Local Edward Jones Advisors Offer Helpful Advice for 2012
Time for New Year's Financial Resolutions
Local Edward Jones Advisors Offer Helpful Advice for 2012
Greensburg, IN (Grassroots Newswire) December 19, 2011 - Once again, it's
time to make New Year's resolutions. In addition to hitting the gym,
learning that second language and getting better organized,
Greensburg-area Edward Jones financial advisors, say, "Why not also
consider making a few financial resolutions?"
Money doesn't grow on trees. Therefore, making smart financial decisions
is a huge contributing factor to a successful life for individuals, as
well as their immediate families, according to Edward Jones. This is the
perfect time of year for local residents to make decisions that will help
them take better control of their financial and investing life. Edward
Jones recommends going into the year 2012 with a brand new perspective
about your investments and get a positive head start with your finances.
What types of financial resolutions might one consider? Edward Jones
suggests:
* Contribute more to your retirement accounts. A new year means that you
are one year closer to retirement. To help yourself build resources for
the lifestyle you've envisioned as a retiree, try to boost your
contributions to your 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan.
You can do this if you get a salary increase and devote at least part of
it to your 401(k). At the same time, try to "max out" on your Individual
Retirement Account (IRA). For 2012, you can contribute up to $5,000 to an
IRA, or $6,000 if you're 50 or older.
* Reduce your debts. Look for ways to cut down or consolidate your debts.
It may not be easy, but it's worth the effort because the lower your debt
load, the more money you'll have available to invest for the future.
* Build an emergency fund. If you don't already have an emergency fund
containing between six and 12 months' worth of living expenses, start
building one soon. Keep the money in a liquid vehicle - one that's
separate from your everyday checking and savings accounts. Without such an
emergency fund, you may be forced to dip into your long-term investments
to pay for unexpected costs, such as a major car repair, a new furnace or
a large medical bill.
* Don't overreact to volatility. In 2011, the financial markets have been
volatile, with big gains followed by big drops followed by big gains - a
true roller-coaster pattern. Try not to let large, short-term price
movements influence your investment decisions. Many of the factors that
cause jumps or declines are not that relevant to long-term results - and
as an investor, you want to focus on the long term. Concentrate on
building a portfolio that's suitable for your individual goals and risk
tolerance.
* Be aware of different types of risk. For many investors, "investment
risk" strictly means the possibility of losing principal when the value of
an investment drops. Consequently, to cut back on their risk in the face
of a volatile market, they may sell off stocks and load up on certificates
of deposit (CDs), bonds and other so-called "safer" investments. But each
investment actually carries its own type of risk. For example, if you own
CDs that pay a two percent return, and the inflation rate is three
percent, you will lose purchasing power over time. And if you wanted to
sell your bonds before they had matured, you'd have to sell them at a
discount if the market interest rate had risen above the "coupon" rate of
your bond because no one would pay you full price for them. Just be aware
that no investment is "risk-free," and try to build a diversified
portfolio that can lessen the impact of one specific type of risk.
By following these suggestions, the Edward Jones financial advisors say
local residents can make 2012 a good year to make progress toward
important financial goals.
For more information about Edward Jones in the local area, please contact:
David L Gill, Edward Jones in Greensburg, located at 1201 N Lincoln St
Suite D, (812) 663-5340
Jean L Long, Edward Jones in Greensburg, located at 1903 N Greensburg
Crossing, (812) 663-7165
Rob Plue, Edward Jones in Greensburg, located at 905 W Keegans Way,
(812) 662-7747
Steven J Adam, Edward Jones in Greensburg, located at 113 East Main
Street, (812) 663-6500
About Edward Jones
Edward Jones provides financial services for individual investors in the
United States and, through its affiliate, in Canada. Every aspect of the
firm's business, from the types of investment options offered to the
location of branch offices, is designed to cater to individual investors
in the communities in which they live and work. The firm's 12,000-plus
financial advisors work directly with nearly 7 million clients to
understand their personal goals -- from college savings to retirement --
and create long-term investment solutions that emphasize a well-balanced
portfolio and a buy-and-hold strategy. Edward Jones embraces the
importance of building long-term, face-to-face relationships with clients,
helping them to understand and make sense of the investment options
available today.
Edward Jones, which ranked No. 11 on FORTUNE magazine's "100 Best
Companies to Work For 2011," is headquartered in St. Louis. The Edward
Jones Web site is located at www.edwardjones.com, and its recruiting Web
site is www.careers.edwardjones.com. Member SIPC.
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