Anyone who has travelled extensively for business knows how much fun it isn’t. Weather delays, hotels and restaurant food are just part of the “joys.” So why do it? Pardon the pun, but in my case, it’s all part of the bigger journey.

When I first entered the financial services industry in September 1994, I quickly came to understand that there is no financial decision which is ever purely financial. Financial strategies and products, market action with all of its complexities; these are external trappings and tools and challenges. These are the “how” and “what” parts of the package that a great wealth management professional delivers to their clients.

But “how” and “what” pale in comparison to the eternal “Why?” of investing. Why even bother to save instead of spending it on something fun, lavish or frivolous? Unfortunately, the vast majority of folks do choose this path, and we have a retirement funding shortfall in North America that will slam us all like a massive tsunami – a completely preventable tragedy.

If you’re reading this, you’re likely one of those who have chosen to think ahead, live on less income than your employment generates and you’re trying to grow and protect the assets you didn’t fritter away on other stuff. So why have you chosen this path of deferred gratification instead of instant pleasure, unlike most other folks?

Is it the desire to self-determine, to be autonomous and independent of government handouts provided by debt financing that will cripple future generations? Is it so you can finally stop working at a job you may or may not love? Is it so you can finally let go of the worry associated with growing older and becoming less able to work endless hours? Is it just for yourself, or are there other people who also depend on your savings and investing decisions? Is it a spouse, or kids or grandchildren or perhaps a charitable cause that you believe in deeply?

In my experience, the “why” of investing is inextricably linked to “who”…as in “Who do you love?” Basically, money is love; it’s the life energy we haven’t spent. The way we choose to handle our money speaks volumes about the people we love. Are we unselfish and disciplined, or do we give into fear and anger easily? Do we hold on too tightly and obsess about it, or do we feel secure in our relationship with money? And as we mature in other areas of life, so too do we change our approach to investing. Our priorities change, sometimes gradually, sometimes dramatically…but change is inevitable.

Have you reached the tipping point where managing your own portfolio is more burden than benefit? And perhaps most importantly, who is your money for after you’re gone? Who are those people whose lives you’d like to help make better with some of your love, in the form of money you managed not to spend? These are amongst the most critical questions and themes that we all need to contemplate and reach clarity on. The sooner you do it, the easier it is, and the greater affects you can have on those you love.

So why do I travel to see clients on Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland and Alberta cities and towns outside of Calgary? It’s simple, really: to meet and understand and connect with the people whose money it is, and whenever possible to also meet the people that the money will eventually be for; to see and feel where and how people have chosen to live, and why…so I can really understand them beyond what’s on paper. In the end, it’s people and our connections with them that enrich our lives and our world.

If you’re looking for a decidedly human approach to managing your financial wealth, please visit our site. There’s lot of great content you can view for free, and you can decide if we’re the kind of people you’d to have helping you make the most of your nest egg…for those you love.

http://integratedwealthmanagement.ca/

Cheers,

Andrew H. Ruhland, CFP, CIM

Founder, Integrated Wealth Management