May issue of Sound Mind Investing now available

The new May issue of the Sound Mind Investing newsletter is rolling off the press! Print subscribers will receive it in a few days — Web members can access all of the content right now.

Even if you're not yet an SMI subscriber or Web member (why are you waiting?), you can read several May-issue articles at the links below.

• Investors can easily fall into the trap of blowing right past restraint en route to imagined future riches — often with unhappy results. Our executive editor Mark Biller has four tips that'll help you check that impulse in The Wisdom to Show Restraint.
• Investing decisions normally can't be made with mathematical certainty, so investing is more art than science. Still, there is one key rule to always keep in mind: In Doubt? Take The Safe Route.
• How did SMI's two core investing strategies perform in the three months of 2011? We have the numbers — and more — in our First Quarter Review.

And there's more! In our subscribers-only cover story, "On Bear Markets and Boundaries," SMI founder and publisher Austin Pryor deals with a key question: How can a long-term investor gain the emotional fortitude to stick with their plans when the market starts to tank? The downturn of 2007-2009 saw many rattled investors toss their plans aside — and suffer hurt because of it.

Austin unveils a new "Bear Market Guidelines" strategy that can help you stick to your plan even during those times when the bear is on the prowl.

Also in the current issue, we look how — by filling out a simple form — you may be able bequeath hundreds of thousands of extra dollars to your children and maybe your grandchildren. The details are in "'Stretching' Your IRA Can Help Grow Long-Term Family Wealth."

Plus we help you run the numbers on the all important "Buy vs. Rent" housing decision.

Want to access all the content from the May issue right away — including our cover article on protecting yourself during bear markets? Become an SMI Web Member today!

As a Web Member, you'll get far more than just the latest issue. Web members have access to our three-year(!) searchable archive of articles from the Sound Mind Investing newsletter — articles that can help you make the most of financial resources.

Plus you'll get:

• SMI's Retirement Plan Fund Tracker (shown at right) that generates a custom report that tracks the specific funds available in your retirement plan, so you can know which funds to choose and when. (If you have money in an employer-sponsored retirement plan, this feature alone makes our 30-day trial well worth checking out!)

• Our Fund Performance Rankings report — the latest data on the performance of more than 1,500 mutual funds.

You'll also gain access to our core investing strategy, Fund Upgrading, that's beaten the overall market in 11 of the past 12 years. During the 12-year period from 1999-2010, U.S. stocks gained a total of 41% (as measured by the Wilshire 5000). During that same time, SMI's Upgrading strategy gained 185%!

Still not sure? Consider what some of our readers have told us:

SMI was an answer to prayer! We've developed a workable budget, paid off debt, started a contingency fund, opened college savings accounts, and went from negative returns in our retirement accounts to positive returns — immediately. Best of all, we get our financial advice from a source that truly puts God first. Cate Brizzell, NY Subscriber since 2000
We so appreciate SMI! Thank you for all that you do. You are, without a doubt, the best "one stop" resource for anyone's total financial needs. Bobby and Carla Sullivan, KY Web Members since 2005
The Sound Mind Investing newsletter has given me access to a proven investing method that is simple to follow and will return the cost of my annual subscription many times over. The Sound Mind Investing website and message board are a great place to ask investing questions and get great advice from other subscribers. Craig Weeks, TX Web Member since 2005

Don't let another month go by without taking steps to improve your finances. Sign up today for Sound Mind Investing!

Just posted: August issue of Sound Mind Investing!

No matter what may be going on in stock market on any given day, a long-term financial plan that focuses on eliminating debt, building savings, and diversifying one's investments will eventually pay off!

The new August issue of the Sound Mind Investing newsletter — just posted online — will encourage you in those pursuits.

And, of course, we've included a little bit of free-access content for those who aren't yet subscribers.

For example: you can read this article on how to juice the yields of any savings you might not need for a least a couple of years (e.g., money set aside for a major purchase or an anniversary trip).

Also in the August issue:

• How — and where — to get a your credit score (lenders, landlords, and employers may be looking your score, so you need to know what it is);
• Two investing techniques that can help you buy at better prices and protect your profits;
• A wrap-up of recent performance for our popular Fund Upgrading strategy.

Our August cover story focuses on this question: "How should you respond to what seems be the beginnings of a bear market?" We walk you through an objective process that will help you make a "sound mind" decision about your investing strategy.

Not yet an SMI print subscriber or web member? Check us out free for 30 days online!

Bear Alert triggered

At Sound Mind Investing, we don't try to predict anything or time the market ("Put your money in now!" "Take your money out now!). Instead, we take a long-term, "steady plodding" (Proverbs 21:5) approach to investing.

Still, we realize some readers are helped by having a reliable indicator of the overall market trend so they can make portfolio adjustments consistent with their long-term plan.

Several years ago, we developed the Bear Alert Indicator, a tool that helps our readers know the difference between a "routine" market correction and what is likely to be a deeper downturn.

The Alert triggered last Friday for the first time since January 2008. Yes, the market has rallied since then, but that's not unusual. Often the bear takes awhile to manifest fully.

SMI's Bear Alert isn't a perfect indicator (no market indicator is perfect). But the methodology of the Bear Alert has been accurate at spotting a bear market 10 out of the last 11 times it has sounded.

The Bear Alert is just one of many value-added benefits available to you if you become an SMI web member — and right now, as we celebrate SMI's 20th Anniversary, you can try a web membership for 30 days free!

Others benefits of being an SMI web member include:

• SMI's Retirement Plan Fund Tracker (shown at right) — it can generate a custom report that tracks the specific funds available in your retirement plan, so you can know which funds to choose and when.
• Our Fund Performance Rankings report — the latest data on the performance of more than 1,500 mutual funds (updated online every month).
• Access to our market-beating investing strategy called Upgrading — it's beaten the overall market in 10 of the past 11 years!

NO LONG-TERM COMMITMENT. We want you to be completely satisfied. If SMI doesn't live up to your expectations, just cancel your web membership within the first 30 days and you'll never be charged. No explanation necessary.

This special anniversary offer is good only during July, so don't procrastinate. Take advantage today!

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