Communications

By Vinton Fountain
January 10, 2012

We would like to wish you a Happy New Year! This time of year does provide an opportunity for reflection and thinking about opportunities for the future. We are looking forward to supporting you in the years ahead.

Last year was about what we expected. We feel as though we survived a fifteen round boxing match with geological, cultural, political, fiscal, monetary, economic and social headwinds that largely can be described as tumultuous. Investors are fatigued and that condition is understandable. The US markets ended basically flat while international markets were negative with Europe’s problems leading values downward. Bonds and gold had another strong year as investors (or speculators) headed for perceived safety. We were surprised that rates did not increase and in fact declined to historical levels. Where do we go from here?

I recently observed a physical trainer working with a client at the health club. The trainer was using a combination of drills to enhance coordination, balance and equilibrium. Interestingly, the drills were directed toward improving both the physical and mental aspects of health. From what I observed, the exercises required visualization, thinking, effort, commitment, strength, confidence, risk and courage.

By Vinton Fountain
April 2011

One of the challenges financial advisors frequently face is handling large positions in a single stock. If you know someone who has a "concentrated" single stock position, you may want to share this with them. If you personally have a concentrated position, feel free to call us to discuss it further.

By Vinton Fountain
2010

While everyone has different challenges and opportunities, there are four broad stages of financial planning that can assist in evaluating the primary issues for most of us depending on where we are in life.

Early Years

Middle Years

Nearing Retirement

After Retirement

Identifying your goals is an important first step in the planning process. Our team supports a process of understanding by answering important questions such as:

By Vinton Fountain
September 2010

You are 69. Your spouse is 73. Your last day at work was three years ago. These days, you’re teaching a graduate-level university course and studying Italian at a community college. You’re relatively healthy, and your doctor says you’re set for the long haul.

by Vinton Fountain

August 15, 2010

You’re 55, 62 or somewhere around there. You just wrote a check for your daughter’s wedding gown. Next year, you’ll write another check for the last payment on your mortgage.

By Vinton Fountain
July 2010

You’re age 36. Or perhaps you just turned 43.

Whatever the case, this part of your economic life, which we call the Middle Years, isn’t completely defined by how old you are.

It’s more about the complexity of the financial issues you’re facing today, as well as those that are bearing down on you so rapidly that you feel deer-in-the-headlights anxiety.

You’ll know you’ve reached the period we’re discussing when you look around your desk one evening and see the monthly 401(k) statements from three past employers, a pamphlet your daughter asked you to read about college applications, and your book of mortgage-payment coupons.

That moment, or one similar to it, comes earlier for some than for others. If you’re there, we have four recommendations for you.

By Vinton Fountain
April 2012

First, I want you to know that it is a privilege to write for Wilma Magazine. This is the first article of a six month series that I plan to publish for the readers of Wilma. I feel as though I am qualified in that I am the father of three daughters, ages (23, 20, 15), brother of four sisters and I have two sisters in law. For the record, I do have a male Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, although he does not act like a male. It's an honor to provide insight to the financial challenges of our lives and share perspective.

Yesterday, I received my annual shareholder letter from Warren Buffett, detailing the results of his flagship investment company Berkshire Hathaway. This year’s letter to shareholders was even more intriguing, because of the recent economic turmoil, and the fact that I am reading Buffett’s new bestseller biography, The Snowball (Warren Buffett and the Business of Life).