Henry Ford once quipped, "Obstacles are those things you see when you take your eyes off of your goals." No doubt, we have definitely seen our fair share of obstacles over the past few quarters, as we have all witnessed a substantial amount of volatility in the markets. Despite recent improvements, we are asking ourselves and others tough questions like, "What will happen next?", "Can I ever trust the market again?", and "When will I be able to retire?" I know that your faith in the system has been shaken. However, now is the time to rebuild both your faith and your investment strategy.

Part of a sound investment strategy is a quarterly review. A quarterly review gives us the chance to explore what is going on not only in the economic world, but most importantly, what is going on in your world. In our quarterly reviews, we will focus on three critical areas necessary to maintain balance in your strategic plan:

1. Portfolio Review.

In our meeting, we will take the time to review the performance of your portfolio. This will give us the opportunity to assess how your portfolio performed over the past quarter, and compare your portfolio’s return relative to the required rate of return needed to reach your goals. Remember, the objective for your portfolio is not to beat an arbitrary benchmark, like the S&P 500 Index or the Russell 2000® Index, but rather to meet or exceed your required rate of return.

2. Life Changes.

Do you remember how excited you were when you bought your first new car? Do you remember calling your mom after you bought your first home and telling her that you have every light in the house on? What about the joy you experienced when you found out there would be a new addition to your family? Changes in your life can be exciting and stressful at times, whether it is a decision to leave a job you have held for a number of years or the decision to move closer to a family member because of an illness. All of these events will have a material effect on your investment strategy. Discussing the important changes in your life opens up communication lines and helps us set the proper expectations for your financial future.

3. Goal Review.

There is an old phrase that says, "The only thing constant is change." Throughout your life your overall goals will change. The ambitions you had at age 25 are completely different than those at age 52. Changes in your life affect your goals; therefore, in our quarterly review meetings, we will also review your current goals. We will assess your financial plan to ensure that you are on course to reach these goals. If needed, we will make adjustments to your plan to meet your goals or refine your goals to match your expected rate of return.

I know our economic situation has been very difficult lately. I want you to know that you are not alone. By meeting on a quarterly basis, we can begin rebuilding your faith in the future and set a proper course for action. Now, more than ever, it is important to stay focused on your goals and committed to your plan. Call 858.752.1726 today to schedule your quarterly review. I look forward to meeting with you soon.

Sincerely,

Dion Gouws, CPA