Posts Tagged ‘Investments’

Should I Be in the Stock Market Right Now?

Thursday, August 19th, 2010

So many people lately are asking me more frequently, “Chris, should I be in the stock market right now, or should I get out?” With governments and economies teetering on the brink of a deeper recession, more people feel uncertain about the stock markets right now.

The first question to ask about whether you should be in the stock market now or to bail out before it’s too late is:

“If money were no longer an issue in my finances, would I still want to be in the stock market?”

Your answer will vary based on how you answer this question. Listen to my reply to both responses and what I predict the stock markets will do over the next few years.

*As a reminder, to cover my “you know what,” I am not recommending any specific investments or strategies. I am merely presenting information that will help you get more clear.

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Which Financial Advisers Should You Hire?

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

Have you ever been caught in a dilemma? Have you ever been at a crossroads where you knew in your heart what was right, but afraid to take the leap of faith?

In March 2006, I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. A few months prior, my friend, Doug, and I had an argument about whether someone should invest in real estate or stocks. I was convinced that the stock market was best, even though I was beginning to have doubts. Doug finally asked me, “How many of your clients are financially independent and worry-free?” followed by, “How many of you (financial advisers) are financially independent from investments (not from commissions)?” Answering honestly, I said, “None.”

That was the beginning of a conversation that eventually got me to attend a seminar put on by Garrett Gunderson, NY Times Best-selling author of “Killing Sacred Cows” and his late partners. They asked the audience, “How many financial advisers are in the room tonight?” Since I believe I was the only one who was, I timidly rose my hand no higher than my shoulder and quickly dropped it (That was the first sign to me that I wasn’t so sure I wanted to be a financial advisor anymore). At that moment, they read an article written by a highly acclaimed financial planner, and then brought up every flaw in this planner’s “wise” counsel (some of which I will address below).

At the end of his seminar, I thought to myself, “Who would be crazy enough to teach this junk?” Suddenly, it hit me. I was teaching this junk!!! I then realized that I could no longer claim ignorance while keeping my integrity in tact. Although my business was really beginning to take off for the first time in 4 years of financial advising, I submitted my resignation that week.

Key Point - Quick action is more likely to get you quick results. I can attest to the fact that turning my back on the traditional financial industry has been a tremendous blessing in my life, my family’s lives, and my coaching members’ lives. To learn what else I discovered, listen to the podcast we posted previously, and/or see a condensed list down below.

How to Hire the RIGHT Financial Adviser
Ask yourself the following questions to see if you have the best financial adviser for you, or a salesman in a suit.

1. Do they earn commissions from your business? Have you ever noticed that the best investment many advisers recommend are often what they sell? Even the best intentioned advisers are tempted to advise you to buy only what they sell.
- Hire someone who is fee based, not commission-based.

2. Do they keep quoting figures 20, 30, or 40 years down the road? Will you even be alive then? These advisers will not teach you how to create cash in your life today, but instead, quote speculative numbers in the future. Nearly all financial advisers tell you to invest for the “long haul”…however long that is.
- Hire someone who teaches you how to create more cash flow today

3. Are they asking you to invest in their products, or in investments that are right for you? I was stumped when my brother-in-law said that he would rather invest into his own business and earn greater returns than 12% in the market (if you’re lucky). Almost every adviser or planner is guilty of this.
- Hire someone who is willing to tell you to invest where it is best for you, but possibly not them.

4. Do they tell you to take high risks if you want high returns? This is another lie! How can a higher chance of loss give you a better chance of winning? If this were true with money, you should ignore all financial products and only invest in lottery tickets since those have the highest risk of loss (FYI - I obviously don’t recommend this course of action).
- ONLY hire someone who counsels you to take lower, calculated risk.

5. Do they tell you to invest in the market whether it goes up or down? If they are so good at what they do, wouldn’t they only tell you to buy low and sell high? Have you ever noticed that it is always the right time to put your money with them, regardless of what’s happening in the market?
- Hire those that keep you away from speculative investments.
If your financial adviser works by any of these 5 myths, or others, then today is the perfect day to Fire Your Financial Adviser!!!

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Are You Frustrated With Your Investments?

Saturday, August 7th, 2010

How many of you are frustrated with losing money in your investments and not sure where to turn?

Are you confused because you don’t know who to trust because your financial adviser makes money even when you don’t?

Are you unsure where you should be invested? If so, you’re right to feel that way!

So many times I hear people express their frustration telling me “I’m frustrated because I’m losing money in my investments and I don’t know what to do or who to trust!” To that, my response is “Good! You should be!” It’s better to have that happen now than to have it happen to you when it’s too late.

For example, if your child were to go to a casino to gamble, would you prefer them to win their first time where they feel they have that “lucky touch,” or would you rather have them lose the first time to understand the consequences of gambling their money away? Personally, I would hope my kids wouldn’t gamble in the first place, but if they did, I would want them to fall flat on their face.

With investing, people think they’re financial adviser, or themselves, are brilliant when they make money, but then when it goes down, they want to blame the adviser or someone else. Here’s the reality: You can’t gamble your way to wealth, and your financial advisers are just nicely-dressed gamblers! They can’t perfectly predict the stock market any more than you can know exactly what will happen to you next week. The only thing guaranteed is the fact that your adviser will get paid for managing your money, regardless of the results.

The Solution: Stop trusting financial advisers that get paid to gamble it for you, and learn to control your own finances. There is a previous podcast about the best investment in today’s economy that can offer a deeper perspective on what might be right for you. The good news is that we are not going to sell you any investment. Education will make you a lot more money than ignorance.

Fire your financial adviser if they are telling you to be in it for the long haul, they tell you to buy when the market is high or low, and only invest in what they sell. Why have them gamble with your money, retirement plans, potential lifestyle, and financial freedom? Hire those that practice what they preach and believe that you shouldn’t take high risks to get high returns.

What are some of your frustrations with the financial planning advice you have received?

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How Are Financial Advisers Losing YOUR Money?

Wednesday, July 7th, 2010

How do you know whether you should fire your financial adviser before it’s too late? How do you know if you have the right one working for you? How are the wrong ones costing you money and you don’t even know about it? What are some simple questions to ask when interviewing for the right financial advisor or planner?

Chris Miles and Dale Clarke expose how financial advisers are costing you your retirement and your ability to have the life you dream of today. Learn a few fast questions to easily know if you have the right adviser or the expensive adviser, and which ones can help you create wealth today, rather than wishing for retirement someday.

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How Can I Invest When I Have So Much Debt?

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

How can you invest if you have so much debt or don’t have money to invest? How can it be possible to still make money and pay off that debt when you don’t have any money? What investment have you possibly been overlooking because financial gurus never teach it to you? Learn some easy strategies, from “The Anti-Financial Adviser” Chris Miles, to begin making money today, even if you have a lot of debt or little money to invest.

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How Do I Create Passive Income?

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010

How can you create multiple income streams so you don’t have to work everyday? What are 3 ways you can do this even if you don’t have any money? What are the myths that keep most people from ever accomplishing this that those other “gurus” won’t tell you?

Learn from Chris Miles “The Anti-Financial Adviser” how you can easily turn this ideal situation into reality and avoid the traps that usually keep people from ever making this work.

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7 Secrets to Freeing Up Cash Flow Today!

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

What would your life look like if you were no longer living paycheck to paycheck?

Do you ever feel like there is too much month at the end of the money?

Would it be worthwhile if you could free up money now and not necessarily have to live cheap, using resources already at your disposal?

Below for some simple tips that can forever change your financial situation starting today!

Secret #1 - Track It! One of the biggest reasons that some people lose money each month is because they aren’t tracking how much is coming in and how much is going out due to fear of reality. In fact, I had one client that took weeks before she finally decided to track her income and expenses with our FREE tracker, only to free up almost $5000 each month because she began tracking how much she would spend on eating out! The truth shall set you free!

Secret #2 - Produce! You can only reduce expenses so far. One option that has limitless potential is find ways to increase your income by increasing avenues for creating value for others that would merit receiving money in return. The beautiful part of this is that it does not need to require more time from you, but more creativity around how you are able to give others what they want so that you can get what you want.

Secret #3 - Save on Taxes! Although I support paying taxes, I believe you should only pay what is required. Ignorance is often one of the costliest problems. If you keep getting a tax return each year, you are overpaying every paycheck. For example, if you get back a return of $6000, you overpaid, on average $500/month!!!

  • Bonus Tip - Turn your hobby or part-time work into a business. By setting up the right corporation(s), you could save even more on taxes than you are now! If you already have a business, you may consider getting a 2nd opinion on your tax structuring.

Secret #4 - Refinance Loans! Put your credit to good use. By merely refinancing or consolidating your loans (debts), you could free up money each month without spending a dime! To have better peace of mind, get the smallest minimum payment possible, and then you can choose whether you want to keep making the old payment to pay it down faster.

Secret #5 - Stop Retirement Contributions! Some people feel they have to put money away into retirement accounts for “someday” but ignore how they can have a great rate of return that could free up hundreds of dollars each month! Have you ever noticed that some people will insist on putting money into a retirement account that may lose money, but not pay off a 13% credit card that would immediately give them more cash to put in their retirement accounts each month anyway? What makes sense to you?

Secret #6 - Pay Minimums on Loans! Certain people will try to pay a little extra to each loan every month. This is likely costing them THOUSANDS of dollars! Instead, pay all those extra payments to one loan at a time. Warning - Don’t always pay the highest interest rate first. You could lose thousands of dollars in interest by buying into that myth. Remember to consider that cash flow creates freedom.

Secret #7 - Sell Assets Do you ever feel the need to simplify your life? Is your spouse bugging you to clean out your garage? If you aren’t using it, sell it! Don’t have a gym membership only to show off the key chain. Don’t keep certain tools or furniture because you “might use it someday.” Get rid of it! My wife and I cleaned out our garage last year and we made about $2000 AND I could park my car!

To receive other FREE financial secrets and tips, click here!

*Results mentioned above are not always typical and can vary for each person

How Does Confidence Create Wealth?

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

What does confidence have anything to do with creating wealth? How can making mistakes be profitable and turned into successes? What can you learn from flying airplanes that can help you become wealthy?

Dale Clarke interviews Mike Hodge (The Captain) about how to be the “captain” of your life by being confident and not fearful of making mistakes. By making mistakes, you can increase your confidence to move forward and take greater control & power in your own life. Listen now to learn from two “aerodynamic individuals” the secrets to creating success fast!

To learn more about Mike Hodge and the “Captain Code,” visit his site.

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How Are You UNKNOWINGLY Losing Money?

Tuesday, April 27th, 2010

How are you likely losing money EVERYDAY and not know it? What can you do to be more resourceful with the money that you have? What methods to increase your cash flow are you missing out on? Why do you lose more money than what you lose when an investment goes awry? Learn where many people are losing money that they never knew they had!

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