What's in store for you:

1. Photo From My Life
2. Financial Thought: Am I going to be okay?
3. Life Thought: Two simple notions
4. Good Sh*t: Hummers

Photo From My Life:

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Financial Thought:

Am I Going To Be Okay?: When most people think about wealth management, they assume it’s all about maximizing returns, minimizing taxes, or finding the next great investment.

Those things matter. But, I’ve started to believe they’re not actually what people value most.

I've been lucky enough to have a lot of conversations with families at very different stages of life. Some are worried about retiring comfortably. Others want to buy a second home. Some hope to leave a meaningful inheritance to their children.

But, regardless of what their goal is, everyone basically wants to know, am I going to be okay?

People rarely ask if they’ll earn 9.2% instead of 8.7% on their portfolio. They ask whether they’ll be able to live the life they imagine. Can we afford to travel more? Can we help our kids without becoming a burden ourselves? Can I retire without constantly worrying about money? Can I spend more today without jeopardizing tomorrow?

I’ve realized that a big part of my job is simply giving people confidence. That confidence can come from telling them they can do everything they want. However, people seem to get just as much confidence when I tell them that they need to save more or make some adjustments to ensure they can meet their goals. So, even "negative" news actually makes people more confident. Information is power!

The challenging thing is that no one hires a wealth manager for this specific reason. People want high returns, fancy tax strategies, and estate planning. But, when I'm delivering the service, those things are merely inputs to what makes a difference in their life.

Life Thought:

Two Simple Notions:

Every once in a while, you come across someone's writing that clearly describes something you’ve felt for years but could never quite articulate. This page from Not Fade Away: A Short Life Well Lived was one of those moments for me. The book was a thoughtful gift from a friend (and fellow advisor), and I’m intentionally taking my time working through it.

The author argues that so much of life comes down to just two things:

1. Recognizing the difference between a smart risk and a dumb one
2. Knowing when it’s time to change direction

Every meaningful chapter of life seems to involve a decision that, at the time, feels uncertain. Starting a business. Changing careers. Moving to a new city. Having kids.

I believe that if you want to live a great life, you need to take risks. It's unavoidable. But, choosing when and how to take risks is the hard part.

It's not easy to have the humility to admit when the path you’re on is no longer the right one. Sticking with something simply because you’ve already invested time or energy into it is a dangerous trap.

Every major decision I've made has been uncertain. But, I was able to build conviction that I needed the change AND they were good risks based on the information at the time. Obviously, not everything works out, but it's impossible to be perfect with imperfect information.

Good Sh*t:

Hummers: Last night, my wife's aunt and uncle invited us over to their house to watch the sunset. When we arrived, they handed us a drink I’d never heard of before. A Hummer.

It’s the combination of a milkshake and a cocktail. All you need is vanilla ice cream, kahlúa, and rum. It was nummmmmmmyy.

I’ll be honest, it’s probably a one-and-done drink. But, as a dessert cocktail while watching the sunset? Highly recommend.

If you’ve never had one, I’d recommend giving it a try. Worst case, you end up drinking melted ice cream with a little booze in it.

Disclaimer: VDB Wealth is a registered investment adviser. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

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