Balance in All Things

1 - Last week, Standard & Poors cut its rating outlook for U.S. federal debt for the first time in history. For a complete analysis of this unprecedented event, see the article below This Week's Economic News.

2 - The balance of risk and reward is a simple unavoidable principle, and yet a lot of investors don't recognize it as such. I have included a brief video discussing the topic below.

3 - Our client event, How We Manage Your Money, is this Thursday. If you would like to attend either of the two sessions (2:00pm or 5:30pm), please call Juliet at the office and let her know.

Have a wonderful week!

-Andy

So What Really Happens to Your Tax Dollars?

1 - If, on this tax deadline day, you are wondering where your tax dollars go, here's a way for you to find out. Third Way, a centrist think tank, has developed an online calculator that tells visitors exactly how much of their tax dollars go for which programs. All you have to do is click on this link , enter the total amount you paid in federal tax for 2010 (including payroll and Social Security taxes), and press the "Calculate Receipt" button. You will instantly be shown -- in percentages as well as dollars-and-cents -- exactly where Uncle Sam spends your hard-earned tax money. Try it; it is very enlightening, and you may find some surprises.

2 - Our April 28 session on How We Invest Your Money is coming up next week. If you haven't registered yet and would like to register for the 2:00pm session, click here. To register for the 5:30pm session, call or email Juliet. If you know you're not going to make it to either session, click here.

3 - Please take special note of this week's recommended book. Several years after reading both volumes of William Manchester's magnificent biography of Winston Churchill, I have recently been revisiting volume 1, Visions of Glory. This time through, I am listening to the audiobook, and it is every bit as entertaining and enlightening as was the first reading.

The impetus for returning to Manchester's masterpiece came from a recent talk given by Tryon's own Paul Reid at Lanier Library (see photo below). Reid was hand-picked by a terminally-ill Manchester to write the third and final installment. Having recently completed his writing, he reports that the book is now in the editing phase at the publisher and should be available sometime next year. I, for one, can hardly wait.

Have a glorious week!

-Andy

Churchill Biographer Paul Reid

Springtime at the Depot

1 - You may recall that Juliet and I recently had to move our operation to the other side of the building for a few weeks following an unfortunate sewer backup. Today we're back into our regular configuration thanks to Mike Karaman and his team, who installed beautiful new flooring in a single week. By rights it should have taken three weeks, but Mike wanted to get us back to normal in time for tomorrow night's Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event -- and he did it. The building looks better than ever.

The Depot is beautiful in the Springtime, surrounded by the Tryon Garden Club's handiwork as well as Mike's recent plantings. The Depot Garden is one of Tryon's best-kept secrets: a tranquil oasis in the heart of downtown.

2 - Just a quick reminder about our April 28 session on How We Invest Your Money. If you haven't registered yet and would like to register for the 2:00pm session, click here. To register for the 5:30pm session, call or email Juliet. If you know you're not going to make it to either session, click here.

3 - Clients should have received quarterly letters and reports last week. If you're missing yours, let us know.

Enjoy your week!

-Andy

A Good Quarter, a Client Event & a Day Away

Here are this week's items for your attention:

1 - Despite some very disconcerting news in world events, as well as many ups and downs in the financial markets, the first quarter of 2011 was positive for most investors. We will be preparing quarterly reports over the next few days, so clients should be on the lookout for more details.

2 - We already have a healthy number of registrants for our April 28 session on How We Invest Your Money. This clients-only event answers all of our most frequently asked questions, and I think you'll find it to be worth your time. If you haven't registered yet and would like to register for the 2:00pm session, click here. To register for the 5:30pm session, click here. If you know you're not going to make it to either session, click here.

3 - Juliet and I will both be out of the office on Friday, April 8. Tabatha Cantrell, our Event Coordinator, will be here fielding calls and welcoming visitors.

Enjoy your week!

-Andy