Weekly Conference Call – 5/30/12
On this week’s conference call, Jerry discusses his thoughts on the Euro, oil, gold prices, housing, and which precious metal may be getting ready to soar… Plus, we take your questions live.
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Can You Afford to Retire?
On this week’s program, Jerry and Jennifer Robinson discuss six major roadblocks to retirement today along with some tips and advice
What Are Your Financial Goals?
By Jerry Robinson | FTMDaily.com Editor-in-Chief
It has been a rough ride in the global economy as of late. If you are an investor, you know that great financial perils exist right now… but so do great opportunities. It is this ability to recognize those opportunities that separate those who are financially successful from those who are not.
Most of the financially successful people I know are doing extremely well right now. Many of them have confided in me that the last two or three years have been some of their best years ever. I would have to agree.
To understand why, consider that my definition of financial success is our Five Levels of Financial Freedom. Sure, not every successful person that I know has used our wealth building system. However, their financial lives are structured very similarly to those who have.
One common trait that nearly all financially successful people share is that they have a well diversified investment portfolio with exposure to several different asset classes, including stocks, real estate, and precious metals. Instead of getting hung up on which financial product to buy, they focus on their overall financial goals, which then leads to the creation of a financial strategy.
This really is a major difference that sets the wealthy apart. Unfortunately, most people do this backwards. They listen to the financial media and think in terms of which financial product is “best.” This is the typical approach to financial planning by most Americans.
In contrast, the wealthy person asks “What are my financial goals?” Then they create a financial strategy to meet those goals. The financial products they buy are determined by their financial strategy.
When I speak around the country, I am often asked by the audience where they should put their money. That’s the wrong question. That’s the question that will lead you to the poor house. The right question is: “What are my financial goals?” Until you can answer that question, you cannot create a solid financial strategy. And until you have a financial strategy, you cannot possibly know where to put your money.
Once after speaking at a conference in Washington, a woman who was in her 60’s came up to me to ask where I thought she should put her money. When I asked what her financial goals were, she replied, “My nest egg is all I have and I just don’t want to lose it. I want to receive an ongoing income from my investments without having to worry if I will outlive it.”
When I asked her if she had ever considered an annuity, she cringed and said, “Oh no. I hear those are bad.”
“Who says that annuities are bad?“, I asked. Her reply was telling. “That’s what I have heard on the radio,” she stated. I asked her if she always did her financial planning on AM radio. She chuckled and then continued to ask if I knew anything about an exotic currency (the Iraqi currency) and whether it was a “good” investment!
Bless this woman’s heart. Friends, this is exactly how the poor stay poor. They actually believe that the way to wealth is by picking the right financial products. Those who are wealthy, however, think strategy first, and products second.
Now I do not know if an annuity would have been right for her. That would have to be determined by her and her trusted financial advisor. But I can tell you that based upon her stated goals of creating a lifetime income stream from her nest egg, it should have at least been a consideration.
To further illustrate this point, consider this: I am a decent golfer and have a nice set of golf clubs. However, put me on the golf course with Tiger Woods and it does not matter how nice my clubs are. I could have the most expensive set of clubs on the planet and he could have the cheapest. It would not matter. Why? Because Tiger’s power is in his “swing”, not in his golf club. Its strategy, not product, that the wealthy consider first.
Your takeaway: Stop listening to the financial product pushers and instead focus on writing down your financial goals. Then, create a financial strategy for achieving those goals. Finally, consider which financial product would be best for reaching your goals. Don’t fall for the simple thinking that some products are good and some are bad. When you think this way, you fall into the financial salesman’s trap. Instead, some financial products are right for your particular goals while some are not right for your specific goals.
The Best of FTMWeekly Radio
On this week’s program, we bring you the best of FTMWeekly Radio from the past year. But first, our good friend and Precious Metals Advisor, Tom Cloud, gives his insights on the prices of gold, silver, and palladium in this week’s Precious Metals Market Update.
How To Create A Lifetime Income In Retirement
Are you tired of the volatility? On this week’s show, we discuss how to create a lifetime income stream in retirement with a fixed annuity.
A Strategy to Increase Your Investment Returns
Are mediocre investment returns a bigger danger than an economic collapse? On this week’s show, we provide a strategy to increase your investment returns in stocks.
The United States of Europe: Secret Plan to Create ‘Super-Powerful EU President’
A British newspaper has revealed what most discerning economic observers have long known: that the Eurocrats want to create a United States of Europe with a single president.
Gold Throughout the Ages: A Timeline of the Rise of Gold
Below is an interesting timeline that shows the rise of gold and and how the world viewed gold throughout the ages.
Why You Can’t Rely On Social Security For Retirement
On this week’s program Jerry Robinson and co-host Jennifer Robinson talk about why you can’t rely on Social Security for retirement and the new 2033 Crisis.
Why Diamonds May Be The Ultimate Crisis Investment
On this week’s program, Jerry Robinson and Tom Cloud discuss diamond investing at length. The possibility of a new diamond-backed ETF could signal a great buying opportunity. Also, the demand and supply conditions are lining up to make 2012 a tremendous year for diamond prices. Here to weigh in is veteran precious metals advisor, and diamond expert, Tom Cloud.
16 Reasons Why Diamonds May Be The Ultimate Crisis Investment
Want to protect your money from inflation? Gold and silver are good. But so are diamonds.
The Case for Investing in Natural Gas
With prices currently below $2 and demand growing, U.S. natural gas prices will eventually stabilize at a much higher equilibrium price.
Apple, Google, and the New Tech Boom
Like most financial newsletters, we get a lot of questions about stocks like Apple (Ticker: AAPL) and Google (Ticker: GOOG). And for good reason. Shares of these two companies have been red-hot recently, making a lot of money for many investors.
Where Your 2011 Federal Tax Dollars Went
The Federal Income Tax deadline was two days ago (April 17), so I hope you filed on time or filed an extension to avoid those penalties. As you wrote that check to the IRS, did you happen to ask yourself, where is this money going?
Thoughts on Warren Buffett’s Recent European Shopping Spree
Here’s what you need to know about Warren’s Buffett’s recent shopping spree in Europe. The eight European stocks that Warren Buffett bought are…
A Unique Strategy To Give To Your Heirs And To Charity
A common estate planning dilemma is deciding whether to leave your assets to charity, to your heirs, or both.
What’s Worse… A Slowdown in China, or More of the Same?
If China’s consumption rate of commodities continues growing at the same rate that it has for the last 10 years, this is what 2020 would look like…
Bankrupting America: The Latest Shocking Numbers
Here’s a round up of the some of the latest shocking numbers detailing the continuing bankruptcy of our nation.
Is The Time Right For The Fed To Begin QE3?
Now that the giddy effects caused by two enormous rounds of Quantitative Easing and an Operation Twist are starting to wear off for the credit-addicted Wall Street crowd, the question on every investors mind is: When will the Fed announce QE3?
Politicians Who Can Add…
The suddenly cost-conscious (read: election year) Republicans on the Senate Budget Committee recently whipped out their calculators to compare the debt levels in the Eurozone to the current U.S. national debt.
Why 2012 May Be the Best Time to Invest in Natural Gas
As the price of natural gas has been beaten down to under $2 this year, host Jerry Robinson sees this commodity going up in response to growing demand and decreasing supply. Jerry shares his analysis, as well as provides 5 long-term investment ideas for profiting from the eventual rise in natural gas.
Why a Single Person Needs Life Insurance
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Single people with no children often don’t need life insurance because no one is relying on their income. But there are some reasons why you might need life insurance if you’re single.
Is A New Global Gold Standard Coming?
Is the world moving closer towards a new gold standard? Tom Cloud, Precious Metals Advisor, has the answer to this question, as well as the latest updates on gold, silver, and palladium in this week’s Precious Metals Market Update.
The Help You Need to Retire Early
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An all too common retirement planning mistake is going it alone. This usually results in missed investment opportunities, sloppy planning, and lax savings schedules. Enlisting the help of a financial planner is a smart move at any age to avoid retirement planning pitfalls.
Our Favorite Precious Metals and Commodity Investments for 2012
Host Jerry names some of his favorite precious metals, agriculture, commodity, and energy stocks on this week’s show. Special guest: Bill Fleckenstein.
FULL LENGTH VIDEO: The Ugly Truth About Consumer Debt
Jerry Robinson and veteran Debt Coach, Tom Coates, host an an eye-opening webinar that reveals the ugly truth about consumer debt and how you can get debt free.
Red and Blue and Broke All Over: Restoring America’s Free Economy
Host Jerry Robinson welcomes author, Charles Goyette. Goyette discusses his latest book Red and Blue and Broke All Over.
How the Student Loan Crisis is Changing My Real Estate Investment Strategy
With over $1 trillion in student loan debt how should you change your real estate investment strategy? Here’s how it is changing ours.
How to Combat Inflation for Early Retirement
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Inflation is the biggest risk to any retirement savings plan, and woe to any retiree who underestimates its effects. Inflation is the increase in the money supply, which results in a sustained increase in the price of goods and services over time. Most experts agree that retirees need to assume an annual inflation rate of 3-4%, but a good retirement plan should account for periods of high inflation as well.
An Update on Precious Metals and Consumer Debt
Host Jerry Robinson and Precious Metals Advisor Tom Cloud discuss the diamond market and breaks some important news about diamonds that you don’t want to miss in this week’s Precious Metals Market Update.
10 Alarming Statistics About Credit Card Debt in America
Here’s 10 alarming statistics about consumer debt in the United States.
Avoid the Roadblocks that Prevent Early Retirement
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One of the biggest mistakes people make is waiting until their 50s or 60s to start planning for retirement. Waiting this long typically means that more sacrifices will have to be made and sometimes these sacrifices can be hard to bear.
Petrodollar Warfare: Why The U.S. Economy Requires Perpetual War
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Listen as Jerry Robinson explains why the Petrodollar system has created a need for perpetual war by the United States. This is an eye-opening radio show! Don’t miss it!
A Diversification Strategy that Leads to Early Retirement
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A common investment pitfall is spending far too much time trying to pick individual stocks that will increase in value. It’s much more important to understand proper diversification.
Swing Trading Amid Global Turmoil
For those who are new to swing trading, right now is an interesting time amid the global volatility. I typically hold a stock for at least three days.
How the Government (Really) Works
How does the government work? Forget the top 1%… We are talking about “the top 1% of the top 1%” that really pull the strings in this country. Learn more here.
Shock Claim: Al Qaeda Enters Strategic Alliance with U.S. Against Syrian Government
According to new international reports, the United States may have recently formed a strategic alliance with some anti-Assad factions operating within Syria.
FTM Daily News Update – 3/5/2012
Like Exchange Traded Funds? Here’s a list of the five best performing ETF’s so far in 2012…
Ron Paul vs. The Fed: What’s the Real Inflation Rate?
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Listen as Rep. Ron Paul confronts Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke on the real inflation rate and competing currencies.
A 401k Strategy that Leads to Early Retirement
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This week, John Bearss shows you a 401k strategy that leads to early retirement. Many investors fail to take full advantage of their employer’s contribution matching, which is just about the same as throwing away money.
10 Ways to Restore Liberty and End Tyranny in America
When the government sticks their hands down your pants and tells you its “good for you,” you know that we are nearing the end of the American experiment.
A Savings Strategy that Leads to Early Retirement
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Do you desire an early retirement? Today, I want to share with you a savings strategy that leads to early retirement. This strategy is simple to say, but can be harder to follow.
Thursday Update – Iran, Petrodollars, and Swing Trading Profits
In this update, we talk about Iran and Operation Ajax, petrodollars, and our latest swing trading profits in our Gold member members only area.
Why Does Iran Hate America? Exposing Operation Ajax
Why Does Iran Hate America? Listen as Stephen Kinzer exposes the truth about the 1953 coup in Iran known as Operation Ajax.
2012 Gold, Silver, Palladium, and Diamond Investing Update
Watch this free educational webinar on gold, silver, palladium, and even diamond investing. Learn how to buy gold at the best prices.
Do I Need Life Insurance in Retirement?
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Should you go out and buy life insurance as you near retirement? The answers depend largely on your particular circumstances.
Make Smart Decisions with Your Pension Plan
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“Should I choose a single life annuity payout from my pension or a joint and survivor annuity payout, which will make payments to my spouse when I die?”
How to Make Money Despite Low Interest Rates
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Here’s how to make money despite low interest rates with precious metals, dividend paying stocks, and stock trading.
Is Estate Planning Only for the Rich?
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Estate planning allows you or anyone to implement certain tools now to ensure that your concerns and goals are fulfilled after you die.
Precious Metals Market Update – January 21, 2012
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Where are gold and silver prices heading next? In this week’s Precious Metals Market Update segment, precious metals advisor Tom Cloud will be here to help us sort out the madness in the financial markets.
How to Reduce (or Eliminate) the Taxes on your Social Security Income
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To reduce or eliminate the taxes on your social security income, you first need to understand the term “Reportable Income”. This is the total of all your incomes that is required to be reported to the IRS on your tax form.