National financial planning week

As of 12:35 this afternoon, the TSX was sitting at 12.484.13.  That's a 13.4 point drop from,,,,,,,, OMG 6 minutes ago,,,, oh wait, update flash,,, it's now at 12,487.90 only a 10.10 point drop.  All this in the time it took me to type this.  Good lord the TSX fluctuates like my weight.  Oh,, this just in,,,,,, TSX at 12,488.04 only a 9.96 point drop from previous close.  My point here folks is that we must have a long term view of the market.  Investor sentiment currently swings from mild indigestion to a full on diet of Maalox and Pepto!!

On March 09 2009 the TSX sat at a dismal 7,566.94.  I was rummaging around for tin mugs to get my soup feed ready.  As of today's markers in the mid 12,000 range we are looking at a 61% rebound in a little over a year.  On April 6 the market fell 4.4%.  On May 4th it fell 5.2%. On June 01 it fell 8.2%. on June 29 the market dropped 7.0%, and so on and so on.  My point is that for all the declines in the market, the overall trend is up.  I once heard it said last year that the market must fall in order for it to gain.  Nothing can be more true.  Have we seen massive gains in the market in the last year?  You bet.  Is the market going to fall again this year?  You bet.  Will there be money to be made this year? You bet.

My point is that it is not about timing the market.  It's about "time IN the market".  This is national financial planning week.  Many of you have plans.  That is great.  Many of you don't.  That's not so great, BUT, you can still plan.  That is great.  If you have a plan be sure to review it on a semi annual basis.  Pick up the phone and call that advisor you are paying your hard earned trailer fees to and ask them to meet with you.  You'll make their day.  Seriously.  Then have a frank discussion about what your goals are and ask the tough questions about how you can get there.  If you don't have an advisor,, well you can always call me, but you may also have someone you have been MEANING to call.  This is the week to do it.  Go on.  Take the time and make this week the week you set your security in motion.

Over and out.