847-245-7483
mze100@ameritech.net
Monthly Updates
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,
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 nest egg 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
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_financeMay 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:
|
The Dow's Biggest Losses |
||||||
|
Biggest Point Losses |
Biggest Percentage Losses |
|||||
|
Date |
Net Change |
%Change |
Date |
Net Change |
%Change |
|
|
9/17/2001 |
-685 |
-7.13 |
12/12/1914 |
-17.42 |
-24.39 |
|
|
4/14/2000 |
-618 |
-5.66 |
10/19/1987 |
-508 |
-22.61 |
|
|
10/27/1997 |
-554 |
-7.18 |
10/28/1929 |
-38.33 |
-12.82 |
|
|
8/31/1998 |
-513 |
-6.37 |
10/29/1929 |
-30.57 |
-11.73 |
|
|
10/19/1987 |
-508 |
-22.61 |
11/6/1929 |
-25.55 |
-9.92 |
|
|
2/27/2007 |
-416 |
-3.3 |
2/27/2007 |
-416 |
-3.3 |
|
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.
1800 Nations Drive, Suite 117
Gurnee, IL 60031
Phone 847-245-7483
Fax 847-245-7363