In the past, life was more certain. In the old days pensions were a certain percentage of your final salary, based on the years of service. Careers were more certain, there was not so much chopping and changing as there is today.
In the old days there weren’t the wonder drugs and medicines. So many people as young as 40, enjoy the medical benefits that keep them alive and in good health, to a very ripe old age.
Although there appears to be less certainty, there are lots of opportunities. Today there are good health and wealth practitioners to make the best of your talents, which includes money. When you are investing money you are investing in the goodwill of man.
Sometimes there is bad will in the markets, Madoff in the USA and closer to home Masterbond and Tannenbaum to mention a few. With a good qualified financial adviser, you should be able to keep clear of these shenanigans and make your money work for you now, and for however long the future holds for you.
Today we have interesting and viable investments, in equities, commercial and properties, both here and abroad, ETF’s which allows you to buy and sell gold without ever having to take delivery, unless you want to.
The most important aspect of investing is to keep up to date with the markets. You need to see your financial advisor at least once every 4 months and see if he recommends any switches or other action on your portfolios.
All too often we see investors who started out well only to find their investments fall to pieces due to a lack of attention by their financial advisors. If you are changing jobs, retiring or in retirement, you need to plan. If you inherit money you should honour the giver by planning wisely.
If it is a divorce settlement you owe it to yourself to plan a better life! At the end of the day you can get more out of life by good planning and making things more certain for yourself!
Nick Russell
Please note: This article does not constitute advice
Lagoon News Article – February 2011