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As we celebrate Thanksgiving,
now is the time to start considering end-of-year returns. It is also
time to analyze our investments and decide if changes need to be
made. Here is one sure-fire investment that you need to consider as
you evaluate your portfolio and calculate your wealth.
The returns of the market indexes are an important yardstick when
measuring the performance of your portfolio. But there is another
measure of return that is harder to define but vastly more
important. It's the measure of your wealth.
Wealth is a term defined by Madison Avenue as having it all: the
luxury car, vacation home, fine furniture, etc. Wall Street defines
wealth as being a multi-millionaire with a private helicopter and a
Park Avenue address.
There's a different definition of wealth that helps us focus on what
is truly important in life. It affects us all, regardless of the
size of our bank account. The Bible defines wealth as simply having
more than you need. Based on this definition, if you've got
leftovers in the refrigerator, you're wealthy!
Our founding fathers understood this definition well. Just look at
the very first Thanksgiving held nearly 400 years ago. The Pilgrims
had fled to the shores of this unsettled land to escape persecution
and find the freedom to worship God as they saw fit. Their first
year was extremely difficult. Disease wiped out over half of the
original settlers. It's hard to imagine the emotional and physical
challenges they faced daily.
Yet as they gathered their hard-won harvest in the fall of that
first year, they took the time to give thanks to their Creator. I'm
not sure I could be so thankful if I were in their situation. But
they knew that even in the face of hardship and grief, they were
blessed. They had more than they needed.
The Pilgrims aren't the only ones who have led thankful lives. More
recent generations have struggled through hardship of their own,
including two world wars and the Great Depression. People living in
those times knew what it was like to do without. Yet they were
thankful for living in the greatest country on earth.
How times have changed! The only reason we miss a meal nowadays is
because we're on a diet. Many buy new clothes just to have the
latest color or style. The national savings rate is at an all-time
low and spending is up.
What lessons can we learn from our founding fathers and our
grandfathers that will help us achieve a better balance in our own
lives?
First, we have to stop defining wealth by our quantity of material
possessions. It's an old saying, but there are many things that
money can't buy: love, health, family, and friends. When is the last
time you measured the value of those kinds of "assets"?
Second, we need to refocus our investments. I don't mean investments
of money, of course, but investments of ourselves: our time, our
attention, our love.
I've been doing just that. Last year, I made the decision to give up
my nice office in town and start working from home. This wasn't done
for financial reasons, but from an inner conviction that I needed to
spend more quality time with my wife and children.
I also believe it's important that children know and learn from
their grandparents. With access to airplanes, telephones,
emails...and even video, the only thing that separates us is our
priorities.
Grandparents have a unique opportunity, and a solemn responsibility,
to pass on a lasting heritage to their grandchildren. Family
traditions, a strong moral base and wisdom gained from life lessons
are all far more valuable than a college savings account.
All of us need a little reminder every now and then to not let the
urgent activities of life overshadow the important ones. What better
time than Thanksgiving to pause and reflect on our many blessings,
while also looking ahead at how we can live more meaningful lives.
It's never too late to invest yourself in those you love. The
benefits will last a lifetime. If you're looking for a sure-fire
investment, look no further than family and friends. I can guarantee
that the returns on your investment in their lives will far exceed
those of the best-ranked mutual fund!
Nationally-syndicated financial columnist and Certified Financial
Planner(R) Jeffrey Voudrie provides personal, in-depth money
management services and advice to select private clients throughout
the USA. He'll answer your financial question - FREE at
www.guardingyourwealth.com.
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