Friday, July 31, 2015
THE GARTENHAUS REPORT, Volume 1005
WHEN TRAGEDY STRIKES
We are all susceptible to unforeseen events, but perhaps the most difficult of all is the loss of a spouse or significant other. In my experience as a financial advisor, I have observed that there is typically one person in every relationship who is more actively engaged in the financial management and decision making process than the other. Sometimes the less involved person has little or no grasp of the household’s financial position. So what happens if the more involved person passes away and leaves the financial responsibilities to someone who has little or no experience? Stress, mistakes and confusion reign.Now we can help address this problem for our clients. As you may know, we have established a personal website for every client of our practice. One feature of your site is called the vault. The vault is a great way to save vital information and documents in one location where the spouse or beneficiary left with the task of winding up an estate and moving forward with life can easily access this information. You can put passwords, wills, trust documents, deeds, birth certificates, tax returns, financial accounts, the names and phone numbers for other advisors like your CPA and estate attorney and the list goes on and on.
Your personal website has been provided to you as part of our service free of charge. The system employs the most advanced security features and protocols to keep your data safe, private and secure: comprehensive security protection, secure socket layer encryption, firewall, intrusion protection, audits, inspections and more. You can be confident that your important information is safe and secure.
Please allow us to help you and your family. It is entirely up to you whether to share this information with us, or not. Nonetheless, we would be happy to assist you in compiling your vital information and placing it in the vault for future access. Just let us know!
5 BUCKET LIST VACATIONSMADE MORE AFFORDABLE!
5 BUCKET LIST VACATIONSMADE MORE AFFORDABLE!
Bucket list vacations are once-in-a-lifetime experiences, but they can also cost buckets of money. Here are 5 fabulous trips that won’t break the bank.
The Pyramids: No, I’m not talking about pyramids of the Egyptian kind, but those found on the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico which are equally inspiring pyramids from the mysterious Mayan civilization. Rent a bungalow on the beaches of Tulum and tour the ruins. Then venture west to the famed El Castillo of Chichén Itzá or south to lesser-known Cobá, which is hidden within a seemingly impenetrable jungle. It feels like discovering something no one has seen.
Paris: With the Euro having lost about 1/3 of its value, a trip to Paris and all it offers is even more compelling today. But the little-known secret about this world capital is that there are plenty of affordable, lovely accommodation options. Skip a night at the famed George V and go for a smaller, family-run hotel de charme. If you're aching for some palatial digs, spend the last three or four days in the Loire Valley (a 35-minute trip by high-speed TGV train to Tours), where you can pass the night in an honest-to-God castle for $150 or even less if you choose one officially deemed a "guesthouse" instead of a "hotel."
Alaska: Most of us long for a cruise up the Inside Passage complete with massive glaciers, bald eagles, wild bears and whales. To do it affordably, avoid the most expensive time of year, from the beginning of June through the middle of August. Though colder, April, May, late August and early September offer the best deals. Also, be sure to pay attention to your departure point: Boarding in a larger port like Seattle is typically cheaper than smaller, less-frequented ports. Another option for the frugal-minded: a trip on a ferry instead of a cruise ship.
The Grand Canyon: A river rafting trip through the gorges of the Colorado River is one of those quintessential American dreams, and it can be within your budget if you shorten the length of your trip. The deluxe trips are usually eight to 11 days. Shortening that to three slashes the price. One way to do this is to join a trip that's already in progress at various mid-route locations, called "take-outs" and "put-ins", where operators who have extra room in their rafts may allow you to hop on board. Another option is to consider going on one of the larger motorboats. Theses boats, which are 30-foot rafts and motor-powered, make for a quicker trip but more affordable.
Africa: Choose your location wisely, and just about anybody can afford the awe-inspiring landscape and wildlife of Africa. Consider visiting South Africa because Cape Town, as the largest commercial city in Africa, often has the lowest fares. Not to mention that Kruger National Park has entry fees for less than $15 as well as camping and tour options for every budget. If you have an adventurous spirit, you can even rent a four-wheel-drive vehicle and drive yourself.
I hope at least one of the above trips tickle your fancy. The only requirement is that if you go, we want to see pictures! Bon Voyage!
Source: thehuffingtonpost.com
WILL IT, OR WON’T IT?
It’s been a frustrating year thus far for stock market investors. The S&P 500 index* has been vacillating back and forth between neutral and as you can see in the chart below, it has been stuck in a narrow trading range since the beginning of the year.
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