Personal Finance 101: The Ray Lucia Show

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Watering the Money TreeAre you interested in learning more about personal finance but not sure where to begin?  There are a number of good books on the subject; however, I’m sure many of you don’t find the idea of spending the tiny bit of free time you have reading books on personal finance particularly enticing.  Perhaps an audiobook or radio show podcast that you can listen to during your commute or while you’re working in the yard would be a better alternative.  I can recommend a few that I have found to be better than most at providing good information about personal finance without being overly technical, unbearably boring, or too focused on selling their particular products or services.

My first recommendation is The Ray Lucia Show podcast.  The Ray Lucia Show can be heard live in the Bay Area on AM1220 (KDOW) every weekday from 9am-12pm, but it can also be downloaded as a podcast through iTunes or at www.businesstalkradio.net .

Note: While you can learn quite a bit about personal finance from listening to The Ray Lucia Show, keep in mind that the information is general in nature and may not be appropriate for your specific circumstances.  Always consult your tax and/or investment advisor before acting on any of the advice given on the show.

Stay tuned for more recommendations in future installments of Personal Finance 101…

Featured Client: Turrentine Brokerage

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Bill Turrentine "The team at Ghirardo has done a great job for us over the years. They are not just accountants; they are strategic thinkers who have helped us to discover opportunities we didn't know existed. On multiple occasions, they have provided unexpected insights that have proven to be very profitable. I recommend them highly and without qualification."

--Bill Turrentine, Chairman Turrentine Brokerage

At Ghirardo CPA, we pride ourselves on combining technical excellence with a passionate commitment to helping our clients achieve their goals. Let’s explore how we can be your partner in success. contact us

Hometown fun! Movies in the Park

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Ghirardo CPA is pleased to sponsor "Movies in the Park" at Pioneer Park (map) this Saturday evening, July 9, 2011.  The Karate Kid starts at dusk, but you can come early for a tennis game or a BBQ of your own.  Great place for kids and grandkids.

If you haven't been there recently, Pioneer Park has a large updated play structure for the kiddies, several picnic tables and benches, grills, 4 lighted tennis courts, a big paved walking path, restrooms, and lots of lush green grass.  It is handicap accessible and wheelchair-friendly on the paved path.  Great place for kite flying and Frisbee or football tossing.  Dogs allowed on leash.

We hope to see you there. Hometown fun for everyone!

Featured Client: Johann Paul Jewelers

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The designers at Johann Paul produce exquisite hand-engraved jewelry that is enjoyed all over the world.  Ghirardo CPA handles their financial records with the same care and attention to detail that they give to their fine custom jewelry designs. We put their accounting records under the "loupe", checking for “cut, clarity, and color”, and reconciling to all vendor and financial institution statements for both current and historical data. We ensure that quality and value is retained in all of their business records, systems, and procedures. With Ghirardo CPA as their trusted partner, Johann Paul is growing and shining as one of the Bay area's premier jewelers, confident in the knowledge that their financial needs are being met.

Johann Paul Jewelers

What the Client has to Say:

"Ghirardo CPA handles our business and personal tax, finance, and accounting needs.  They are full service and do a very good job.  They continue to streamline our business and help us with our accounting, taxes, real estate, retirement plans, and freeing up our time.

Jim Teague is the best. He has helped us all along the way, bringing in all the resources and expertise we have needed to grow and evolve our business.  Jim has been very supportive and is always on top of everything we need.  We value his business help and friendship. Ghirardo CPA is the complete package, and we highly recommend the firm!"

--Johann deBlaauw, Johann Paul Jewelers

Our commitment to helping our clients succeed is the cornerstone of our business. Let us know how we can assist you.

Excel Tip: Estimating Mortgage Payments

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With mortgage rates still hovering around historic lows, you might be wondering whether you can afford to purchase a new home or if you would benefit from refinancing your home mortgage.  Here is a quick way to use Excel to calculate what your new monthly payment would be.  Type this formula into any cell in an Excel spreadsheet to calculate the monthly payment (principal + interest) on a fully-amortizing mortgage loan.

=PMT(interest/12, term, balance)

  • interest = the annual interest rate, entered as a decimal
  • term = the loan term in months
  • balance = the loan balance, entered as negative

For example, for a 110-month loan at 6.5% with a balance of $405,000, you would enter:

=PMT(0.065/12, 110, -405000)

If you determine that your monthly savings from refinancing would be enough to justify the transaction costs, the next step is to determine if you qualify.  For most people that purchased their homes in the last decade, the biggest hurdle to refinancing is not having enough equity.  Fortunately, even people with little or no equity in their homes may still have a chance to refinance, particularly if their existing mortgage is being held by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

If you would like some assistance in determining whether you might benefit from refinancing, or if you would like the name of a trustworthy mortgage professional who can help you explore your options, then your friends at Ghirardo CPA are ready to assist you.

Featured Client for June 2011 - Indian Valley Golf Club

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Jeff McAndrew “Ghirardo CPA has been our CPA for many years...they consistently provide a high level of professional service for our businesses. Their staff is knowledgeable, prompt, and accurate. I have faith in their tax and accounting services for our local, family-owned business.“

-- Jeff McAndrew, General Manager Indian Valley Golf Club

At Ghirardo CPA, we pride ourselves on combining technical excellence with a passionate commitment to helping our clients achieve their goals. Let’s explore how we can be your partner in success. contact us