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Strong personal finances are vital to our health and well-being. Financial planning can give us control over our finances and can impact our life decisions, which ultimately affects our lifestyle. When we make better financial decisions, we create a fulfilling, more thoughtful and sustainable lifestyle.

. . . a need for precision sometimes can be paralyzing. We want the perfect outcomes so badly that we make no decision out of fear of making the wrong one . . . The question to ask yourself is, “Would you prefer the opportunity to be precisely right or the opportunity to avoid being precisely wrong?” Read more . . .

We talked for another 35 minutes about her expectations and aspirations, but after a while, I simply told her, “I, and the stock market, cannot make you wealthy; only you can make you wealthy.” I further explained that the markets can help grow your money and help you stay wealthy, but counting solely on the financial markets, or an advisor, to make you wealthy is not enough. It is most likely that you will earn more in your business or career than you will earn from the investment markets. Your financial advisor does not make you wealthy. We are here to help you get to where you want to be given your circumstances. We help optimize your situation, help you make efficient decisions with your limited resources, get you to take action, and employ a disciplined approach to the investment markets. In other words, you might not bring filet mignon to my office, but I guarantee if you brought chop meat, I’d help you make the best meatloaf around!

We sat down at a round table and she began to unpack the contents of the large bag and put them on the table. We exchanged small talk as she sat tense, talking about the summer, vacations, and our kids. I got the impression she would hide behind the small talk for the remainder of the meeting if she could.

For most people seeking financial advice, especially those approaching retirement, many of their large decisions have been made already. The house you live in, the size of your family, your career and lifestyle expectations are determined by this point. They’re unlikely to change and really set the foundation of your financial picture.