Self Direct Your IRA

Dow update:
If you purchased $1,000 of shares in Delta Airlines one year ago,you would have $49.00 today, if you purchased $1,000 of shares in AIG, you would have $33.00. If you purchased $1,000 of shares in Lehman Brothers, you would have $0.00 today. But, if you purchased $1,000 worth of beer, drank all the beer, turned in the aluminum cans for recycling, you would have $214.00. Therefore the best current investment plan is to drink heavily & recycle

3 year old Ava got her first IRA deal done this week. She purchased a $7800 HOA lien for $1300. The new buyer for condo will pay her IRA $250 per month for next 2 years to settle the HOA lien. $6000 return on $1300 investment. I hope she remembers this when she is a teen and giving me grief for everything else....but I doubt it !

Thanks to Emancipation Day in DC....tax filing deadline and also deadline for IRA contributions extended to April 18 this year. Enjoy the extra 3 days !

Marissa just helped out her friend...all in her Roth. Her friend was selling an investment property so that she could take proceeds and buy into a restaurant franchise. However, she needed to make payment on restaurant on 1st of month and escrow was closing to the 9th. So Marissa's ROTH lent her the money for about 13 days..$80K out..$85K back in 13 days. Great job Marissa !

1st example for 2011: Matt's uncle owed $80K on his $320K Menifee home, paying 6.5%. Matt's traditional and Roth IRA combined to loan him the $80K. 5% was paid to his traditional IRA which put up $75K. His Roth contributed $5K and "wrapped" the underlying traditional IRA. His Roth is now earning 34% tax free..way to go Matt !

Quick Review: Your IRA can invest in almost anything...but can not have any direct dealings with yourself, your spouse, parents, inlaws, or children. But sisters, uncles, etc are all fair game

Our 2011 Resolution: Find more opportunities to use our IRAs and ROTHS to grow wealth and minimize tax exposure