RETIRE RICH BY INVESTING IN FINE ART

By: William (Bill) Powell

With so many Americans maxed out on credit, and a record number of bankruptcies, how can anyone expect to reach retirement safely in the greatest country in the world?

Today's global economy is more credit driven to the point that the result has been disastrous for the Middle Class.

Americans owe more money than ever before with household debt growing to over 90% of annual disposable income.

Consumer delinquency rates and foreclosures have reached epic proportions. Many households do not have any sort of retirement assets or emergency funds to weather the Financial Storm we now find ourselves in.

How did we ever get into this mess in the first place, and what exactly can the average family do to regain control of their financial life in the midst of all this turmoil?

The easy answer would be to go to cash! However, then what?

There is a solution to this problem, however first we need to understand how credit has been used and abused.

For as long as we can remember, investing in real estate was considered to be a good use of credit. Why? With as little as 3% down on the purchase price on your home, you were able to leverage your investment 30:1. The interest you paid on your mortgage was tax deductible as the value of your house continued to grow. As long as the market kept rising, your equity accumulated tax free with Uncle Sam becoming your partner and subsidizing your investment.

That model, known as the American Dream worked for 68% of the population. It was also very good for the country, as home ownership became one of the main engines that drove the US economy.

The Wall Street Cowboys and their self-serving friends in Washington kept encouraging us to "Trade Up." Risk is a four letter word, but not with these guys. As home values continued to climb, it seemed like the party would never end. Furthermore, we were told to load up on stocks, bonds and mutual funds in our 401 K's and IRA's which along with our real estate investment would fund our retirement. The conventional thinking then was, once the kids left home, we would retire in dignity somewhere warm, and enjoy our golden years. "Freedom 55"

However, that's not what happened! Instead, the American Dream has turned into a nightmare except in this case, we are not dreaming! In fact, we are actually drowning in debt!

If we look back over the last 20 years, US homeowners have enjoyed the benefits of easy credit. However it did not take long before use turned to abuse. As house values kept increasing, Americans were able to use their homes like an ATM machine. They simply would go down to their local bank and take out a home equity loan.

At the same time, the financial markets were on fire with technology stocks leading the way. That is, until several Internet companies with zero earnings trading in the stratosphere began to implode.

Once the Dot Com Bubble burst, and the Nasdaq lost half of its value, the Wall Street Cowboys, with the blessing of the SEC and Congress, turned their attention to the real estate market. Their insatiable greed drove them to develop new products known as sup-prime mortgages.

Their thinking was that if 68% of the population could own a home, why couldn't anyone else as long as they had a job? It didn't matter what their credit score was or whether they could afford the down payment. The banks or mortgage companies would make sure these first time buyers would get to own a home. As a result, these unsuspecting first time home buyers had no way of knowing that the trap had been set for them with adjustable rate mortgages (ARM'S).

This story is still unfolding with approximately 3 million foreclosures and 4.7 million jobs lost on Main Street.

Sadly retirement accounts will be among the greatest casualties in the wake of this financial meltdown. Since the summer of 2007, retirement funds have lost approximately $2 trillion in value. Individually the average retirement account has lost tens of thousands of dollars.

Retirement and Estate planning models will need to be re-engineered to protect individuals against erosive forces of taxes, inflation and volatile markets.

The good news is there is a way out of this mess.

The path to financial and personal freedom can be a rocky one at best. Building wealth is huge responsibility, if done right, it is a tremendous achievement. However, you can't get there without a plan.

In order to create wealth so you can enjoy your retirement, it is necessary to get your taxes down to the legal limit.

However, to do that, you need a sound strategy. And what strategy is that you ask? Have you been following what has been going on in the Fine Art Market lately?

Did you know Fine art is one of the safest investments in history in addition to being one of the best tax advantaged vehicles there is. Is it any wonder that the Rich and Famous have been leveraging the Art Market for generations?

Why Fine Art?

Investment experts have long recommended portfolio diversification, and that 15-20% of these investments be devoted to tangible assets such as Fine Art.

In today's political and economic environment, here are just four reasons why you portfolio should include this asset class:

1. Fine Art offers outstanding price appreciation and profit potential.
2. Fine Art has been a safe haven in times of war, political strife and uncertainty.
3. Fine Art has been a solid hedge against a declining US dollar.
4. Fine Art is an excellent vehicle to reduce your taxes.

You now have a plan to get to a safe harbor and protect your retirement nest egg using the same tax laws as the Rich and Famous. The only question on your mind should be "How do I get started in the Fine Art Market?"

That is a great question. My suggestion is to do your due diligence and seek all the information that is available on this subject.

Good luck in taking control of your retirement nest egg.

Carpe diem,

William Powell 

Founder and Managing Director 

PIA - Partners in Art

PS. The content of this article was inspired by a special report you can have for free. Take the first step to designing the life you want to live and get your free copy now at: www.helpwithmytaxes.net

About the Author

William "Bill" Powell, Founder and Managing Partner of PIA, has produced the breakthrough special report entitled "Survive and Prosper from the Financial Storm: Tax Strategies that the Rich Know, and Others Don't"

This timely and provocative report is available for Free if you act now

In it, you will learn the principles of leverage used in the Fine Art Market. This information will open your eyes to a whole new world of tax reduction and wealth creation strategies that the wealthy have been enjoying for generations.

Please visit our website http://www.pia-partnersinart.com

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