One of the very rewarding parts of financial planning is to work with clients over a long period of time, and to ultimately reach a significant goal. I just had a meeting with a client that I started working with in 1992, who will reach her goal of retiring this May. It was a great meeting and a time to celebrate a significant life accomplishment!
My client was very thankful to me, and to our whole team for the help we’ve provided over the years. She was thankful that she has so much, in a world where so many don’t have much at all. One of her questions in the meeting was would she be able to continue her charitable contributions at the same level now that she was retired? My answer was “Yes”. She certainly understands that the more you give away, the more you really have. That relationship doesn’t change at retirement.
As I reflected on the meeting, there were a lot of great lessons. The importance of planning, consistency, sticking with a long-term strategy through good times and bad, and living within your means all came to mind. But the meeting also provided a prompting for me; to be thankful for what I have, and not to constantly strive for more or to desire what I don’t have. The word is contentment. This client has it, and I am thankful to her for the reminder!
