Follow my logic here…

Quotes from Steve Jobs’ 2005 commencement speech @ Stanford University:
“Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice… and most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”  -Steve Jobs

Fact 1: A monumental shift in the earth:
The 9.0 earthquake off the NE coast of Japan on Fri March 11, 2011 had a significant impact on the earth.  The earthquake moved Honshu 2.4 m (8 ft) east and shifted the Earth on its axis by estimates of between 10 cm (4 in) and 25 cm (10 in)…

Fact 2: NIKE’s “Just Do It” slogan:
It’s been measured and proven that this NIKE slogan and corporate tagline had a fundamental and profound impact on the way people thought of themselves – not just to go out and buy a pair of Nike shoes.  This slogan actually got people off the couch and got them more active.  People ended relationships that were weighing them down for years and finally “did it”.  There are countless other examples of how this slogan (originally designed to sell more shoes and apparel) — actually cut deeper into the fabric of our lives and conscience thought — for many years afterward.

Hypothesis:
What if Steve Jobs’ death, along with the worldwide media attention it has garnered, has actually shifted a certain percentage of the human population to think differently.

WHAT IF – there is another shift happening right now.  A change afoot that the mainstream media has missed!

WHAT IF – Steve’s passing has fundamentally caused a shift in the thinking of people all over the world to take the opportunities at hand and run with them.

WHAT IF – after reading Steve’s quotes above (and his other quotes within other social media outlets) – entrepreneurs around the world emulate his thinking and passion toward their own dreams.  Finally making their dreams a reality!

WHAT IF – many people around the world make a conscious effort to create real value in human evolution…

WOW — What a better place our global community will be!

My Take-away: I think Steve will live on in more ways than just the technological gadgets, products and solutions he brought forth.  I also believe Steve Jobs will live on in many, many qualitative and subtle ways that can not be quantified.  Thanks Steve (from my personal perspective) - as you continue to inspire me to take my next steps in life, toward the life I was truly created for.  - Mark Brogley

Final Quote from Steve Jobs:
“Remembering you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.” - Steve Jobs

What Do Women Want from Financial Advisors? 
(and is it really that different from what men want?)

Earlier this month, Ameriprise Financial® released the results of its New Retirement Mindscape II study examining gender differences in attitudes toward, and planning for, retirement. Of particular interest to All Financial Advisors: What women want in their financial advisors.

The study found that 46% of women have sought retirement advice from a financial advisor; only 38% of men have. And the more time their financial advisors take to educate them, the happier women are: 63% say that is a highly important attribute in a financial advisor, while only 52% of men say the same.

Even more women — 69% — want a financial advisor who “provides a knowledgeable point of view,” and 58% of women are looking for financial advisors who will coach them on reaching their goals for retirement. Finally, 55% of women want a financial advisor to tailor financial guidance specifically for them.

The portion of the Ameriprise Financial study dealing with attitudes toward financial planners seems to clearly indicate women want to work with comprehensive financial advisors — just like those you can find here at All Financial Advisors. A comprehensive financial advisor will typically take time to educate clients on financial matters pertaining to them, coach them on defining their retirement goals and on following a financial plan, and provide a customized plan of action.

How about you? What are you looking for in a financial advisor? It’s the perfect time of year to think about your financial goals — and to find the right financial planner for you! Start today. Find a financial advisor in your area and get ready to start the new year off right!

If you’re retired with little or no savings, mounting debts, and no financial advisor, you’re not alone.

According to the CESI Debt Solutions survey of over 200 retirees, the results of which were released yesterday, almost 40% of retired Americans have added to their credit-card debt since retiring. What’s more, they aren’t worried about paying it back before they die.

But even more sobering is the survey’s finding that over 50% of respondents have saved less than $50,000 (with many reporting that they have nothing in savings). Remember, these are retired folks!

CESI Executive Vice President Neil Ellington stated to CNBC that retirees who are accumulating debt likely feel like it’s too late to do anything about it, so they decide not to even try to get their credit cards paid off. He also observed that many retirees feel like they’ve earned some of the finer things in life, even if they have to put those things (travel, for instance) on credit cards. And finally, he explained that retirees who are in debt don’t know what to do about it, and they’re ashamed to ask for help.

All Financial Advisors thinks there’s a simple solution for those who are retired and in debt: Talk to a financial advisor. Comprehensive financial advisors are trained to help people reduce debt and build savings. And judging by the results of the CESI survey, that’s exactly what retirees need to do.

If you’re in this boat — retired, in debt, nothing saved and no financial advisor — there’s no need to be ashamed. Fee-only financial advisors know it’s not easy to bare your financial soul, but that’s what they’re there for. Only when your financial advisor knows everything about your financial life, including your debt, savings, insurance, estate plan, assets and more, can he or she come up with a plan you can use to actually pay off your debt, build your savings, and live out your golden years free of financial worry.

Has growing debt and dwindling savings made your retirement difficult? You can take the first steps toward changing your situation right now. Search for trustworthy financial advisors in your area. Interview two or three (if you’re not sure what questions to ask, check out our FAQs). See if one of the financial advisors you interview feels right to you, and hire that one. You can live out the rest of your life without the burden of financial stress. Let the financial advisors here at All Financial Advisors help.

It appears girls aren’t the only ones that just want to have fun.  In fact, according to TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation’s annual New Year’s Resolutions Survey, released late last week, 67% of Americans say their New Year’s resolutions for 2011 are to “have more fun” and to “relax/reduce stress.” Coming in at a close third was “save more money.”

Two years ago, when the economy was spiraling downward at an alarming rate, the majority of survey respondents resolved to “save more money” in the New Year; that resolution came in ahead of “spend more time with family” and “relax/reduce stress.”

Even more telling: 27% of those surveyed this year said they’re less likely to make New Year’s resolutions about their finances in 2011 than they were in 2010. 50% of survey respondents said their health and wellbeing are more important this year; another 39% said they’re doing better financially this year than they were in years past.

The survey reflects a more optimistic attitude toward the economy, but in a statement about the results, Stuart Rubinstein, managing director, investment products, TD Ameritrade cautioned against forgetting the importance of having a long-term financial plan.

AllFinancialAdvisors.com wholeheartedly agrees with Mr. Rubinstein’s advice.

Having a more relaxed, positive attitude toward finances is a great way to start 2011. And one way to cultivate that attitude is through working with a capable, experienced financial advisor. Which of the following two scenarios gives you more time and energy to have fun and relax in the New Year:

• You decide to tackle your financial goals head-on, so you read up on investing, retirement planning and estate planning, revamp your budget, and begin putting money into the stock market.
• You decide to tackle your financial goals head-on, so you interview a few financial advisors, choose the one you feel comfortable working with, and meet with him or her. When your financial advisor presents you with a comprehensive financial plan, complete with saving and investment advice, you simply follow the roadmap that’s been laid out for you.

 
We think most people would choose option 2.  Financial advisors have the skills and expertise to determine the most effective course of action for taking control of your finances.

In contrast, learning about financial planning, coming up with your own plan, and then staying on top of your portfolio as you engage in trial-and-error financial management doesn’t sound fun or relaxing in the least.

So what about you?  What are your resolutions, financial or otherwise, in 2011?  Do you agree with the results of the TD Ameritrade survey, or would your top resolutions be different?

And finally, have you considered working with a financial advisor in the New Year?  Leave a comment below and let us know!