To Top
Login to DV Client Portal
Login to Schwab Alliance
Send secure files to Art Dinkin
Send secure files to Ihla Oertwig

Fiduciary

We provide the highest level of care and accountability. Everything we do must be in your best interest.

Complete Transparency

No magic tricks or distractions. Everything we do is transparent. Log into our online system to see your accounts any time, from any device, no matter where you may be.

Experienced

We have been serving client needs for over 30 years which means we probably have experience in situations like yours.

Local & Available

We are not a large institution. We are your neighbors who happen to offer financial expertise. When you call, we answer. When you need someone, we are here.

Different People. Unique Needs

Some people need help accumulating and growing wealth. Others need assistance with the responsibilities wealth creates. No matter your money issues, we will help you find the solutions which best fit

Retire Confident

Retirement is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but we have helped people retire comfortably and confidently for over 30 years. We can help you too.

Get Comfortable

We provide a safe and relaxed environment where you can be comfortable with your money.

Simplicity

It is our job to explain your money in simple and straight-forward terms, not to impress you with jargon and investment “speak”. You can never ask too many questions. 

Wealth is not determined by money

Wealth is determined by love, happiness, and relationships. The number of dollars in your account does not make you more or less than anyone else.

The media provides exposure, not advice

In this age of information overload, there are an over-whelming number of financial opinions. We help you focus on your specific financial goals by using our experience and knowledge as a filter to cut through the constant noise and chatter.

It takes two to tango

We provide the know-how; you provide direction and guidance. 

It is a journey,
not a destination

No matter what your stage of life and career, we can help you. As you change and grow, we adjust so your plan continues to fit your needs.

You are not your neighbor

There is no magic formula that works for everyone. We have the knowledge, experience and tools to help you plan and achieve your goals.

Independence brings freedom

Our “product” is our guidance and advice, not specific investments. We are neutral and transparent when selecting the solutions necessary to implement your plan.

Investing, not trading

It is not flashy, but the long term outlook has stood the test of time. We seek to capitalize on this trend through patience and discipline rather than guessing when to zig and when to zag.

Putting it all together

All the parts of your life are connected. Getting to know you goes beyond your finances. We want to know your values, hopes, and dreams so your success is not purely financial. A life measured only in dollars can never be rich. 

Blog Posts
Back
Back
 
11
Apr 2011
By Art Dinkin

Economic Update: April 2011

I recently wrote about the state of the U.S. economy. Now that we are into April, J.P. Morgan Asset Management has provided new charts so we need to see what has changed.

In my last economic status I reported that the economy had lost $554 billion of economic output during the recent recession, but had already gained back $469 billion. The most recent figures are even better. The economy has recovered $571 billion of economic output since the recession ended. In other words, we have now regained all the economic output we "lost" during the recession. Even more encouraging, while the economy grew at an annual rate of 2.6% during the 3rd quarter of 2010, it accelerated to 3.1% during the 4th quarter. Keep in mind that the 20 year average for economic growth is 2.5%.

But all is not entirely well. Despite the recent drop in unemployment to 8.8%,

we are still short some 7 million jobs from before the recession.

It is important to note that we may see a rise in the unemployment rate, even if more jobs are gained in the economy. That is because unemployment rates only count people who are actively looking for work, and many unemployed workers have become so discouraged that they have simply given up trying to find a job. As the economy improves, they may decide to start looking again and including them may cause the unemployment rate to rise.

Perhaps the continued unemployment coupled with the still unrecovered housing market and the increased cost of gasoline at the pumps is keeping consumer sentiment quite pessimistic.

But as investors, we need to be able to filter through the emotion and look for the opportunities. Inflation has been low, but we are beginning to see it rise; especially in early indicators such as commodities. Low but rising inflation has occurred 7 times since 1971. While past performance is not indicative of future results, we can ascertain where the best asset categories may be for our investments. If history is destined to repeat itself, right now the best places to invest are in stocks and commodities.

One commodity I am personally avoiding right now is gold. At over $1400 per ounce, it has enjoyed quite a run up. The last major run up in gold was in the late 1970's when it peaked at $850 per ounce in January 1980 (inflation adjusted price was about $326; today's inflation adjusted price is about $250). Similar to today, the late 70's were a period of economic uncertainty. The reasons were all different, but the uncertainty was the same. The observation is simple, once the uncertainty leaves popular sentiment, the price of gold will fall. If you had purchased $850 gold in 1980, it would have taken approximately 27 years for you just to recover your investment. In inflation adjusted terms, you still have not caught up.

Moving forward, I believe we are in the midst of great investment opportunity, but it will take careful selection to take advantage of it.

Recent Posts