The Importance of Perspective

Kansas City – Nick Newton

Hello Village Faithful, we have to date covered a few different topics, mostly related to Finance and its  impact on our everyday lives.  I, much like you, awake each day to a world of relative uncertainty as the world’s primary economies have become intricately linked and by all accounts will only produce more linkage.

Personally, I find it interesting and somewhat exciting that as the world becomes smaller and smaller, the problems become larger and larger.  Today, we can be just as attuned to what is happening in Syria as we are to the Trayvon Martin travesty here at home.

Repurposing The Problem

These problems I speak of are opportunities. Syria, while unfortunate, gives the world an opportunity to work together and forge better relationships that will only prove beneficial as we move forward as a global community.  The Trayvon Martin travesty, unfortunate, uncalled for, and lousy will hopefully create a much needed dialogue about the value of life, especially that of young black men.  I am hopeful it will be a step toward recognizing people on their individual merits, not based on their choice of attire.  This may appear to be a stretch, but perhaps, in this we find some solutions to the unemployment problem in our community, which helps our nation and our investment profile.

Looking Beyond The Headlines

Markets up, Markets down, OH MY the Dow was down today.  Holy Smokes, it looks like Germany may not backstop Greece.  Spain has a 23% unemployment rate, are you serious!  Portugal is borrowing money from Africa!  Oh NO, look likes gas is going to $10 a gallon.  Have you seen the unemployment rate, it’s moving so slowly!

Like you I wake up everyday to these headlines and keeping things in perspective appears to become more difficult everyday.  What’s important in these circumstances is your plan.  We have discussed numerous times, sticking to your plan.  Looking at your effective exposures as an entire household.  I am sure you are getting monthly 401k statements and can see the value of your plans increasing.   In fact since Dec. 2, 2010 the date of my first article for TheVillage, the S& P 500 is up 18%.  That’s real money, real savings, a real ability to pay for a college education or retirement.  PERSPECTIVE!

The economy is doing well on an absolute basis and a relative basis for any other investable market.  Our unemployment rate is going down, new car sales have picked up, housing is showing improving signs on numerous fronts.  PERSPECTIVE!