As we approach retriement the Brokers wants to leave all your money in the market but in reality a person needs to put together a plan that protects those assets they want to use in retirement. The Rule of 100 applies (note any rule of thumb is just a starting point each person must look at their paticular case) but the rules work this way if you age 55 then 100 - 55 = 45% that you can risk in the market for potential gain but the other 55% should have principle protection.

We preach a 3 bucket strategy - the first bucket is income/immediate bucket which should hold your checking account and saving account your monthly income and maybe a short term CD - we suggest keep 6 months to 1 year of expenses in this bucket. The 2nd bucket is your Preservation Bucket this is money that you cannot afford to lose - should not be subject to market risk and should be sheltered from taxes - Fixed Annuities work well here especially if you do not plan to use this till after your 59.5.

2 patients in Tysabri study found to have JC virus

General Motors Corp. and Daimler AG unveiled plans for lithium-ion hybrids as automakers push to overcome difficulties with a technology that promises to drive hybrid autos to the next level of performance. Daimler AG will be the first to get to market, disclosing its intention to introduce a hybrid version in 2009 of its Mercedes-Benz flagship S-class luxury sedan using a gasoline engine and a lithium-ion power source. GM said it expects to bring its first lithium-ion battery powered hybrid engine system to market in North America sometime in 2010. No products have been revealed, but officials said the technology had potential across a broad range of models. (AP)

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Top Md. court clears way for Terrapin Run development

The state's highest court declared that Maryland law does not require local governments to stick to their master plans or state growth-management policies in making development decisions.

"Why bother to have a plan at all?" asked an exasperated Dru Schmidt-Perkins, executive director of 1,000 Friends of Maryland. She and many other environmentalists had hoped the court would overturn the county's approval of the Terrapin Run project, and some vowed to seek legislation to reverse the decision.