Money Guy Show

Recap of the recent financial markets, August 2006

The majority of subscriber questions that I receive focus on 401ks and other employer provided retirement plans. I have finally recognized that I need to focus on helping you maximize your retirement accounts.

To learn the Common Mistakes on managing your Retirement Plan, go to http://www.moneyguy.com/2006/08/conquering-your-401k-and-other-retirement-accounts/

Episode 13 of the Money-Guy Podcast

For this episode of the Money-Guy Podcast, Brian answered subscriber emails, so there will be no show notes. Thanks for your continued support!

For more, go to http://www.moneyguy.com/2006/08/money-guy-08-04-2006

Credit is also a great lead in to the Power of Debt. Debt gets a bad rap by most financial professionals and there is a reason.

Unfortunately most individuals do not use debt as a wealth enabler instead they use it to extend their income and life style (an expensive way of faking success).

For more, go to http://www.moneyguy.com/2006/07/money-guy-07-13-2006-podcast/

Being Serious Credit is truly powerful:

If used correctly it can help make your life much easier including

• Buying or refinancing real estate
• Earn you rewards for everyday purchased through credit cards
• Lower your Insurance Rates (in case you did not know most insurers are now using your credit rating to help them evaluate you as a property and casualty insurance client

For more, visit http://www.moneyguy.com/2006/06/money-guy-6-29-2006/

Investment Lemmings-Don't Become One!

The last two weeks have been big losing days for stock investments. Since May, Morgan Stanley's EAFE Index, which tracks European, Asian, and other international stocks is down 12% while the Emerging Markets Index is down 20% and the S&P is down 6%. Also, around nine billion dollars was transferred from stocks to money markets last week.

For more information, visit http://www.moneyguy.com/2006/06/money-guy-6-15-2006/

On May 17, 2006, President Bush signed into law the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005. Many income tax benefits expired at the end of 2005 but were not extended by this legislation (e.g. the deduction for state and local sales taxes; the deductions for school teacher's expenses; the deduction for higher education expenses; etc.). 

More information can be found at http://www.moneyguy.com/2006/05/money-guy-05-31-2006 

Basic Goal Planning:

Short Term= Anything less than 5-7 years. 

Long Term= Anything greater than the 7-year holding period.

For more information, go to http://www.moneyguy.com/2006/05/23

The Importance of Wills and Estate Planning 

Wills Help You With:

• Funeral Arrangements
• Disposing of your property
• Names a guardian for your minor children
• Names the executor or the administrator of your estate

For more information, including Legal Terms Used in Estate Planning, go to http://www.moneyguy.com/2006/05/money-guy-5-5-2006-podcast/

While not great investments, cars are important purchases for most of us.

Beyond how we feel driving them, they're expensive to buy, own, and operate.

Fortunately, smart buyers can get an edge by doing their homework, collecting the right data, and having a negotiating strategy. Being smart definitely pays off!

To read the 4 Steps to Winning the New Car Game, go to http://www.moneyguy.com/2006/04/winning-the-car-buying-game/