Annuity Menu: Home Page

Are you hungry for safe investment alternatives?

Welcome to our portal on the world wide web! This is the world's first Internet Money Cafe specializing in world class fixed annuity products. We have some specials for you to consider the next time your CD comes due and the bank mumbles out the new renewal interest rate to you, sincerely knowing it is one of the lowest in history! (Of course, you might want to check the health of your local bank AND securities brokerage firm nowadays too...)

We want you to have a chance to see the FULL MENU, when the bank starts talking to you about insurance company annuities as an alternative to their low interest paying depository bank products. Or your stock broker too who might have mentioned it lately. (perhaps because they can't make you any money, or worse, are losing you money in your variable accounts)

And, if you STILL have money with a firm who couldn't manage THEIR money and went broke or had to be bought out suddenly, the question to you is --

WHY???

Getting the insurance "TALK" is usually offered after you threaten to pull your certificate money out of the bank, or your brokerage money out of the brokerage firm. In order to keep YOUR money in "their" hands longer, bank staff will point you towards the "investment specialist" on duty. And of course, brokerage firms will now point you towards the "insurance specialist" on duty.

In fact, after the tremendous events that started in 2008 -- the "insurance" expert may be waiting in the wings to grab you when the broker can sense you are not likely to keep your account with them any longer because of losses you have suffered. And, the "broker" in the bank may be waiting in the wings to grab you when the banker can not satisfy you with his or her CD renewal rates coming up. It is a viscous cycle and one you want to recognize so you don't get used and/or abused.

If you are reading this because you already feel like a "baton" and can relate to the banks and brokers' unwritten policy to keep you as a customer no matter what, read on. Some fresh new ingredients (options) are going to be on the menu in the Internet Money Cafe. You are at the right place at the right time to investigate and find alternatives to the "same old samo" you were used to in the past. You can no longer faithfully trust your bank or your broker alone to do it for you and if you haven't figured that out by now -- you are also at the wrong site and reading material that is not going to help you at all if you think trusting someone else is the best program!

But, if you have finally realized that YOU are the best investment advisor you can trust, we simply are here for you (and have been for many, many years) so you can have guidance, education and maybe even some motivation to do the right thing. Yes, we have product too to serve your needs. So why not make yourself a nice hot cup of tea or java and take a little time now to review our money menu? Have a snack handy as well - you deserve it!

But, perhaps your greatest need right now is to stop listening to the buddy or friend who brags how much they make trading in the stock market or in their mutual funds. Most that brag have statements they really don't want to show you. You see, they might have made some money - once. And then lost it. Or bought more, and then lost it. Or sold when it dropped below purchase price, and sat in cash while it went back up again. The point is, these stock trader types are the same ones that for years have told you NOT to put your money in the hands of a safe, secure, long term insurance company. They told you to do your own thing instead in stocks, bonds and mutual funds. Or, to get a broker if you don't know what to do yourself.

If that is what you did -- trusted a broker who couldn't help but make you some money during the good years -- how many brokers are now willing to make up your current loss's in your securities or 401-k plan? Obviously, none of them...

Does this mean it is not possible to be a short term trader or a long term investor and achieve above average returns by taking risks? Of course not. Those who know how to do it and know how to make money in an up, sideways or down market are out there, at least until they make one big mistake and lose the nest egg they built up. You see, most do that eventually. It is like driving close to the middle line on the road. Whether it is right side or left side driving, sooner or later you are going to cross over and boom! A crash happens! No more big gains. And, possible losses. That scenario happened in 2008, and it appears the stock market loss's from last year are continuing on now with no abatement. It could be just beginning...

This financial crisis, is unlike no other since the great depression time period. This situation we are now in economically, one they swore could not happen with safeguards and systems in place -- is happening in front of you every day. The talking heads are mostly shaking them each day on television. They have never been here before. And, neither have you most likely. Just remember to tell those advisors in the past who overly influenced you to take excess risk on YOUR investment money - to put a sock in it! If they also told you that fixed insurance products were boring or old fashioned - then tell them to put both socks in it!

And, lightly mentioning your 401-k plan...O.K., I know, I know. Most likely, someone told you it was the best plan to buy the company stock or a combination of the company stock and other mutual funds. Can you remember that "someone" who influenced you to take excess risk which might have produced nice rewards in the past? Well, the past is history and not reviewing and updating your 401-k plan often can be devastating. What once looked nice on paper statements -- may now look like a financial train wreck! Delight and joy most likely has turned into heartache and pain instead, when you review your equities based retirement savings.

Of all those years you put your contributions into your retirement plan (and most likely some contributions from your employer), wasn't the whole ordeal like the popular show -- Deal or No Deal? The end result right now if your retirement date is looming is --

1. Walk away with a lot of money for retirement.

2. Walk away with some money for retirement.

3. Walk away with very little money for retirement.

The difference is how well you managed your account against the biggest risk of all - that is the risk of losing years of gains in just a few short months. The question remains for ALL investors now:

WHAT IS THE PERFECT INVESTMENT NOW?

Might I suggest something? How about something that NEVER GOES DOWN?

(Check our menu. Nothing on it can lose principal if held to maturity!)

If you feel you have been used or abused, perhaps it is time you first...

...FIRE YOUR BANKER AND YOUR BROKER!

Now, there is nothing wrong with the bank or stock broker trying to show you alternatives to try and keep your business. But, sometimes the alternatives turn down a road that you have never traveled. First, the bank may try to convince you to invest in more risky securities investments that have better "past performance" than the current CD renewal rates. But, like those supposing safe "pooled mortgages" from people who bought homes with nothing down, bad credit and/or a loan called a "liars loan" (yes, you could state your income without proving it) -- be careful what you trust in from now on! And sadly, who you trust.

And, the broker may do just the opposite. He or she may show you the new FIA (Fixed Indexed Annuity) plans that we have on the menu here at the Internet Money Cafe. There is nothing wrong with that. But, if you placed your investment or retirement dollars with a stock broker, shouldn't that be their main objective? If YOUR stock broker is now mentioning a "flight to safety", then you are doing the right thing in researching alternatives which you will find on this site. And, if your banker is pushing "variable" equity based options (meaning higher risks), just to chase after higher potential returns on your money -- isn't that also a good sign that they too are changing the role you originally came to them for and the role you expect them to perform for you?

There is no mystery. Your bank and your broker, as well as any other licensed and contracted independent insurance agent can show you the same fixed annuity products we specialize in. However, the difference is that you most likely will be restricted from seeing a broad spectrum of products from various companies. Selection is extremely limited when insurance based products are discussed in a bank or brokerage firm environment. Many times, a typical presentation centers on a single product (usually with the highest commission) that THEY want you to buy! They don't have the time to go into much detail. BUT, you do! So, stay in the Internet Money Cafe as long as you like. And, come back often! Of course, your friends, neighbors, relatives and work associates deserve an invite here too. If you like what you read and see, why not invite them too to come take a look?

Back to that bank and broker discussion (and your local insurance agent). What we find fault in a shotgun approach is that not all annuity products are the same, nor are the company ratings the same. Each product needs proper explanation and disclosure. Perhaps a future income needs and estate planning discussion as well so you can pick the right item on our menu and enjoy it! And, it is only fair that company ratings are discussed. Though no life insurance or annuity client has ever lost money in a defunct life insurance company yet in America, investing in the highest rated companies can reduce the chance of it ever happening in the first place. (The industry has guarantee funds and reserves that have protected it to date from single company defaults that vary per state.)

These funds, however, are not allowed to be used in a sales presentation. But, we want you to know that in order for a company to do business in your home state, they have to deposit adequate reserves and show their financials to state regulators initially and on an ongoing basis. This comment is not implied nor is it to be construed as any personal guarantee that your money would be fully protected or safe from loss. However, knowing these funds exist and are used from time to time successfully to protect policyholders is a good thing to know and for that purpose, is why we are disclosing it here.

With that out of the way, we ask YOU this question, (for you to compare to another agents quote, or a quote from a banker or broker) - "Why should I buy from your insurance company with a B+ (or worse) A.M. Best Insurance company rating when I can buy from a higher rated company such as A, A+ or A++?" (A++ is the highest A.M. Best Rating) O.K., not all bank sold annuity companies have less than spectacular ratings, but many we review do have lower ratings from the rating agencies. This is because it allows greater profit margins for the bank by representing lower rated companies. To say that a different way, the bank feels if they are going to risk losing YOUR money from bank hands by taking you out of bank products which pay them well (but not so well to you), and place your savings or CD money into a tax deferred annuity instead that ties up the money longer in many cases -- then they are going to use higher commission products to make sure this tactic pays off. And, to get that higher commission level, sometimes they will use a lower rated company which is willing to pay a higher commission than a highly rated insurance carrier. Makes perfect sense does it not? Higher risks means higher reward and the reverse is true as well, even in commissions!

If you have a lot of money already with an insurance company, you may want to investigate the 6 large companies the government agreed to give TARP funds to them if they need them. (Because they are experiencing financial troubles) All the details are at our sister site: www.ReissueMyLifeInsurance.info

So, the bank, offering .00039 % per month (almost nothing) on your checking or passbook savings balance, and now pushing non-bank products more and more -- is getting to be a very confusing place nowadays, compared to twenty years ago when they stuck to to just "banking".

In conclusion, you can learn and discover more information about modern insurance based annuity products in the Internet Money Cafe that are on the menu (and some are off the menu but still available), and serve as a great alternative to you now that the economy and financial world is in a period of retreat. You can protect 100% of your capital and still invest in alternatives to low bank rates or high risk regular securities portfolios. And, you can do so with YOU at the head of the conference table telling yourself what to do, not some banker or broker whose firm just went broke because they couldn't manage their own affairs, let alone those of their customers and clients! YOUR THE BOSS!

Yes, we know some bond funds, and most mutual fund and regular stocks portfolios may be losing your precious capital right now. But, the best "SAFE" investment alternatives available to you on earth are RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW. Just review our online menu options to see what looks good to you and what may fit your needs for future income, growth, or inheritance potential for your heirs. Though the menu items listed on this site do not disclose the actual company and products described, you can obtain that specific consumer information as well, just by completing our online 15 second registration process. Registration is required so that we can track our effectiveness in getting our message across to consumers looking for safe investment alternatives, as well as properly send you state specific literature in PDF electronic formats that comply with your state's insurance compliance laws.

Note: The registration will automatically trigger a specific product/company electronic brochure into your email address if you are an Arizona or Oklahoma resident, which are the states we are currently licensed in. It should arrive within 8 hours or less after you request it. If you are a resident of another state which we in the process of licensing in, we again will send the state specific information electronically by email. For states we currently do not do business in, an associate firm will send a state specific company/product brochure electronically to you if available, as long as the product you request information on if it is available in your state. We won't leave you hanging, once you are serious about "safe" investing.

If the product described on our menu that you request specific information on is not yet approved or is not available in your state or we do not have an associate in your state, the company and product name will still be delivered to your electronically for your own follow-up or research so that you will still obtain a limited version of the information you seek. (Company and Product Name)

Since we always have a few specialty products "off menu" from time to time, keep in mind that more products are available then what is on the normal menu! And, the menu changes often as new products are developed from our multiple companies we represent, so check back to get an updated "fixed" rate quote, as well as to review what's new from time to time. Lastly, remember we only represent the best insurance carriers on earth and have NEVER represented AIG!!!

Click here for our complete contact information.

Disclosure: This information is general in nature, it is not specific or general investment advice and is only intended to make the point that equity based investing requires proper money management. And, that even with proper management an equity based investment plan may not have defense against price drops or other circumstances that can reduce prior gains as well as deplete original principal invested. If you desire investment advice or an investment advisor, we recommend you seek proper professional help in that regard. Financial Strategies, Inc. and it's staff is NOT an investment advisor or investment advisor firm. Under recent SEC changes regarding fixed investment accounts such as fixed annuities which we make a market in, it may be against the law to recommend that you convert an equity based investment into a fixed investment product. This could be deemed "investment advice". For that reason, we do not recommend you replace any equity based product with a fixed investment annuity product we may offer on this site without first analyzing your own situation and risk tolerance levels which will help you understand the full value of a fixed annuity product such as what we offer on this site. Though we do not agree with these recent rulings and how the SEC may interrupt what is investment advice, we clearly state here that the consumer has to decide for themselves without our input, the true value of conversion to safer fixed investments such as fixed annuity products from name brand insurance carriers and make any decisions to convert on their own or with professional advisory they may desire that are properly licensed as investment advisors. And, we openly state those investment advisors don't get paid to loose your equity money to fixed insurance company products, but to keep your money "under management". Need we say more?

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Last Site Update: 01/17/2010