Creating A Plan For Living

Clients need help planning and outlining their goals for a comfortable and fulfilling retirement. The Plan for Living Presentation was developed to outline some major risks that may jeopardize retirement income.

Potential action steps are identified with the help of targeted questions and practical worksheets for the clients to complete. The Plan For Living Workbook helps lay the foundation for better planning discussions, data analysis, asset gathering and financial product sales including LONG TERM CARE insurance, LIFE INSURANCE and ANNUITIES.

 

The main retirement risks that are addressed:

• Running out of money
• Unexpected health-related costs
• Leaving loved ones unprepared
• Cost of long term care
• Retirement withdrawal strategy
• Social Security Benefits

Want more information on how to use this system to conduct compelling interviews? Call us at 1-866-225-1786 to learn more.

How Much Of Your Nest Egg Would You Like Guaranteed?

You may have heard me ask this question, “How much of your nest egg would you like guaranteed?” The answer almost always is “100%”.

Annuities offer very strong guarantees. The reason why some clients don’t have at least some of their nest egg in annuities is because they think that annuities have high costs, low liquidity, low earnings potential, etc….

We need to help them become more educated on the costs, liquidity, earnings potential, etc… of our annuity products.

Let’s take a look at the earnings potential, since I think this may be one of the main reasons why clients may not be looking to annuities.

I’ve been talking about Opportunity Cost with agents and how the crediting potential of annuities compares to other options. While it is true that products like Fixed Indexed Annuities may be capped on the maximum your client may receive in crediting, you need to remember that annuities should not be compared to equities.

These products are a great safe money alternative. What do you normally consider as a safe money vehicle? When you compare the crediting potential of the annuity to those other safe money vehicles, you can see there really is either no opportunity costs or very little opportunity cost.

Do you think that with no opportunity cost or very little opportunity cost and stronger guarantees, that clients may prefer an annuity over other alternatives?

I do.

Indulge As The Romans Do

Rome may be known for its history and architecture, but the cafes and pastry shops are two things you definitely won't want to miss out on. Hone in on two of your most powerful senses by experiencing a few of the following culinary wonders.

Caffè Sant'Eustachio – Located just a few hundred yards from the Pantheon, this coffee shop tops the list of nearly every local coffee drinker’s favorite destination. It was founded in the late 1930s and still holds many of its original furnishings; even the stainless steel bar. Take note, however, if you prefer your cappuccino or cafe espresso unsweetened - let them know; both are served zuccherato (with sugar).

Cristalli Di Zucchero – Its name translates literally to sugar crystals; what could be bad about that? Cristalli Di Zucchero specializes in pretty cakes and miniatures pastries and is said to be the best pastry shop in all of Rome. Stop in for a quick pick-me-up to keep you going during a day of sightseeing.

Said – Calling all chocolate lovers! If you find yourself around Via Tiburtina, do yourself a favor and detour into the Said chocolate factory. Founded in 1923, this chocolate paradise specializes in handmade chocolates and other concoctions. The caprese and torta di pere e cioccolato are widely raved about.

Winning The Sales War

Table Bay Financial has the great pleasure of working with and consulting with successful advisors throughout the country. The truth is, we all want the same thing…we want a greater level of success.

Everyone’s definition of success may be slightly different… some advisors with whom we work want a higher level of personal income, some are focused on building a more efficient business, and some just want more free time to enjoy the successes they've worked hard to achieve.

There are only three ways to increase your level of success. When I share these three variables with advisors with whom we consult, there’s usually an instant moment of clarity. The irony is that these three success variables aren't earth shattering, but having a clear understanding of the impact they can have on the bottom line is essential.

Success variable #1 – WALLET SHARE - if you get more wallets share from the clients you currently have and from prospective clients, you’ll obviously drive more premium and increase your income. This is accomplished by adding products and services into your overall mix.

Success variable #2 – INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES - in baseball terms, this is simple… The more at-bats that you get, the more hits you will get. In business terms, this is marketing. Get in front of more people. Frankly, this is one of the biggest things we work with advisors on – helping them create effective marketing campaigns to increase their opportunities. As much as we hate the cliché that “it’s a numbers game,” guess what… It’s a numbers game!

Success variable #3 – INCREASE CLOSING PERCENTAGE – if we want to stick with the baseball analogy, this is about getting in the batting cages working on your approach at the plate in order to increase your batting average. In business terms, this means becoming a more effective rainmaker – closing more opportunities.

It Is, As It Were, The Visible Image Of The Universe

The Pantheon, meaning “every god” in Greek, is one of the greatest works of architecture in Rome, and frankly, in the entire world.  Built around 126 AD, the Pantheon is the best-preserved ancient building in the city. This is due in large part to the fact that it was turned into a church in 609 AD after being presented to Pope Boniface IV, so its repairs and upkeep has been immensely thorough.

The building’s spiritual history is quite interesting. Historians know it was a pagan temple before being turned into a church; however, no one truly knows which god was worshiped here. This confusion is partially blamed on the building’s name. Because it pulls from the Greek word meaning “every god”, there is no way to pinpoint which god or gods were worshiped to. The Pantheon was also used as a tomb, and was made the final resting place for the famous Renaissance painter Raphael and his fiancée, Maria, as well as the Italian kings Vittorio Emanuele II and Umberto I.

Walking in, many visiting tourists feel a sense of calmness, frequently related to the building’s perfect proportions; the dome’s height from the floor is equal to its diameter. Additionally, its oculus, a 9-meter hole in the center of the dome, lets in daylight making it easy to see the immeasurably spiritual significance this building had in its ancient years.

The Pantheon’s architecture has inspired a multitude of Renaissance and contemporary architects. Brunelleschi and Michelangelo both drew from the Pantheon to design the domes of the Duomo of Florence and St. Peter’s Basilica. Furthermore, the Jefferson Memorial, Low Memorial Library, National Gallery of Art, US Capitol, and Pantheon in Paris were all inspired by the Pantheon. 

The Pope Is Calling Your Name

If this will be your first trip to Rome, visiting Vatican City is more than likely a must see prerequisite. Home to approximately 920 full-time residents and 3,000 workers, the Vatican City is the smallest recognized country in the world. 

St. Peter’s Basilica

According to many, St. Peter’s Basilica is said to be the largest church in the world.  Designed by Donato Bramante, Michelangelo, Carlo Maderno, and Gian Lorenzo Bernini, this work of art is the most renowned work of Renaissance architecture as its dome dominates the Roman skyline. Construction of the current basilica was finished in November 1626, replacing the Old St. Peter’s Basilica of 4^th century AD. Pertinent to its name, it is the burial site of its titular, St. Peter, who was the head of the twelve Apostles of Jesus. Upon arrival to the historic church, you will encounter a multitude of architectural masterpieces; Maderno’s Façade, the Narthex and portals, and Maderno’s nave.

Museums

The museums situated within the Vatican City display works of art from the vast collection built by Popes throughout the centuries. Included are some of the most renowned classical sculptures and masterpieces of Renaissance art in the world. The museums you can explore are:

       Pinacoteca Vaticana – home to some of the most famous paintings in the world
       Collection of Modern Religious Art - houses paintings and sculptures from historic artists
       Museo Pio-Clementio - home to works of Greek and Roman sculptures
       Museo Gregoriano Etrusco - home to pieces found during archaeological excavations
       Museo Gregoriano Egiziano - where you can find a grand collection of Ancient Egyptian Material
       Vatican Historical Museum - where visitors can see the collection of portraits of the Popes, memorable items of the Papal Military, and past Popemobiles

The Vatican City, home to the Catholic Church, is one of the most breathtaking sites in the world, so do yourself a favor and take in its beauty. 

When The Colosseum Falls, Rome Will Fall; But When Rome Falls, The World Will End

When the possibility of traveling to Rome arises, many sights and attractions come to mind - the first of which

for many is the historic Colosseum. This amphitheater is most famously known for hosting gladiator games, where combatants would entertain audiences in violent confrontations with other gladiators, wild animals, and condemned criminals. Another prominent event was the animal hunt, or venatio. This genre of entertainment was often elaborately staged and involved the hunting and killing of wild animals imported from the Middle East and Africa. Though the colosseum has a bloody history, less gruesome events occurred such as simulated sea battles, recreations of natural scenes, and reenacted mythological legends.

Completed in 80 A.D., Rome’s most renowned classical ruin, also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, is considered one of the greatest works of architecture and engineering of all time.  Constructed from brick and concrete, the exteriors were faced in travertine held together by 300 tons of iron clamps, and the interiors in marble. The 'cavea' (spectator) bleachers were set on three different levels: the 'podium' with the imperial box, reserved for the nobles; the 'ordine del mezzo', for Roman citizens and people of a certain standing; and the 'summa,' for the rest of the populous.

Though restorative projects have taken place over the centuries since its construction, the site’s first full cleaning and repair is underway. The public-private partnership between Diego Della Valle and local officials is set to clean and restore the Colosseum’s arcaded façade as well as replace the metal enclosures that block the ground-level arches. Furthermore, the €25 million restoration project aims to create a services center and restore the galleries and underground spaces inside the Colosseum.

Whether you have an itch for the deep-rooted mythological history, an eye for architectural design, or a simple curiosity, this historic ruin is one attraction you do not want to miss.