It was a cool Halloween night in Mooresville, North Carolina. We were preparing to attend the neighborhood party in Trump National Golf Club Charlotte; our kids excited, dancing around in their costumes ready for a night of candy and fun. As always, each family brings their own drinks and a dish to share. It’s a great chance to catch up with neighbors you haven’t spoken to in a while and meet new friends. Unfortunately, we don’t always get the chance to slow down and take the time to get to know our neighbors. Through our busy schedules, we greet each other with a quick hi or just a wave.
As I was mingling through the crowd, a gentleman approached me and introduced himself. He explained that he just moved to the neighborhood, has four kids, and all are excited about their new home. We exchanged pleasantries, and in the natural flow of conversation, he asked me what I do for a living. “I’m a financial advisor,” I respond. He looked me straight in the eye, his face blank, and then ever-so-slowly, a smirk stretched across his face. “For the life of me,” he says in a voice just a couple notches too loud, “I don’t understand why anyone would pay someone to manage their money.” I smiled; I’ve heard it before. I explained the benefits of trusting an advisor with your money, and the confidence I provide to my clients helping them make decisions about their financial future. His smirk lessened but didn’t leave his face – he wasn’t convinced. I didn’t mind; I told him to contact me if should change his mind about financial planning in the future. “I’ll even give you a doubter’s discount!” I smiled, and we shook hands happily before we parted.
Fast forward a year later, we cross paths while walking our dogs in the early summer evening. He looks at me, a sad smile where a smirk once was. “I’m moving,” he says. He goes on to explain that after a few financial mishaps, he was forced to foreclose his home, and his family would soon be moving back to his hometown. He paused, “Maybe I should have used you.” I smiled softly, and we shook hands as we said our goodbyes.
Our conversation, though, remained in my mind. Perhaps I could have changed his financial direction. Many people think they don’t need a financial advisor. Compare it to using your phone’s GPS map to get you from point A to point B on the fastest available route. You don’t necessarily need to use it, but you can be more aware of traffic slowdowns, potholes, road tolls, and more unexpected hindrances when you do. So why wouldn’t you take advantage of the resource?
Using a financial advisor is knowing your finances are always cared for, no matter what. It is knowing that a professional is there to present you with the most suitable options, to take a weight off of your shoulders, to give you confidence. That is a resource that is truly irreplaceable, and I feel grateful that I am able provide that resource for people.