Since about the beginning of March, all my coffees have been sipped from home. Just like all of you, this Financial Advisor hasn’t been immune to the trials and tribulations COVID-19 and social distancing have unleashed on us all. Optimism is hard to find somedays, while others, I feel so content with this new normal. When we first closed the office, my one driving goal was growth. I wanted to return to the office having achieved growth personally and as your Financial Advisor. As things are beginning to open up and take a turn for the better (hopefully), I’ve been reflecting on where I have been and where we all go from here. Notably, I’ve enjoyed improving on my cooking skills, and diversifying my exercise routines. I have added yoga and long walks to my daily routine, which have been super powerful in creating more peace and focus. As your advisor, I’ve studied to add to my current list of certifications, and experimented with different medias of outreach. Most notably, I strove to continue being a resource for you and keep lines of communication open. I’ve been working with the other advisors of our firm to improve upon the processes and services we deliver to all of you. Above all, I’ve learned the one thing you can’t replace in this world is people. I don’t know what I would have done without my family, peers, best and truest friends, and clients who all in their own way showed some love the past few months. To all of you, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for being part of my journey. I am not sure what the “future normal” will exactly look and feel like, but I can tell you the relationship aspect of this life and this business aren’t going anywhere and can’t be stopped. We will adapt, but we will continue to thrive on the personal touch, and I promise to continue delivering exactly that.
As far as your financial plan goes, it may feel like COVID-19 thwarted your 2020 financial goals, made you take steps backwards in terms of getting out of debt or increasing your savings, and maybe even have you reconsidering your retirement date. I want you to know that you are not alone, you are not failing, and I am here to help get you through this. It’s time we start slowly getting back to the basics. In this article (https://www.daveramsey.com/blog/how-to-manage-your-money), Dave does a great job reminding us what fundamentals matter when managing our money. Hint, it all comes down to living within your means, sticking to your budget, and saving for the future. As Dave says, Financial Advisors are here to guide you through the good and bad and help you stay the course and get back on track. If you have questions about your plan, or feel it needs to be adjusted or reevaluated based on your current situation, please reach out to me. I am always happy to help.