What saving and spending trends are you seeing with your clients? How are you helping them stay focused on the long-term?

The key is creating a plan of action that is flexible enough to deal with the changes that occur in life and then reviewing progress on a regular basis. Guessing doesn't get it. My clients who have been planning for years have the same concerns and fears as anyone has, but they feel better prepared. Having an appropriate cash reserve for emergencies is essential. It helps them avoid redirecting long-term funds. In fact, because of planning some are actually able to retire if they have been laid off because they are close to their goals or we make adjustments. Depending on one's political affiliation some are delaying temporarily larger investments, but others understand the ebb and flows that naturally occur in all markets and continue with their goal driven plans. Each person is different and their planning should be different. Depending on unreliable adages such as you need a certain percentage of your income in retirement is where people get in trouble. You must not only focus on returns, but also tax and inflation rates when working on your goals. I've always said it's better that you know the hard truth and prepare for it rather than stick your head in the sand and hope things work out.   

Long term care needs have not gone away. Even with Covid-19 it is smart to plan for the future as we have a future ahead of us. The good news is that the options for LTCI have increased. There is short term care plans, hybrid products and stand alone LTCI. Even annuities can be used. There are many tax advantages for individuals and business alike. The need is not going away and the numbers do not lie as to the financial exposure. LTCI experts can find a plan for most incomes and anything is better than nothing. Waiting is not an answer as you buy LTCI with your health first which can change and make a purchase impossible.

My clients are anticipating volatility in the equity markets in the coming months and are looking for alternatives. Another great concern is the direction of taxes - with the advent of a new administration in Washington, I share some unique tax mitigation strategies. I see a storm on the horizon which are a number of factors that do not bode well for retirement planning and wealth preservation. I am happy to share more.

Since the beginning of COVID I have been sending a newsletter once a week. Like the one below. The biggest deal, however, is my average client is up 42% year-to-date. I am an investment manager, not a financial planner. I am seeking those clients who do not accept average or medicore results. Here is a copy of the newsletter I sent yesterday:

There has been so much talk about small businesses dying due to COVID-19 that few people have noticed a surprising occurrence. The number of new small businesses started since the beginning of the pandemic has skyrocketed.[1]

During the Great Recession, business startups sagged. This rise in entrepreneurial endeavor is happening even as many big companies continue to lay off or furlough employees. Some of these startups are hiring.

One other strange thing is this: it is an American phenomenon. Nowhere else in the developed world is seeing this trend.

Image curtesy of The Economist. For me, this says something very exciting about the future of America. As we go through a time of division in the country, it seems like capitalism is not dead and gone. It is alive and well and prospering!

On my radio show, I interview the CEO of a private company almost every week, and some of these entrepreneurs are not just experts who have made incremental improvements. They are visionaries. Not all, but some, are looking to massive markets where they can improve the quality of life.

Many are millennials, about which so much is written. Although many in the older generation say Millennials do not have a work ethic, in fact, many do. And from my experience many want to make the world a better place. This formation of business seems to indicate they are, in fact, succeeding.

These young entrepreneurs see how they can create a business that will dramatically improve the way we doing something. To make it worthwhile for the business, they want to find a huge market. Some have failed in previous ventures, but adhere to the adage of “failing forward”. They learn from their previous ventures and go on to bigger and better projects.

When I look at how the world is changing and how the quality of life is improving and the pace at which it is happening, I am thrilled. And thrilled really is the right word.

Focusing on the businesses that are failing is looking at the glass half-empty, to use the old cliché. Think of the business startups as the glass half full and getting even fuller.

Mike Adams
President & Principal [1] “The number of new businesses in America is booming,” The Economist, October 10, 2020, https://www.economist.com/united-states/2020/10....

**An analysis of Dow Jones Market data shows that markets typically perform very well after epidemics end. For instance, following the last eleven epidemics (which ranged from Ebola to Swine Flu to the Pneumonic Plague), the S&P 500 realized an average gain of 10.14% over the six months and 13.62% over the twelve months following the end of the event. A notable example- upon declaration that the SARS epidemic was over in April 2003, the S&P 500 gained 14.59% over the following six months and 20.76% over the ensuing twelve months. Another consideration- over the past eleven major epidemics, the S&P 500 has gained 91% of the time six months and 82% of the time twelve months after an epidemic comes to a close. This market has made it extremely difficult for many investors to navigate and I completely understand. The bottom of the fall is impossible for any of us to predict, and uncertainty drives fear. However, understanding history and what drives these events can help ease anxiety and foster patience while waiting for a return to normalcy. Knowledge can also encourage investors to seize the opportunity to act while prices are depressed, snagging more shares at lower prices before going back up. Remember, market corrections are normal and often viewed as healthy. They can drive out speculators and lower prices allowing more people to come into the market investing in their futures.

If you have any questions about the current financial markets or would like to discuss your situation, please contact the offices of Black Bull Capital Partners. We’re here to help. (513) 489-BULL

**Dow Jones Industrial Average Historical Data *Marketwatch.com "How the Stockmarket has Performed During Past Viral Outbreaks as Corona Virus Spreads to Italy and Japan"

Well, I have always shared with my clients that "you have to look at the past to predict the future". Covid has caused health concerns and fear. The economy is doing well, considering and now we have an election. We are looking at the good, the bad and the ugly for the close of 2020 and the scary unknown as we enter 2021. Plan, Vote and Pray. Above all Pray. Thank you.

The greatest thing in life is things change!   Life never stays the same, and no one day is like the next, although sometimes in todays pandemic, it can feel like we are reliving the same day every day.   It is important to always safe for a rainy day, which of course is now.   Never ever take anyone or anything for granted.   Try to live for today, and enjoy life greatest gifts.   Look after our health and try to stay focused and positive and try to stay busy.  This too will pass.

Most of our clients are all about saving money, but of course during these trying times I'm sure everyone is trying to save where they can.  So many have lost their jobs or aren't working the same amount of hours as they use to.  It is our goal to try and help our insureds save money while keeping their coverage.  Not always are we able to save, but we do give our clients options.

I think people are due the current pandemic situation. People are saving more and are focused on protection. Life Insurance sales have increased 40% since March. I focus my clients on the short term plans...it's difficult to pretend 20-30 years from now. Goals are very important...goals are not a number but tangible things that motivate them..for example buying a home or paying down debt.

When it comes to finances, we are doing our best in helping our students at an early age with scholarships & grants to avoid future debt.