March 13, 2018

I think our start to March weather qualifies as lion-like (or at least an angry cat) so maybe we can look forward to a lamb-like finish.  The markets seem ready to turn the corner from the down and volatile February.  This would be nice and might allow us to sleep a bit better, but a quick turnaround is not necessary for our long-term goals.  Remember, markets fluctuate and the longer our favorite investments are undervalued, the better the buying opportunities.

Spring is on the way.  Heck, it may have even arrived by the time I get this newsletter out—by the calendar, it arrives on Tuesday, March 20^th.  On that day darkness and daylight equally split that day.  The internal clock of things that are alive roll over from dormant to growth.  We humans de-winterize our boats, drag-out lawn-mowers and prepare to leave the stale air of indoor living and get outside.  We can perhaps wash the car without our fingers falling off!

Spring brings the scrambling and shuffling of paper to pull together all documents and forms the tax preparer needs.  And by April 15^th we must pay the Internal Revenue Service their due.  By the way, Tax-Freedom Day last year was calculated to be April 23^rd.  Americans paid about $3.3 Trillion in Federal Taxes and $1.6 Trillion in State taxes.  The symbolic American worker must work until April 23 before we are permitted any wages for ourselves.  As a business owner paying both sides of Social Security and Medicare, it feels like I need to work until December.

If you live near Chestertown, this can be a time to finally clear out those old documents you have been saving for no apparent reason.  Our Shredding Day is scheduled for May 16^th between 9:30 and 11:30 in front of the office.  Put it on the calendar and start setting aside a box(es) of stuff for shredding.  If you can’t make it that day drop them off here and I’ll store it in our downstairs dungeon until that day.

Spring is for action.  It’s a great time to look at where you are now and where you are going.  Are you saving enough?  Are you spending too much?  Do you have the right Life Insurance amounts?  Is it time to increase your 401K contributions?  (If you turn 50 years old this year you can start your catch-up.)  What are you procrastinating about?  Something you know needs to be done, but just can’t make yourself start?  Spring is the time of year to toss that monkey off your back.  You have waited too long—just do it!

In that vein, our partner Advisor, Kristen Owen is doing a seminar for investors in their Spring years.  On April 5^th between 6 & 8 pm at the Chester River Yacht and Country Club.  See the next page for the flyer.  I’ll be there—and I have it on good information that the bank might just pick up the tab for a couple of drinks.  Stop in and we can talk about anything financial.  It would help if you RSVP to Jenna at jputman@chesadvisors.com.  Thanks for reading, Marty