Brian Fricke - America's Worry Free Retirement Expert » Recent News

Retirement Planning Expert and Financial Advisor, Brian Fricke, Discusses Bond Strategies

admin — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:50:44 +0000

Brian Fricke, author and retirement planning expert, recently published an article to discuss a rising investment concern for many – bond strategies.

Orlando, Fla. – March 9, 2010 – Brian Fricke, “Worry Free Retirement” author/expert and Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), recently published an article on his website, http://www.BrianFricke.com, titled, “Bond Strategies in a Rising Interest Rate Environment.” Brian wrote the article to confront a rising concern from his clients and others about how bonds will perform when interest rates start to go up.

“In general terms, when we put bonds into someone’s investment account, we are buying an individual bond, and we intend to hold that bond until it matures or it’s called by the issuer. And if we are paying face value for the bond, then we are going to get all of our money back when the bond is called or matures,” wrote Fricke.

“While we hold the bond, we get the stated interest rate or the coupon interest rate that the bond is supposed to be paying. The value of the bond itself will vary one month to the next – it moves up when interest rates drop, and loses value when interest rates go up. This is why some people are expressing concern right now, when most people believe interest rates can’t go much lower. Because this means that bond values are likely going to go down,” Brian continued.

Brian explains how this isn’t a huge concern for most of his clients and accounts, because they intend to hold the bond until it comes due. “When we do that, we get all of all our money back,” he remarked. In the article, Brian also gives two distinct strategies for making money with bonds when interest rates go up. These and other specifics are addressed in the article, which can be found at http://www.brianfricke.com/articles/bond-strategies-in-a-rising-interest-rate-environment-3.php

Orlando Business Journal has named Financial Management Concepts one of the top financial planning companies in Central Florida. Financial Advisor magazine – an industry trade journal- has recognized him as one of the leading financial planning firms in America. Brian Fricke is a Certified Financial Planner. Financial Management Concepts is a Fee Only Financial Planning firm. They currently manage over $98 million of investment assets for a select community of clients.

Upcoming, Brian will be holding a special book-signing event in The Villages, Fla. on Monday, March 8th, 2010. The event will be held at Carrabba’s Italian Grill™ on Hwy 441 at 3 pm. Brian is encouraging clients to bring friends to receive a complimentary copy of his book, “Worry Free Retirement: Do What You Want, When You Want, Where You Want.”

For more information about Brian Fricke and Financial Management Concepts, please visit http://www.BrianFricke.com. You can also call toll free 1-800-294-4917 or send an email request to info@fmcretire.com

About Brian L. Fricke, CFP®:

Brian Fricke is the Author of “Worry Free Retirement, Do What You Want, When you Want, Where You Want”.

For the last 6 years in a row Brian and his company – Financial Management Concepts – have been named one of America’s Top Wealth Managers.

Orlando Business Journal has named his firm one of the top financial planning companies in Central Florida. Financial Advisor magazine – an industry trade journal- has recognized him as one of the leading financial planning firms in America.

If you’ve been in Central Florida over 10 years, you may have heard him on the radio. He used to host his own show on WDBO radio. He’s also served on the City of Winter Springs Board of Trustees Pension Fund.

Brian is a Certified Financial Planner. His firm – Financial Management Concepts – is a Fee Only Financial Planning firm. They currently manage over $98 million of investment assets for a select community of clients.

Brian and his team have worked with retirees and pre-retirees from companies like AT&T, Sprint, Harris, Lockheed Martin and Siemens/Westinghouse.
For more information, please visit http://www.BrianFricke.com

Retirement Planning Expert, Brian Fricke, To Hold Book-Signing Event for “Worry-Free Retirement” in The Villages, Fla.

admin — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 20:40:25 +0000

Brian Fricke, author and retirement planning expert, will hold a book-signing event in The Villages, Fla. on March 9th, 2010, for his book, “Worry Free Retirement.”

Orlando, Fla. – March 1, 2010 – Brian Fricke, “Worry Free Retirement” author/expert and Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), will be holding a special book-signing event in The Villages, Fla. on Monday, March 8th, 2010. The event will be held at Carrabba’s Italian Grill™ on Hwy 441 at 3 pm.

Brian is encouraging clients to bring friends to receive a complimentary copy of his book, “Worry Free Retirement: Do What You Want, When You Want, Where You Want.” Brian wanted to hold an event that was a fun, low-key and non-threatening way to introduce himself and the concepts in his book to anyone in the area who is concerned about their retirement years.

The book reveals how to find the right financial planner that has the client’s best interest in mind at all times, as well as the single biggest issue that those retiring before age 65 face. Brian said, “The biggest issue that they face is medical insurance. 10 years ago it wasn’t that big of an issue, but nowadays, health insurance is a much bigger part of a budget, and it needs to be discussed and planned thoroughly.”

“Worry Free Retirement” includes a chapter called “The New Definition of Retirement.” Brian remarked that “last generation’s retirement consisted of working for one company for your entire working life a retire somewhere between 62-65 on pension and social security, and then do nothing other than leisure activities.”

“The new definition of retirement is folks choosing whether to continue working on their terms, as opposed to an employer’s terms, in areas that bring joy and satisfaction into their life – and not suck joy and satisfaction out of their life,” Brian added.

As a service to their clients as well as the general public, Brian Fricke and Financial Management Concepts have recently launched the “Coffee Crew,” a live weekly teleconference call series to discuss current economic and lifestyle issues that affect retirees and anyone wanting to retire within the next 5 years.

About Brian L. Fricke, CFP®:

Brian Fricke is the Author of “Worry Free Retirement, Do What You Want, When you Want, Where You Want”.

For the last 6 years in a row Brian and his company – Financial Management Concepts – have been named one of America’s Top Wealth Managers.

Retirement Planning Expert, Brian Fricke, Weighs In on Financial Aspect of Health Care Reform

admin — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 18:35:15 +0000

Brian Fricke, author and retirement planning expert, gives financial perspective on American health care reform, offering six simple steps to bring the cost of health care down with no added taxpayer cost.

Orlando, Fla. – January 18, 2010 – Brian Fricke, “Worry Free Retirement” author/expert and Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), recently laid out six solutions to health care reform in America on his financial blog at http://www.BrianFricke.com.

“Poor government policymaking is the root cause of both our economic and healthcare troubles. Free markets are the best solution. Free markets work better than government-dominated systems,” wrote Brian Fricke.

“When is the last time you saw healthcare prices listed? Why wouldn’t you want (demand) to know the true cost of your prescription, Dr. visit or surgical procedure? Is it because you think you aren’t paying for it…If the government did to food, what they’ve done to healthcare, there would be a food crisis. Just ask Russia about this one! The difference is, we know what food costs us, we don’t know what healthcare costs us,” Fricke continued.

Instead of the government taking over the health care industry, Brian Fricke recommends six simple steps that could almost immediately help make health insurance more affordable and attainable for millions of Americans…with no added taxpayer cost! The six steps recommended by Brian are to allow competitive insurance shopping nationwide, give tax deductions to individuals (not just companies,) allow small business to pool together, enact sensible tort reform, strengthen and encourage health savings accounts and demand that elected officials use the same health care system that is used by their constituents.

You can find the entire blog at http://www.brianfricke.com/blog/i-am-all-for-healthcare-reform-just-not-the-direction-we-seem-to-be-headed.php

About Brian L. Fricke, CFP®:

Brian Fricke is the Author of “Worry Free Retirement, Do What You Want, When you Want, Where You Want”.

For the last 6 years in a row Brian and his company – Financial Management Concepts – have been named one of America’s Top Wealth Managers.

Retirement Planning Expert, Brian Fricke, Named “Top Wealth Manager” For Sixth Straight Year

admin — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 16:52:36 +0000

Brian Fricke, author and retirement planning expert, was named a “Top Wealth Manager” for 2009 by Wealth Manager Magazine

Orlando, Fla. – January 8, 2010 – Brian Fricke, Worry Free Retirement author/expert and Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), and his company – Financial Management Concepts – was recently named one of America’s “Top Wealth Managers” for the sixth year in a row by Wealth Manager Magazine.

“Wealth managers and their clients have come through the most wrenching financial storms most people can fathom, while at the same time the world has seen some of the largest and most outrageous financial swindles of all time exposed. While almost no one has been left untouched, some wealth managers are coming back stronger than ever, even though many are smaller,” wrote Kathleen M. McBride from Wealth Manager Magazine.

“We wanted to offer a venue that did not require anyone to re-arrange their schedule or battle traffic. These will be live meetings by phone. Each call will start with 10-15 minutes of commentary from myself and my team, followed by open phone lines for questions and discussions,” remarked Brian Fricke.

The Coffee Crew Teleconferences are held every Tuesday at 9-9:30am. The Special Conference Call # is: 1-800-304-3172. The Access Code is: 825218#

About Brian L. Fricke, CFP®:

Brian Fricke is the Author of “Worry Free Retirement, Do What You Want, When you Want, Where You Want”.

For the last 6 years in a row Brian and his company – Financial Management Concepts – have been named one of America’s Top Wealth Managers.

Retirement Planning Expert, Brian Fricke, Helps to Raise Over $1,300 For Local Charity Group

admin — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 21:09:12 +0000

Brian Fricke, author and retirement planning expert, is proud to have helped to raise over $1,300 to one of his favorite charities, Young Life of Seminole County

Orlando, Fla. – January 5, 2010 – Brian Fricke, Worry Free Retirement author/expert and Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), recently celebrated his 50th birthday in a somewhat unusual way. Brian was notified that many of his friends and clients helped to contribute to one of his favorite charities, Young Life of Seminole County. Annette, Brian’s wife, matched everyone’s gift. Total gifts to Young Life exceeded $1,300.

“It was certainly one of the best ways to celebrate my 50th birthday! Young Life does such a great job in helping to shape young leaders in our community, and I was proud and extremely thankful that my friends and clients showed such generous support for this organization,” remarked Brian Fricke.

According to the Young Life organization, for more than 60 years, Young Life has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to kids. Young Life leaders in Florida are investing time with teenagers to build lasting friendships and to help them consider the direction of their lives.

Brian also recently announced another fulfilling and successful year for his company’s (Financial Management Concepts) “Matching Gift” program. For the last five years, clients and friends of Financial Management Concepts (FMC) are encouraged to make a charitable contribution to their favorite charity. FMC then matches each contribution up to $50.

Brian Fricke said, “Thanks to the generosity of our client members, FMC in partnership with our client members, will be making contributions to 45 different charities exceeding $6,300!”

For more information about Young Life of Seminole County, please visit http://seminolecountyeastorlando.younglife.org

For more information, please visit http://www.BrianFricke.com
You can also call toll free 1-800-294-4917 or send an email request to info@fmcretire.com

About Brian L. Fricke, CFP®:

Brian Fricke is the Author of “Worry Free Retirement, Do What You Want, When you Want, Where You Want”.

For the last 6 years in a row Brian and his company – Financial Management Concepts – have been named one of America’s Top Wealth Managers.

Retirement Planning Expert Brian Fricke and Financial Management Concepts Proud of Matching Gift Program

admin — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 20:47:41 +0000

Brian Fricke, author and retirement planning expert, is proud to announce over $6,300 in charitable donations through Financial Management Concepts’ Matching Gift Program.

Orlando, Fla. – December 21, 2009 – Brian Fricke, Worry Free Retirement author/expert and Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), recently announced another fulfilling and successful year for his company’s (Financial Management Concepts) “Matching Gift” program. For the last five years, clients and friends of Financial Management Concepts (FMC) are encouraged to make a charitable contribution to their favorite charity. FMC then matches each contribution up to $50.

Brian Fricke said, “Thanks to the generosity of our client members, FMC in partnership with our client members, will be making contributions to 45 different charities exceeding $6,300!”

“We look forward to this event each year, as it gives us a great opportunity to give back to our clients in a way that helps them support charity organizations that they feel strongly about. We are very proud of our client members, and are more than happy to lend a hand during the holiday season,” continued Fricke.

For more information, please visit http://www.BrianFricke.com
You can also call toll free 1-800-294-4917 or send an email request to info@fmcretire.com

About Brian L. Fricke, CFP®:

Brian Fricke is the Author of “Worry Free Retirement, Do What You Want, When you Want, Where You Want”.

For the last 6 years in a row Brian and his company – Financial Management Concepts – have been named one of America’s Top Wealth Managers.

Brian and his team have worked with retirees and pre-retirees from companies like AT&T, Sprint, Harris, Lockheed Martin and Siemens/Westinghouse.

For more information, please visit http://www.BrianFricke.com

Retirement Planning Expert, Brian Fricke, Ahead of the Curve on Buying Fannie Mae Tax Credits for Clients

admin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:28:03 +0000

Brian Fricke, author and retirement planning expert, responds to news that Warren Buffett, Goldman Sachs Group and others are seeking to buy millions of tax credits from Fannie Mae.

Orlando, Fla. – November 30, 2009 – Brian Fricke, Worry Free Retirement author/expert and Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), recently commented on an article in the Wall Street Journal written by Susanne Craig, Christina S.N. Lewis and Damian Paletta. The article described the desire of Warren Buffett’s Berskshire Hathaway, Inc. and Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. to buy millions of tax credits from government-owned mortgage entity, Fannie Mae.

Brian Fricke noted that he and his company, Financial Management Concepts, have been ahead of the curve on this issue, purchasing tax credits for their clients for the past fifteen years. “We have recently been able to buy at 40-60% below original cost,” remarked Fricke.

According to the article, “The tax-credit program was created in 1986 and has been responsible for the construction of more than a million below-market-rate apartments. To receive credits, which can be worth between 30% and 60% of a project’s cost, housing developers promise to keep rents affordable to people who make less than 60% of the area’s median income.”

“Most developers sell the credits to large financial institutions that want tax breaks or need to comply with the 1976 Community Reinvestment Act, which mandates that banks invest and make loans in traditionally under-served neighborhoods,” the article continued.

Brian Fricke and Financial Management Concepts emphasize diversification for their clients. They believe in the strategy of spreading investments over a variety of different asset classes in order to reduce the risk of substantial loss. Buying tax credits has served as one of many investment strategies that Brian has utilized for his clients over the past fifteen years.

Orlando Business Journal has named Financial Management Concepts one of the top financial planning companies in Central Florida. Financial Advisor magazine – an industry trade journal- has recognized him as one of the leading financial planning firms in America. Brian Fricke is a Certified Financial Planner. Financial Management Concepts is a Fee Only Financial Planning firm. They currently manage over $98 million of investment assets for a select community of clients.

To read the complete Wall Street Journal article, visit http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125729682025626851.html

For more information, please visit http://www.BrianFricke.com
You can also call toll free 1-800-294-4917 or send an email request to info@fmcretire.com

About Brian L. Fricke, CFP®:

Brian Fricke is the Author of “Worry Free Retirement, Do What You Want, When you Want, Where You Want”.

For the last 6 years in a row Brian and his company – Financial Management Concepts – have been named one of America’s Top Wealth Managers.

Brian and his team have worked with retirees and pre-retirees from companies like AT&T, Sprint, Harris, Lockheed Martin and Siemens/Westinghouse.

For more information, please visit http://www.BrianFricke.com

The Guy That Literally Wrote The Book On Worry Free Retirement, Launching Free Weekly Teleconference Series

admin — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:17:04 +0000

Orlando, Fla. – November 14, 2009 – Brian Fricke, Worry Free Retirement author/expert and Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), will be launching the “Coffee Crew,” a live weekly teleconference call series to discuss current economic and lifestyle issues that affect retirees and anyone wanting to retire within the next 5 years. These teleconferences are not limited to clients and will be available to the public.

Fricke wanted to offer a venue that did not require anyone to re-arrange their schedule or battle traffic. These will be live meetings by phone. Each call will start with 10-15 minutes of commentary from Brian and his team, followed by open phone lines for questions and discussions.

“Our talk will be brief, candid and to the point. No fancy slide show, just plain easy to understand information…with plenty of time for everyone’s questions or concerns,” remarked Fricke.

The Coffee Crew Teleconferences will be held every Tuesday, starting on November 17th, at 9-9:30am. The conference access code and phone number is available by contacting Nancy at nancy@fmcretire.com or (407) 647-7006 or (800) 393-1017

For more information, please visit http://www.BrianFricke.com
You can also call toll free 1-800-294-4917 or send an email request to info@fmcretire.com

About Brian L. Fricke, CFP®:

Brian Fricke is the Author of “Worry Free Retirement, Do What You Want, When you Want, Where You Want”.

For the last 6 years in a row Brian and his company – Financial Management Concepts – have been named one of America’s Top Wealth Managers.

Brian and his team have worked with retirees and pre-retirees from companies like AT&T, Sprint, Harris, Lockheed Martin and Siemens/Westinghouse.

For more information, please visit http://www.BrianFricke.com

Author, Speaker and Retirement Planning Expert, Brian Fricke, Offers Retirees Financial Advice With New Special Report

admin — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:29:08 +0000

Brian Fricke, Retiree Advocate, is offering a free special report on his website, titled “9 Ways Retirees Screw Up Their Finances.”

Orlando, Fla. – October 30, 2009 – Brian Fricke, a leading expert in retirement planning and a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), is currently offering an online version of his popular special report, 9 Ways Retirees Screw Up Their Finances. Brian wrote this special report to help retirees build a solid foundation for their retirement planning. “Your retirement is not any different than a house. It has to have a foundation. It has to have walls that won’t come crashing down around you. It is a thing that you must have working for you, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, year in and year out! In other words your retirement cannot be “built” by trial and error,” wrote Fricke.

“Over 90% of all Americans are not able to build a retirement that will both last for their lifetime, and allow them to live the lifestyle they wish to live. Pretty scary stuff, when you think about it! In my opinion, the reason that this is the case is because people fall victim to one (or more) of the ‘9 Ways Retirees Screw Up Their Finances’,” Fricke continued.

Some of the topics covered in this special report include, “Listening To The Wrong People,” “Misunderstanding What Medicare And Social Security Does And Doesn’t Pay For,” “Paying For The Wrong Kinds, And Wrong Amounts, Of Insurance” and “Not Doing Consistent, Careful, Ongoing Planning.”

Brian goes on to explain how planning should come first and solutions second. “The traditional random method of buying financial products from salespeople (think Vice Presidents at big brokerage firms) is history. A salesperson who does not take the time to help you create a plan before selling you products (or managing your accounts) is not doing you any favors,” remarked Fricke.

To receive the free special report and more information, please visit http://www.BrianFricke.com

You can also call toll free 1-800-294-4917 or send an email request to info@fmcretire.com

About Brian L. Fricke, CFP®:

Brian Fricke is the Author of “Worry Free Retirement, Do What You Want, When you Want, Where You Want”.

For the last 6 years in a row Brian and his company – Financial Management Concepts – have been named one of America’s Top Wealth Managers.

Brian has worked with hundreds of retirees and pre-retirees from companies like AT&T, Sprint, Harris, Lockheed Martin and Siemens/Westinghouse.

For more information, please visit http://www.BrianFricke.com

Retirement Planning Expert, Brian Fricke, Interviewed By Advantage Media Group

admin — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:07:52 +0000

Brian Fricke, Retiree Advocate and Certified Financial Planner, was recently interviewed by publishing company Advantage Media Group about his latest book “Worry Free Retirement.”

Orlando, Fla. – October 21, 2009 – Brian Fricke, a leading expert in retirement planning and a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), was recently interviewed by Gregg Stebben, COO of Advantage Media Group. Advantage Media Group is the publisher of Brian’s latest book titled “Worry Free Retirement: Do What You Want, When You Want, Where You Want.” Stebben interviewed Brian to discuss what prompted him to write the book, and touched on some of the chapters of the book, one of which being “Know Your Values.”

“So often when I meet with someone, and they are disappointed with their financial situation, I find that when I ask them additional questions, there’s some kind of disconnect. They’ve made decisions that are not in line with their core values – things that are really important for them,” Brian Fricke explained. “You have to know what brings purpose and passion into your life before you can plan your finances to get you there,” he continued.

Another chapter that Gregg and Brian delved into is called “The New Definition of Retirement.” Brian remarked that “last generation’s retirement consisted of working for one company for your entire working life a retire somewhere between 62-65 on pension and social security, and then do nothing other than leisure activities.”

Some of the other topics covered included how to find the right financial planner that has the client’s best interest in mind at all times, as well as the single biggest issue that those retiring before age 65 face. Brian said, “The biggest issue that they face is medical insurance. 10 years ago it wasn’t that big of an issue, but nowadays, health insurance is a much bigger part of a budget, and it needs to be discussed and planned thoroughly.”

To listen to the hour-long interview, and for more information about the book, please visit http://www.BrianFricke.com

You can also call toll free 1-800-294-4917 or send an email request to info@fmcretire.com

About Brian L. Fricke, CFP®:

Brian Fricke is the Author of “Worry Free Retirement, Do What You Want, When you Want, Where You Want”.

For the last 6 years in a row Brian and his company – Financial Management Concepts – have been named one of America’s Top Wealth Managers.

Brian is recognized as a leading expert on retirement planning and a retiree advocate on stock options, investments, insurance, income and estate taxes. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®), he has worked with hundreds of retirees and pre-retirees from companies like AT&T, Sprint, Harris, Lockheed Martin and Siemens/Westinghouse and saved many of his clients tens of thousands of dollars in taxes and other financial expenses.

He shows people how to retire earlier than they ever thought, worry free. Making certain the money lasts no matter how long someone lives, protecting assets if someone gets sick and needs long term care, and making sure the IRS and the attorneys get the least amount possible.

An accomplished speaker and author, Brian has hosted a radio show, provided expert commentary for local TV news programs, publishes a monthly newsletter and has been published in several professional journals.

For more information, please visit http://www.BrianFricke.com