by Jeff Schneider, PassportIRA

If you have spent much time watching headlines or reading news, it’s no secret that pessimism has really taken over.

Financial institutions are failing, businesses of all sizes are shutting their doors, and unemployment is stubbornly high.  Debt is a big part of the problem, as many of these institutions and people have lived beyond their means for many years.  But it’s mainly because of a lack of confidence in the future.

As I’ve mentioned many times, when people and the businesses they run have some clarity into the legal and economic future they can adjust their plans accordingly.  Now, though, we are also in the midst of great uncertainty arising from the knowledge that governments will fail.

The Euro zone will not look the same in five years.  Countries and their respective currencies may make a return after the Euro experiment.  The dollar may strengthen in the short term, but nobody with any foresight will be holding the dollar in the long term.

Let’s face it, as these public and private large institutions fail, they will do everything they can to stay afloat.  Mysterious missing funds from MF Global as they denied bankruptcy rumors.  Argentina forcing the repatriation of companies’ foreign reserves then refusing to allow any FX transactions.  The US, Greece, and Italy refusing to accept their debt problems need legitimate austerity.

Instead, you see more scandal, more taxes, more regulation, and fewer services.

This is why you’re not alone if you sense a little pessimism when going through the daily routines.

The bright side

There is more to it than pessimism though.

All of these large, external trends lead to changes in behavior at an individual level.  Today’s technology allows us to be more independent than ever before.

As trust in the institutions and governments ween, don’t be surprised when you see the rise of strong individuals and communities.

Entrepreneurship and the best investment opportunities come from within yourself and your own network.

Starting a business may be against traditional advice, but many of the best companies were created during times of unknown.  Visionaries and opportunistic people look at the large trends and build sustainable businesses around these options.

On the investment front, public equities struggle to defeat the daily macro headlines.  All the while, some private companies are creating extreme value for customers and investors simultaneously.

I’ve seen many examples of this in just the past couple weeks.  Great companies with endless opportunity are raising capital.

One, a technology company with years in development has taken voice-activated technologies to a new level.  Now, they have the opportunity to bring the product to market and companies are lining out the door for partnership opportunities.

Another, an individual entrepreneur has a proven model for a 24% return.  Rather than investing small amounts, he wanted to grow the business faster and needed cash.  Banks won’t give him money.  He’s now offered one of our clients a 12% loan, secured by real estate.

Each of these opportunities was discovered within their own network.  Each of these also was investments made by funds traditionally held in mediocre returns of locked down IRA funds.

Investors in these two examples have a guaranteed gain with the trust they control their money.

Wouldn’t you rather be able to call the CEO of the company that has your money and request a business update?

These opportunities do exist.  The large trends will require you to take control of your own finances.

That’s exactly why we help people to free their IRA savings from the grasps of these large, failing institutions.  A big part is learning where to start.

Economic cycles last approximately 20 years.  If we’re only five years into this downturn, you need to recognize that putting yourself in control will be the only way to remain profitable for the next 15 years.

Use the contact form below to get your copy of Unleash Your IRA by Terry Coxon and learn how to maximize your retirement accounts and regain control of your financial future.