Have you ever asked yourself why you invest? “To grow my money” is the most common response I get. “Put my money to work”, “build wealth” others often echo and then the conversation turns into how to invest.
As a client advisor I have conducted thousands of client meetings. It is indeed, one of the first questions I ask - what is your objective? Please note that the option balance between income and capital appreciation is not available!
Investing without a goal is like racing without a finish line.
It is well worth taking time to really think about what you want. Try considering the following questions:
While most think that more money could help solve financial problems, there is no guarantee that having more money can solve money problems. This is why it is important to align your goals with your core values. Did you know that 9 families out of 10 fail to pass their wealth successfully beyond the third generation? This statistic prevails regardless of geographical region, tax regime and different generations. Emily Griffiths-Hamilton discusses these phenomena in her book Building Your Family Bank and concludes that the number one reason for this is lack of shared values.
There are plenty resources available to help to identify your values. I encourage you not to rush and really take your time to discover and articulate your core values. When it comes to finances, if you view the money collectively with your family, then I suggest undertaking the same exercise with all the family and cooperatively agree on the family values.
Once you have the core values agreed, you will then be able to set out objectives and follow up actions. Here is an example to get you started:
Value | Objective | Actions |
Family | Preserve the assets within the family | Succession planning Wealth structuring |
Freedom | Maintain financial independence and autonomy Work/life balance – freedom of time | Cash flow modelling – do I have enough? Retirement provisions |
Community | Support charitable causes | Philanthropy |
The goals that are aligned with your heart will give you long-term vision and short-term motivation. Also, when times are tough or you are at a cross-roads, having your core values to hand will keep you on the right path.
As your partner our approach continuously revolves around your needs and aspirations. Ready to talk to us? Contact us today to get started.
Investing without a goal is like racing without a finish line.
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This article contains general information only and is not intended to constitute financial or other professional advice or a recommendation that any recipient of this information should make any particular investment decision. Always consult a suitably qualified financial advisor on any specific financial matter or problem that you have.
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Information correct as at May 2023.
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