5 Money Tips Every College Freshmen Should Know

By Steve Davis, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™


For many college freshman and their parents, the next few weeks will be the beginning of a new adventure. I should know since another one of my boys heads off to college this year. The freshmen are leaving home, orientation is in full-swing and the students are sizing each other up and getting used to their new surroundings. Similarly, parents are getting acclimated to new surroundings too – an unusual silence in the home and questions about how best to fill the hours that were previously spent with our sons and daughters watching their sporting events and attending their school activities.

Saying Goodbye: Toy Story 3                        © Disney/Pixar

As a parent, I have conflicting emotions; I eagerly anticipate the wonderful experiences my son will enjoy over the next four years, and like Andy’s mom in Toy Story 3, I have feelings of melancholy and longing. Parents of college freshmen will fondly remember reading bed-time stories and taking their sons or daughters to the soccer fields on Saturday mornings. For those of us who can’t comprehend that it has already been 18 years since our kids were born, they will quickly show us that the next four years will go even faster.

Members of this year’s freshman class, most of them born in 1993, grew up just as the internet was starting to take off. This was incredibly helpful for parents like me who often turned to their kids to get tips on how to use the “interweb” or how to fix their computers. Yet for all the help our kids have given us, we are still their parents and can offer valuable advice too – even if they won’t recognize our wisdom for a few more years. As Mark Twain once said, “When I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in a few short years.” 

Here are five money tips every college freshmen should know.

1. Go to Class. While it may be tempting to sleep-in and skip that early Monday morning English 101 class, doing so is like throwing money out the window. I hate to state the obvious, but college is expensive. According to a newly released Sallie May study, college costs last year averaged $21,889, and some schools like Northeastern University cost more than $50,000 per year. Assuming a schedule of four classes that meet three times per week over a fifteen week semester, each class skipped costs between $120 and $275. That’s some expensive shut-eye.

2. Don’t get a credit card. Sure, the guys sitting behind the sign-up table may be offering some free t-shirts and cool merchandise as an enticement to get you to apply for their credit card, but they’re not there to help you. College campuses are where many young Americans are introduced to credit and the possibility of spending beyond their means – a problem confronting the nation as a whole. If you must use a credit card, avoid non-academic debt. It might seem like a good idea to put that restaurant tab or your new iPad on a credit card, but it’s not. Learn to save, and then splurge.

3. Don’t hang out with big spenders. You’re a college student, so live like one. Don’t pretend to live a lifestyle you can’t afford. Some kids have parents with deep pockets while others are on their way to financial ruin. Hanging out with these free spenders can lead you to spend more than you can afford. Instead, socialize in the dorms, learn to cook in your apartment, use your student ID and take advantage of campus activities and student discounts.

4. Have a Spending Plan. Set a weekly budget for spending categories like food, entertainment, road-trips and the like. At the start of each month, estimate how much income you’ll receive and decide how much you want to allocate to each category. If you anticipate taking a date to an expensive restaurant, skip your morning cup at Starbucks that month or reduce spending in other areas. It is amazing how little things can add up. A couple of energy drinks, lunch at the local Chipotle, several ATM fees and a couple of apps for your iPad means that at the end of the month you may find yourself looking at a large part of your budget going towards “inexpensive” things you splurged on without thinking. Spend less than you earn.

5. Get a job. Being broke in college is no fun. If you would like to spend more, you’ll need to earn more. If you need or want a job, look for ones that you can eventually put on your resume or will bolster your internship options later on. Alternatively, seek out positions that add to your personal development. Like to mountain climb? Work at a rock gym. Enjoy cooking? Get a job in a restaurant. Want to help people? Try a non-profit. Finally, remember the story of Facebook and consider starting your own business. It could be that you have an idea that might be the next big thing, but it could equally be a simple babysitting service, tutoring, or buying and reselling stuff on eBay. Above all, remember that your first “job” is to graduate on time. Earning some extra cash each month is great but those semesters of school don’t come cheap.

Now stop worrying about money and get out there and have some fun. I’ll see you when you come home for Thanksgiving!



This article was written by Steve Davis and appeared in the column "Talking with Davis about Money Matters" found at http://mansfield-ma.patch.com/articles/five-money-tips-every-college-freshmen-should-know

Does the Stock Market Have You Worried?

Buy Low; Borrow Low.

By Steve Davis, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™

The huge swings in the stock market last week may seem all too familiar. Perhaps you’re worried about a repeat of the 2008 financial crisis. Before you dump your holdings and run for cover, consider this surprising fact. According to the Employee Benefit Research Group, most retirement plan account balances have bounced back to pre-2008 levels. Account balances didn't recover entirely from the strength of the market -- those automatic paycheck deductions helped a lot too. Investors who cashed out and remained on the sidelines missed out on the profitable years since the crash. Still, the roller-coaster volatility we have experienced recently with the Dow dropping 600 points one day and rallying back 500 points the next is enough to cause some participants to consider getting out of their plans all together. For many people, this could be a big mistake.


Buy Low: Legendary investor Warren Buffett once counseled, "Be brave when others are afraid, and afraid when others are brave." If you want to heed Buffett’s advice, the best time to buy low is when everyone else is scared. It is their collective fear and the group-think selling that drives stocks to deeply-oversold bargain prices. History has shown that the rallies coming out of these oversold positions often occur quickly and are highly profitable.

Don’t you just love a bargain? I was recently shopping at the Borders book store at Mansfield Crossing. Activity was brisk and I can’t begin to tell you how many customers were leaving the store with stacks and stacks of books, all purchased on sale. Often times when we read about the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping, or watch the TV news anchors emotionally-charged segments about Wall Street, we worry and think that these market corrections are always a bad thing. If you’re young and have many years before retirement, however, market drops can be a very good thing indeed. When else can you purchase your mutual funds on sale?

Another consequence of the turmoil in the stock market is plunging interest rates. Last Tuesday, the US Federal Reserve pledged to keep interest rates at an “exceptionally low level” until the middle of 2013. This news could be a boon for families looking to buy or refinance their homes.

Borrow Low: "There’s a huge increase in mortgage applications," said Jerry Maguire, Senior Mortgage Advisor at Province Mortgage Associates, a local mortgage lender. With rates on conventional 30-year fixed-rate mortgages falling near, and in a few cases below, the 4 percent level, homeowners locally have been rushing to refinance in recent weeks. You’ve probably heard the old rule of thumb that says it only makes sense to refinance your mortgage if the new interest rate is at least two percentage points lower than your current one. “Not true” says Maguire. “Many people worry about their adjustable rate mortgages resetting at higher rates in the future. Even if you can’t lower your monthly payment by refinancing, many families can benefit by exchanging the uncertainty of a floating rate loan for the certainty of a fixed one.” Additionally, today’s low rates may allow some families to reduce the term of their mortgages from 30-years to just 15 or twenty years and potentially save thousands in interest costs.



Of course, everyone’s situation is different. As a financial advisor with more than twenty years experience, I’ve been down this road before. I understand that the number one question on the mind of most investors is, “What should I do now?” The answer to this question is the same for everyone: Talk with your advisor.

Oh, and if you’re worried that this is 2008 all over again? It’s not; there are major differences between then and now. Yes the equity markets have experienced recent losses, but today’s economic growth, while weak, is still positive. The banks in the United States are in much better shape than when the housing market collapsed. And corporations are producing solid earnings even in a weak economy. As an investor, I find that reassuring.


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This article was written by Steve Davis and appeared in the column "Talking with Davis about Money Matters" found at http://mansfield-ma.patch.com/articles/does-the-stock-market-have-you-worried





The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

Financial Lessons from Driver's Ed

By Steve Davis, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ 

The Dow Jones industrial average dropped over 600 points Monday in the first day of trading after Standard & Poor's downgraded the United States' credit rating.  Skittish investors, already concerned about the economy, struggled to work out the implications of last week's downgrade.  With so much attention and angst focused on the debate in Washington over the US debt ceiling these past few weeks, it is no wonder the financial markets continue to bounce around. It seems that TV financial experts and entertainers (financial “expertainers”) often exaggerate events in the marketplace and thus excite the emotions of investors who are swayed by fear. This emotional ping-pong game results in illogical investment behavior, such as buying at market highs and selling at market lows. The wise investor learns to look past the colorful adjectives that describe daily market swings and instead keeps his or her eyes focused on long-term trends.


The Long View

My 16-year old son is currently taking his Driver’s Ed course at Driver’s Choice Driving School. Do you remember the first time you got behind the wheel of your mom’s station wagon? For me, I remember staring at the road immediately in front of the hood rather than looking 20 or so yards ahead. Quickly, it became apparent that it was next to impossible to drive safely with such a short-sighted approach to my surroundings. Even with a straight road, little traffic and perfect driving conditions, it was next to impossible to drive in a straight line when I only focused on the 3 feet of roadway immediately ahead of the front bumper. When I learned to look further down the road -- taking the long view – I discovered that maintaining a straight line of travel was not only easier, but much safer too.

It seems to me that the same logic applies to investing. Losing sight of the long term and thinking that you can time the market by selling at the peak and then re-entering the market once it hits bottom is a big mistake. Timing market shifts is nearly impossible and requires two correct decisions: when to sell and when to buy back in. While making modest adjustments can add value, investors who make wholesale market timing bets usually lose. The biggest potential pitfall in trying to time the market is missing the days it’s “up.” For example, during the 10-year period after the 1973-1974 stock market decline, an investor who missed just 10 of the market’s best days would have also missed out on more than 50% of the market’s price return.1 Imagine that! And trying to figure out when those 10 best days would occur would have been an impossible task when you consider that none of the days were consecutive, four of the days occurred in a single year, and six of the years didn’t have any of the best 10 days.2 Perhaps the folly of market timing can be illustrated with another lesson from Driver’s Ed.

Route 3 Traffic to the Cape
The left hand lane of the highway is referred to as the passing lane while the right hand lanes are called the travel lanes, right? In theory this seems correct, but on a Friday afternoon in the summer, all lanes heading to the Cape would probably be better referred to as “parking lot lanes”! How many times when sitting in traffic do you find yourself wanting to switch lanes? We’ve all done it; the lane next to ours starts to move so we put our blinker on, scan the rearview mirror and move into the line of cars that are making progress down the road. And as soon as we do it, our new lane stops and the one we were previously sitting in starts to move again. So, if you have a long-term investment horizon and are tempted to get out of the market and move entirely into cash because of short-term events, you may be wise to remember the story about Cape Cod traffic jams.

Financial Lessons
While the debt ceiling debate has grabbed the headlines and is currently the most significant risk to the market, the underlying strength of the global economy remains solid. Company earnings continue to be very strong as corporate America continues to benefit from a resurgent business reinvestment climate and a resilient consumer. On the other end of this self-imposed debt ceiling crisis stands an economic climate where businesses are earning near record profits, employment is improving, housing has stabilized, and consumers are once again revisiting the malls to spend.



Enjoy the Ride
As we enjoy the beautiful warm nights, think back to the summer shortly after you received your driver’s license. What joy and freedom we experienced when we used to cruise the streets with the windows open listening to our favorite songs play on the radio. One of my favorite songs from those days was by The Doors. Jim Morrison sang, “Keep your eyes on the road, your hands upon the wheel… We’re gonna have a real good time.”

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This article was written by Steve Davis and appeared in the column "Talking with Davis about Money Matters" found at http://mansfield-ma.patch.com/articles/financial-lessons-from-drivers-ed




The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

Tick, Tick, Tick: Our National Debt and How it May Impact the Economy and Financial Markets

By Steve Davis, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™

The clock continues to tick towards the August 2, 2011 deadline when the United States debt ceiling limit will be reached. While the newspapers and TV are full of stories about this situation, I thought you might find it helpful to hear some of my thoughts as it relates to your investments and the market in general.


Overview: The debt ceiling limit is a key element of U.S. Government financial management. The U.S. Government is expected to receive about $175 billion in tax revenues for the month of August, but has $310 billion in monthly obligations that it needs to meet. As a result, the $135 billion in monthly shortfall is usually borrowed via the issuance of U.S. Treasury bonds. However, once the debt ceiling is met, the U.S. Government will not be able to issue new debt and will therefore, have to make significant decisions as it relates to what $135 billion or 44% of its “bills” it will delay payment on. That is, of course, if the debt ceiling limit is not raised by Congress and signed into law by the President.

Politics: While the rhetoric coming out of Washington has certainly transitioned from compromise to contention, it should not be overlooked that the divided parties are aligned on a few very important criteria that should bring a resolution closer to happening—namely that spending cuts should be enacted and that a more responsible government spending policy should be put in place to get a handle on the nation’s soaring national debt. In addition, both sides seem to now understand that the polarizing political view of revenue increases (the Democrats’ wish) and significant entitlement reform (the Republicans’ wish) are too significant a gap to overcome over the short term and are now virtually off the table.

What Happens Next: Now, the only things (and they are a big “only”) that the two sides have to work out are: where the cuts in spending should come from, how long they will take to implement, and how much money they will save. The reality is that the two divided sides are not as far apart on the terms of a deal as they are from an ideological and political posturing perspective. Said another way: the two sides sound and act a lot further apart than their competing plans actually are.

We expect that the debate in Washington will continue over the next few days as the game of political ideological “chicken” plays out. However, our base case is that a compromise will be forged over the coming days and will result in either a short-term extension of the debt limit or, more likely, an agreement to raise the borrowing capacity of the United States Government until well into next year.

More importantly, even if a bill is not agreed upon and signed into law to raise the debt ceiling by August 2, we do not foresee the United States Government defaulting on its obligations. A default will occur if the government failed to pay the interest due on its debt. For the month of August, the interest due on Treasury bonds accounts for only $29 billion, which is easily met by the $175 billion in tax revenues that are expected. However, while a default would be avoided, the significant impact of dialing back $135 billion that could not be borrowed for other Federal services and obligations would have serious economic impacts.

The Economy: While the debt ceiling debate has grabbed the headlines and is currently the most significant risk to the market, the underlying strength of the global economy remains solid. Moreover, several of the open-ended issues that have lingered for months are finally getting substantively addressed, including a plan for a second bailout of Greece, a stabilizing European debt crisis, and the re-emergence of Japan’s economic infrastructure from its terrible natural disaster in early spring. In addition, company earnings continue to be very strong as corporate America continues to benefit from a resurgent business reinvestment climate and a resilient consumer.

The Financial Markets: In the meantime, the current conditions support a cautious stance as the market is sin gularly focused on Washington. We expect that a resolution on extending the debt ceiling will ultimately be agreed upon, but not until the deeply divided government drags the nation and the market even further through the mud. But, on the other end of this self-imposed crisis stands an economic climate where businesses are earning near record profits, employment is improving, housing has stabilized, and consumers are once again revisiting the malls to spend. While the turmoil in Washington will invariably offer up several more nervous days as the debate lingers on, we believe that a relief rally for the market is around the corner once compromise replaces contention and unity trumps division.


The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine which investment(s) may be appropriate for you, consult me prior to investing. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results. All indices are unmanaged and cannot be invested into directly.
 The economic forecasts set forth in the presentation may not develop as predicted and there can be no guarantee that strategies promoted will be successful.  The research in this letter has been prepared by LPL Financial.

Don't Suffer a Financial Heart Attack!

By Steve Davis, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™



1986 Tour de France

The Tour de France is said to be the largest spectator event in the world with an estimated attendance of over 10 million people. The attendance swells because the race isn’t a single day event -- it actually takes place over 21 days and covers more than 2000 miles. The most popular stages are the ones that see the riders climbing the French Pyrenees or Alp Mountain passes. This week, the Tour is in the high mountains and the combination of gorgeous scenery, a colorful peloton and tens of thousands of cheering fans is a sight to behold. For the past several years the race has been broadcast in High Definition on the Versus TV channel (home of the Stanley Cup Playoff coverage) and it has become one of my favorite things to watch.


The only downside to watching the Tour on TV is the constant barrage of commercials. One, which seems to run repeatedly, advertises something called the “Road ID bracelet”. The Road ID provides emergency contact information and was based on the tragic story of a gentleman by the name of Jim Fixx. Jim wan an average Joe who took up running to lose weight and quickly lost 50 pounds. As a result of his experience, he wrote several books, and is known as the best selling running and fitness author of all time. Jim has been given credit for starting the Fitness and Running Boom of the early 80’s. Jim had lost weight, was running every day, and was feeling great! Then, on July 20, 1984, Jim was found unconscious on the side of the road - wearing only his jogging shorts. He was immediately taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead of a heart attack. Unfortunately, like most runners, joggers, cyclists, and walkers, Jim was not wearing identification when he had his accident. It wasn't until a day later that he was positively identified and his family contacted. He had never been to the doctor for a physical because as long as he was staying in shape, there was nothing to worry about, right? Wrong. Apparently, there was a history of heart disease in Jim’s family. When he died, his arteries were almost 95% clogged. If Jim had gone to the doctor every year for a physical, they could have detected the heart disease and been able to treat it.


Have You Scheduled Your Financial Physical?
So, what do the Tour de France and the story of Jim Fixx have to do with your personal finances? Well, it’s time for your financial physical. The year is now more than half over and now is a good time to sit with your financial advisor to review your finances and see if you’re meeting your financial goals.

Like the undulating roads throughout the Tour, our lives are constantly experiencing ups and downs. We experience joys of marriages, births and retirements and at other times face the difficulty of divorce, death and unemployment. The financial world is also constantly changing. Changes in the market place, investments, and tax laws are much more likely to happen today than ever before. With the ups and downs of the stock market and the current state of the global financial markets, it is more important than ever to make sure your portfolio is properly positioned and right for your current situation.

We meet with our doctors frequently to get a physical to make sure everything is okay. Regular health screenings are important. Underlying health conditions aren’t always obvious: nothing hurts, no unusual symptoms, everything seems fine until one experiences sudden chest pain, or discovers a lump while in the shower. When it comes to cancer, everyone knows that it is better to catch a health problem before its advanced stages. Most of us take routine tests and go to the doctor regularly in an effort to maintain our physical health. But how about our financial health? Do yourself and your family a favor and schedule a financial physical to make sure your financial health is in check.

Yes, I Bought a Road ID

Click here to visit my PMC Profile


By the way, I ended up purchasing a Road ID bracelet because I’m currently training for the Pan Mass Challenge bicycle fundraiser to support the Jimmy Fund. This will be my 14th year riding in the event and if you would like to learn more about the PMC and why I ride, please visit my PMC Profile website: www.pmc.org/profile/SD0039

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This article was written by Steve Davis and appeared in the column "Talking with Davis about Money Matters" found at http://mansfield-ma.patch.com


The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

Quarterly Review -- First Half of 2011

By Steve Davis, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™

MANSFIELD, MA:  As I write this blog entry, the June 30 investment statements are starting to come across my desk.  I imagine that the US Postal Service has already delivered yours to you too.  You’ll see that the first half of the year has produced modest single-digit gains for most assets classes. 

Market Performance in the First Half
The first quarter of the year showed the markets registering solid gains, despite the effects of Japan’s terrible earthquake and tsunami. 

The second quarter was a different story, with concerns arising from growing inflation threats in emerging markets, debt worries in Europe and a downgrading of growth forecasts for the global economy.  Below are the first-half results for some key markets.

Source: MSCI
Note: Results are in local currencies; the effect of swings in the dollar is not reflected

Here at home, we saw U.S. stocks fall for the first time in four quarters.  The S&P 500 lost 0.39% in the second quarter, a period marked by worries over high gas prices and indications that the recovery was stalling.  Given the above, I want to share a few quotes which I think help us see things in perspective.

Quote #1
-- Warren Buffett, letter to investors published February 2011
“Money will always flow toward opportunity, and there is an abundance of that in America.”

In November of 2009, Berkshire Hathaway spent $26 billion to buy the 77% of rail giant Burlington Northern that it didn't already own. In interviews, Warren Buffett referred to this as "betting on America." Buffett has been consistent in his positive outlook for the U.S. economy, looking past short-term events to focus on America's ingenuity and resolve and its ability to attract the best and the brightest from around the world.

Buffett is consistently voted the greatest investor of all time. In the 46 years he's run Berkshire Hathaway, annual growth in book value has exceeded 20%, more than twice the gains for the U.S. stock market index. Even more remarkable, Buffett's numbers are after tax, while the index's gains are pretax. And while he had lagged in individual years, in his last letter to shareholders, Buffett pointed out that there has never been a five-year period where Berkshire Hathaway underperformed the S&P.

To put his record into dollar terms, $1,000 invested in the Standard & Poor’s index of U.S. stocks at the start of 1965 would have risen by the end of 2010 to $62,620. By contrast, that same $1,000 under Buffett's stewardship would have grown to over $4 million.

Quote #2
-- Bill Gross, Morningstar Fixed Income Manager of the Decade; June 7, 2011
“In terms of the stock market, there are amazing 0pportunities [compared to U.S. government bonds]; there’s a huge gap and a huge differential.”

As manager of PIMCO Total Return Fund, the world's largest bond fund, Bill Gross turned in a track record matched by few others and was named Morningstar Fixed Income Manager of the Decade. In part, this stems from his willingness to take contrarian views: in 2010, he went on record talking about the "new normal" of lower growth, higher inflation, and increased risk in holding debt of governments around the world.

In a June 7 interview on CNBC, he spoke about stocks and said, “Corporations are in the catbird seat. They've got cheap financing, cheap leverage. They've got cheap labor and the ability to move from one country to another at their will. And so corporations basically have done very well, and will probably continue to do very well.”

What this Means to Investors
In today's low-interest-rate environment, it's hard to make a compelling case for cash except as a portfolio diversifier and a source of liquidity.  As for bonds, Bill Gross represents the growing sentiment that the risk in bonds is rising as economies recover and interest rates start to rise.
This leaves stocks.  Whether you adopt the "lesser of two evils" view of stocks as opposed to bonds, like Bill Gross, or join Warren Buffett in embracing stocks more enthusiastically, there are clear values in high-quality stock market investing.

In Buffett’s annual letter, he encouraged his shareholders to see through the haze.  He wrote, “Commentators often talk of ‘great uncertainty.’  Throughout my lifetime, politicians and pundits have constantly moaned about terrifying problems facing America. Human potential is far from exhausted, and the American system for unleashing that potential remains alive and effective.”
Here’s what I wrote last quarter, and I continue to believe this is the way forward:  We've always had unexpected events and always will. And despite these unforeseen events, economies have grown, companies have prospered, and stock markets have generated positive returns. The key to benefiting from this long-term growth has been to diversify so that no single event can create permanent damage to your portfolio.

I believe that investors with a balanced approach and a long-term view will be well rewarded. The approach to risk management I recommend may not be fun or sexy in the short term, but all the evidence at hand suggests that over time it will serve you well, getting you to your goals with the least amount of stress and distress along the way.

The Pan Massachusetts Challenge

A Hero Story

By Steve Davis, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™

My Hero: 

For the past 14 summers, I have participated in the Pan Mass Challenge.  When I first rode the PMC in 1988, my mom had recently been diagnosed with cancer. Today, mom continues to cheer the Davis family paceline, having courageously beaten cancer three times. She is my hero!

Everyday Heroes:
When I first rode the PMC, one of my lasting memories was riding up a long, steep hill where someone had written on the pavement in chalk the words, "Everyday Heroes!".  The crowds who cheered and willed us up that hill thought the cyclists were the everyday heros, but they were wrong.  The true everyday heros were all those who  fight this dreadful disease and those who contribute funds toward beating it.  Last year 230,000 PMC contributors donated $33 million for cancer research and treatment at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. And since 1980, the PMC has contributed an amazing $303 million which finances research in its earliest stages. Known as “seed money”, PMC funds enable clinicians and scientists to pursue innovative research that has the potential to achieve the results that will warrant National Institutes of Health (NIH), or other private and government grants. In so many cases, this early support has fostered the development of some of the most important advances made in cancer research over the last two decades.


A Young Hero: 
As I mentioned, I ride each year to honor my mom, a three-time survivor. This year, I will also be riding for Hannah Hughes, a young 7-year-old “Jimmy Fund Pedal Partner”. Hannah has a rare cancer but is doing well after recently undergoing a bone marrow transplant from her sister. Several of my friends and I plan to ride from her home in Ballston Spa, New York to the official start of the PMC in Sturbridge – a 180 mile journey we hope to cover over two additional days of riding. All told, we hope to ride almost 400 miles over four days. We’ll ride from Ballston Spa to West Stockbridge; West Stockbridge to Sturbridge; Sturbridge to Bourne; and Bourne to Provincetown.


You Can Help: 

If you would like to join us in the cause, please visit the Pan Massachusetts Challenge website or see my rider profile page: http://www.pmc.org/profile/SD0039