The Potential Role of Value Investing In Volatile Markets

This article has been written and provided by UBS Financial Services Inc & Stephen Grimes Financial Advisor

The inclusion of equities in a portfolio is essential to pursuing most financial goals, because equities historically have outperformed all types of bonds and cash alternatives over the long term, and their higher returns help combat inflation.[1]  Sharp price swings in equities that can arise due to market volatility, however, can cause even some of the most disciplined investors to turn jittery and unload their portfolios.  In a turbulent market environment, suitable investors looking for the capital appreciation potential that equities provide – with a lower level of volatility than other types of equities – often find value investments appealing.  Utilizing a process known as tactical allocation, an investor can create a core holding of investments in their portfolio, and utilize surrounding holdings to help dampen volatility during market corrections or downturns, or capture upside potential during market increase or expansion.

A professional investment management program may be an appropriate strategy for helping to build personal investment portfolios. Your financial advisor can help you determine what strategy is suitable for your specific situation, in light of your risk tolerance, investment objectives, and liquidity needs.  For more information about how you can diversify your portfolio with value investments, and information about other defensive investment strategies that may be appropriate in a volatile market environment, please contact your financial advisor.

Please send questions regarding any financial questions, we will continue to have monthly commentary and answer selected questions in upcoming articles.

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Stephen Grimes: Financial Advisor

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UBS Financial Services Inc.

www.ubs.com

The information contained in this article is based on sources believed reliable, but its accuracy cannot be guaranteed. This article is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be relied upon as the basis for an investment decision. Consult your financial advisor, as well as your tax and/or legal advisors regarding your personal circumstances before making investment decisions.

Secrets of Pageant Bodies

Pageantry is a word that conjures up so many ideas.  If you listen to Simon Cowell, from American Idol, “fame” is simply a negative term.  Through recent years we have seen the media bash quite a few of the “pageant world’s” stars and in many cases, rightly so.  That being said, I have had the opportunity since 1997 to be responsible for hundreds of pageant contestants fabulous, fit bodies.

I began training pageants girls on a fluke.  A company I was working for had a couple of Miss Oklahoma contestants preparing for the pageant in Tulsa that next June.  They had been training with some of the other trainers and apparently their directors were not happy with their progress.  Being the head trainer, I was given the opportunity to take over and a few months later, I had my first preliminary swimsuit winner.  A young lady, who had been a size 8-10 the year before became a size 2 within a few months.  I had two other girls that came in at their all time best and I was on to something.  

Since 1997 I have had 14 preliminary swimsuit winners in The Miss Oklahoma Scholarship Pageant.  In 2000 I became the official trainer for The Miss Oklahoma U.S.A. Pageant and now am in charge of Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, and Nebraska regions.  I also train their teen contestants.  To date I have trained one Miss America, Two Miss Teen U.S.A., Two Miss National Teenagers, and a runner-up in Miss U.S.A.  I have had multiple finalists in all of the above.  That being said, just how do you train a pageant contestant?

When a pageant contestant comes to me the very first thing to address is, “how much time do we have to get you in top shape?” The next topic of conversation is nutrition.  Now, contrary to popular belief, pageant girls do eat.  At least the ones that I train eat a minimum of 1200-1500 calories per day.  I also go over physiology of nutrition with them.  I explain how to eat, how much to eat, and timing of certain types of foods.  I examine what they eat currently and try to help them form a plan that works best for their taste buds.  The diet is curtailed, based on where their body fat currently is, when the pageant is, and what we need to do with their body.

The next phase of the program development is the weights training.  Yes, my girls do lift weights.  Some lift 3 days a week and some lift 4-6 days per week.  This all depends on their body type.  Some lift lighter weights and some lift heavier weights.  There is no such thing as a “pageant girl” workout it is still “personal” training.  We change things every 4-6 weeks based on their progress and as we get closer to the competition, we might change things weekly or daily. 

The third step in the process is cardiovascular training.  This is crucial for peeling the body fat off.  Some girls might not do more than 30 minutes on the treadmill, 4 days per week.  On the other hand, I have had girls do 2 hours per day, 6 days per week.  Once again, it all depends on what we need to do and when we need to do it.

Those awesome pageant bodies are earned is what I hope you see.  Many times, people like to make excuses why they cannot look a certain way.  What it comes down to is the ability to set goals, and systematically attack them.  This is where I come in and do my best to help my girls achieve their very best.  They work for it and learn skills for their lives.  I know that I was very vague about what I do.  Well, did you really think I was going to give away my secrets?  I just recently saw one of my former girls in her bikini modeling, for an ad Maxim magazine.  That was pretty cool but…. she knows my secrets!!!  Ha! Ha!

(Brian Attebery is an N.F.P.A. Certified Trainer with a B.S. in Health & Sport Sciences from O.U.  He owns Results Fitness and Nutrition Center, L.L.C. in Edmond).   www.resultsfitnessusa.com

Does it seem like your relationship is losing its spark? Do you frequently ask yourself, “Why can’t my relationship be like it used to be?” If you feel this way, then you already figured out what the problem is, but you, like most people, ignore the most common issue that destroys relationships everyday.  The issue is “pursuing.”

When you first start dating someone everything is exciting and thrilling. The reason it’s so exhilarating is because both people are consistently pursuing one another.  Each are thinking of new, creative ways to surprise their partner, compliments are being given constantly, and there is lots of affection. Now that I’ve mentioned the obvious, what do people need to do to make their relationships feel this way again? The answer is very simple, PURSUE one another.

Couples tend to get too comfortable in their relationships the longer it goes on. Guys stop giving compliments, get lazy on dates, lose creativity, and stop appreciating the little things their girl does for them. Girls don’t make their man feel important anymore, withhold affection, and also quit giving compliments. The relationship becomes like another daily routine rather than an exciting part of life. Go back to where you first began and pursue each other continually and don’t stop pursuing. Be creative and think of new ways to impress, live everyday like you are still trying to win your partner over. This keeps the relationship exciting and thrilling.

Ladies, realize that men need to feel important. Make them feel successful, accomplished, and confident in who they are. Men are also very physical creatures, give them affection and lots of it by holding hands, giving little kisses, cuddling on the couch, and maybe even better intamacy.

Guys, all girls grow up dreaming of being a Princess who gets swept off her feet by her “Knight in Shining Armor.” Be chivalrous in everything you do. Tell her continuously how beautiful and special she is to you. Bring her flowers, leave little surprises, and call her just to tell her you love her and that you are thinking of her. Even saying little things like “you look nice today”, “thank you for cleaning up after me”, or “great job on dinner tonight” makes them feel appreciated.