tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063324830217538321Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:22:09 +0000The Blog of Mascagni and Company, Inc.http://www.mascagniblog.com/noreply@blogger.com (Mascagni and Company, Inc.)Blogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063324830217538321.post-717009712786668702Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:18:00 +00002010-07-15T09:22:10.045-05:00refinanceratesmortgageMissing an Opportunity? I wanted to let you know of a real opportunity of which many people are not currently aware. Due to recent weakness in the stock markets, real estate, and the potential slowing of the U.S. economy, mortgage rates are at very low historical yields today. As reported by Mortgage News Daily, see the current Mississippi averages below: 10-Year Fixed http://www.mascagniblog.com/2010/07/mortgage-rates-refinancing.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Randy Mascagni, CFP®)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063324830217538321.post-364150814671255746Fri, 28 May 2010 18:51:00 +00002010-05-28T13:57:23.895-05:00correctionvolatilityuncertaintymarket timingBeing burned so badly in 2008-09, many investors are wondering why the markets are selling off and if this is a repeat of the last big correction. No one can say for sure, but this correction doesn't feel like the one we experienced in ‘08. Here are a few factors we are hearing that may be the cause. 1) Necessary Correction due to large run-up the last 12-months. Since the March 9th low in 2009, http://www.mascagniblog.com/2010/05/is-this-same-kind-of-fire.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Randy Mascagni, CFP®)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063324830217538321.post-3020585689034620156Tue, 27 Apr 2010 15:20:00 +00002010-04-27T10:37:02.430-05:00investmentsrisk tolerancevolatilityIt’s more and more commonplace to have a discussion with someone who must come to grips with what Dennis Gartman calls the “viciousness of percentages.” This is simply the average one needs to obtain to regain from a loss, “the cost of getting even.” Remember, a loss of -25% one year and a gain of +25% the next year does not get you back to even. Instead, this leaves someone a good bit behind “http://www.mascagniblog.com/2010/04/cost-of-getting-even.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Matt P. Brown, CFP®)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063324830217538321.post-4661551790938665875Tue, 20 Apr 2010 14:53:00 +00002010-04-20T10:04:38.101-05:00correctionstockvolatilitymutual fundmarket timingOne of the unfortunate hangovers from the 2008–‘09 market crash has been some investors continuing to try to “time” the market with their mutual funds. We continue to hear that small retail investors, and usually those without an investment advisor, have not completely returned to the stock market. Whether this is with their 401(k) plan or other investment portfolios, some investors have missed http://www.mascagniblog.com/2010/04/crash-overhang.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Randy Mascagni, CFP®)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063324830217538321.post-2076035114206601679Thu, 01 Apr 2010 13:21:00 +00002010-04-01T09:35:44.830-05:00retirementretirement incomediversificationMost have heard the phrase “don’t put all your eggs in one basket,” and pretty well understand the wisdom within this statement. But have you taken this a step further and applied it to diversifying your retirement income? We have seen many times that diversification among retirement income planning has been overlooked. And this can be a critical need for a retiree… so consider what some of the http://www.mascagniblog.com/2010/04/re-building-retirement-wealth-part-4.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Randy Mascagni, CFP®)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063324830217538321.post-6419046548354950554Thu, 25 Mar 2010 19:56:00 +00002010-03-25T14:58:11.397-05:00retirementinvestmentshome runIn this part, let us remind you of the importance of attempting to grow your investment portfolio reasonably. Consider this… if you have ever played baseball, how many home runs did you hit? Or maybe as a spectator, how many home runs have your children or grandchildren hit on a consistent basis? So now you get it! Just as base hits are easier to get, a reasonable investment return probably http://www.mascagniblog.com/2010/03/re-building-retirement-wealth-part-3.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Randy Mascagni, CFP®)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063324830217538321.post-439573101634177997Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:44:00 +00002010-04-01T09:36:26.846-05:00retirementsavingsIn Part 1 posted on 3/4/10 we discussed the benefits of a reasonable lifestyle, both today and during retirement. So let me illustrate to you what I meant and the benefits of spending within reason. Notice how much someone needs at age 66 to support a much higher standard of living. I would call this “living within your harvest.”To illustrate, let’s make the following basic assumptions for a http://www.mascagniblog.com/2010/03/re-building-retirement-wealth-part-2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Randy Mascagni, CFP®)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063324830217538321.post-3412480758031823387Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:11:00 +00002010-03-25T14:59:10.714-05:00investor sentimenteconomyWe’ve heard it said time and time again that consumer spending accounts for approximately two-thirds of our economy. And currently Americans are spending less and saving more (approx. 4.3% savings rate per the U.S. Bureau of Economic Statistics). In a recession this is not good, at least for the short term. Experts tell us to get this economy going, the consumer needs to start spending. But guesshttp://www.mascagniblog.com/2010/03/economy-isnt-some-of-it-really-how-we.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Randy Mascagni, CFP®)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063324830217538321.post-6336347799604117225Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:29:00 +00002010-04-01T09:37:06.399-05:00spending planretirementcash flowbudgetAlmost everyone I talk with, from young to old, seems to be worried about their future. Whether their fears have been heightened due to the economy, the stock market, or the political climate, their concerns usually center on “will I have enough” to retire. In other words, “What if I can’t work as long as I need to?” or “If I want to stop at some reasonable age, will I be able to?” So let’s http://www.mascagniblog.com/2010/03/re-building-retirement-wealth-part-1_04.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Randy Mascagni, CFP®)