MEDIA REVIEWS - April 16-23, 2010

Yes, but what's the point of life planning? What do you DO with this "relationship with money" information that you collect? Roy Diliberto suggests that clients who reach their own Aha! moments can become better clients, better consumers, more functional people--which ultimately benefits the planning process without a lot of interference on your part. Meanwhile, this month's FA cover story points out that smaller advisory firms have thrived despite dire predictions to the contrary; technology and a willingness to work out of your home contribute to the success of microfirms--and they're not likely to go away.

There's also an article on managed payout funds--how they came to market at exactly the wrong time, and are now digging their way out of exactly the worst-case scenario for retirees: a disastrous first year of making scheduled distributions. Meanwhile, I was just about to think the housing crisis was over (prices appear to be rising here in San Diego) when my son sent me notice of a beautiful estate in a ski resort area in North Carolina which was foreclosed on by a local bank at almost $2 million, that is now on the market for $700,000. The higher end of the market clearly has some recovering to do...