It’s that time of year when many of us think about establishing one or more New Year’s resolutions.
This often means committing to improving one’s lifestyle by eating healthier, exercising more, or spending more time with family. Many investors could benefit from resolutions targeting their financial health as well. Just as many individuals endanger their well-being with bad habits, numerous investors suffer from holes in their financial plan, or worse, ill-advised practices that could be detrimental to their wealth. Everybody wants to be healthier, and many people want to be wealthier, but it takes commitment and discipline.
Here are some of our favorite (financial) New Year’s resolutions to share with friends or family.
- I will not confuse entertainment with advice. If necessary, I will turn off the news and turn on sports.
- I will stop searching for tomorrow’s star money manager or get rich investment idea. Prudent advice and investing in capitalism, involving a long-term and disciplined approach, will be the secret sauce in my plans for the future.
- I will live within my means and invest surplus capital because it is time in the market-and not timing the market-that matters.
- I will contact an independent wealth management firm with a fiduciary duty of care to evaluate my risk, my return or other gaps I may have in the plan for my family’s financial well-being.
Most of us find it hard to follow a sensible diet or a sensible investment strategy 100% of the time. If you must stray when managing your wealth or well-being, moderation is the key. A delicious cheeseburger is OK, as long as it’s not for dinner every night.
Finally, just as many athletes, executives or business owners rely on coaches and consultants to help them succeed, most investors can benefit from having a “financial coach” to remind them throughout the year about their New Year’s resolutions and keep them on track toward a more prosperous future. If you know of someone who may benefit from our team of experts’ careful eye, we hope you’ll share this blog and our videos with them. Happy New Year!
