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Published on: 2/21/2004
Last Visited: 4/26/2005
presented by Nicole Allen, CPA
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Nicole Allen, a graduate of the University of Illinois with an M.S. in Accounting Specialization in Taxation, is also a financial advisor with American Express.Ms. Allen discussed financial planning concepts.The process, she noted, is to identify and prioritize your goals, gather information, analyze that information, propose solutions to your financial goals, and take action.
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Ms. Allen reviewed Investment Factors, which means understanding the difference between 'rate of return' and 'growth', 'short-term' versus 'long-term'.For stability you want to have long-term goals.Review a given investment's growth potential, understand the tax management involved (is it tax free or tax diverted?), and its liquidity (marketability).Review risk management and diversification issues to select the investments that will work for you.Ms. Allen discussed investment options, including company plans, IRA's, and Non-Qualified Investments (stock/bonds/mutual funds; real estate; annuities; cash value life insurance).She discussed retirement tax strategies and the differences between Tax Deferral programs (401K plan; IRA's; annuities; insurance), and Tax Exempt programs (municipal bonds; tax-free funds; insurance cash value; and Roth IRAs).Each person must consider whether or not they want to handle these various issues on their own, or work with a Financial Advisor.It's an individual choice.Factors to consider include knowledge/expertise of financial matters, the desire to handle your financial matters, the time to do it, and accountability.Ms. Allen can be reached at (972) 543-4830 or nicole.y.allen@aexp.com for members who want additional information and who have questions regarding how to handle their finances as a writer.