I've been sharing the following idea with people for a few years now, and realized recently that I had never written specifically about it. So here it is:
"I cannot predict the future."
That may seem simple enough, and it's certainly accurate, yet for many advisors, this edict is completely disregarded. How many times have you heard someone say, "I know," when what they really meant was, "I guess?" In stating that I cannot predict the future, my intention is not to appear pessimistic. On the contrary, I agree with what Roosevelt had to say about the issue; "The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today." I therefore believe that we can accomplish just about anything. Nevertheless, believing anything is possible is far more grounded in reality than believing that I could know, with any precision, how everything will ultimately unfold. And so with that much clear, I would like to share what I do not know about our collective financial futures.
I do not know which segment of the market will outperform all others during this year, or any year.
I do not know if this year's equity market will be up, down, volatile, or stagnant.
I do not know what our tax system will look like in ten, twenty, or thirty years.
I do not know what the rate of inflation will be, or what the rise in housing will be, or college tuition, or gas, or bottled water.
I do not know if age expectancies will continue to increase or begin to decrease.
I do not know how the United States will fare in competition with the rapidly developing markets of other nations.
While it may appear that I don't know much, here's what I do know:
I can presume, in a careful manner, certain long-term expectations. And if I am successful in helping my clients understand and appreciate those expectations, I would hope to maximize their full financial potential.
I am able (and willing) to respond to change. Ask any advisor who's been doing it for fifty years what he thinks about change, and he's likely to tell you his way is the best way, always was, and always will be.
I believe there is a close-to-perfect approach to meeting the goals of each client, and I spend great effort, in every instance, to find out what that is. Each individual, each family, each small business owner has their own attributes, and I am ever-present to the notion of finding a common ground. I always attempt to write about topics that transcend finance. Money is allegorical-how you save and spend both your time and your energy will often correlate with how you manage your finances. What I do not know about the future therefore also transcends economics, and so I approach everything with an open mind. Do you?
© 2005 Matthew S. Clement, All rights reserved
Matthew S. Clement is a financial planner and investment advisor representative with Financial Network Investment Corporation, member SIPC. He provides holistic wealth management and retirement planning to individuals and businesses. He can be reached in New York at (845) 942-8578, or by email: ClementM@FinancialNetwork.com.
Ever wonder where address labels come from? Avery® is perhaps... Read More
The Check 21 Law is the new federal law for... Read More
While 40% to 50% of us make New Year's resolutions... Read More
Six Scholarship judges were sitting around an oval table. Forms... Read More
Does it feel like you have to be Sherlock Holmes... Read More
Sorting out your personal finances can be a tricky and... Read More
It is crucial as an individual who is striving for... Read More
Recently, many of these loyalty rewards programs have come to... Read More
If you have a 401(k) account, it can be very... Read More
Recent findings from the Educational Policy Institute indicated that the... Read More
Single Mother's in need of Financial GuidanceBudgeting is key to... Read More
Now that we are in the month of June I... Read More
You have probably accomplished a great deal with your life.... Read More
Get Access to Realistic profitable strategies & discover the mindset... Read More
My personal opinion is that in today's new economy, it... Read More
There have been an estimated 9.9 million victims on America... Read More
Saving money is not easy and is made more difficult... Read More
One of the simplest ways to improve your professional image... Read More
With interest rates being at an all-time low, I can... Read More
Can you really afford a house? If so, how much... Read More
I have been a loyal user of Quicken(R) for more... Read More
Good money management needn't be difficult. In fact, there a... Read More
Despite how easy it is to balance a checkbook, very... Read More
Creating a budget can be a very difficult task. Although... Read More
As the saying goes: "Buyer Beware". If you see ads... Read More
Gas prices have soared to unimaginable heights of late. Since... Read More
If You Have an Existing Account and 5 Minutes, You... Read More
Good money management needn't be difficult. In fact, there a... Read More
Ben Stein has a book called How to Ruin Your... Read More
Now that we are in the month of June I... Read More
Do you struggle from week to week trying to make... Read More
Six Scholarship judges were sitting around an oval table. Forms... Read More
The recommendations for military base closings have been released and... Read More
Women are charged more for dry cleaning services. Don't fume,... Read More
Are you having problems with debt? Are you afraid to... Read More
With almost two thirds of university entrants from England and... Read More
Well, dang! From what I've heard and read, it looks... Read More
The Check 21 Law is the new federal law for... Read More
The British government at the beginning of this year officially... Read More
Car donations and used car donations are the way many... Read More
Each of us knows how to spend money, but do... Read More
Budgeting. It's a word we're all familiar with. Everyone knows... Read More
What is finance and what do you need to know?... Read More
Has anyone been to the gas pumps lately? Soon $3... Read More
The gas that we fill our tanks with every week... Read More
Sticking to a budget can be difficult, but with so... Read More
Does it feel like you have to be Sherlock Holmes... Read More
One universal of humanity, no matter who you are or... Read More
The lists of bank and savings accounts that are available... Read More
Next to our physical health most of us are primarily... Read More
Personal Finance Personal Finance |
|
| العاب | منتديات هيدى | Banner Exchange | |