Articles

• Conquering Your Financial Fears
• Keep Your “Cool” with these Air Conditioning Tips

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Conquering Your Financial Fears

A short guide to overcoming your worries.

Submitted by Tom Riordan of Dorion-Gray Retirement Planning, Inc.,

An unusually helpful bit of pop psychology holds that we should worry only about things we can control or effect and put aside anxieties we cannot. That advice holds true for worrying about money and investing. Although some fears cannot be controlled by the individual or have little likelihood of happening, addressing a related fear that can be controlled may help alleviate some of the anxiety.

Fear: Stock Market Crash

While visions of the Nasdaq tech crash still haunt some of us, the reality is, your biggest worry should be getting mediocre returns from your investments. People often abandon the buy-low, sell-high principle when they need it most. Good markets make many investors feel invincible so they don’t sell or rebalance. When markets decrease and prices are low, investors get scared that they will lose out on potential gains. They jump ship figuring a small return is better than none but ignoring the potential upside if the stock price rises again.

Diversification and dollar-cost averaging may help you avoid mediocre returns. By making sure your portfolio is invested for the long haul across a variety of markets, countries and investment vehicles, you may reduce your risk exposure and potentially open yourself up to more than mediocre returns.

Fear: Identity Theft

Americans have a great deal of fear of identity theft and for good reason. It can wreck havoc on your personal finances. Mistakes on your credit report, however, are far more likely and can severely damage credit ratings.

Consumers find more than 13 million inaccuracies on their credit reports each year, according to Consumer Reports, Those mistakes can range from minor to inaccurate or false delinquencies that can ruin your credit. Be cautious about giving out your Social Security number and check your credit report once a year for inaccuracies.

Fear: A Failing Economy

High energy prices, terrorism and natural disasters are all enough to make Chicken Little look rational. With our penchant to view the future as a continuation of the past, it’s no surprise that many Americans fear another 1920s-style depression or worse.

By investing in a wide-variety of investment vehicles, you can help increase the chances that if one major world economy starts to sputter, you’re gaining in another one that is booming. For those in retirement, where income distribution is so important, having a strategy that generates income in good times and bad is critical.

Many of us fear the worse on a consistent basis, and we all face risks every day. The real task is rooting out which financial fears can be controlled and then working with your financial professional to minimize your risk.

Tom Riordan of Dorion-Gray Retirement Planning, Inc., is a Registered Representative with Securities America, Inc., a Registered Broker/Dealer, member NASD/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Securities America Advisors, Inc., A SEC Registered Investment Advisory firm. Tom can be reached at 815-459-6800 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Visit Dorion-Gray at www.doriongray.com.

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Keep Your “Cool” with these Air Conditioning Tips

Is your air conditioning system ready to take the heat?

By Kurt Olszewski, Vice President of JNL Climate Control, Inc.

An Air Conditioner is a long-term, expensive fixture that requires service. Like anything else, it’s very important to maintain it. Doing so will allow your equipment to run at its best all season long as well as maximize the number of dependable years you can expect from your equipment. Over time, these simple steps will save you money – and in today’s uncertain economic climate, who doesn’t want to do that? An annual precision tune-up on your air conditioner can keep it operating safely and efficiently, providing you with the following benefits:

• Less equipment breakdowns – 90% of emergency service calls are due to lack of maintenance;
• Lower cost of operation – Clean equipment can save an average of up to 30% yearly on your utility bill;
• Keeps your warranty valid with proper annual maintenance – Warranties do not cover repairs and or service due to a lack of maintenance;
• Peace of mind – priceless!

Additionally, the tips listed below will help keep your energy costs down, and your equipment up and running:

• Be sure to check and change the filter on your furnace each month—even in the summer months! Are you aware that the fan on your system actually runs faster in the summer months than in the heat mode of the winter? Replacing your filter each month will ensure proper air flow and in the long run a more efficient cooling system. A qualified service technician can inform you what type of filter your system uses and how to care for it;
• Check your outside air conditioning equipment to make sure nothing is impeding proper air flow such as landscaping, wood piles, mulch, etc. Again, proper air flow is paramount to keeping the system working at it’s optimum level;
• Replace an old mercury thermostat with a new programmable thermostat. This change alone will allow for more precise temperature control within your home, and in the long-run save on your energy bills;
• Keep drapes and blinds drawn on extremely hot, sunny days;
• If your system requires service, make certain that only qualified, NATE Certified Technicians service it.

Please contact me at (847)358-2251 if you have any questions regarding these energy tips or visit us on the web at www.jnlclimatecontrol.com.