Dightman Captial Group
We manage adaptive investment strategies, as part of a comprehensive planning environment, designed to protect capital in sustained market contractions and grow capital during market expansions.

Protect...Grow...Repeat

Market & Economic Brief

March 4th, 2010

GLOBAL STOCKS
Stocks are making a recovery attempt from the pullback that developed in the middle of January but remain vulnerable, in our opinion.  We will not be surprised if stocks reach new highs in the current rally but have become more alert for another, potentially more significant, correction. 

WORLD ECONOMY
Leading economic indicators by ECRI are starting to point to a slowdown in the U.S. economy toward the middle of the year.  Debt issues in Europe, the Middle East, and some U.S. states continue to pose potential problems.

INFLATION DATA
Inflation generally appears to be contained and continued deflation concerns appear to be off the table for the time being.

U.S. RESIDENTIAL HOUSING
The housing market has stabilized but weakness has started to reappear in parts of the market.

PLANNING
New conversion rules for ROTH IRA's in 2010 may present a unique planning opportunity.

WANT TO LOWER COLLEGE COSTS?

At Dightman Capital Group we understand the work that goes into choosing the right college for your son or daughter. We also understand that, other than planning for retirement, a college education for your student will be one of your biggest financial burdens. Our goal is to cut through the financial confusion, paperwork and bureaucracy to find the right solution for your unique needs.

Financial Considerations

There are many financial elements involved in the process and we can help clear up all the confusion. Our service will introduce you to the unique tax laws associated with college savings and spending. We will also help you sort through how universities award financial assistance by evaluating merit aid, gift aid, scholarships, loans, work-study etc. We will also provide you with a side by side comparison of financial aid available to your student for the schools of his or her choice.

Academic Considerations

There are several academic factors that can impact the attractiveness of your student to a particular university. Our service will outline several strategies to consider beyond encouraging students to deliver good grades. It’s never too early to have a good academic strategy and, for that matter, it is never too late. We can show seniors who may think that they’ve missed the boat how they can set themselves up for success.

Admissions Strategy

When comparing and selecting colleges for your student, you need to understand the competition. First, your student needs to know how they compare to other students at a particular school. Universities also have admission goals and will compete for the right students. How the student approaches the admissions strategy can have a big impact on whether they are even considered. Our service will provide you and your student with an understanding of this unique process and the ability to develop a plan to separate your application from the rest of the stack.

Our Service Provides:
  • Expected Family Contribution (EFC) calculation
  • EFC with potential asset & income changes
  • Financial Aid Statistics for each college of interest
  • Aid Eligibility Report
  • What Will College Cost Estimate Report
  • Comprehensive 2-page report on each college from Wintergreen Orchard House
  • Cash Flow Report for College Years
  • FAFSA Example & Answer Key
  • PROFILE Example & Answer Key
  • Academic Suggestions & Strategies
  • Admissions overview & approach
  • Report:  Tips for Staying Safe on Campus
  • Report:  How to Avoid Financial Traps on Campus
  • Peace of mind knowing you have a college plan

We make it very easy to explore our service in more detail. For additional information, don’t hesitate to call and set up your FREE consultation. Call 206.652.8300 or send an email to