES_personal_finance

May 2007

Are you fed up with all the credit card offers and junk mail that come in the mail?  You can call 888-567-8688 to opt out of all those credit card offers you get in the mail. Then you won’t have to shred those daily offers anymore…you have been shredding them, right?  These offers are an easy target for dumpster divers looking to steal personal information.  It may take weeks before it all registers and for you notice the difference, but it does work

April 2007

You've been going through all of your records to finish your tax returns, so now is a great time to start working on your personal financial plan, a roadmap to get you where you want to go.  To get an idea of what you'll need to get started, and what kinds of questions you'll need to consider, click on Client Forms and review the Confdential Questionnaire and the Risk Tolerance form.  When you're ready to get started, call or email us to set up a complimentary get-acquainted meeting.

March 2007

Stock markets world-wide were rattled on February 27th, triggered by a huge sell-off in China.  The US and especially the Chinese stock markets soared last year and into this year, so it's not surprising to see a 'correction'.  The markets may continue to be volatile until stock prices are in line with the underlying value.  It's important to keep a long-term view of your investments.  Looking at the following numbers will help keep Tuesday's drop in perspective:

Call us if you'd like to discuss the impact this market drop has had on your portfolio.

February 2007

401(k) contribution limits have increased by $500 for 2007 and now allow you to contribute $15,500 and $20,500 if you are over 50 years old.

Uncle Sam is making a one-time refund available this year, but you must claim it:  a special phone-tax refund for long-distance service previously taxed from March 2003 through July 2006.

January 2007

Free "Jump-Start Your Retirement" Hotline:  Once again we will be participating in the Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine and the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) free “Jump-Start Your Retirement” hotline. 

From 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, January 16th and January 26th, NAPFA-Registered Financial Advisors will be standing by to answer people’s most pressing financial questions. The toll-free number is 1-888-919-2345. 

December 2006

Happy Holidays!

There is still time to take advantage of 2006 tax  deductions.  Some examples include a $4000 (or $5000 if over 50) contribution to your tax deductible IRA; contributing to an Illinois-based Section 529 college savings plan (for Illinois residents); selling losing stocks to offset sales from stocks that were winners (offsetting capital gains with capital losses - if you do not have any carry-over losses from previous years); and more.  There may be certain restrictions as to who may qualify for the various deductions; speak with a professional if you questions in these areas.

November 2006

Work after you retire?  A survey of retirees who returned to work found that about 2/3 of the respondents said they returned to work because they “wanted to,” they were bored and wanted to stay physically and mentally active.  The remaining 1/3 needed to go back to work for financial reasons.  Saving more money is the key to having the choice of working or not in retirement.  The survey found that retirees who had a financial advisor had assets of over $600,000, on average, while the average assets of the  group not working with an advisor was just over $400,000.

Planning to relocate when you retire?  Click on Financial Briefs to read about 5 mistakes retirees make when they relocate.

October 2006

Free "Jump-Start Your Retirement" Hotline:  On Friday, October 6th, Mary Erl will be participating in the Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine and the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) free “Jump-Start Your Retirement” hotline. 

From 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM NAPFA-Registered Financial Advisors will be standing by to answer people’s most pressing financial questions. The toll-free number is 1-888-919-2345.  For additional information, please visit http://www.kiplinger.com/personalfinance/features/archives/2006/09/jumpstart.html

National Financial Planning Week is the first week in October and the Financial Planning Association will be speaking at libraries and civic associations.  Mary Erl will be speaking about retirement planning at the Grayslake Library, 100 Library Lane on Monday, October 2nd, 7:00 - 8:00 PM.  For a map to the library or additional information, please visit: http://www.grayslake.lib.il.us/

September 2006

The new "pension bill" will likely encourage the trend of employers moving more towards "defined contribution" plans such as 401(k)s and away from traditional pension plans.  Many large corporations have already frozen their pension plans and more are expected to do so.  This means we will have to rely more and more on our own investments and savings for retirement.

Another feature of the pension bill is that withdrawals from 529 plans for college education will remain tax-free when used for qualified purposes such as tuition.  The tax-free status was slated to end in 2010.  Now parents and grandparents wanting to contribute to college funding can invest in 529 plans knowing the withdrawals will remain tax-free.  This is expected to bring greater interest in these plans.

August 2006

If you inherit an IRA, there are arcane rules that must be followed to keep Uncle Sam happy, especially if you want to "disclaim" all or part of it.  Read about a few "breaks" available when disclaiming an IRA - click on Financial Briefs.

From the Wall Street Journal Getting Going column July 19:  Fee-only advisers don't accept any commissions, while fee-based ones get paid through a mix of commissions and fees. Fee-based advisers, for example, might collect an annual fee for putting you in either a "wrap" or "separately managed" account, which are composed of many different investments, but they may also collect commissions on other products.

Another factor to consider: Many advisers at brokerage firms often aren't considered fiduciaries -- a legal standard requiring that they act solely in your best interest. Instead, they are held to a lower "suitability" standard, which means they are only required to offer investments suitable to a client's needs.

July 2006

A new law affecting families with college bills in their future has taken effect.  Changes will make it easier for some students to qualify for financial aid. And if you or your kids borrow money to cover educational costs, you will save on loan origination fees, and could ultimately benefit from a shift from fixed to variable interest rates.  See the article under Financial Briefs.

Be aware though, there is still some question about custodial accounts and whether they are considered parental or student assets for aid purposes.   According to the Wall Street Journal, the secretary of education is taking comments on the current language through Aug. 7; it is expected to be finalized in October.

June 2006

Wall Street Journal columnist Jonathan Clements says "In the years ahead, millions of baby boomers will roll out of the work force, clutching their 401(k) balances and looking to generate maximum retirement income. That's a tricky task -- and a good financial adviser could be a great help."  He continues with "Your best bet: Use fee-only advisers, such as those who charge an hourly fee, a percentage of your portfolio's value or a fixed annual retainer."  The article points to the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (www.fee-only.org) and the Garrett Planning Network (www.GarrettPlanningNetwork.com) as a way to find a fee-only advisor in your area.  

May 2006

I-Bonds rate drops nearly 4.5% in May from last November's rate:  The earnings rate for Series I Savings Bonds (inflation-indexed US Savings Bond) is a combination of a fixed rate, which will apply for the life of the bond, and the inflation rate. The 2.41 percent earnings rate for I bonds bought from May through October 2006 will apply for the first six months after their issue. The earnings rate combines the 1.40 percent fixed rate of return with the 1.00 percent annualized rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index.

April 2006

This is tax month and a great time to consider whether you are investing in a tax-efficient manner.  Some types of income investments may be better in a tax-advantaged account such as an IRA and some equity investments may actually be less of a tax hit - over the long term - if they are held in a taxable account, such as brokerage account.  Call us to schedule a complimentary "get-acquainted" meeting to see if we can help ease your tax burden for next April.

March 2006

The Chicago Tribune had an article on the income tax Saver's Credit and Mary Erl, Financial Advisor, was mentioned as a financial planner who has recommended this little-used tax credit.  Read the entire article by clicking on Articles.

Now you can sign up for our quarterly newsletter.  Just send an email us with Newsletter signup in the subject and let us know if you'd prefer to receive a hardcopy or a PDF file via email.  If you prefer hardcopy, include your name and address.

February 2006 - Retirement Lifestyle Planning Seminars

Our scheduled seminars are wrapping up, but we would be happy to speak to your work, community or church group about retirement planning.  Scroll down to read about the seminars and call us at 847-245-7483 for additional information.

January 2006 - Happy New Year!

Mary Erl is participating in the Kiplinger / NAPFA Jump-start Your Retirement Plan Hotline. Learn more about getting your questions answered by going to: http://www.kiplinger.com/personalfinance/features/archives/2006/01/jumpstart.html  The next call-in date is Friday, January 27, 2006.

We hope you enjoyed your holidays and that 2006 is off to a good start.  We are happy to begin the new year by offering a no-cost educational seminar on retirement lifestyle planning.  We have booked two dates/locations for your convenience.

You're welcome to come to either location, and to bring a friend, or feel free to call 847-245-7483 for more information.

January 24, 2006                                February 2, 2006

7:00 – 8:00 PM                                    7:00 – 8:00 PM

Palombi Middle School                         Warren-Newport Public Library

133 McKinley Ave.                               224 N. O’Plaine Ave.

Lake Villa, Illinois                                 Gurnee, Illinois

It used to be people could count on a pension and social security and along with modest savings, they would have a decent retirement income.   Times have certainly changed!  Join us and learn about planning for your retirement.

We'll discuss when you would like to retire, what you plan to do with your time, how your hobbies might impact how much you'll need to save and different retirement vehicles that can help you keep more of your hard-earned money.  To see or print the flyer for this event, click on the "Community" link.

Journalist Glenn Ruffenach discusses how to ensure your retirement "paycheck". He suggests to keep things simple, and relatively affordable, first try sitting down with a financial adviser who charges by the hour and he references the Garrett Planning Network. 

Scõpit ™ - November - December issue

Lake County's magazine for small businesses published an article we wrote called "Even a Small Company Can Benefit" (regarding retirement plans).  Click on Articles to view.

Mary Erl profiled in Lakeland newspapers  September 16-22

In an article called Planning Ahead, Mary Erl was featured as a blue-ribbon business and a Gurnee original.  We are very pleased with the article and with Lakeland's permission, have posted it on our website.  Click on Mary Erl's Articles to view.

Financial Planning Week

Come join us at the Lake Villa District Library at 1001 Grand Ave on Thursday, October 6th at 7:00 PM.  Mary will be presenting "Real World Retirement Planning" on behalf of the Financial Planning Association for National Financial Planning Week.

We Moved

Our new office address is 1800 Nations Drive, Suite 1700 in Gurnee.  We also have a new phone number 847-245-7483, and it's already operational.  The old phone number will be available through the end of September.

August - Illinois Society of Human Resource Managers

Mary Erl and other members of the Garrett Planning Network from Illinois took part in the SHRM expo on August 9th in DeKalb.  We had an opportunity to talk with Human Resource managers about their concerns regarding their employees' future retirement.  With pension plans fading away and Social Security becoming a smaller part of our retirement needs, retirement planning shifts more to the employees and we're finding they are not equipped for this challenge. We can help by providing the facts about financial planning and personal finances.

July Money Magazine

This issue lists 50 money management tips and # 45 is to hire an hourly planner and it refers to the Garrett Planning Network:      http://garrettplanningnetwork.intranets.com/default.asp?

FYI: Mary Erl completed the CFP® Certification (Certified Financial Planner) educational Program through the American College in December 2004 and passed the CFP Board of Standards certification examination in March of 2005.  CFP® Certification examination is an intense, two-day exam requiring comprehensive knowledge of insurance, taxes, investing, retirement planning and estate planning.  A Registered Investment Advisor with the state of Illinois, Mary is currently working on completing the final requirements needed to receive the CFP® marks of distinction. She is a member of The Garrett Planning Network (GPN), a nationwide network of professional, Fee-Only financial advisors. GPN members are dedicated to providing competent, unbiased financial advice to people from all walks of life.  Among other things, GPN members must comply with all federal and state regulations regarding registration as an Investment Advisor and abide by the CFP Board of Standards Code of Ethics. 

May 10

Mary Erl will be speaking at the Lindenhurst/Lake Villa Chamber of Commerce Women's Business Lunch.  The lunch will be Victory Lakes starting at 11:45.

April 2-3

Visit our booth at the Lindenhurst / Lake Villa Springfest business expo and enter the drawing for the basket of goodies including Just Give Me the Answer$, a book recommended by the Wall Street Journal as one of five to retire by.  The event will be at the Lakes Community High School at Grass Lake and Deep Lake roads in Lake Villa from 10-4.

March 25-31

Mary Erl's article about personal finance software packages like Quicken and Money was published in Lakeland newspapers throughout Lake County.

February 18-24

Mary Erl's article, "IRAs: Uncle Sam's Gift to Taxpayers" was published in Lakeland newspapers throughout Lake County.  Click on Articles at left to view original article.