Studies show that about 60 percent of us make New Year’s resolutions each year–sadly, only about 8 percent of us achieve them. As the New Year fast approaches, it’s natural to feel a bit excited by the prospect of leaving behind the old year and beginning anew. In fact, research shows that about 60 percent of us…

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Experts recommend staying hydrated, choosing nutritious foods, and exercising wherever you can as ways to stay healthy after Christmas.  “I’ll get back on track in January.” You may be familiar with this commonly repeated line when you fall off the health and fitness wagon during the holidays. The period between Christmas and New Year’s Day…

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Guided Planning System® Guides Retirement Satisfaction. You have worked tirelessly all these years and gained not only the accumulation of assets but the knowledge and experience that comes with those efforts.  Now that retirement may be approaching, an organized plan is necessary. You should not have to be stressed or worried about where the money…

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The Ricks Report December 4, 2017   NUMBERS OF $IGNIFICANCE $   BACK TO BOOM LEVELS – The median sales price of existing homes sold nationally in October 2017 is 108% of the median sales price of existing homes sold nationally in June 2007, the latter date being the peak of the real estate boom.  Sale…

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The Ricks Report November 27, 2017   NUMBERS OF $IGNIFICANCE $  STILL THE AMERICAN DREAM? – The national homeownership rate in the USA as of 9/30/17 was 63.9%, down from a peak of 69.2% as of 12/31/04.  Every 1 percentage point reduction in the home-ownership rate represents 1.2 million households that have changed from homeowner…

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The Ricks Report November 13, 2017   NUMBERS OF $IGNIFICANCE  $   INCREASE EVERYONE – Individual income taxes paid by American taxpayers would have to increase by +42% in order to eliminate our $666 billion deficit from fiscal year 2017 (source: Treasury Department).  $   COMPLETE CYCLE – The jobless rate in the United States was 5.0%…

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“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.” Sun Tzu wrote those words in The Art of War, but they can be applied to other challenges in life, including investing and working to secure your retirement. There are plenty of good strategies you can use to…

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