A Little If, A Little Then
I’ve really come to enjoy if/then statements. My family uses them all the time.
Son #2: “If I make this shot, then I get to stay up later.”
Son #4: “If I eat 20 goldfish, then you have to play soccer with me.”
Son #3: “If you can’t guess what number I’m thinking of, then I get to keep your guitar.”
Son #1: “If I get a full scholarship, then you have to buy me a new car.”
Wife #1: “If you don’t put up your clothes, then I’m going to take your…” (Well, you get the point.)
As one good turn deserves another, I present these for your consideration:
If you don’t contribute to your 401K, then you might be missing out on a company match.
Some companies will actually put a matching contribution into your 401(k) if you’ll just – contribute. That’s called free money, by the way. If you want as much of that free money as your company is willing to give, then max the match. If they match 50% of your contribution up to 6%, for example, then consider putting in 6%. How else do you get free money…legally?
If you want to know where your heart is, then check your credit card or bank statements.
Warning: If you look, then you’ll surely find out.
If you don’t model financial stewardship for your kids, then who will?
Please discuss money management with your family. If you don’t model it for them, then culture will. The same culture that brings us such family friendly hits as Miley Cyrus, Howard Stern and The Bachelor. Please don’t leave that up to culture. Culture obviously can’t take care of itself.
If you’re working and NOT saving for retirement, then what’s wrong with you?
I’ll spare you the grim statistics on the percentage of Americans who are nearing retirement and aren’t nearly prepared for it. It’s not your government’s responsibility, nor is it your employer’s. It’s yours. Start saving. Do what you can, where you’re at and with what you’ve got.
If you think Social Security is going to take care of your living expenses during retirement….then you’re wrong.
Read any recent article on Social Security and you’ll discover the uncomfortable truth. If changes aren’t on the horizon, then Social Security won’t be either. Reserves are projected to last until 2033, or so, unless significant changes are made.
If you think bicycle shorts are ridiculous, then you’ve never ridden 40 miles.
Nothing to do with money, but true nonetheless. And you can still catch the Tour de France on NBC. Seriously. Check it out.
If you’re investing in the stock market but not adhering to a financial plan, then you may be taking more (or less) risk than you need to.
A financial plan is paramount to reaching the financial goals you have for you and your family, and your investment strategy should support the goals within your plan. If you don’t know how much risk you should be taking to accomplish these goals and objectives, then hire a Financial Planner and get your plan in place. Call us, we can help.
And finally, if your son wants you to kick the soccer ball with him, then do it.
They don’t stay six for very long, do they.
p.s. To clarify, “Wife #1” is the only wife I have. That’s a bonus bit of advice for you: Only have one wife. I can only imagine the effect that having two wives would have on a budget. Oh, and in no way does the word “have” indicate ownership or possession. (That’s my contribution to unnecessary political correctness.) Sorry, I’m still giddy over the Iran deal. (Okay, now that one would be my contribution to sarcasm.)
