Your friends at the FJMC hope you enjoy these articles about your Health and Wealth. Be sure to scroll through the issue. We welcome articles from our readers on most any topic including biographical, professional or testimonial themes.  Browse the archives at fjmc.org– Publications – Health, Wealth and Retirement Newsletters.
 
This issue has 3 articles:

1. Health Tip – Onychomycosis = Toenail Fungus by John J. Brummer DPM, FACFAS
2. Wealth Tip 1 – Investing for All-Weather Protection by Gary Smith
3. Wealth Tip 2 - Your Charity Contributions may yet be Tax Deductible by Richard Gray
   

Please do not miss the overt and underlying messages of all these articles that FJMC continues to be a place that we need to be participating in with our financial support as well as our time.

Be sure to be in touch with Richard Gray, Editor, at rgray@fjmc.org with your articles, comments, appreciation and critiques. Each issue is brought to you by your editorial staff that includes:

• Richard Gray (Editor in Chief)
• Steven Mandel MD (Medical Editor)
• Gary Smith (Wealth Editor)
• Mark Druy (Publisher)

This HWR was sent out on , at approximately 9:30 PM (Eastern and prior to Shabbat).

Thickened discolored brittle toenails are all too common.  Most of time they are actually a fungal infection that may require treatment. The most common infecting organism is Trichophytum Rubrum.  Fungus that causes toenail fungus is ubiquitous in nature.  That means it is everywhere, at the pool, at the gym, in the bathtub and shower.  Some people are more susceptible to fungal infection through routes of trauma to the toenails such as simply bumping the foot or having a cut on the foot can allow entrance of the fungus into the nail.  Most commonly people have athletes foot around the heels and soles of the feet which migrate into the toenail area and start to infect the nails.  The athletes foot is just a dry itchy or scaling skin on the heel or arch area.  
 
People over the age of 60 are more at risk for toenail fungus for multiple reasons.  Patients generally have other medical problems such as diabetes and compromised circulation which put them at greater risk for infection and re-infection. A certain danger with the fungal toenail infection is it causes the nail plate to grow thickened and distorted.  It can then become ingrown into the skin and cause another infection known as a paronychia or abscess along the side of the nail.  This pocket of pus on the side of the nail if left unattended can lead to deeper infections and even cause bone infections which can results in loss of toe, limb and life if untreated.
 
Fungal infections can be kept at bay with regular visits to Podiatrists and treatment with topical or oral anti-fungals.  Both types of treatment are very successful.  Patients generally will not see a difference in their nails until 6 months after the initiation of treatment. Good foot hygiene cleans the feet and dries with a towel.  Fungal infections like deep dark moist environments in which they can thrive.  If you suspect you have skin changes on your feet seek the advice of a podiatrist to evaluate the condition and determine if treatment is necessary.  Dry skin is not fungus always. If your toenails are too thick or hard to cut on your own please go visit your local podiatrist who can help with debridement of the nails. 

About the Author

Dr. Brummer is a board certified foot surgeon by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and a member in good standing with the American Podiatric Medical Association.  He is the former team doctor for two semi pro basketball teams, the Brooklyn Kings of the United States Basketball League and the Harlem Strong Dogs of the American Basketball Association. He continues to treat competitive athletes specializing in sports medicine and podiatric surgery.  Dr Brummer also specializes in Dance medicine treating dancers of all varieties.

Brummer Surgical Podiatry, P.C. 
@Downtown Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
30 Broad Street, Suite 2005
New York, New York    10004
(212) 877-1969: Phone
http://www.brummersurgicalpodiatry.com 

If stocks drop 30-35 %... is your portfolio going to be OK?
 
This is something we must think about; how to hedge against a large downturn. Is your portfolio set for retirement? Or do you have a time frame longer then 10 years?
30% declines are not frequent, but they are inevitable.  This bull market may have some room to run but once everyone gets complacent the time has come to get out and invest your money in safe vehicles.
 
It takes a significant increase in a portfolio to make up for devastating loses. We as amateurs have a tendency to sell when the markets are in bear territory, in a downturn.
This is probably the wrong time to sell.  
 
First identify your own risk tolerance- Are you in riskier stocks, if so get out and do not try to chase gains.  It will be a disaster.  I have learned you cannot compete with the corporations unless you can be smarter. Diversify your portfolio with internationals, small cap and technology.  Allocate dollars into world class companies.  This will minimize your risk.  These companies grow their dividends during both good times and bad times.  You can park some cash in treasuries for as little as 1000 dollars.  A 3 month treasury pays about 2% and is state and local tax free.  You can buy these for nothing thru Vanguard, Fidelity, Schwab etc. 
 
For those who have 100,000 dollars or more you can buy the 2 year Israel Libor  that pays about 3.85 % backed by the Israeli government.  You are supporting Israel’s growth.  The only chance of loss is if the Israel government defaults. You can hold safe dividend paying stocks and corporate bonds, cash and precious metals; all a hedge against a serious downturn.
 
If owning stocks is keeping you up at night then consider selling a portion of your portfolio now.  Sell a little at a time and invest in much safer higher quality vehicles.
Second- choose your approach and stick to it.  The first rule of investing by Warren Buffet is “never lose money and the second rule is do not forget the first rule”.
 
Third-if you are not ok with a big loss do not allow yourself to be in a position to take one. Sell your risky stocks now.  Diversify, resize your positions, hold cash and precious metals if you think a downturn is on the brink.
 
No one really knows when this 10 year old bull market will end but you can be sure it will end.  What will cause it to end?  How can we tell when it will end?  Our next HWR hopefully will give you a pretty good idea what to look for so you can make an informed decision about your portfolio.  I strongly suggest you make an appointment with your investment advisor to discuss these revelations.  Also do not confuse a market correction which will occur with a severe market downturn.
 
I hope you enjoyed this piece and did get something to think about.  Your feedback is important and will be taken seriously.  Remember the reporting in this article is from various newsletters, and books on investing and experience by the author
 
Thanks, if you need to get in contact with Gary, email me at gsmith@fjmc.org

The new federal tax law has profound effects on the value of charitable donations as tax deductions. With the higher standard tax deduction many will not want to itemize and thus will not see an incremental decrease in taxes from charitable donations.

If you are 70 ½ or older you can have your charitable donations reduce your taxes by making the payments directly from your Traditional IRA account following the rules for QCD’s (Qualified Charitable Distributions).  The tax reduction comes from the rule that QCD charitable payments directly reduce your RMD (Required Minimum Distribution) requirement and are not included in your AGI (Adjusted Gross Income).  By reducing your AGI you could qualify for tax breaks tied to it and reduce or eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits.
 
You can ask your IRA trustee to make the donation or get a checkbook from your account and make the payments yourself. Note that you cannot donate to an intermediary like a charitable gift fund. The IRS regulations are pretty clear so make sure all is reported properly on your tax forms.  Information for this article was culled from the internet.  Ask your financial advisor about this way to reduce your taxes while doing good.  Yes, it is fun to use all these acronyms.

  
And, don’t forget to put FJMC MRJ and FJL on your short list of charities getting your donations.

This issue is prepared by a bunch of guys who are continuing to GIVE BACK to FJMC.  We invite you to also give back to FJMC through your participation and most importantly through donations supporting FJMC as Friends of FJMC.  Participate by clicking on “Become a Friend of FJMC” on www.FJMC.org or contact Gary Smith at gsmith@fjmc.org.

Send your comments to Richard Gray at rgray@fjmc.org.  We want to hear from you. HWR is a publication of the FJMC.

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