 |
Pathways Advisory Group, Inc.
Michelle Carter, CFP®
 |
This weekend, I am going on a little trip with some girl friends. I am the chauffeur. While we were making plans, they mentioned they may take a nap in the car on the way to our destination, and they felt guilty for leaving me "alone" to drive. I told them not to worry, I have a lecture on Financial Planning I can listen to while they snooze. They joked, "If you put that on, I really will go to sleep" to which I replied in jest, "What? You don't find Financial Planning exciting???"
I am used to this commonly held opinion. My husband works as a Crime Scene Investigator. When we mingle at gatherings and parties, the focus is primarily on him. Everyone wants to hear the latest or greatest case of who-done-it. How can a Financial Planner compete with that? Unless I have some hot stock tip (NOPE) or market timing strategy (NEVER), what else is there to say?
But guess what? Financial Planning is exciting. And I'll tell you why...
I have met with clients who worked hard, sacrificed and saved for retirement. I watch them retire. I get to be there as they come into their meetings and tell me about all the neat trips they are taking, the time with family they are enjoying and the life goals they are fulfilling. I get to see the joy in their faces, and sometimes pictures of their travels too. That is exciting.
I have met with clients who have recently lost a loved one. I see them come in overwhelmed by the estate distribution process. I get to be their advocate, a resource, and alleviate some of the burden they carry. I see the relief on their faces. That is exciting.
I have met with young people, new to the world of investing. I get to be a teacher, and their motivation and enthusiasm for the life that awaits them is contagious. That is exciting.
There are many more examples I could share.
I think when people hear Financial Planning, they think about numbers. Budgets, charts and graphs, percentages and bell curves. Investments, interest rates, rates of return and projections.
I think about people. I think about clients who have impacted my life. I think about how to use the financial knowledge and experience I have gained (and am continuing to gain) to better my clients both financially and otherwise. It is a great responsibility.
And it is also exciting.
