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.
maide service in Park Ridge ..With prices increasing all the time, saving money can be... Read More
Many people spend their little income haphazardly without any planning... Read More
Have you ever thought about what you are going to... Read More
If you were to ask 100 women "What would you... Read More
Do you have a 401(k) retirement account? Are you vested... Read More
At a time when the entire world's attention is focused... Read More
Single Mother's in need of Financial GuidanceBudgeting is key to... Read More
Does it feel like you have to be Sherlock Holmes... Read More
When people speak about the increasing age expectancies, they generally... Read More
It doesn't take much for you to get behind on... Read More
Frugal living is more than a lifestyle. It's a passion.... Read More
How many drawers did you have to look through to... Read More
When you received an energy (heating) bill last winter, were... Read More
Most Americans have been brought up to be concerned about... Read More
An avid cyclist and bike racing fan, I sit transfixed... Read More
Get Access to Realistic profitable strategies & discover the mindset... Read More
The recommendations for military base closings have been released and... Read More
Recent security breaches at several credit card companies continue to... Read More
Women have a love/hate relationship with money. Most of us... Read More
This investment retirement account (IRA) is useful to you as... Read More
Here are some tips that can help you save money... Read More
With the A-level results coming out, the long wait for... Read More
Holy Shenanigans! More STUFF?Loosing one's business due to lack of... Read More
If you're like most people, your personal financial records are... Read More
We all know that money doesn't grow on trees, but... Read More
after renovation cleaning Highland Park ..Women are charged more for dry cleaning services. Don't fume,... Read More
On the other hand, there are those people who are... Read More
Vacations Made Easy: Buying a Florida Investment PropertyA relaxing beach... Read More
It's the little things in life that make it interesting.... Read More
Holy Shenanigans! More STUFF?Loosing one's business due to lack of... Read More
My personal opinion is that in today's new economy, it... Read More
Our global society has had a wake up call in... Read More
What is finance and what do you need to know?... Read More
**If it's Spam, it's a Scam!- If it sounds too... Read More
Predatory lending exists in the mortgage industry. It's typically when... Read More
I thought I was through with exams when I finished... Read More
Would you be interested in freeing up 10% to 15%... Read More
Women have a love/hate relationship with money. Most of us... Read More
Debt levels are at an all time high in the... Read More
ID theft is a major consumer concern, though there is... Read More
Are you having problems with debt? Are you afraid to... Read More
Super-mumsIt seems that the proof of maternal efforts is no... Read More
The first step to financial success lies in knowing your... Read More
With a traditional Investment Retirement Account (IRA) you pay taxes... Read More
The British government at the beginning of this year officially... Read More
It is widely written that you need 75% of your... Read More
Do you have a 401(k) retirement account? Are you vested... Read More
Has anyone been to the gas pumps lately? Soon $3... Read More
One of the biggest challenges facing black RELATIONSHIPS today are... Read More
In this age of information, keeping track of your finances... Read More
Personal Finance |