(Michael Farr) - We typically focus our market commentaries on discussions of topics that impact the equity markets. However, Farr, Miller & Washington also manages bond and balanced portfolios for its clients. A couple of things have happened over the past 2 years that have transformed the once boring fixed income market into something a bit more interesting. Today's blast will focus primarily on big changes that have occurred in the municipal bond market and how Farr, Miller & Washington is taking advantage, on a very selective basis, of these dislocations when building conservative bond portfolios.

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(Tad Majerek) - Is it possible to put more away in your retirement plan. Yes, with the Cash Balance Plan. The CBP is a hybrid of a traditional defined benefit plan and a 401(k) plan. This combination is often a good fit for professional service organizations, such as doctors groups, law firms, consultants and high net worth business owners of closely held companies which have demonstrated a consistent profit pattern and will continue to do so for several more years. The Cash Balance Plan offers an enhanced retirement vehicle which allows for accelerated retirement savings, while taking advantage of potentially tremendous tax benefits. Depending on the situation as much as $200,000 per individual.

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(Michael Schwartz) - CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS As a general rule, you may deduct the full amount of monetary donations made to qualified charitable organizations. If you donate appreciated property held for more than one year, you can generally deduct the fair-market value of the property.

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(Michael Schwartz) - Remember the movie The Money Pit where a young couple struggles to repair a hopelessly dilapidated house that literally falls in around them? That 1980s slapstick comedy may not be funny for many first-time homebuyers dealing with unexpected bills that squelch the joys of home ownership. To avoid surprises that could move you from your dream house into the poor house, follow these suggestions:

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(Marcel Dupre) - There are many opportunities that this financial crisis has opened for us. Here are a few things you can do or we can do for you at this time:

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(Marcel Dupre) - You will soon be bombarded with the name “Roth” in the media because of some changes coming next year. Beginning in 2010, two important changes are scheduled to take effect for converting to a Roth.

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(Rick Willoughby) - TIC properties are best known as replacement property in a 1031 exchange. Many investors also use these acquisitions for cash and IRA investments.

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(Sidney Blum) - Investing in broad based indexes such as the S & P 500 is generally less expensive than most index mutual funds.

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(Heidi Burgoyne) - How many people sit around dreaming of the day that they win the jackpot lottery or a long lost uncle suddenly dies leaving their entire fortune? Sudden money can come in the form of inheritance, legal settlements, stock options, sale of a business, life insurance, professional contracts and more.

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(Heidi Burgoyne) - Asset Allocation is responsible for over 90% of the variance in portfolio performance. However many investors are afraid to rebalance in this market due to high volatility.

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