By: Eric Thompson

It’s been about a year since stock prices hit their low point during the long bear market. Since then, of course, we’ve seen a big rally, but some of the decisions you made when the market was at its lowest point may still be affecting your portfolio’s performance and prospects. So now that we’ve reached the one-year anniversary of the market bottom, it’s a good time to see where you are today and how you can prepare for tomorrow.

In looking back at the market depths of a year ago, it’s important to note that we didn’t get there overnight. In fact, stock indices had fallen about 50 percent since hitting their all-time high in October 2007, which means that investors had gone through a 16-month downturn. Consequently, it’s not surprising that many people, tired of seeing gloomy investment statements month after month, decided to “play it safe” for a while by putting large sums into fixed-rate vehicles such as Certificates of Deposit (CDs). And a lot of those CDs had one-year maturities, which means they’re now coming up for renewal.

When you bought your CDs a year ago, you probably did so for their ability to preserve your principal, but in the process, you made some trade-offs. First, you accepted a relatively meager income stream, because short-term interest rates, like those paid on your CDs, were low. And second, you relinquished the growth potential you might have gotten from other investments, such as stocks. So now that we’re a year removed from the bottom of a bear market, can you use the money from your maturing CDs to help you make progress toward your financial goals?

Dear Great and Powerful Weather Decider: Please cease and desist winter. That is all. Sincerely, Biz Buzz.

    I mean really! The guy must suffer from multiple seasonality disorder! “I’m Winter. No I’m Spring. No, I’m hot. Wait! I’m cold.”  STOP! Momma’s gonna SLAP YOU INTO NEXT WEEK WEATHERMAN! What in the Sam Hill is goin’ on? It’s not like we live up North!  Momma’s ‘bout as confused as all get out and can’t figure out whether to fix up a frozen margarita or hot chocolate! Plus it’s pert near time for Spring Break! Ahhh . . . Beaches, bathin’ suits, tan lines, fab fruit cocktails, shorts, scandals . . .I mean sandals, summery jewels and sensational sunglasses! Oh and fishin’!

    Ok! So the weatherman might not be able to make up his mind, but honey trust me when I tell you: Spring Has Arrived in Morgan County’s Shops! Sure as shootin’! Well, what are you waitin’ on? I’m drivin’ so jump in and let’s go shop! Oh and don’t forget your t-shirt, fur coat, sunglasses, sweater, rain boots and tennis shoes ‘cause there ain’t no ding dang tellin’ what kind of shoppin’ weather we’re gonna be subjected to!

    Let’s go!

By: Joey Lancaster: Financial Advisor

In a relationship, generally, one of the partners handles most of the financial planning and money issues. But what happens when the spouse who actively managed the couple’s assets and financial future is no longer the decision maker? The less experienced spouse has to step up to the plate, usually with little or no warning. Because this transfer of responsibility is often occasioned by death, disability or divorce, it can be an emotionally challenging time. Yet critical decisions concerning investments, insurance, financial and estate planning need to be made to avoid or minimize financial hardships later.

Here are some guidelines to help a novice get up to speed. Putting your financial life in order is essentially a five-step process:

Determining your financial and estate planning objectives;
Evaluating the continued viability of any plans in place;
Understanding the options available to achieve your goals;
Formulating a plan to achieve your goals; and
Implementing the plan.
What do you have?
Begin by making an asset and plan inventory, securing existing papers that provide the information that you will need. These documents fall into two groups:
1.Financial documents—including tax returns, bank and brokerage statements, credit card records, mortgages, insurance, retirement and other employee benefits, and similar statements that have information on your assets and liabilities.
2.Legal documents such as your will, durable power of attorney, health care proxy and any trust agreements that name you as a beneficiary or trustee.