Doesn’t 2010 seem like a long way off? It’s not if you are a wise woman planning your tax strategy. 2010 is the year of the Roth for all.

Under current tax rules, you can convert a traditional IRA (tax deferred) to a Roth IRA (tax-free IRA) only if your modified adjusted gross income is no more than $100,000 a year. However, starting in 2010, there is no income limit for conversions of your traditional IRA into a Roth. And, you get to spread your tax payments over two years. By converting your traditional retirement funds to a Roth gives you the ability to make contributions in the future that will grow tax free. Any profits coming back into the Roth from your savvy, self-directed investments comes back tax free as well!

Plan now to take advantage of the 2010 provision and Grow Rich tax free! For more information on the 2010 Roth Provision, visit www.theentrustgroup.com.

1. Won’t be able to maintain standard of living
2. Will outlive money after retirement
3. House will lose value (for many, this is their only asset)
4. Won’t be able to pay medical or health care costs
5. Concerned they or a spouse will lose their job over the next 12 months

What can you do to insulate yourself from these worries? Open an IRA or a 401(k) today. Put as much away as you can afford, and invest the money, don’t just leave it sitting there in an account. For more information on alternative ways to invest your IRA or 401(k), log onto www.theentrustgroup.com. As the nations largest third party administrator, Entrust can help you manage your financial future with investments you understand and control.

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE .
‘If you’re going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning.’

2. My mother taught me RELIGION.
‘You better pray that will come out of the carpet.’

3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL .
‘If you don’t straighten up, I’m going to knock you into the middle of next week!’

4. My mother taught me LOGIC.
‘ Because I said so, that’s why.’

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC .
‘If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you’re not going to the store with me.’

6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.
‘Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you’re in an accident.’

7. My mother taught me IRONY
‘Keep crying, a nd I’ll give you something to cry about.’

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS .
‘Shut your mouth and eat your supper.’

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM.
‘Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!’

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA.
‘You’ll sit there until all that spinach is gone.’

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER .
‘This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it.’

12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
‘If I told you once, I’ve told you a million times. Don’t exaggerate!’

13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
‘I brought you into this world, and I can take you out.’

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.
‘Stop acting like your father!’

15. My mother taught me about ENVY.
‘There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don’t have wonderful parents like you do.’

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
‘Just wait until we get home.’

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING .
‘You are going to get it when you get home!’

18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
‘If you do n’t stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way.’

19. My mother taught me ESP.
‘Put your sweater on; don’t you think I know when you are cold?’

20. My mother taught me HUMOR .
‘When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don’t come running to me.’

21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT .
‘If you don’t eat your vegetables, you’ll never grow up.’

22. My mother taught me GENETICS.
‘You’re just like your father.’

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS .
‘Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?’

24. My mother taught me WISDOM.
‘When you get to be my age, you’ll understand.’

25. And my favorite: My mother taught me about JUSTICE
‘One day you’ll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you.’

Every worn out woman needs a place to think, to recharge those batteries and renew. Whether it is yoga, a day spa, or a soak in your bathtub, taking a “timeout” everyday does help your perspective. This is especially true when life seems like an endless treadmill of stress, distractions and long hours. We may have a lot of experiences but are we really enjoying our journey?

When your children throw temper tantrums, do you issue a time out? When they take the time out, do they come back quieter and calmer than they were before the tantrum? This is the same for us. Take a time out and get perspective, and balance in your life! You will be happier and more productive, and your kids, spouse, employer and clients will notice! Time outs are not just for kids!

Happy Mother’s Day. May you get the best gift of all…time.
Lisa

If you are worried that you will not have enough money saved for retirement, join the crowd. We, the baby boomers, are also known as the sandwich generation. We have kids in college and aging parents who may need financial help. It’s surprising that there is any money left over to save for our old age after we are through taking care of our other responsibilities.

Only about 40% of us have saved more than $100 K in our retirement plans. If we retire tomorrow at age 65, $100 K will probably not be enough to carry us into our 80s with the income necessary to meet everyday expenses. We need to get real and start accumulating assets now that will grow and give us a comfortable financial future. A Lincoln Retirement Institute survey indicates that 84% of men and 56% of women will return to work if retirement funds run short. What if there isn’t enough work for those who must work to make ends meet? 6% of men and 16% of women will turn to family to help them if they run out of cash. What if they don’t have the money or worse, they don’t want to help you?

We need to get real! We need to make saving for our retirement the priority. The children can get student loans or the parents may qualify for government assistance. We live in the moment with our responsibilities and day to day living. But what about your financial future? Who will take care of you?

I bet nobody. That said, I believe YOU MUST PLAN NOW to make the money you will need to take care of you for the rest of your life.

Sure, you can cut back on expenses, relocate to a more affordable place, possibly qualify for government assistance (if there is any left). Are forced choices how you want to live?

There is a saying I am sure many of you have heard: “God takes care of those who take care of themselves.” It is up to you to start today….with a self-directed IRA. Need I say more? www.theentrustgroup.com

Americans who have money stored in individual retirement accounts tend to hang on to it for use in the later years of retirement, according to a study by The Investment Company Institute, a Washington, DC based trade association.

Savers who withdraw funds before age 59 ½ are subject to a 10% penalty; savers older than age 59 ½ but younger than 70 ½ may take withdrawals without penalty. But once you reach 70 ½, the law mandates “required minimum distributions” based on IRS tables.

The goal as you age should be to sock away as much as you are eligible in your individual retirement plan. Investing for wealth accumulation and growing your next egg should be a top concern. With an Entrust self-directed IRA, you have the ability to invest in what you know best! Contact your local Entrust specialist to learn more! www.theentrustgroup.com

Earth Day is today, April 22nd but you can celebrate all year long by taking advantage of these three earth friendly ideas that will help you use resources wisely at home.

1. Do an energy audit. Zero in on your home’s problem areas and you may be able to cut utility costs and help the environment at the same time. Check out the U.S. Department Energy Audit at eere.energy.gov to help you get started.

2. Consider a solar water heater, especially if you plan on staying in your home for the long term.

3. Cut back on water usage. According to the American Water Works Association, 69.3 gallons of water are used daily per person in a single family home. Surely we could do something about this.

Let’s all do our part for the environment! Happy Earth Day. Lisa

Tomorrow, April 15th, is the IRS tax deadline. Have you made your contributions to your IRA? Do it now! Call The Entrust Group and get your account set up! You cannot afford to wait another day. www.theentrustgroup.com

Did you know…
30% of the population is over the age of 50?
44% of men and 33% of women are working past age 55?
Our life expectancy (as of 2007) is 85.2 years on average?
Those born after 1964 know better than to count on Social Security and Medicare to help pay their expenses when they retire?

Can you afford not to contribute to your IRA? Even if you cannot afford the max under your individual plan, put something away so it can grow tax deferred or tax free! April 15th is just a few days away. To open a self-directed IRA, visit the experts at www.theentrustgroup.com today. After all, if you don’t take care of your financial future, who will?

Most professional financial advisers will tell you the secret of growing your wealth is to review your portfolio periodically. This is especially true in your retirement plan where you may be holding assets for the long term.

If we want to look forward to a comfortable old age with any degree of confidence, then our retirement plan must work for us! By taking a look at our options and potentially rethinking our strategy, we take a fresh look at allocation and investment to be sure we are meeting our goals and objectives.

A portion of your retirement plan needs to have a self-directed component, whether it is an IRA or a Qualified Plan. The experts at The Entrust Group can educate you as to how a truly self-directed IRA or 401(k) benefits you as well as how to get started funding a self-directed plan today. Visit www.theentrustgroup.com for an office near you!

We are fortunate we have options in our financial planning. Don’t you owe it to yourself to take a fresh look at your retirement planning and invest in what you know, understand and can watch grow?