The stock market was off to a strong start for 2019. However, in the past couple of weeks we have seen a slowdown and volatility emerge.  At GFP, our commitment is to help you to preserve your assets and protect your lifestyle. Our mission is to provide education, advice, and perspective on retirement and investment planning.  We are focused on you, your family, your goals and are committed to providing you thoughtful planning coupled with a personalized investment plan.  

This month’s The Guardian Standard Newsletter discusses part 2 of a 4 part series on investing and the stock market. We also share ideas for a "spring cleaning" of your financial life as well as the importance of policy reviews. Future articles will discuss the Nikkei 225: 1987 to the present, and finally how GFP’s DRAAMS investment management platform can offer a solution for the active management of your assets. Enjoy!

What Can You Learn from The Past?- A Historical Perspective of Interest Rates

In part 2 of 4 of our educational discussion about past markets and investment environments, we discuss the multi-decade trend of declining interest rates. Although the past cannot predict the future, it can provide us valuable information and perspective, and is an excellent tool for sound planning and decision-making. In our April 2019 newsletter, we discussed the volatile, side trending stock bear market of 1965 to 1982, if you missed it, you can view it here. This month’s letter focuses on the remarkable decline of interest rates from 1982 to the present, and its impact on investment returns and borrowing.  Often in the news you hear, “What will the Fed do next?” with interest rates. As we continue to educate you and fulfill our role as your personal fiduciary, we hope part 2 of 4 provides you helpful knowledge towards fulfilling your long-term lifestyle and retirement goals. Click here to view the article.

Time for Spring Cleaning

Our financial lives are not much different than our daily lives. Over time we slowly accumulate more things, and from time to time it is important to take an inventory and do a cleanup. In our opinion, your spring cleaning begins with financial organization. Financial organization is essential to a healthy financial life and sets the stage for better financial decisions. It also makes your regular reviews and future “spring cleanings” more manageable and more organized. To help you get organized,  we have developed Life in a Book®. Life in a Book® is a simple workbook that gets you on the path to financial organization. To view Life in a Book®, please click here.

The Importance of Policy Reviews

A good financial plan considers your goals, assets, and liabilities. If you are married, have a family or own a business, life insurance may play an important role. For many, life insurance may be the largest asset within an estate — whether it is owned by an individual, a business, or part of an overall estate plan. It is an asset that is generally not evaluated, reviewed, or appraised on a consistent and comprehensive basis. Policy reviews are important because they can help you ensure you have the right coverage at the right cost and that they are properly funded. Policies that are not properly funded could be in danger of lapsing before death. If you would like us to review an existing policy, please let us know.  

Have questions? Please contact us at 949.771.2969 or contact us here.