From the category archives:

Peter Montoya

Protecting Yourself from Scams

February 11, 2010

Beware of the financial schemes aimed at mature Americans.
Provided by Los Angeles Financial Planner, Rose Greene, CFP ®
Retirement lasts longer and longer, and the retired population is growing. So the conditions are right for a “perfect storm” of financial swindles aimed at baby boomers and elders. Just an alert … here are some common scams [...]

Read the full article →

FINANCIAL ISSUES SAME-SEX COUPLES NEED TO ADDRESS

February 10, 2010

Be cognizant of these unique challenges.
provided by Los Angeles Financial Planner, Rose Greene, CFP ®
Many states have passed laws barring housing, credit and employment discrimination against LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) couples and individuals. Yet these civil rights moves have not removed the financial penalties that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender couples face directly [...]

Read the full article →

MONEY & HAPPINESS | Do they Go Hand in Hand?

February 10, 2010

Do they go hand in hand?
Provided by Los Angeles Financial Planner, Rose Greene, CFP ®
Does money actually buy a degree of happiness?
It is worth thinking about the effect money has on our lives. What role does money play in our happiness? Is that role overrated?
Most psychologists and sociologists will tell you that our happiness comes [...]

Read the full article →

(RE)CONSIDERING CDs

February 10, 2010

In a challenging market, getting back to basics may be good.
provided by Rose Greene, CFP ®
Respect for the humble CD. When the stock market turns bearish, people take a second look at fixed-rate investments, including certificates of deposit. In a bull market, the CD may seem like just about the most unattractive investment choice out [...]

Read the full article →

A Look at How Fast the Markets Recover Through the Years

February 9, 2010

Provided by Los Angeles Financial Planner, Rose Greene, CFP 

The stock market is amazingly resilient.

You might be surprised at how fast the stock market can change … for the better. Let’s look at how the market has recovered remarkably – and quickly – from some notable downturns.
2008-2009: The collapse of the subprime mortgage [...]

Read the full article →

Weekly Economic Update for February 1, 2010

February 1, 2010

Quote of the week.
Reputation is what other people know about you. Honor is what you know about yourself.”
– Lois McMaster Bujold
4Q GDP: 5.7%: That is the preliminary reading from the Commerce Department, and that is the best reading since 3Q 2003. Economists
pointed out that much of the increase reflected companies rebuilding their inventories rather than [...]

Read the full article →

The Decade in Review | A Look at Stocks, Commodities, and Memories (Good and Bad)

January 25, 2010

A look at stocks, commodities and memories (good and bad)
Provided by Los Angeles Financial Planner, Rose Greene, CFP®

A turbulent ten years. The 2000s gave us remarkable opportunity and remarkable volatility. They tested our patience, and many investment strategies. They taught us to hold on, hang in there and diversify.
Stocks. Was it really a “lost decade”? [...]

Read the full article →

Weekly Economic Update for the Week of January 4, 2010

January 4, 2010

Quote of the week. “Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.”– Oprah Winfrey
Consumers think positive. The latest index of consumer attitudes from the Conference Board came in at 52.9 last week, surpassing the 52.5 forecast in a Reuters poll of analysts and the 50.6 mark recorded in [...]

Read the full article →

Year-end Financial Moves to Think About

December 15, 2009

Before 2009 ends, some things you might want to consider.
Fall is the time to consider some year-end financial moves – little and not-so-little things you might do to plan to improve your financial position.
You could put more in your 401(k) before they play “Auld Lang Syne”. As you only get one chance to save [...]

Read the full article →