We’ve Moved! 6121 Excelsior Blvd. St. Louis Park, MN 55416

Joe Lucey

Holiday Rewards Shopping

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To help save money this holiday season, take a look at how many rewards points you’ve accumulated on your credit cards. If you’re not saving them for airline tickets, browse the company’s rewards website to find out what other goods, services and gift cards you may be able to exchange them for.

If you have a substantial accumulation of rewards points that can be used for travel, consider gifting them to friends or family — even using them to help pay for their travel to visit you during the holidays. Check with your specific credit card issuers for instructions on how to redeem or gift rewards points.

The Multifactor Approach

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The multifactor approach to investing combines multiple variables, like size and volatility, with the goal of achieving more consistent performance over time. The idea is that when one factor is underperforming, the other factor may be outperforming.

There are merits to various approaches to investing, whether you’re seeking out lower volatility or larger returns. However, over time, even investments traditionally associated with good long-term performance will occasionally underperform. The idea of multifactor investing is that different factors perform well at different times, and the diversification may be able to help avoid volatility.

The multi-factor approach is based on the following tenets:

  • Similar stocks tend to have similar risk/return profiles
  • Filtering information mathematically instead of qualitatively allows for the identification of specific underlying factors that drive returns
  • This mathematical approach eliminates human or subjective behavioral biases

Please remember that investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values.

A Vision of Health

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Gradual vision loss is part of the aging process, but it affects people of all ages. In fact, about 75 percent of all adult Americans use some sort of vision correction: 64 percent wear glasses; 11 percent wear contacts. On top of that, 14 percent use non-prescription glasses for reading.

Research has found that eating certain types of foods may actually help prevent vision problems. For example, vitamins C and E and the mineral zinc have been shown to help slow the progression of macular degeneration.

Eating foods rich in lutein and zeaxanthin are believed to aid pigment density in the macula. These two carotenoids are found in kale, spinach, Swiss chard, collard greens, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and orange peppers.

Another good food for retinal health is the omega-3 fatty acid DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), which exists in wild-caught Alaskan salmon, sardines, flaxseed and walnuts. Alaskan salmon also contains astaxanthin, which offers protection from ultraviolet radiation. Some studies have claimed astaxanthin is an important nutrient that may help prevent blindness.

Although difficult to find, the bilberry (a close relative of the blueberry) contains high amounts of anthocyanins, which may help protect eyes during retinal inflammation. Black currants also contain this nutrient.

And finally, there is some evidence that the natural bright light of being outdoors may enhance vision health through (conservative) exposure to UVB rays, which generates the production of vitamin D.

Attention: Upcoming Educational Event on September 8th on How To MAXIMIZE Your Social Security Income

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We wanted to give you a quick heads up on something. If you haven’t already heard the news, we are doing an exclusive educational event on “How to MAXIMIZE Your Social Security Income”. This is a topic that our clients have expressed quite a bit of interest in lately and we feel it could be of tremendous benefit to you and your spouse as well.

During this educational event, we’ll be walking step by step through everything you need to know about Social Security including the most recent sweeping changes to your election options, and we’ll be spending time to answer any remaining questions you may have. Because of the huge amount of interest we have seen in this topic lately, we expect this event to fill up quickly. So if you are at all interested we highly encourage you to sign up for you and your spouse to attend today. Here are the details for you to join us:

  • When: Thursday, September 8th at 6:30 PM
  • Where: 5775 Wayzata Blvd. Suite 820, St. Louis Park, MN 55416

CALL 952-460-3260 OR CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO AND TO SIGN UP NOW!

You may be thinking that you already know everything there is to know about how to maximize your social security income, but trust me you won’t want to miss this educational event. The time you and your spouse or guest invest in this will save you a TON of time and money as well as give you exclusive insight into what works best for your unique situation.

CALL 952-460-3260 OR CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO AND TO SIGN UP NOW!

Someone will contact you to confirm your reservation

Independence Day

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Congress voted to draft the Declaration of Independence on July 2nd, 1776 they asked Thomas Jefferson to write the document. It was revised, approved and signed 2 days later on July 4th. At the time, there was some debate about whether July 2nd or the 4th would be considered the anniversary of American independence.

To observe the anniversary a 13 shot salute was fired twice on July 4th, 1977 in Bristol, Rhode Island. Other cities and towns began to celebrate the holiday with meals, parades, music, and fireworks. Independence Day was declared a federal paid holiday in 1938.

Jefferson and Declaration signer John Adams both died exactly 50 years later on July 4, 1926. James Monroe, another signer, and former President passed away on July 4th, 1931. Future President Calvin Coolidge was born on July 4th, 1872.

We celebrate the foresight of the forefathers that crafted the Declaration of Independence.  We hope you enjoy the coming holiday.

If you’re interested in the financial independence that grows from a sound retirement plan, we can help. Call us for a free review at 952-460-3260,

or listen in! Every Saturday Derek Fautsch and Joe Lucey talk about retirement planning on Secured Retirement Radio at 9 am on KTLK 1130 A.M. in the Twin Cities.

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The Greatest

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I was trying to describe the legend of Muhammad Ali to my sons. I explained boxing’s popularity through the 80’s and that this combined with Ali’s skill, wit and charisma made him a larger than life character for generations. In his lifetime Ali was a friend to many big and small, he dined with heads of state and once talked a suicide jumper from a 9th-floor perch. Except for Tiger Woods, I can’t think of a sports celebrity who has approached Ali’s level of recognition. We may never again see the likes of this kind of celebrity again.

Ali retired in the early 80s living bravely with Parkinson’s until he passed away last week. He was truly one of “The Greatest”.

Every Saturday Derek Fautsch and Joe Lucey talk about retirement planning on Secured Retirement Radio at 9 am on KTLK 1130 A.M.  in the Twin Cities. If we can help you be informed about retirement options. Call us for a free review at 952-460-3260.