Tag Archives: CFP

What's The Difference? Mutual Funds And Exchange Traded Funds Explained

By Michael Chamberlain, CFP, AIF, Contributor

Mutual Funds have been a popular way to invest for several decades while Exchange Traded Funds, or ETFs as they are they’re commonly known, are relatively new but are quickly gaining popularity for their low-cost and their better tax treatment. There are some differences of which you should be aware. …read more

Source: FULL ARTICLE at Forbes Latest

Benghazi, The Muslim Brotherhood Connection, And The Libyan Intelligence Report

By Marinka Peschmann

sharif libya letter Benghazi, the Muslim Brotherhood Connection, And the Libyan Intelligence Report

Appearing in CFP.

About two weeks ago, new information came out that claimed the Muslim Brotherhood and recently deposed Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi were involved in the September 11, 2012 Benghazi attack that killed four Americans including U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens.

The new information, a Libyan Intelligence document, was reportedly prepared by Mahmoud Ibrahim Sharif, Director of National Security for Libya, and was addressed to the nation’s Minister of Interior. The Obama administration did not release the report; neither did the various Republican Committees investigating Benghazi. It became public in the West thanks to prolific author and Middle East/Islam expert Raymond Ibrahim. Ibrahim reported that the intelligence document came from Arabic websites and was leaked to the Kuwaiti paper, Al Ra’i. It has since been authenticated by the Libyan government’s chief of the Department of Security in Tripoli.

As Ibrahim wrote:

“[The Libyan intelligence document] discusses the preliminary findings of the [Benghazi] investigation, specifically concerning an “Egyptian cell” which was involved in the consulate attack.” Based on confessions derived from some of those arrested at the scene” six people, “all of them Egyptians” from the jihad group Ansar al-Sharia (“Supporters of Islamic Law), were arrested.

According to the report, during interrogations, these Egyptian jihadi cell members “confessed to very serious and important information concerning the financial sources of the group and the planners of the event and the storming and burning of the U.S. consulate in Benghazi…. And among the more prominent figures whose names were mentioned by cell members during confessions were: Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi; preacher Safwat Hegazi; Saudi businessman Mansour Kadasa, owner of the satellite station, Al-Nas; Egyptian Sheikh Muhammad Hassan; former presidential candidate, Hazim Salih Abu Isma’il…”

Here’s the kicker. According to a translation of the entire Libyan Intelligence report provided by Walid Shoebat (a former member of the Muslim Brotherhood and author of numerous books including Why I left Jihad: The Root of Terrorism and the Return of Radical Islam, and Why We Want to Kill You: The Jihadist Mindset and How to Defeat it), the report stated: “In addition, there were extremely crucial information as to the financial sources of this group and the planners and executers of the operation which carried out the breaking and entering of the American Consulate in Benghazi and killing all occupants including the desecration of their bodies in revenge for the film which was produced by the Crusaders who produced the film that insults the Messenger, Peace and Prayers be upon Him (emphasis mine).” See the entire translation at the end.

Oh, the anti-Muslim film, the infamous YouTube video surfaces again? This is disinformation on several levels.

Why? Because the Libyan Intelligence report, dated September 15, 2012 (four days after the Benghazi attack), backs up the false claim that a YouTube video—an anti-Muslim film — was the cause of the Benghazi attack, the same lie that the Obama administration (including former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former United Nation Ambassador Susan Rice, White House spokesman Jay Carney, and then Central Intelligence Director David Petraeus) told the world. Since then, …read more

Source: FULL ARTICLE at Western Journalism

What to Do Before Collecting Lottery Winnings

By Nicole Seghetti, The Motley Fool

Chevrolet Code 130R concept - front three-quarter view

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You hit the lotto! Sure, go ahead and crack open the Dom Perignon. But follow these steps before you start collecting lottery winnings and let the spending spree begin.

Secure your winning ticket. Lottery officials advise signing your ticket. That’s the best way to protect it in case it’s lost or stolen. Then make a copy of the signed ticket, and keep the copy with you. Place the signed ticket in a safe deposit box.

Remain anonymous. Many lotteries release the names of winners. So take steps to protect your privacy to avoid being flooded with calls from long-lost family members, creditors, and charities. Your anonymity will also give you some space to make financial decisions thoughtfully and clearly. If you have a cellphone, use it. But if you have a landline, be sure to obtain an unlisted phone number.

Wait. Wait several days before claiming your prize. In the meantime, ask for some time off work. Don’t quit your job until the money is legally yours. Consult with an attorney about what steps you can take to claim your winnings anonymously.

Assemble your professional team. Get your trusted team together and develop a financial plan before collecting or spending any money. They’ll help you explore the financial implications of each choice before deciding. A reputable financial advisor, certified public accountant, and attorney will recommend the best strategies for obtaining and managing your winnings, while helping you get a sense of your true financial situation.

Unfortunately, a team of professionals doesn’t instantly appear once you’ve come into money. You’ll likely encounter smooth-talking, wolves-in-sheep’s-clothing “professionals,” but steer clear. Handpick your own team players and require them to work together.

Check with your trusted family members and friends for referrals. Consider reaching out to past lottery winners for advice. Make sure the team members have experience working with comparable-net-worth individuals who’ve encountered situations similar to yours.

Your financial advisor (preferably one with a Certified Financial Planner, or CFP, designation) will help you decide how much money to spend versus save, how and where to invest your money, and help project when you can achieve your financial goals. Your CPA can give you the ins and outs regarding how much you’ll owe Uncle Sam and how to minimize your tax liabilities. And your attorney will help you develop an estate plan and draft the necessary documents.

Vet each of these professionals and check for complaints filed against them with the appropriate licensing agencies. For example, investigate FINRA BrokerCheck and the CFP Board regarding your financial advisor. Also, see whether there have been any complaints filed with state disciplinary authorities for your CPA and attorney.

Ultimately, make sure you feel comfortable with these people. Don’t work with anyone who rushes you, talks down to you, or pressures you to take actions that you don’t understand or aren’t at ease with. Your team works for you.

Making the right financial decisions today makes …read more

Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

Weston Financial Says "Avoiding Tax Mistakes" Key to Financial Planning

By Business Wirevia The Motley Fool

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Weston Financial Says “Avoiding Tax Mistakes” Key to Financial Planning


New White Paper Offers Tax Tips for 2013 Planning

WELLESELY, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Weston Financial Group, Inc., a Wellesley, MA-based registered investment advisor with $1.6 billion under management, today released a white paper, “Avoid Tax Mistakes:Taxes Become Strategic for Financial Planning in 2013.”The paper highlights the two types of broad tax strategies and the eight common tax errors people should consider when reviewing their financial plans. The paper also discusses marginal, effective and situational rates, capital gains, managing IRAs, and risk of being enticed by new tax rules.

Information about the white paper, or Weston Financial services, is available by contacting Drew Bottaro , Esq., CFP ® , Weston Financial Group Vice President & Senior Financial Counselor, at 1-781-235-7055. Bottaro, who was recently named a Five Star Wealth Manager by Five Star Professional, has more than 20 years of experience as a financial planning professional.

Weston Financial, a division of Washington Trust Wealth Management , was founded in 1979 to assist affluent families, high net worth corporate executives, and professionals in managing their financial affairs. Weston’s team of wealth managers hold advanced degrees and designations, ranging from JD, MBA, CFP® practitioner, CPA, Masters in Taxation, and Chartered Financial Analyst®. Weston’s services include investment management, retirement planning, estate planning, and tax and risk management. Weston Financial is a division of The Washington Trust Company , the oldest community bank in the nation and is the largest independent bank headquartered in Rhode Island. The Washington Trust Company is a subsidiary of Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc ., NASDAQ Global Select: WASH, a $3.1 billion corporation headquartered in Rhode Island.

Washington Trust
Elizabeth B. Eckel, 401-348-1309
401-348-1407
Senior Vice President, Marketing
ebeckel@washtrust.com

KEYWORDS:   United States  North America  Connecticut  Massachusetts  Rhode Island

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:

The article Weston Financial Says “Avoiding Tax Mistakes” Key to Financial Planning originally appeared on Fool.com.

Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free …read more

Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

NeoPhotonics Announces 100G CFP2 Transceivers for Datacom and Telecom Applications

By Business Wirevia The Motley Fool

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NeoPhotonics Announces 100G CFP2 Transceivers for Datacom and Telecom Applications

New CFP2 Form Factor Pluggable 100G Optical Transceiver Modules for Both 10×10 and LR4 Standards are Designed to Enable Double the Face Plate I/O Density

ANAHEIM, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– NeoPhotonics Corporation (NYS: NPTN) , a leading designer and manufacturer of photonic integrated circuits, or PIC, based modules and subsystems for bandwidth-intensive, high speed communications networks, announces the introduction of two new 100G CFP2 transceiver modules. The new 100G CFP2 modules include both the popular 10×10 MSA transceiver based on the “10×10” PIC architecture developed by NeoPhotonics and the “4×25” 100GBASE-LR4 transceiver. The CFP2 form factor is a hot pluggable module that is designed to offer lower power and smaller size compared to current generation CFP transceivers and to enable doubling of the face plate input/output port density. The CFP2 is also an attractive form factor for use in fast growing datacenter and metro Ethernet applications.

The new NeoPhotonics 10×10 CFP2 transceiver is based on ten synchronous electrical lanes and is capable of operating at both 100GE and OTU4 date rates. It features the NeoPhotonics PIC-based 10-channel laser array powered by a 10-channel driver array. The array architecture helps to streamline manufacturing processes. The 10×10 CFP2 is also backward compatible with the 10×10 CFP platform currently being commercially deployed. The company also intends for the CFP2 electrical interface to support both 4×25 LR4 and 10×10 LR10 on the same line card.

The CFP2 LR4 transceiver is based on four synchronous electrical lanes of 28Gbps signals and is designed to comply with the IEEE 100GBASE-LR4 and OTU4 specifications. The 4-channel PIC-based integrated transmitter is based on high performance EML lasers designed to meet stringent OTU-4 optical performance requirements.

“We are excited to announce the development of our PIC based 10×10 and LR4 CFP2 optical transceiver line, which we believe will provide our customers with the flexibility to meet many different network demands,” said Tim Jenks, Chairman and CEO of NeoPhotonics. “The CFP2 platform is enabled by the company’s ability to integrate lasers in arrays utilizing proprietary PIC technology which we believe will continue to enable smaller transceiver form factors and lower power consumption for datacenter and metro Ethernet applications.”

NeoPhotonics is demonstrating the interoperability of its 100G CFP2 transceiver with Inphi Tri-Rate PHY/SerDes Gearbox in the Inphi booth, #3247, at OFC/NFOEC 2013.

Also at the OFC Exhibition, NeoPhotonics is …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

Mindspeed Enables High-Density 100 Gigabit Systems with a Family of Lowest-Power 28G Clock and Data

By Business Wirevia The Motley Fool

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Mindspeed Enables High-Density 100 Gigabit Systems with a Family of Lowest-Power 28G Clock and Data Recovery Devices

Devices are Demonstrated in Molex’s Fully Retimed 100G zQSFP+ Active Optical Cables

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Mindspeed Technologies, Inc. (NAS: MSPD) , a leading supplier of semiconductor solutions for network infrastructure and data center applications, today announced the industry’s lowest-power clock and data recovery (CDR) devices capable of supporting data rates up to 28 gigabits per second (Gbps). Low power dissipation is a critical requirement for small form factor interconnects for the 100 Gigabit Ethernet, InfiniBand and optical transport systems enabling port densities that the industry must achieve in order to handle increasing Internet traffic and escalating online video content demand.

Mindspeed®’s four channel CDRs support data rates required for multiple standards including 100G Ethernet, InfiniBand Enhanced Data Rate (EDR), 32G Fibre Channel and Optical Transport Network (OTU-4). The low-power solution enables next-generation optical and copper module form factors, such as CFP-2, CFP-4 and Quad Small Form-Factor Pluggable (QSFP). Mindspeed’s CDRs integrate key features, such as an input equalizer and output de-emphasis to optimize link performance and support line card retiming applications as well as loopback for system level diagnostics. The devices are reference-free, eliminating the need for reference crystal oscillators thus reducing the number of components and cost required to implement a retiming function. Further, the devices include input equalization circuitry to support lossy channels and support a wide output amplitude range to seamlessly interoperate with optical assemblies.


Molex Incorporated
has used Mindspeed’s CDRs to demonstrate the industry’s first, fully retimed 100Gbps zQSFP+ Active Optical Cable meeting stringent power consumption and thermal constraints of a small modular form factor.

“In the drive to match 100Gbps port count density to current 10Gbps interconnect levels, system OEMs require small front panel pluggable modules, which will enable tenfold increase in front panel bandwidth density. This creates a challenge for interconnect manufacturers to meet the power consumption and thermal constraints of QSFP modules,” said Adit Narasimha, director of new product development at Molex, Inc. “Molex’s silicon photonics-based zQSFP+ solutions in combination with Mindspeed’s low power CDRs are the first to demonstrate 100Gbps small form factor modules with retiming in both transmit and receive directions.”

The new devices complement Mindspeed’s family …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

Ask a Fool: Did I Make a Huge IRA Mistake?

By Robert Brokamp, CFP, The Motley Fool

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In the following video, Robert Brokamp, senior advisor for The Motley Fool’s Rule Your Retirement service, takes a question from a Fool reader, who writes, “Did I make a substantial error when taking money out of my IRA?”

Making the right financial decisions today makes a world of difference in your golden years, but with most people chronically undersaving for retirement it’s clear not enough is being done. Don’t make the same mistakes as the masses. Learn about The Shocking Can’t-Miss Truth About Your Retirement. It won’t cost you a thing, but don’t wait because your free report won’t be available forever.

The article Ask a Fool: Did I Make a Huge IRA Mistake? originally appeared on Fool.com.

Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Ask a Fool: House or Retirement, What's First?

By Robert Brokamp, CFP, The Motley Fool

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In the following video, Robert Brokamp, senior advisor for the Motley Fool’s Rule Your Retirement service, takes a question from a Fool reader. The reader asks,”Should I save all my money for a down payment on a house or put some in a retirement account? Which one is more important?”

Making the right financial decisions today makes a world of difference in your golden years, but with most people chronically under-saving for retirement, it’s clear not enough is being done. Don’t make the same mistakes as the masses. Learn “The Shocking Can’t-Miss Truth About Your Retirement.” It won’t cost you a thing, but don’t wait, because your free report won’t be available forever.

The article Ask a Fool: House or Retirement, What’s First? originally appeared on Fool.com.

Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Ask a Fool: 401(k), IRA, and Beyond

By Robert Brokamp, CFP, The Motley Fool

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In the following video, Robert Brokamp, senior advisor for The Motley Fool’s Rule Your Retirement service, takes a question from a Fool reader, who asks, “After saving in an emergency fund, 401(k), and IRA, what other investments should I make as a beginner?”

Making the right financial decisions today makes a world of difference in your golden years, but with most people chronically undersaving for retirement, it’s clear not enough is being done. Don’t make the same mistakes as the masses. Learn about The Shocking Can’t-Miss Truth About Your Retirement. It won’t cost you a thing, but don’t wait because your free report won’t be available forever.

The article Ask a Fool: 401(k), IRA, and Beyond originally appeared on Fool.com.

Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Ask a Fool: What's First, Retirement or Student Loans?

By Robert Brokamp, CFP, The Motley Fool

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In the following video, Robert Brokamp, senior advisor for the Motley Fool’s Rule Your Retirement service, takes a question from a Fool reader. The reader asks, “How do I determine how much I should save for retirement versus paying off my student loans?”

Making the right financial decisions today makes a world of difference in your golden years, but with most people chronically under-saving for retirement, it’s clear not enough is being done. Don’t make the same mistakes as the masses. Learn “The Shocking Can’t-Miss Truth About Your Retirement.” It won’t cost you a thing, but don’t wait, because your free report won’t be available forever.

The article Ask a Fool: What’s First, Retirement or Student Loans? originally appeared on Fool.com.

Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Ask a Fool: Index Funds vs. Managed Funds

By Robert Brokamp, CFP, The Motley Fool

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In the following video, senior advisor to the Motley Fool’s Rule Your Retirement service Robert Brokamp takes a question from a Fool reader, who asks, “My 401(k) has an S&P 500 index fund with an expense ratio that is only 0.05% and has a return of 6.85% so far this year. My other fund has an expense ratio of 0.93% and only returned 4.19%. I’m paying more to get less return! Any suggestions?”

Making the right financial decisions today makes a world of difference in your golden years, but with most people chronically under-saving for retirement, it’s clear not enough is being done. Don’t make the same mistakes as the masses. Learn about The Shocking Can’t-Miss Truth about Your Retirement. It won’t cost you a thing, but don’t wait, because your free report won’t be available forever.

The article Ask a Fool: Index Funds vs. Managed Funds originally appeared on Fool.com.

Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Ask a Fool: What's the Best 529 Savings Plan?

By Robert Brokamp, CFP, The Motley Fool

Filed under:

In the following video, senior advisor to The Motley Fool’s Rule Your Retirement service Robert Brokamp takes a question from a Fool reader, who asks, “What’s the best 529 savings plan?”

Making the right financial decisions today makes a world of difference in your golden years, but with most people chronically under-saving for retirement, it’s clear not enough is being done. Don’t make the same mistakes as the masses. Learn about “The Shocking Can’t-Miss Truth about Your Retirement.” It won’t cost you a thing, but don’t wait, because your free report won’t be available forever.

The article Ask a Fool: What’s the Best 529 Savings Plan? originally appeared on Fool.com.

Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Ask a Fool: Retirement Accounts and Taxes

By Robert Brokamp, CFP, The Motley Fool

Filed under:

In the following video, senior advisor of The Motley Fool’s Rule Your Retirement service Robert Brokamp takes a question from a Fool reader, who asks, “Can a retiree pay the income taxes owed on his/her tax-deferred retirement accounts using funds from a Roth IRA or Roth 401(k) and still have adequate resources remaining within those Roth accounts to have a comfortable retirement?”

The best investing approach is to choose great companies and stick with them for the long term. The Motley Fool’s free report, “3 Stocks That Will Help You Retire Rich,” names stocks that could help you build long-term wealth and retire well, along with some winning wealth-building strategies that every investor should be aware of. Click here now to keep reading.

The article Ask a Fool: Retirement Accounts and Taxes originally appeared on Fool.com.

Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Long-Term Care Insurance Becomes Tougher To Purchase For Women

By Michael Chamberlain, CFP, AIF, Contributor

It’s true that men have always paid more for life insurance then women based simply on the fact that women statistically live longer. A similar pricing structure is about to come to the long-term care insurance industry, only in favor of men this time around, and for the exact same reason.  On average, women outlive men by five to seven years. The older we become the greater the chance that we will one day be in need of Long Term Care (LTC). Statistics show that currently about 70% of the residents who live in a nursing home are women. Women represent almost 80% of all individuals living in assisted living facilities and two-thirds of those receive home care. According to one LTC insurance executive, $2 out of every $3 paid in long-term care claims are for women. …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Forbes Latest

Have What It Takes To Invest On Your Own? Part 2

By Michael Chamberlain, CFP, AIF, Contributor

Figure out how much help you need with your investments can be difficult but here’s some guidance to get you started. Last week we listed the important tasks for successful investing were listed. A check list was provided to help aide you in determining which task you were able to do yourself and identify which areas you might need some help in order to improve your investing outcome. The 5 different investing choices or methodologies were presented and include: …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Forbes Latest

Claiming A Home Office Deduction? It's Much Easier This Year, Here's How

By Michael Chamberlain, CFP, AIF, Contributor

Ever since the inception of the internet, home offices have been growing by leaps and bounds; by one estimate more than three million taxpayers can make that claim. While there are any number of benefits to having a home office, one irksome negative was the burden involved in substantiating the claim and the Internal Revenue Service’s complicated and convoluted process to file that claim. …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Forbes Latest