In The News

On SunSentinel.com, October 26, 2010, Benjamin Tobias was included in the It’s Your Money blog by Harriet Johnson Brackey. The blog introduced “The Invested Life,” a web-based reality series hosted by MSN.com. Benjamin is a featured planner on the show.

On The Wall Street Journal’s website, October 20, 2010, Benjamin Tobias was featured in the article How to Become a TV Star, Adviser-Style by Charles Passy. The article outlined “The Invested Life,” a web-based reality series hosted by MSN.com and highlighted Benjamin’s brand of common-sense financial wisdom.

In the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Matthew Saneholtz appeared on October 6 and October 10, 2010, in various articles relating to the Sun Sentinel’s Your Money Helpline which was held on October 5, 2010. Matthew was quoted in the paper as he answered readers’ questions regarding mortgage refinancing and investing in gold.

In the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, September 12, 2010, Matthew Saneholtz was quoted in the article Floridians Learning to Cope in a Slow Economy. The article explored spending, saving, and planning decisions of households in the current slow-growth economy. Matthew made suggestions for those planning for retirement in this environment, “Get the 401(k) match. You still want a diversified portfolio. Make sure that you cut your expenses and if you can, don’t carry a mortgage into retirement.”

In the South Florida Business Journal, May 25, 2010, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Psychology Swings Investments by Brian Bandell. Behavioral finance recognizes that the psychology of investors plays a major role in market trends. “The emotions are an investor’s worst enemy,” Benjamin said. To combat emotions, Benjamin recommended a written investment plan that an investor can stick to during good and bad markets.

In the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, May 14, 2010, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Strategies for Investors in Volatile Markets by Harriet Johnson Brackey. The stock market in 2010 has experienced dramatic volatility. Benjamin repeated that long term investing is the key to big picture results. Benjamin warned, “If you look at markets on a moment-to-moment basis, you’re not going to do well.”

In the Miami Herald, May 3, 2010, Benjamin Tobias wrote an opinion article: Fiduciary Standard Needed for Top Financial Firms. Benjamin wrote that following the aftermath of the Goldman Sachs scandal, Congress should enact a fiduciary standard in the financial service industry. He suggested that investors only deal with advisors that place clients’ interests first and embrace the fiduciary standard.

On InvestorHelp.com, January 7, 2010, Benjamin Tobias was featured in a podcast regarding Roth IRA Conversions.  InvestorHelp.com was created by the Evelyn Burst Financial Research and Education Foundation in order to provide in-depth, non-commercial, and free financial education to the public for free. Benjamin reviewed various aspects of Roth IRAs and the pros and cons of converting a Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA.   Click here for access to the podcast:

In the South Florida Business Journal, December 11, 2009, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article What’s Next?. The article offered some thoughts from various financial advisors regarding economic and market issues for the new year, 2010. Benjamin proposed that “The devaluation of the dollar will help the U.S. economy because our exports will be cheaper for foreigners. If the dollar devalues, invest in overseas bonds or equities.”

In the Miami Herald, November 22, 2009, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Investing for Better Times: We ask five experts five questions about how they’re preparing to take advantage of an economic recovery – and what they’re doing just in case by Toluse Olorunnipa. Benjamin said, “I recommend that people don’t get an investment that they can’t understand. If your advisor or you cannot understand the investment in a few simple paragraphs, then I don’t think you should get it.”

In Financial Advisor, October 2009, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article You Make The Call by Eric L. Reiner. Updated Roth IRA conversion rules are going into effect in 2010 and many are examining the difficult decision of converting an IRA to a Roth IRA.  Benjamin stated that “People with taxable estates who have significant money in IRAs have the greatest potential for long-term savings” with a Roth conversion.

In the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, November 8, 2009, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Investor Lessons from the Rothstein Case by Harriet Johnson Brackey. Scott Rothstein, a local S. Florida attorney, was accused of operating a ponzi scheme and this article explained warning signs of getting in an unregulated investment. Benjamin urged to “stand up and run away from this person” in instances where an investment offer is secret and/or performance greatly outpaces the general market returns.

In the New York Times, October 29, 2009, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Collecting for Love, and Sometimes for Money by Conrad De Aenlle. Investing in collectibles such as art, wine, or other types is often attractive for an amateur collector; however, dealers usually have more information than the collector, markets are essentially unregulated, and any gains are taxed. Benjamin cautioned, “The problem with collectibles is the spread; a dealer pays one price, and investor pays much more. The only people I have seen make money are the dealers.”

In the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Matthew Saneholtz appeared a number of times between September 28 and October 11, 2009, in various articles relating to the Sun Sentinel’s Your Money Helpline which was held on October 6, 2009.  Matthew was quoted in the paper as he answered readers’ questions regarding annuities, investment allocations, international investing, and the estate tax.

On Miami-Herald.com, September 24, 2009, Benjamin Tobias was interviewed by Niala Boodhoo for "The Business Show".  Benjamin discussed what to look for when choosing a Financial Planner.  Click here for the interview clip.

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In the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, August 2, 2009, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Careful Planning Will Help Repair Investment, Retirement Portfolios by Harriet Johnson Brackey. Ben advised to create a written investment plan. “Write down what you plan to do under all circumstances.”  When the market goes down: “Pull out that piece of paper and say to yourself, ‘OK, when times were good or simple and not insane, when I wasn’t influenced by the CNBCs of this world making me think we’re going into the Great Depression, this is what I have to do.”

In Miami Today, June 18 2009, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article ’Sufficient’ Regulation of Planners Isn’t Always Enforced by Marilyn Bowden.  Due to market losses and other financial scandals, the financial advice industry could see more regulation soon. Ben suggested that all planners follow a fiduciary standard which means “..putting the client’s interest first, acting as a true advisor- trying to give them (clients) what they need as opposed to what you want to sell.”

In SmartMoney, February 2009, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the Ask SmartMoney section of the magazine written by Stephanie AuWerter.  A reader wanted recommendations about transferring a variable annuity to a different annuity provider.  Ben warned that many annuity contracts have a surrender fee which may be levied when withdrawing or transferring funds during the first years of the contract; typically, these fees are in effect for the first six or seven years of the contract.  In certain cases, paying the penalty could make sense over the long run, Ben said.

In The National, December 27, 2008, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article The Good Life at Risk? by Conrad De Aenlle.  With the economy slowing and political leaders changing, people working abroad may expect higher taxes in the near future.  To avoid a situation where an individual state taxes your foreign income when the United States doesn’t, Ben proposed, “If you know you’re going overseas for any length of time, it’s not difficult to move to a (no income tax) state and get residency.”

In the New York Times, December 20, 2008, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article For Safety, You Can Take It to the Bank by Conrad De Aenlle.  With yields on short-term Treasury bills falling to near zero, there are still some opportunities to get returns on your cash.  Ben pointed out that some banks eager to build their client bases are offering as much as four percent, often through Internet-only accounts.  He also suggested opening a brokerage account and purchasing short-term certificates of deposit from various institutions.

In the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, October 12, 2008, Benjamin Tobias and Matthew Saneholtz were quoted in the article Answers to Your Questions About the Economic Crisis by Harriet Johnson Brackey.  Ben advised rolling your 401(k) into an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) after you leave your job in order for more control and access to the funds.  Matt explained, “The main idea of investing is getting a return based upon how much risk you are willing to take.  The more risk taken, the greater reward.”

On MiamiHerald.com, September 24, 2008 through September 27, 2008, Benjamin Tobias served as the financial expert in the Your Money Q&A section of the website.  Ben answered a wide-range of financial planning questions submitted by the readers.

On CBS4 WFOR, the CBS News affiliate of South Florida, Matthew Saneholtz was interviewed live by David Sutta on September 26, 2008.  Matt commented on Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) limits.  Matt also participated in the CBS4 Neighbors for Neighbors financial advice phone banks on September 22 and September 26.

On 610 AM Radio, WIOD News Radio, Benjamin Tobias was interviewed on September 17th and again on September 25, 2008.  Ben discussed market volatility and analyzed the credit crisis and it’s impact on global stock markets.

On Local 10 News, the ABC News affiliate of South Florida, Benjamin Tobias was interviewed by Laurie Jennings and Charles Perez on September 15, 2008.  Ben commented on the day’s 4.4% decline in the Dow Jones Industrial Average after news of the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy and Bank of America purchase of Merrill Lynch.  Ben urged investors not to panic, stay diversified, and to make decisions based upon an investment plan that was written during more rational and less volatile times.

In Financial Advisor, September 2008, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Foreclosure Game by Gail Liberman.  Many investors are looking into purchasing real estate in foreclosure or through short sales as housing values have dropped significantly in recent years.  Some properties have seen drops of 30% to 55% below their peak retail value.  Ben counseled many clients against the risky practice of flipping properties during the real estate boom.  After the drop in value, Ben still thinks flipping is risky but “If you’re still interested in (buying), now may be the time- especially rental property.”

In the New York Times, August 31, 2008, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Discounts Beckon in Closed-End Funds by Conrad De Aenlle.  Closed-end funds often trade at a premium or discount due to the fact that there are a fixed amount of shares on the market.  Some advisors are attracted by this but Ben is unenthusiastic.  “Managers of closed-end funds are receiving their fees day in and day out, regardless of the value of the funds,” he said.  “If an open-end fund does poorly, you can sell it and the assets fall.  If a closed-end fund does poorly, it still has all of those assets; all you can do is sell to somebody else.  I want to align compensation with performance.”

In the International Herald Tribune, August 9, 2008, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Watch Out: Those Asset Management Fees Add Up by Conrad de Aenlle. Ben made clear that “regular monitoring of the investment and circumstances are the single most important aspect” of investment advice. “When paying a front-end load, will the adviser be there in years to come when compensation is not going to be earned?"

In The Wall Street Journal, June 6, 2008, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article How an Obama Win Would Affect Your Pocketbook by Brett Arends.  The article summarized that capital gain rates may increase in 2009 and beyond if Senator Barack Obama wins this year’s Presidential Election.  Ben recommended possibly taking capital gains in 2008 and to pay the 15% tax at that time, because it is uncertain what one will be paying next year.

In the Daily Business Review, April 9, 2008, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Strategies for Surviving the Economic Downturn by Wayne Tompkins.  Wealth managers must manage client’s investments as well as their emotions during economic downturns.  “We spend a lot of time educating our clients,” Ben said.  “I take them through history.  The only people who got hurt after the ’87 crash were the people that panicked.”

In the New York Times, March 29, 2008, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Not Everyone is Cheering Lower Rates by Conrad De Aenlle.  Ben foreshadowed that lower interest rates help debt-heavy homeowners and businesses today but may fuel inflation tomorrow.  “I think we’re going in a bad direction on inflation.  Double-digit rates are in our future...”  One way to protect against inflation is selling longer-term bonds.  Ben warned “…you don’t want to be locked into something in the low single digits.”

In the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, March 2, 2008, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Savings, Investments Can Ease Pain of Inflation by Harriet Johnson Brackey.  Inflationary pressures can’t be avoided entirely but certain investments such as Real Estate, Commodities, and International Bonds give protection.  Ben advised the use of real estate as an inflation hedge.

On MarketWatch.com, February 27, 2008, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Have You Ridden Your International Stocks as Far as They’ll Go? by Barbara Kollmeyer.  Recent turbulent months in the world’s stock markets have led many investors to rethink their allocation to International Stocks.  Ben did not recommend any major changes to his client’s portfolios.  He observed, “Really, we’ve been through a lot more volatile times than these.  If you go along the theory that in the long run the markets will adjust and return…you shouldn’t be making major changes unless you see something happening that might cause you to think there’s a fundamental long-term shift.”

In the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, February 21, 2008, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Employers Steering Workers to 401(k) Plans by Marcia Heroux Pounds.  With the near extinction of traditional pension plans, employers are automatically enrolling their workers into 401(k) plans due a law enacted in 2006.  In choosing 401(k) investments, Ben summarized that “the whole key is diversity,” noting the Enron debacle in which employees lost their retirement savings because they were heavily invested in company stock.

In the New York Times, February 10, 2008, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Gleaning the Tax Burden When You Own the Shop by Conrad De Aenlle.  Individuals starting their own business must determine the tax status of their venture, i.e. whether to be a sole proprietorship or a corporation.  Ben, with considerable experience running a business, remarked that aside from the tax decision, “Somebody just starting out should have a business plan, but most do not.”

On Reuters AdvicePoint.com, Benjamin Tobias was recognized in their listing of “Top Advisers 2008”.  Reuters, the global information company, launched an online community connecting investors with financial advisers in an atmosphere of trust and confidence.

In the Miami Herald, December 28, 2007, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Firms Count on New Year’s Resolutions by Bridget Carey.  Many businesses benefit from people’s New Year’s Resolutions such as gym memberships for those wanting to lose weight or providers of language classes for those who want to learn a new language.  Ben said that financial planners also see an increase in business as people want to get their financial affairs organized as well as prepare for tax season.

In the Journal of Financial Planning, December 2007, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article To Defer or Not to Defer: The Growing Debate over Tax Diversification written by Jim Grote.  The article analyzed the pros and cons of using different types of tax-deferred investment vehicles such as the Traditional IRA or a Roth IRA given the current state and possible future changes to the national tax code.  Furthermore, once the investment vehicle is determined, the right investments must be implemented.  Ben said, “Anything taxed at full ordinary income tax rates should be put in qualified plans and anything taxed as low as 15% should be in taxable accounts.”  Ben also noted that he started his career when marginal income tax rates were 70% and capital gains tax rates were at 35%!

In SmartMoney, November 2007, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the Ask SmartMoney section of the magazine written by Stephanie AuWerter.  A reader asks if one should invest a lump-sum amount on a day when the market drops considerably.  The answer is yes but Ben cautioned long-term investors not to wait for the perfect moment as many average moments pass by.  “If you’re a betting person, the sooner you put it in, the better it will be,” since the markets generally trend upward.

In South Florida CEO, October 2007, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Family Heirloom: Odds Are Against Family Businesses Successfully Passing From One Generation To The Next by Gina Pace.  Transitioning a business between generations requires concessions from both parties.  Ben explained that parents must let children become decision-makers while younger generations must learn to differentiate between criticism from their parents directed to them as an employee as opposed to parental disapproval as their child. “Both sides understand that the relationship, for business purposes, is going to change substantially.”

In The Wall Street Journal, September 26, 2007, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Dollar Daze: Investing with a Weak Currency by Jeff Opdyke and Jane Kim.  The article outlined how investors are investing more in non-dollar-denominated assets as the US dollar has hit multiyear lows against the Euro and other major currencies.  Ben was quoted as saying that he expects to see the Euro hit $2.00 during his lifetime.

On Bankrate.com, August 28, 2007, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Money Market Funds Surge in Market Turmoil by Laura Bruce.  Ben commented on the month’s steep declines and increased volatility.  “It’s human nature to be nervous, but I tell them (clients) that this will happen periodically and they just have to take a deep breath.  Since the 1980s we’ve had many periods of great volume and decline – the 1987 crash, the 2000 to 2002 decline.  And both times long-term investors were rewarded for holding on, and in relatively short order.”

On AdvisorMax.com, July 23, 2007, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the Tip of the Day section of their website.  The website offers advice for other financial advisors.  Ben shared, “When I’m determining a strategy for a client, my method is to take everything into consideration, and not leave any stone unturned.  To do that, I turn to a tool that’s a bit unusual- Form 1040, the U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.”

On SmartMoney.com, June 8, 2007, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article The 1040 is a Great Tool for Planning by Will Swarts.  Ben said that examining a client’s tax return can save time and spotlight concerns.  “With a new client, I like to go over their tax return in detail, because it’s a good springboard for a lot of important planning questions.”

In the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, April 22, 2007, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Income Tax Return Can Serve as Financial Road Map by Harriet Johnson Brackey.  Examining one’s tax return could provide budgeting, saving, and investing techniques.  Ben shared, “The tax return is the ideal data gathering form.  If you are in a budgeting bind, this is a good place to start as far as making up a budget.”

On Local 10 News, the ABC News affiliate of South Florida, Benjamin Tobias was interviewed by Janine Stanwood on February 27, 2007.  Ben commented on the day’s 3.3% decline in the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the 3.8% decline on the NASDAQ.  The story cautioned people to stick to their investment plan and not to get distracted by daily volatility.  Ben warned, “…there’s a lot of emotion built into the stock market.”

In Inc. Magazine, February 2007, Benjamin Tobias was extensively quoted in the article The Problem With Passion Good Entrepreneurs Can Be Bad Investors by Daniel Akst.  Ben commented that entrepreneurs tend to be overconfident and usually undiversified in their investments.  “We talk to clients about diversification constantly, not just your investment portfolio but your whole life needs to be diversified.”

On AdvisorMax.com, 2007, Benjamin Tobias was profiled in the In My Experience section of their website.  The website offers advice for other financial advisors.  Ben described his philosophy of using a person’s tax return to help gather information and to generate financial planning ideas.

In Florida International Magazine, December 2006, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Happily Ever After? by Richard Westlund.  The article tracked the Dow Jones Industrial Average’s comeback from the lows of 2002 to non-inflation adjusted record highs of 2006.  Ben said, “We’ve had four relatively good years in a row, so the question is how often does a market cycle run for five years?  And the answer is not often…but you just can’t predict short-term cycles.”

In Medical Economics, November 3, 2006, Benjamin Tobias was listed nationally among the 150 Best Financial Advisers for Doctors.

In Financial Advisor, October 2006, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article P&C Insurance for the Rich and Famous by Eric L. Reiner.  Financial Planners help protect their clients' assets by knowing what types of insurance are available, how insurance may or may not benefit the client, and helping to obtain the appropriate insurance at a reasonable price.  Tobias discussed the fact that many individuals do not obtain sufficient umbrella insurance.

In the Miami Herald, September 4, 2006, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Ready to bet on hurricanes? Hedgestreet might be for you by Niala Boodhoo.  Hedgestreet is an online derivatives exchange which allows trading of options based on hurricane damage, housing markets, oil and other commodities.  Ben likened trading hurricane futures to gambling in Las Vegas and it should not be considered actual investing.

On Local10.com, the ABC News affiliate of South Florida’s website, August 7, 2006, Benjamin Tobias was widely quoted in the article Retirement Reality: Saving Early Makes Retirement Easier by Kathleen Corso.  Ben explained, “Gone are the days of guaranteed pensions, and Social Security is far from a sure thing either.  You have to be responsible for your own well-being upon retirement.”  Thus, saving is necessary.  “Many people don’t think they can do it, but when I sit down and show them how they can cut back on spending while still enjoying themselves, most find it fairly easy to do.”

On MarketWatch.com, August 4, 2006, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article How to Choose a Core International Stock Fund by Barbara Kollmeyer.  Investing in international mutual funds to diversify a portfolio has almost become the norm.  Ben has invested internationally for the past 20 years.

In the Miami Herald, July 16, 2006, Benjamin Tobias wrote an article titled Investors Must Ride the Roller Coaster Market. Ben compared the year-to-date stock market volatility and investment returns of 2006 to the results of 2004 and 2005. He noted that 2006 had better returns at mid-year even though the stock markets have been more volatile. His recommendation was to remove emotion from decision-making by following your investment policy. Ben urged all investors that do not have a written plan to develop one either through self-education or the use of a qualified professional.

On Bankrate.com, June 21, 2006, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Survey: Most Americans Fail the Emergency-Fund Test by Laura Bruce.  Many experts believe people should have three to six months of living expenses in an emergency fund to combat unexpected unemployment or major medical expenses.  However, only four out of ten Americans have sufficient emergency accounts according to this survey.  Ben warned, “When it comes to the general public, most people are absolutely not safe in a financial emergency.”

In the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, May 21, 2006, Benjamin Tobias provided suggestions for college graduates in the article Debt and Circumstance Many College Grads Start Out Deep In The Red by Jennifer Peltz.  Ben advised parents to make sure their children understand all financing options and their responsibility in repayment before taking on debt.  Ben suggested that it is highly recommended to determine, before taking on the debt, whether the student's future career path will offset the student loans.

In the Miami Herald, April 6, 2006, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Teens Test Their Financial Knowledge by Niala Boodhoo. A quiz conducted by the Federal Reserve taken by high school seniors revealed young people’s lack of financial knowledge. Ben agreed with the assessment and provided that a good way to learn is living within a budget. However, he charged, “That’s just not taught by so many indulgent parents.”

In the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, February 15, 2006, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Our Culture Discourages People from Being Wise with Their Money by Humberto Cruz. Analyzed in the article is America's attitude towards spending rather than saving. Ben suggested, “People talk about what kind of car they are getting but it’s a ‘no-no’ to talk [in social settings] about how much you’ve saved for retirement. Maybe people should start speaking up about their savings, creating ‘peer pressure’ for others to save.”

In the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, December 17, 2005, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Tax Breaks Approved for Hurricane Victims by William E. Gibson.  The article discusses how the new tax legislation regarding Hurricane Wilma, Rita, and Katrina might benefit taxpayers who have been affected by these storms.  Ben commented, “For anybody who itemizes deductions, that really is a help to do away with the ten-percent requirement on the casualty loss.  You have a lot of people with significant damages that are not reimbursed by insurance.  Now they can actually claim that loss.”

In Newsweek, August 17, 2005, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Learning Curve by Traci E. Carpenter.  In the article, Ben provided many budgeting tips to both freshmen entering college and their parents.

In the Miami Herald, June 5, 2005, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Retire in Style by Harriet Johnson Brackey.  The article highlights the average American family, the Salgados, and their approach to savings for upcoming retirement.  Ben commends the family for their current economic picture and offers advice for upcoming decisions regarding pension plans, insurance, and even early retirement.  The article also contains an inset profiling Ben and his accomplishments.

In Kiplinger’s, April 2005, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Buyer’s Beware in an Overheated Market by Kristin Davis and researched by Amy Esbenshade Hebert.  Ben warned, “I wouldn’t recommend anyone buying any type of property that they’re expecting to turn around quickly.”

In Reader’s Digest, 2005, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Other Ways to Invest in Real Estate by unknown author.  Ben advised, “Invest only five percent to ten percent of your portfolio, since it’s impossible to know how a REIT fund will perform going forward.”

In The New York Times, December 5, 2004, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article YOUR HOME; Items to Take In an Emergency by Jay Romano.  Before an emergency even occurs, Ben urged people to “Go through the house with a camera and take pictures of everything.”  This procedure will help jog your memory to aid in accurately recalling your possessions in order to file a comprehensive insurance claim for anything that has been lost.

On FloridaTrend.com, October 2004, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article 10 Moves to Make Now by Barbara Miracle.  Ben called 529 plans “one of the most wonderful tools for a young parent.”

On cpa2biz.com, May 2004, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Real Deals by Donald Jay Korn.  Ben commented on finding current real estate opportunities, “It’s not easy.  Most of the deals I’m looking at now seem too pricey.”

On CBS MarketWatch, April 28, 2004, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Guaranteeing Your Legacy Survives by Eva Rosenberg.  Ben cautioned that it’s not wise to relinquish full control of a family business without exercising the same level of due diligence you take with strangers.

On the Newhouse News Service, March 31, 2004, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Tax Season a Good Time for Reassessing Financial Goals by Michele M. Melendez.  Ben exclaimed, “The preparation of the tax return is actually a great financial planning tool.”

On Bankrate.com, March 2, 2004, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article TIPS – Enough Returns for your Money? by Laura Bruce.  Ben declared, “There’s something very strange going on in the world economy, and the devaluation of the dollar is just the beginning of it.  If it continues, it almost has to lead to inflation.  Our currency will take on the characteristics of emerging market currency. So, TIPS, in the event of that happening, are a great protection to maintain purchasing power.”

In the Miami Herald/Herald.com, January 25, 2004, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Bankruptcy Can Lead to Bumpy Chapters in Your Financial Life by Harriet Johnson Brackey.  Ben blamed credit card companies for extending too much credit, calling them “enablers” for those who are addicted to debt.

In the Mansfield News Journal, January 16, 2004, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Lottery Jackpots often Create Mega Problems by unknown author (AP).  Ben suggested that lottery winners, “…their value system has just been tilted completely over.  Sometimes they can’t handle it.”

In Financial Advisor, October 2003, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article The Return of Capital Gains by Eric L. Reiner.  Ben announced, “What was really nice was that we had capital gains to talk about this year. From the investment side, tax planning is going to be a much more pleasant experience for advisors than it has been recently.”

In Financial Advisor, July 2003, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Interest in Asset Protection Mounts by Eric L. Reiner.  Ben warned, “I saw once where a guy put everything into his wife’s name, there was a divorce, and he got socked worse than he would have otherwise.”

On Bankrate.com, July 16, 2003, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Cashing Out a College Fund in a Down Market by Lucy Lazarony.  Ben suggested to only sell what you currently need and, “As soon as there’s a rally, then I would start to liquidate.”

On SmartMoney.com, June 10, 2003, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Should You Rent Out Your Home or Sell It? by Aleksandra Todorova.  Ben said, “The rule of thumb is, if you have a large gain on your personal residence, you don’t want to rent it out.  You never want to take a house that you’re not going to have to pay tax on and convert it into rental property and pay tax on the gain.  That’s insane.  It’s like taking money and throwing it in the garbage can.”

On Financial-Planning.com, May 14, 2003, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Fund Mangers, Like Corporate CEO’s, See Pay Come under Scrutiny by Laurie Kulikowksi.  Ben revealed, “I have always looked at compensation and in part the method of compensation.  That’s one of the most important [criteria] in selecting a mutual fund manager.”

On TheStreet.com, May 7, 2003, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Five Winning Funds: Yes, Investors, There are Large Cap Growth Winners by Stephen Schurr.  Ben said, “If you believe in long-term investing, there’s certainly no reason to decrease your large-cap growth exposure.  I would at least suggest you maintain your holding.  In fact – and I didn’t say this a few years ago – you’re probably better off if it’s a little higher over the next few years.”

On Hispaniconline.com, Spring 2003, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Grounding Your Finances by Bridget McCrea.  The article suggests investing in real estate and Ben stated, “I’ve seen investors buy one or two condos and get tied up with bad tenants, or no tenants.  The key is to have enough resources going into it to get through the low periods.”

On SmartMoney.com, April 28, 2003, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article You’re Mortgaging Your Future by Aleksandra Todorova.  Ben recalled, “I’ve seen people go into the IRA for the so-called one-time reason.  But my impression is, once they go in, they feel like they’ve invaded it and can do it again.  And retirement money never ends up being spent for retirement.”

On IAmagazine.com, March 2003, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article The Middle-Class Squeeze: Clients too Wealthy for College Financial Aid Look to 529 College Savings Plans by Molly Butler Hart.  Ben exclaimed, “I always ask clients about their potential education expenses when working on their financial plan.”

On Financial-Planning.com, February 1, 2003, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article Down, But Not Out by James E. Reynolds.  Ben suggested about growth stocks that, “We have a little higher allocation for growth than three years ago.  Over the long-term, we expect growth to return ten percent to eleven percent.”

On Bankrate.com, January 10, 2003, Benjamin Tobias was quoted in the article The Case for High-Yield Stocks by Laura Bruce.  Ben explained, “I would never say take a retiree’s entire fixed income portfolio and put it in GE earning 2.99 percent vs. a money market, but if you were to take a group of twenty high-yielding dividend stocks and put a portion of a retiree’s fixed income into those stocks it could be good.”

In Worth Magazine, 2002, Benjamin Tobias was named nationally among the Top 250 Personal Financial Specialists.