New Book - Coming November 2010

New Book - Coming November 2010
Help! My 401(k) Has Fallen - And Must Get Up!

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Diary of a Wimpy 401(k) - Editing (Part 2)

Well, I am finally done with typesetting and editing on the book, "Help! My 401(k) Has Fallen - And Must Get Up!" . The process of editing reminded me of watching a potter making a clay jar. We've all seen the image of a lump of wet clay on a turntable, spinning while the potter's hands mold the clay into a beautiful jar.

I actually finished writing in March, and have had my mother, my sister, an attorney friend, my compliance department, and several financial authors look at my "lump of clay" and give feedback. Then, when all of that was done, I turned it over to Angela Werner of Hohne-Werner Design. She was able to typeset the book and also offered a few tips of her own. Looking at the first draft she sent me almost felt like I was starting all over with a lump of wet clay again!

I pored through my review copy and made many edits, notes, and wording changes. I was pretty surprised at how many changes I wanted to make. My mother & sister did the same, and both of them caught things I had not. The great news is that now I have a finished "jar". Now we just need to take it to the kiln and bake it. Amazon can take my material, combine it with the book cover - and "Voila!" we have a book!

Tell a friend. Use the promo code "401k" when you order the book, "Help! My 401(k) Has Fallen - And Must Get Up!" and get $4.01 off the cover price. By the way, you can get FREE SHIPPING when you order TWO copies. I will also have the e-book version available, which would save you even more. Just download it directly and enjoy the book!

You can contact me for 401(k) questions or rollovers at my website http://www.helpmy401k.us/. You can also contact or follow me on Linked In or Twitter. My radio program, "Improving Your Financial Health" can be heard on Saturday mornings at 9:00 am on WHME-FM in South Bend and recorded archives can be heard on my website.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

What Do Mary Kay and Your 401(k) Have In Common?


I finally got some feedback from my compliance supervisor, regarding my upcoming book, "Help! My 401(k) Has Fallen - And Must Get Up!"  
As a licensed Financial Advisor, I certainly want to be sure my book stays "in bounds". I need to "C M A" - so to say.

How do I C M A? (Cover My ***) Two main rules -

             1. No wild promises.
             2. No product endorsements.

Years ago, I remember reading the story of Mary Kay Ash, founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics. Mary Kay said that she lived by a principle which I found fitting. "I never promised a woman that my products would make her beautiful, but I always tried to give her hope." 

I like that. You could certainly apply the same concept to financial services and even more specifically to my book. We have been bombarded by the media with "hopelessness" at every turn. My job is to be a beacon of light. Straight talk and common sense to show the way. With no pensions, a weak Social Security system, and people living much longer, you really need your 401(k) to grow strong.

In the book, there are examples which DO show specific mutual funds. However, I was asked to simply enter a disclaimer footnote. This avoids endorsement of a certain product or fund.

"Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of mutual funds. This and other important information is contained in each fund's summary prospectus and/or prospectus, which can be obtained from a financial professional and should be read carefully before investing. Investments outside the United States involve additional risks - as does investing in smaller companies - such as currency fluctuations, political instability, differing securities regulations, and periods of illiquidity. Equity investments are subject to market fluctuations."    

There. I feel much better now, don't you? I have also taken a lot of time to make sure that "Help! My 401(k) Has Fallen - And Must Get Up!" is properly referenced and indexed. If someone else said it, it must be OK for me to say it - as long as I credit the source.

In the end, I'm happy with the way the book is turning out. My next piece will be on the final editing.
I'm proud to say - I covered my "A".

You can contact me through my website. I am currently accepting new clients and specialize in 401(k) rollovers. You can get a FREE REPORT there also, "The 5 Biggest Problems With 401(k) Plans - And How to Fix Them". Follow me on Twitter or Linked In.

My radio program, "Improving Your Financial Health" is weekly on Saturday mornings at 9:00am EST on Harvest 103.1 WHME-FM in South Bend. Archived programs are also on my website under WHME.
Best wishes to you!   

Friday, May 14, 2010

Get The Word OUT!

I've been getting a lot of questions about the book, "Help! My 401(k) Has Fallen - And Must Get Up!" The book will be available shortly (end of May) for ordering from Amazon. Since this book was written to help EVERYONE with a 401(k) or 403(b), my biggest concern now is -

How do I make sure that EVERYONE knows about it?

Having a radio program is a real bonus. In fact, on May 29, I am doing a special edition of "Improving Your Financial Health". With so many questions about this unique book, I thought the best way to answer them would be on the air. Be sure to listen to the program Sat. May 29 at 9:00 am on Harvest 103.1 WHME-FM. If you don't live in the South Bend area, or aren't able to listen at that time, no worries. You can still catch the archived recording on my website, www.helpmy401k.us . All previously recorded programs are kept there.

My book website, http://www.my401khasfallen.com/ will also include FAQs and resources which were helpful in writing the book. The new video will be there also, and can currently be seen on You Tube. I will write some more about this, and I've gotten a lot of positive feedback so far on the video.

Most people are thrilled that I didn't strip nude, a la Erykah Badu. (You DON'T want to see this body in the buff!) Although I can't say the same for the pig, who is the main character in the video.

Sooooo, if you want to see a naked piggy bank reading a book, you will like this! (Don't worry the nudity is tastefully done in an 'artsy' way.)

Anything that you can do to help get the word out about the book
"Help! My 401(k) Has Fallen - And Must Get Up!" would be greatly appreciated.

For rolling over a 401(k), or the best rates on tax-free bonds, you can contact me through my website http://www.helpmy401k.us/. You can also follow me on Twitter @deanvoelker or Linked In
"Improving Your Financial Health" is a weekly financial advice radio program, which also showcases interesting guests. This program airs Saturday mornings at 9:00 am on WHME-FM in South Bend, IN and on my website.