S LLmIiVthINakGe a community magazine
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205 - 384 - 6942 New Boat Showroom Landau Pontoon Boat Sales “Brand New 2021 Landau 232 Tri-toon rentals. Powered by 140 four-stroke . Powerful yet fuel efficient. Online booking for pricing and availability.” Bennington Pontoon Boat Sales Call Michael 205-384-6942 for Pontoon Boat Sales • Dry Storage RV Park Area • Pontoon Rentals • Wet Storage • Ship Store • Boat Sales • Boat Service (Routine Service & Appointments) • Fuel 24/7 • R V Park (Applications Required) www.duskinpointmarina.com ~ 198 Duskin Point Road, Jasper, AL 35504 smithlakeliving.com I 3
Duncan Bridge Marina & rV retreat 55 Marina Drive Arley, AL. 35541 duncanmarina3@gmail www.duncanbridgemarina.com 205-387-1208 RV Retreat • Wet / Dry Slip Boat Storage • Public Boat Launch $ 10.00 Fee 205 - 387 - 1208 • Gas - 90 Octane Non Ethanol • Store - Boating Accessories & More • Beach Area - Picnic Tables Duncan Bridge RV Retreat offers long term parking on concrete pads up to 20’ x 50’. All pads have full hook-up and utilities (water, power, sewer, and wi-fi ). The park has year around water with a dock for easy access to water, bath house, and is very convenient to Duncan Bridge Marina. Pricing starts at $ 300 a month.. 4 I smithlakeliving.com
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CONTENTS • 7 Smith Lake Info / Water Level • 62 Smith Lake Small Businesses By Laurel Hand • 9 Boating Safety on Smith Lake • 64 Outdoor Kitchens & Fireplaces, Grills, Kolher Standby By Samantha Acton Generators, Outdoor Lighting, & more... By Rachel Sweigard • 14 Smith Lake Real Estate By Kristine Bullock • 66 SmithLakeLiving™365 • 20 Kasey Pruitt - ALEA Trooper, Marine Patrol Division By Rachel Sweigard • 68 Be a Volunteer Help Keep Our Roadways Free of Litter By Rachel Sweigard. • 28 Rusty Banks: Leaving a Legacy Church on Smith Lake- Children’s Ministry By Kristine Bullock • 72 By Rachel Sweigard •33 Do you Remember ? Events • 74 •38 Are You Asking the Right Questions ? • 78 Advertiser Index By Jeff Roberts & Associates • 58 ”Laurel Remembering Lake Times” By Laurel Hand Smith Lake Living™ { Spring 2021 } 20 Kasey Pruitt ALEA Trooper Marine Patrol Division Smith Lake Real Estate 14 62 9 Smith Lake Small Businesses Boating Safety • SHOP LOCAL 72 • YOUR “ NEIGHBOR” • SUPPORT SMALL Laurel Remembers Lake Times Church on Smith Lake - Children’s Ministry 58 68 Be a Volunteer Help Keep Our Roadways Free of Litter! www.SMITHLAKELIVING.com 6 | smithlakeliving.com
Smith Lake Info: Elevation above sea level ( Full Pool): 510 feet Area: 21,200 acres Shoreline: 642 miles Lake level depth at dam: 264 feet Watershed drainage area: 944 square miles Lewis Smith Lake Tailrace Smith Lake Dam Facts: Lewis Smith Lake In service September 5, 1961 Water In-Take Two generators, rating 78,750 kilowatts each Type Rock-fill Length 2,200 feet Maximum height 300 feet Smith Lake is licensed by FERC with the follow- ing uses: energy, flood control, recreation and economic opportunity, irrigation and drinking water, and fish/ wildlife habitats. Smith Lake Water Levels Lake Level - March 8 , 2021 ................. 509.5’ Lewis Smith Lake Rule Curve Lake Level March 8 , 2021... 506.4’ A.P.C. Shoreline Permit 3.1 Feet Above Rule Curve Local Office (205) 384-7385 0.5 Feet Below Full Pool Historical Average Lake Level ................ 507.75’ www.apcshorelines.com Record High Water Leve The repair fees for Residential, Multifamily, and March 1973 .......... 521.2’ Commercial dock repairs are for major repairs. Call APC Shoreline for review of your plans. Record Low Water Level October 1971 ........ 488.8’ Source Corps of Engineers Water Temperature 56 degrees F March 8, 2021 smithlakeliving.com I 7
Smith Lake Living Spring 2021 Vol. XVII No. 1 Smith Lake Living, LLC Smith Lake Living is excited about the approaching 788 County Road 97 boating and water sports season. Smith Lake folks Bremen, AL 35033 always take pleasure in welcoming our lake visitors with open arms, and warm Southern Hospitality. Editor This year, as our lake residents and visitors arrive at Kristine Bullock Smith Lake, please remember these important themes: 1. Do Not Litter - Please don’t litter our roadways or Photography waterways. Help to keep Smith Lake the cleanest Eddie Hand lake in the state. 2. Boat Safety - Boating safety starts during boat Contributing Writers launch, and ends upon docking your vessel. 3. Yield to the Right when Boating * Kristine Bullock * Samantha Acton * 4. Think Before You Jump - Please check your sur * Rachel Sweigard * Laurel Hand* roundings before you make the decision to enter * Jeff Roberts * Eddie Hand * the water. Hope everyone has a wonderful lake season! Smith Lake Living Magazine See you on the Lake ! Published by Eddie Hand Smith Lake Living, LLC Publisher Advertising Smith Lake Living For information about advertising “ a community magazine” in Smith Lake Living Magazine, please call ISSN 2150-3486 Eddie Hand 256- 287-1545 Email: [email protected] Issued by Scan on your smart phone Letters United States Copyright www.smithlakeliving.com Office Letters to the publisher are welcome, but must include the writer’s name and a daytime Library of Congress phone number. 101 Independence Ave. S.E. Washington, DC SUBSCRIBE TO S LLmIiVthINakGe Cover Smith Lake Living Magazine Kasey Pruitt ONE YEAR SUBSCRIPTION AVAILABLE ALEA Trooper $ 15 check only Marine Patrol Division (Make checks payable to Smith Lake Living LLC) Smith Lake Mail to: Smith Lake Living LLC 788 County Road 97 By Eddie Hand Bremen, AL. 35033 a community magazine NAME: ________________________________________ All rights reserved. No part of the publication may be ADDRESS:_____________________________________ reproduced without written consent of the publisher _____________________________________ Copyright 2021 CITY | STATE | ZIP CODE Smith Lake Living is a registered Trademark owned Smith Lake Living LLC PHONE: ______________________________________ SMITH LAKE LIVING MAGAZINE is distributed free of charge. EMAIL: ______________________________________SP 21 8 | smithlakeliving.com
Boating Safety on Smith Lake By Samantha Acton The winter months are slowly melting away, and In the unfortunate case that you do have a collision warmer weather is on the horizon. Smith Lake is looking or accident of any kind, you must always be prepared with more beautiful than ever as the seasons change. It is time to enough life jackets for everyone on board your boat. Wheth- prepare for the upcoming spring and summer seasons, and er you know how to swim or not, unexpected incidents can look forward to fun in the sun. throw passengers overboard leaving them disoriented and at risk of drowning. Although regulations vary from state to After de-winterizing your boat in preparation for its state, it is the safest practice for everybody on board the water first voyage, it is important that you review basic safety mea- vessel to always have a life jacket on. You must wear a life sures. Boat safety is often taken for granted, but is essential jacket while skiing, riding an inner tube, or being towed in when taking your boat out on the water, especially when oth- any way behind a water vehicle. Even our four-legged friends ers accompany you. Knowing the rules of boating and water need safety while on the water. Life jackets for dogs are avail- safety can mean the difference between life and death for you able online and in stores, and will assist in saving man’s best and your passengers. So, as you go out on the lake this season, friend in a time of crisis. consider these few tips to guide you on your journey. Accidents may happen at any moment, and with your life and the lives of others in your hands, you want everyone First, start by knowing your vessel. Being an educat- to be as safe as they can. In the State of Alabama, all water ed consumer means that you should know most everything vehicles must carry at least one U.S. Coast Guard approved there is to know about your water vehicle, including where Type IV PFD, either a ring buoy or seat cushion. In the event safety equipment is stored. There are certain rules of the water of an accident, you must report damages in the amount of $50 that you should know and comply with, as well. For instance, or more, injuries, deaths, or disappearances to the Alabama Smith Lake’s lighting rules go into effect after dark if boats are Marine Police Division as soon as possible. One of the most still on the water once the sun goes down. Generally, stern important rules of Smith Lake is that no alcohol is allowed on lights, sidelights, and masthead lights are all required, but board vessels. Boaters found in violation of this law will be regulations are contingent upon water vehicle type. The best fined, or have their boating license revoked. practice is to check local requirements. If you are looking for more information regarding boating safety rules and regulations, the National Associ- Another practice is to always be aware of your sur- ation of Boating Law Administration offers a safety course. roundings while operating your water vehicle. The water is This course will allow you to become knowledgeable about notorious for creating optical illusions that can disguise po- laws and safety guideline when it comes to boating. Know tential hazards in the water. Always pay attention to anything the risks, but above all, know all that there is to know about floating in or around you on the water to avoid collisions with your water vehicle. Knowledge really is power when it comes debris, rocks or other potential dangers. Also, be aware of to safety. Please visit https://www.boaterexam.com/usa/ala- “No Wake” speed limits. These are typically found near gas bama/alabama_state_boating_rules_and_regs.pdf for more docks or boat ramps. Remember that any person operating a information on boating rules and regulations for the state water vehicle must be 12 years of age or older, and must obtain of Alabama, and utilize this material as a personal guide for an Alabama Boat Operators Certificate. If the boat driver is g hboating safety. younger than 14, they must be supervised by an adult. Keep Smith Lake Livingtm in mind that passengers must always be seated while a boat is in motion. Boaters must also be aware of their speed and smithlakeliving.com I 9 distance from other water vehicles that may be towing people or vessels in the water.
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Smith Lake Real Estate By Kristine Bullock It Is No Question that the housing market has been on fire this year. Record low mortgage rates togeth- er with a massive wave of relocations made possible by remote work has created a transformation in real estate. In the midst of the global pandemic, home prices have pushed new boundaries as buyer demand continues to surge. Real estate trends on Smith Lake have been similar to those seen across the country. Who better to share exclusive information about the local housing market than Mr. Smith Lake ® him- self, Justin Dyar. Justin Dyar grew up in Hamilton, AL, and has been visiting Smith Lake since the late 1980s. He graduated from the University of Alabama where he studied consumer and industrial marketing and computer science. He became a real estate agent in 2003, and found a niche market in the place where his childhood memories were made. In Justin’s journey to success, people instinctively began calling him “Mr. Smith Lake.®” Justin is the embodiment of all that Smith Lake has to offer, and exudes effortless confidence, an incomparable work ethic, and greets people with a warmth and generosity that make strangers feel like friends. Continued on Page 16 smithlakeliving.com I 15
MidPointe The top producing agent every year since 2006 by the Walker Board of Realtors, with sales in excess of $190 million last year alone, Justin’s knowledge of Smith Lake is next to none. He is a leader in listing and sales volume for the Southeast US, the state of Alabama, and the entire Smith Lake area. To add to his list of accolades, Justin is one of the owners and founding members of Lake Homes Realty, a multi-state real estate brokerage which provides a one-stop inventory of lake homes. While the pandemic certainly disrupted home sales in the spring of 2020, the market has made an impressive rebound. Similarly to what is being seen across the country, real estate inventory on Smith Lake has been incredibly low. Smith Lake is currently seeing triple the number of buyers for 25% of the normal inventory. Continued on Page 18 16 | smithlakeliving.com
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Average days on the market for homes has decreased from six to eight months to as low as one to three weeks, with average home prices around $500,000. With home prices across the country projected to continue rising in 2021, and motivated buyers entering into a low inven- tory market, it is no doubt that Smith Lake will continue to see similar trends. g hSmith Lake Livingtm Dock View Dyar Drive 18 | smithlakeliving.com
190 2020 The #1 Listing and Selling Realtor on Smith Lake. smithlakeliving.com I 19
Kasey Pruitt ALEA Trooper Marine Patrol Division By Rachel Sweigard The world is what it is today because strong people have chosen to make a difference in the lives of others. As a result, communities and social systems have been created to protect and empower all. Law enforcement officers are one example of a group of people who strive to make the world a better place through their service to others. Kasey Pruitt, a Haleyville native, is one of these people. Pruitt has recently earned a position with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Marine Patrol Division as an ALEA Trooper. Pruitt has been in the Smith Lake community for her entire life. She grew up in Haleyville, and graduated from Haleyville High School. Pruitt got her start on the lake by managing both Duncan Bridge Marina and Lakeshore Marina for several years. During her tenure at the marinas, Pruitt was exposed to many people who lived on the lake, and was drawn to the lifestyle. Pruitt remarks that watching everyone come in and out on their boats was a huge draw for her, and she soon found herself thinking about how she could make a difference in the community that raised her. Continued on Page 24 20 | smithlakeliving.com
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Lakeshore Inn & Marina Lodge • SPACIOUS , CLEAN & COMFORTABLE ROOMS Marina ~ Boat Storage • STANDARD KING, DOUBLE ROOMS & SUITES Pontoon Rentals • LAKESIDE PATIO, PICNIC TABLES, & STUNNING Floating Gas Dock ~ VIEW OF BEAUTIFUL SMITH LAKE 24 hour credit card service. • TV, WET BAR & MINI-FRIDGE • NO SMOKING / NO PETS (205) 489-2462 Lakeshore Inn & Marina www.lakeshoreinnandmarina.com 364 East Lakeshore Drive Double Springs, AL. 35553 BAR & GRILL • DRINK SPECIALS smithlakeliving.com I 7 • SPECIALTY DRINKS • 13 LED TV’S • LIVE ENTERTAINMENT EVERY WEEKEND 22 I smithlakeliving.com
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205-387-0297 • TSMAtuouibrrtroe&oFGrSsrlohansostwIenrDsEtaanlvlcaliotdisounLreosngJ-aOspweSnreear&rrveSinamgsi.tthheLake • • • Custom Shower Enclosure Auto Glass Installation Visit our Location: 1800 - 6th. Ave. So. -Jasper, AL. Follow us on Facebook Ultimately, Pruitt decided to enter law enforcement because she wanted to be more involved, help people in her community, and be an example that women can do every- thing that men can do. She hopes that her position as an ALEA Trooper on the lake will inspire other women and young girls to pursue male-dominated career fields. Pruitt’s days are spent patrolling all three counties that Smith Lake covers. She responds to boat wrecks, fires, drownings, and any other water-related emergency. Pruitt stores her boat at the Duncan Bridge Marina, so she is often in that area of the lake at the beginning and end of her shifts. Pruitt also periodically stops boaters to perform boat safety checks, which helps to ensure that each vessel has proper life jackets and fire Continued on Page 26 24 I smithlakeliving.com
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extinguishers. She states that the purpose of safety checks is not to catch people doing the wrong thing, but to make certain that everyone on the lake is safe. Pruitt urges boaters to pay close attention to their surroundings while enjoying the lake, and to follow the rules of the road such as yielding to other boaters. Pruitt is very excited to serve the Smith Lake community as an ALEA Trooper in the Marine Patrol Division. g hSmith Lake Livingtm 26 | smithlakeliving.com
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Rusty Banks: Leaving a Legacy By Kristine Bullock On Saturday, January 23, 2021, the Smith Lake community lost an iconic figure whose life work was the embodiment of generosity, perseverance, and activism. The contributions that Raymond “Rusty” L. Banks made to Smith Lake are as vast as the waters are deep, and he will not soon be forgotten. Rusty was born on April 28, 1950 on a rural dairy farm in Macon, MS. He fell in love with the Smith Lake area while he was enrolled in courses in Hamilton, AL where he was studying to become an aircraft mechanic. Once he was finished with his studies, Rusty took out a loan to buy his first piece of property on Smith Lake as well as a small camper. By hap- penstance, he began a trailer manufacturing business after he was asked to sell an equip- ment trailer that he built in 1971. The success he found with his development of Econoline Trailers gave Rusty the ability to begin investing in property on Smith Lake. After thriving in the manufacturing industry, he invested in Lakeshore Restaurant, eventually expanding the property to include a marina and hotel. Lakeshore Inn, Restaurant, and Marina is now a 34-room resort destination on Smith Lake with a state of the art marina. While expanding Lakeshore, Rusty built and opened Ryan Creek Marina, which is pres- ently known as Trident Marina. He enjoyed the marina business so much that he then bought Duncan Bridge Marina, and began reconstruction developing it into what it is today. Continued on Page 30 28 | smithlakeliving.com
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LtoR: Shannon, Rusty, & Grant Banks Rusty was a visionary, and upon seeing the increase in tourism at Smith Lake, he decided to construct RV Parks on either side of Duncan Bridge. He also expanded Arrowhead Park to include more RV Pads, a swimming pool, and a restaurant. Goldiggers Bar & Grill at Lakeshore Restaurant was Rusty’s next venture, making Lakeshore the first restaurant to sell alcohol in Double Springs and on Smith Lake. Perhaps one of Rusty’s greatest environmental contributions was in his work with the Smith Lake Improvement and Stakeholders Association (SLISA). Rusty founded SLISA to protect the property and rights of land owners. He never stopped fighting for the Smith Lake community, and he used his wealth of knowledge for the betterment of the Smith Lake area and its residents. Rusty’s charismatic and captivating personality brought laughter and joy to all he met. His over- whelming generosity and humble spirit have left an unforgettable legacy. Rusty’s love for aviation never faded, and he could often be spotted flying his helicopter back and forth along Smith Lake visiting his many projects. While Rusty’s presence is sure to be missed, he is undoubtedly looking down on his be- loved community from his new place in the sky. g hSmith Lake Livingtm 30 | smithlakeliving.com
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~ Specializing in cUSTOM BlinDS anD SHaDeS ~ Custom Sizes Professionally Installed - Call for a Quote Follow Us on Facebook Smith Lake Blind Company ~ Brian DeWitte Owner 205 873-1379 Natural Woven Roman Shades with privacy lining featured above are a big [email protected] favorite for Smith Lake homes. Smith Lake Stakeholders 205-300-8000 JOIN US TODAY ! PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY RIGHTS The organizational meeting has been postponed due to the statewide safer at home order by Governor Ivy. Stand up and have a voice if you own property or visit Smith Lake. More information, meetings, and membership applications will be forth coming on social media. adsp2021 32 | smithlakeliving.com
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ur all new pontoon lines Trident Marine Group is now an authorized from assisting in making your choice to ongoing Avalon and Tahoe dealership serving all of maintenance and customization. Smith Lake. When you are ready to invest in a new boat, our friendly and knowledgeable We value the opportunity to create a long-term sales, service and parts departments are prepared relationship with you, and we do that by giving to make sure your experience is outstanding, you the best products and customer service available. Come see us today. smithlakeliving.com I 35
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Are You Asking the Right Question? Each quarter for the last 4 years, I have put a lot of thought into the financial message I send out to our lake community in Smith Lake Living Magazine. Sometimes, the topics come easy due to a timely tax strategy or an economic climate that is necessary to address. Other times, I have just waxed poetic about a particular subject I think people should understand. The article you are reading right now stems from conversations I am having with clients during our regularly scheduled financial planning review meetings. I have noticed that clients have come to expect discussions on the economic and investment climates and are now asking about those topics before we have even finished greeting and catching up. My sense is that most investors are feeling a lot of uncertainty right now. And by “most investors”, I mean the vast majority of people reading this article who are not engaged in investments as a professional career. As I write this article in mid-March, the people I come into contact with are asking, “What do you think of this crazy stock market?” “What do you think will happen to the market now that the Democrats are in charge?” “How is the coronavirus going to affect the market this year?” “Do you think the market is in for a big drop?” “Is our national debt about to cause everything to crash?” Those are the questions I get asked almost verbatim. If you are wondering about the answers, rec- ognize the questions may be rooted in unnecessary fear. You may want to speak with someone who can help you to understand the answers clearly. If you enter 2021 with fear, you may overreact when markets behave normally. One of the best parts of being a nerdy financial guy is the months of December and January be- cause many investment companies release their market and economic predictions for the coming year. It is fun to read through the forecasts of all the companies we respect. And it is especially nice when they are mostly saying and projecting similar things, which was the case for 2021. Pretty much every white paper or analysis I read has built a case for the U.S. economy to do quite well this year. However, most experts agree that two things need to happen for that to be the case: 1. The vaccination(s) proves to be very successful in the fight against the coronavirus, and 2. We are able to turn the economy back on ‘full’ again, or close to it. Under those two conditions, it could be a really great year for the U.S. economy. Furthermore, and under those conditions, the consensus is that U.S. stocks will be higher on December 31, 2021 than they were on January 1, 2021. While speaking at the 2021 Kingdom Advisor Conference in February, Bob Doll, CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager and Chief Equity Strategist with Nuveen, said it best, “We think it is going to be a great year for the economy and earnings but a good year for the stock market.” Continued on Page 42 38 | smithlakeliving.com
Ranks Among Alabama's Top Leaders in Financial Planning Jeff RobertsChFC®, CRPC®, CFS®, CKA®, BFA™, APMA®, AEP® Private Wealth Advisor | Founder and President (205) 313-9150 * [email protected] * mavencrosswealth.com MavenCross Wealth Advisors®, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC Dedicated to being \"the obvious choice for guiding clients to joyfully steward their resources.\" Barron's® Top 1,000 Advisors, 2009-2011 Barron's® Top 1,200 Advisors, 2014-2020 Financial Times 400 Top Financial Advisers, 2017-2020 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors, 2018-2021 Barron's® listings are based on data compiled by many of the nation's most productive advisors, which is then submitted and judged by Barron's®. Key factors and criteria include: assets under management, revenue produced for the firm, regulatory and compliance record, and years of professional experience. Barron's® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones, L.P.; all rights reserved. Neither Ameriprise Financial nor its advisors pay a fee to Barron's in exchange for the ranking. The Financial Times 400 Top Financial Advisers is an independent listing produced annually by the Financial Times. The FT 400 is based on data gathered from advisors, firms, regulatory disclosures, and the FT's research. The listing reflects each advisor's performance in six primary areas: assets under management (AUM), asset growth, compliance record, experience, credentials, and online accessibility. This award does not evaluate the quality of services provided to clients and is not indicative of this advisor's future performance. Neither Ameriprise Financial nor its advisors pay a fee to the Financial Times in exchange for inclusion in the FT 400. Forbes/SHOOK Research listings are based on data compiled by many of the nation's most productive advisors, selected by their firms, which is then submitted to and judged by SHOOK Research. Key factors and criteria include: assets under management, revenue produced for the firm, regulatory and compliance record, and credentials/years of professional experience. Selection of winners is done by comparing advisors at a national level, selecting winner, and then sorting them into state-specific lists. A separate evaluation is not done for each state. Portfolio performance is not a factor. This award is not indicative of this advisor's future performance. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receives compensation in exchange for placement on the ranking. The Compass is a trademark of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2021 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. CA Insurance #0G34699 smithlakeliving.com I 39
Are You Asking the Right Question? Even still, client meeting after client meeting, day in and day out, the people I speak with seem to have an undercurrent of fear . . . hence, the questions I reference in paragraph two. If you demanded to know, “No more optimism Jeff! Tell me what scares you the most right now.” I would say, “That’s easy . . . . Investor’s short-term memory!” Investors tend to forget the important rules of the market or, worse, they have never seen them. A quick summary of some rules . . . 1. Stocks are long-term investments. 2. Buy low and sell high. 3. Never get emotional about stocks. 4. Don’t put all of your eggs into one basket. 5. No one can consistently time the market. 6. Expect stocks to fall -15% (or more) in any given year. 7. Review your strategic and tactical allocations regularly. {Insert sound of a record player needle being dragged across the vinyl.} Wait, what?! #6?! “Expect stocks to fall -15% in any given year?!” Yes, you read that correctly, and THAT is what scares me most. Many investors don’t remember what normal levels of volatility look like, and I don’t want people to over-react or jump to “end of the world” conclusions (fueled by preconceived fears) when normalcy strikes again. Our friends at J.P. Morgan assemble a great chart (below) that looks at the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (the 500 largest stocks in the U.S. market) over the last 41 years, one year at a time. The chart produces some important data by measuring two things each year: 1. What was the stock market’s rate of return for the year? and 2. During the year, what was the lowest return the market had fallen to (from the peak) before ending on December 31st? For example, in 2020, the stock market finished the year with a +16% rate of return. But, at some point during the year, the market had fallen -34% (from peak to trough) before finishing up +16%. In 2019, the market finished up +29% but had fallen -7% at some point during the year. Let’s look at the last three years. Rate of Intra-Year Return for Lowest the Year Point 2020 +16% -34% 2019 +29% -7% 2018 -6% -20% Average +13% -20% From 2018 to 2020, the S&P 500 Index’s average return was +13%, but the average intra-year decline was -20%. So, you had to withstand wild downward swings in order to average the +13%. J.P. Morgan analyzes 41 years (not just three). If you measure all of those low points in each of the last 41 years, the data shows that stocks experience intra-year drops of -14.3% on average. The data also shows that annual returns were Continued on Page 44 42 | smithlakeliving.com
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Are You Asking the Right Question? positive in 31 of 41 years. Take a moment to really think about those two data points, as well as the fears you may have had over the last 1, 2, 3, or 4 decades while investing in the stock market. Looking back, was the fear really necessary? If you have any money in stocks, 41 years of history shows it would be wise to expect those stocks to fall around -15% at some point during any given year. Most people probably follow the Dow Jones Industrial Average (the Dow), not the S&P 500 Index. A -15% intra-year decline means the Dow could fall over 4,500 points at some point during 2021 . . . and that would be completely normal, from a historical perspective. If you called me in a panic, I would say, “Relax, that’s just average.” . . . assuming, of course, your portfolio was meticulously invested correctly according to your goals, objectives, time frame, and risk tolerance. And, what- ever you do, please don’t try to outsmart the market by thinking #5 above doesn’t apply to you. The renowned economist, John Maynard Keyes, said back in the 30s, “Markets can stay irrational longer than you can stay solvent.”, yet most people are still chasing performance or timing the market. The financial industry needs to do a better job getting clients to shift from being investors to becoming planners. As always, if you have any questions be sure to seek the counsel of your trusted financial advisor. And, if you do not have one, perhaps it is time that you do. g hSmith Lake Livingtm The views expressed here reflect the views of Jeff Roberts as of March 1, 2021. These views may change as market or other conditions change. Actual investments or invest- ment decisions made by Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, whether for its own account or on behalf of clients, will not necessarily reflect the views expressed. This information is not intended to provide investment advice and does not account for individual investor circumstances. Investment decisions should always be made based on an investor’s specific financial needs, objectives, goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. Past performance does not guarantee future results, and no forecast should be considered a guarantee either. Jeff Roberts, ChFC®, CRPC®, CFS®, CKA®, BFA™, APMA®, AEP® is a Private Wealth Advisor with, and Founder and President of, MavenCross Wealth Advisors®, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC in Birmingham, AL. He specializes in fee-based financial planning and wealth management strategies and has been in prac- tice for 28 years. To contact him, call (205) 313-9150 or visit his website at mavencrosswealth.com. Offices are located at 31 Inverness Center Parkway – Suite 550, Birmingham, AL 35242 and 1817 Commons North Drive, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (S&P 500® Index), an unmanaged index of common stocks, is frequently used as a general measure of market performance. The index reflects reinvestment of all distributions and changes in market prices but excludes brokerage commissions or other fees. It is not possible to invest direct in an index. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is likely the most widely known measure of American stock market indicators. The index is more than 100 years old, includes only 30 individual stocks and is comprised of the largest, most established firms across a broad range of industries. The DJIA is calculated based on share price – providing a greater weighting within the index to those companies with a higher share price. Due to the small number of issues contained in the index, it does not always provide the most accurate measure of aggregate stock market performance. Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, a registered investment adviser. Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2021 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. 44 | smithlakeliving.com
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