2016, If Not Now, When?
For some, the changing of the calendar marks a point of opportunity or encouragement to make, provide for or to plan for a better life. A life full of seizing the best that your wisdom, money and resources have to offer while creating a legacy worth stewarding for generations to come.
While this may sound like a rosy picture that is either too far from your grasp, or just a complex puzzle that has many pieces missing, making the decision to be more financially secure or to benefit from the opportunity to have enough money to live the life you choose today is something worthy of planning for.
During this time of year you will be apprised to many lists that can offer the top…say 10 things to do to become financially secure and each year which of these things do you decide to implement into your plan? Many of the items on these list are worthy of consideration and should be implemented into your strategy, increasing your retirement plan contributions, developing a cash reserves or planning for education expenses, all good.
But what happens when life happens?
You don’t think life is a factor, just take a self-inventory and ask yourself financially speaking "how did I get here", and why do these list get your attention every year anyway? It's mostly because dealing with the pain of not having enough deserves attention.
When I talk to my clients about money, I congratulate them on their last twenty years as an investor or a saver, whether they have accumulated $200,000 or $2,000,000. With the notion that, now is the time to be grateful for the past no matter where it has positioned them and to explore the strategy for the next 20 years. And for most, the goals of the next twenty are different from the last twenty.
For 2016, take a quick minute to reflect on your last twenty years, not just 2015, all of the challenges, opportunities, and great moments that have positioned you for the best time of your life, today. And reflecting not only on where you would have been if…but where you will be, how you will live, who you wish to help, and the kind of person you wish to be.
As we know, money isn’t everything, but with the proper discipline, coaching, and a strategy, money and resources will be a help mate to your success, and not your deficiency.
Best wishes for a financially successful 2016
Earl Johnson, CMFC is a registered investment advisor representative with a focus on retirement wealth planning, with EverGreen Capital Management based in Omaha, NE.