What a weekend for sports lovers – a Super Bowl that held our attention (even when the commercials weren’t on) and a female driver testing her skill on the NASCAR track.

   For superstitious Super Bowl fans, be comforted in knowing that the stock market has a 79 percent likelihood of gaining ground in 2010. After all, the tea leaves tell us that when a team from the NFL (as compared to the old AFL) takes home the Lombardi Trophy, the markets should finish up. Just a note – since both teams qualify as NFL teams, only your game-betting profits (as opposed to investing profits) depended on the outcome.

   NASCAR provided a good example of keeping your eye on the finish line. When Danica Patrick suffered a mid-race spinout, she had three choices:

   — Stay in the infield, admitting defeat;

   — Put the pedal to the metal in search of winning the race at all costs;

   — Or (as she did), return to the track and execute the race-day strategy she knew would get her to the finish line in the best possible shape.

   Over the past decade, investors have suffered numerous portfolio spinouts. And, their long-term success is and will be found in sticking to their race-day strategy.

   Investing shouldn’t be a NASCAR race, whereby only the first one across the finish line wins. Investing is about finishing the race in a manner that avoids a turn-four crash when the finish line is in sight.

Can Danica Patrick teach you investment strategies? Why, yes she can.

   Unfortunately, today, I see too many investors being wooed into thinking they have to finish first. They are being enticed to throw caution to the wind and to knowingly (and unknowingly) take extra risk. They ignore the game plan created with intellect and opt for a new plan, based on the emotion of making up lost ground.

   So, whether your investing eye is caught by a seemingly higher interest rate for a bond fund, a long-term CD, or a “guaranteed” annuity, evaluate the risk. EVERY investment has some type of risk and investors need to understand what it is. (I’ll explore the different types of risk in next week’s column.)

   Super Bowl winners have no effect on the investment markets (sorry), but smart NASCAR drivers can exemplify how to recover from a spinout, finish today’s race and race again tomorrow. When it comes to personal finance, it’s not about a fist-pumping victory (or crystal ball predictions). It’s about knowing you ran YOUR race and holding your head high as you cross the finish line.

D. DRUMMOND OSBORN, CFP, is a Certified Financial Planning practitioner and Director of Wealth Management at OSBORN Wealth Management, where he focuses on investment advice, financial planning and trust advisory services. Visit him on the web at www.osbornwealthmanagement, e-mail your questions to Drummond@osbornwealthmanagement.com, or follow his thoughts through his Wall on the OSBORN Wealth Management Facebook fan page.

   Expressing the value of trees in cents and dollars is difficult. This is probably the reason they are often thought of as only “aesthetic” with no real value. However, even aesthetics have real value. And that’s just one of the many qualities urban trees possess that add value to their surroundings and reduce costs.

   Here are things to consider about trees in the urban environment:

   Aesthetics: Trees and shrubs have the ability to add value to your property. A house with mature trees and shrubs is worth more than the same home without them. This added value pays off only when you sell your home, which is why it goes unnoticed.  

   “In one study, 83 percent of realtors believe that mature trees have ’strong or moderate impact’ on the saleability of homes listed under $150,000.” — Arbor National Mortgage and American Forests

Sidewalks begin to lose value as soon as they are installed, while trees increase in value over time.

   Energy savings:

Trees have the potential to save you money on both heating and cooling bills by providing shade in the summer and blocking harsh winds in the winter.

   “Trees properly placed around a building can reduce air conditioning needs by 30 percent and can save 20-50 percent in energy used for heating.” — USDA Forest Service

   Environmental impact: Trees intercept rainwater and prevent it from entering the wastewater system. This saves the City of LaPorte money by having to treat less water. Intercepting rainwater also reduces runoff of chemicals into lakes and streams, which means it costs the city less to produce safe drinking water for everyone.

   “The planting of trees means improved water quality, resulting in less runoff and erosion. This allows more recharging of the ground water supply. Wooded areas help prevent the transport of sediment and chemicals into streams.” — USDA Forest Service

   Economic development: Trees are the only part of the urban infrastructure that increase in value over time. As they grow, the benefits gained from trees increase and the value of the tree itself in the landscape increases. The same cannot be said for concrete sidewalks and curbs, which depreciate in value immediately after installation. 

   “Trees can be a stimulus to economic development, attracting new business and tourism. Commercial retail areas are more attractive to shoppers, apartments rent more quickly, tenants stay longer, and space in a wooded setting is more valuable to sell or rent.” — The Arbor Day Foundation

   Social impact: Areas with mature trees are simply more desirable to live in. The presence of mature trees improves mood and productivity. 

Volunteers planting trees.

   “In laboratory research, visual exposure to settings with trees produced significant recovery from stress within five minutes, as indicated by changes in blood pressure and muscle tension.” -- Dr. Roger S. Ulrich, Texas A&M University

   This is only a small sampling of the countless benefits gained from trees. The value of trees can be difficult to put a price tag on, but life without them would be worth much less. 

(Click on photos to enlarge.)

KEITH O’HERRIN is the City Forester for the City of LaPorte. He can be found at the Park and Recreation Office at 250 Pine Lake Ave. or reached at 326-9600.