Investment Manager in Houston is Recognized by Commonwealth as a Leading Financial Advisor.

Sharon Duncan, an independent financial advisor affiliated with Commonwealth Financial Network® and President of Selah Financial Services, was invited and attended Commonwealth’s 2017 Chairman’s Retreat in March, held at The Cloister at Sea Island, Georgia.

This invitation is only extended to the most successful financial advisors based on a ranking of annual production among Commonwealth’s network of 1,710 financial advisors. Commonwealth is the nation’s largest privately held independent broker/dealer.

“We are pleased to recognize Sharon with this well-earned, exclusive distinction,” said Peter Wheeler, vice chairman of Commonwealth and host of this year’s retreat. “Her long-standing commitment to the financial livelihood of her clients and the bettering of her practice has positioned her among the industry’s elite. Sharon is a highly valued member of the Commonwealth community, and we are proud of her accomplishments and industry impact. We benefit from her perspective and experiences.”

The conference offered insightful presentations and educational sessions ranging from observations on market structure to national security challenges for the Trump Administration, plus much more.

Pictured left to right are Sharon Duncan and fellow

Commonwealth financial advisor, Stuart Benjamin.

Additionally, Sharon worked on leveraging her strengths and adaptation skills. She explored strategies for evolving her vision of her investment management company in Houston, as well as building on success, driving new growth, and continuing to provide and improve Selah's exceptional client service.

Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network®. Member FINRA, SIPC, a Registered Investment Advisor.

Helping Prevent Elder Abuse

Presented by Financial Advisor Mary Pat Gunn of Selah Financial Services, Inc., an investment management firm in Houston.

In reviewing articles regarding seniors and elder financial abuse, certain topics come up frequently about what puts the elderly at risk, including mental impairment, social isolation, and poor physical health.

When someone is dealing with these at-risk issues, they don’t usually have the energy, time, experience or mental focus they need to realize that they are being taken advantage of.

Please be aware of these in yourself or someone you care about:

Mental impairment - Declining math skills can lead to checkbook errors, financial indecision and vulnerability to scam artists.

Social isolation - When someone is alone most of the time, they tend to be more susceptible to swindling via the phone, email or social media because of their loneliness. The most common scam is someone acting like a grandchild that needs money wired immediately to get out of jail and the child doesn’t want the grandparent to tell their parents. Set up a system with your children to talk to the grandchildren’s uncle or aunt, so you don’t fall victim to this scam.

Poor physical health - When we are physically hurting or in poor health, finances may take a backseat. Issues such as trouble feeding oneself or bathing are red flags that most likely financial matters have fallen to the wayside.

Consider having a plan in place with a trusted family member so when any of the above arise, you have someone reliable to review any financial transactions with Selah Financial, your Houston investment management firm. Let us know if you would like more information about this issue at advisors@selahfs.com!

Investment Management Houston and Caring for Your Aging Parents

According to U.S. News & World Report, Houston is one of the 20 cities where most Baby Boomers will retire and, increasingly, middle-aged adults (most likely Gen Xers) find themselves caring for elderly parents as well as children of their own.

The need for investment management in Houston has never been greater. Without the proper strategy, this caretaking burden can lead to undue emotional and financial stress.

It’s admirable to want to help your parents when they can no longer care for themselves, but doing so in a way that jeopardizes your own health or financial well-being only transfers the problem. As your parents get older, it’s essential to discuss their plans for the future and the role you will play in their care with your investment management Houston firm.

Helping your parents maintain independence

Depending on your parents’ needs, avoiding full-time residential care may not be feasible, but proper planning and support may enable them to continue living independently longer. 

Age-proof their home. Falls are one of the biggest hazards for seniors—and often the catalyst for a move to a nursing home or assisted living facility. Steps such as installing sturdy handrails, shower seats, and safety handles in bathrooms can help reduce the risk of falls. Hiring a cleaning service to keep clutter at bay may also be worthwhile.

Seek out more suitable accommodations. Even if aging in place is the plan, your parents’ current home may prove too costly to maintain or impractical to modify as their needs change. Consider looking for housing where upkeep is less burdensome, and where the layout and amenities are more accommodating.

Moving to a new home may not have been the plan, but staying in a house that is inaccessible can be even more problematic.

Consider moving them in with family. If the space is available and safe for an elderly person, moving in with a family member might be a suitable short- or long-term possibility. Of course, this is a major decision that should be carefully considered by everyone involved. Providing housing is one thing, but providing care for someone whose mental or physical state has deteriorated is another matter. Before your parents move in with you or a family member, think carefully about whether it makes sense for all parties—personally, financially, and otherwise.

Accompanying your parents to meetings with their doctors, attorneys, investment management Houston advisors can also provide insights into their ability to continue living on their own. The most important thing is to find out what your parent needs or expects from you. It’s always best to have this conversation before a crisis occurs.

Three Things You Should Know About Investment Management

As you may already know, investing your hard-earned money can be daunting. No matter what stage of life you are in, putting your money in someone else’s hands is never a comfortable decision. However, working with a credentialed professional who provides advising and investment management may not be nearly as risky as handling your own investments.

Before signing the paperwork, there are a few things you should know:

Do Your Research on Investment Professionals

If you are worried about the possibility of putting your money in the hands of the wrong person, you should make sure your investor is constantly continuing his or her education. There are many, many rules involved with investment management and you should be easy to find out if your advisor has gone above and beyond what’s needed in order to stay current.

Additionally, you can also research an investor’s qualifications and history by going to http://www.investor.gov or www.brokercheck.org. These databases provide employment and disciplinary history about financial advisors, as well as their certifications and licenses. One thing you may not know is that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission prohibits online reviews of investment managers, considering them to be “testimonial” in nature. This is the reason you can’t find reviews for investment managers. Even if you feel you’ve found the right investment management team after your first meeting, you should still take the time to do your homework in order to reduce your risk and provide you and your family peace of mind.

Be Skeptical of Overly Optimistic Investment Managers

While it may seem obvious, you should always be skeptical of professionals who make overly optimistic promises about the returns you can expect with your investments. Choosing someone who displays honesty and is straightforward with conversation right from the beginning is what you want to look for. Again, do your homework here. Take the time to check out the company website and look for ethical cues, such as giving back to their community. You can also dig around a little to find out how long team members tend to stick with the firm.

Long-term Investing is the Key

If you know anything about investing, you are probably aware that many investors out there talk about staying in the game for the long haul, and even investment legend Warren Buffett is a major advocate of this strategy. With all this in mind, working with a professional that has an investment management philosophy that aligns with you may just be what helps you reach your goals.

Managing Investments in Houston

What Do Lower Oil Prices Mean for You? presented by Sharon Duncan

Since mid-2014, crude oil prices have been on the decline, causing gas and other oil-product prices to drop quite a bit.

“Although the long-term effect of falling oil prices remains to be seen, this dramatic price change is affecting Americans’ everyday lives in a number of ways,” says Sharon Duncan, a Houston-based investment manager.

Big savings at the pump

You’ve most likely noticed that it costs a lot less to fill your car’s tank these days, with the average gas price in the U.S. hovering just below $2.30 per gallon. According to Gluskin Sheff & Associates, Americans stand to save about $1.5 billion for every penny that the price of gas falls.

Thanks to this extra cash in our pockets, personal spending jumped 4.3 percent in the fourth quarter of 2014, up from 3.2 percent in the third quarter. In January 2015, consumer confidence was at its highest level in more than seven years.

So what are Americans doing with all this cash and confidence? Spending has increased in two key areas:

·         Buying new cars: Auto sales climbed in January (typically a slow month), and the National Automobile Dealers Association Chief Economist, Steven Szakely, predicts U.S. auto sales for 2016 will set a new record high.

·         Traveling internationally: Combined with the strong dollar, lower international airfares have many people taking trips abroad.

“Of course, buying a new car or finally taking that long-awaited trip oversees is a lot more glamorous,” says Duncan, “but investing some of this extra income in your kids’ college savings or putting away a little extra for retirement will give you the real added benefit.”

Just consider how much more fun your retirement will be when you have enough money for the lifestyle you really want, adds Duncan.

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Sharon Duncan, CFP^®, AIF^®, MBA, is a financial advisor Selah Financial Services, located at 1550 W. Bay Area Blvd., Ste. 101, Friendswood, TX 77546 and One Sugar Creek Center Blvd., Ste. 150, Sugar Land, TX 77478. She offers securities and advisory services as an Investment Advisor Representative of Commonwealth Financial Network^®, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Advisor. She can be reached at 281.990.7100 or at advisors@selahfs.com.