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With one month until the elections, the program started with a discussion with State Rep. Randy Hunt as he discussed his priorities to make more efficient use of tax revenues aimed ultimately at saving the tax payers of Massachusetts money, and...
With one month until the elections, the program started with a discussion with State Rep. Randy Hunt as he discussed his priorities to make more efficient use of tax revenues aimed ultimately at saving the tax payers of Massachusetts money, and identifying possible ways to make existing services more effective at their goals. Reforms of EBT card use, income tax collection, and addition treatments for non-violent criminals using drugs are his top 3 legislative priorities for next term. After the first half hour, Randy raced off to the Sen. Scott Brown rally being held in Hyannis.
As this weekend marked the close of Financial Planning Week, Chris discussed the merits of financial planning in all stages of life. He expressed his thanks to the Centerville & Falmouth Public Libraries for hosting events for the Financial Planning Association during the week.
Attentions turned to the surprising decline in the unemployment rate down to 7.8%, while at the same time only 114,000 new jobs were added in September. Still, a very high unemployment rate, we learned a little about how these two different figures are calculated. Callers joined in to share perception that manipulation of the figures developed from surveys by the Bureau of Labor Statistics is virtually impossible, but data is revised and anomalies do occur from month to month.
The first half of the show came to a close with the Slade Mortgage Minute, when Mike Burton shared some of the advantages of a 7 year adjustable rate mortgage, designed for those only in need of a mortgage for a temporary period, but at incredibly low interest rates.
In the second half of the program, Chris Boyd was joined by another financial planner, Herb Montgomery. Herb shared some insights into Social Security spousal benefits, encouraging listeners to delay receipt of benefits until full retirement age, and sharing strategies that might allow to start benefits at one point, but increase them later.
In the final couple of segments of the program, attentions returned to politics as both the 2nd Senate Debate and the 1st Presidential Debates were discussed. Chris highlighted a few of what he thought were strengths and weaknesses in the debate performances. Fundamentally, though, Chris thought the contrast between the presidential candidates needs to focus more on "Leadership," and he elaborated on his views on how the times we are facing as a nation call for greater leadership characteristics than we have seen if we are going to have greater confidence in the direction of foreign policy, and an ability to tackle the solvency challenges facing the entitlements of Medicare and Social Security. Solutions to all of these problems start with greater economic strength which will lead to jobs and thus tax revenues through economic expansion.
Join us next week as Chris will be discussing the investment environment with suggestions for investor perspectives as we look to the final quarter of 2012. Politics will no doubt also be an important part of the program as guests will include State Senator Dan Wolf and perhaps others. He'll also be eager to review Thursday's Vice Presidential Debate.
