Page 37 - The Informed Fed--Hearn Wealth Management
P. 37

of your investments, looking for ways to trim the budget so you can put
                        more money in your plan.

                            Could you imagine  a  sports  team  that never kept  score or never
                        checked the stopwatch? How would they know if they were winning or
                        losing? And would they even care about the outcome of the game? The

                        numbers are how we keep track of the score. Figures tell us how we must
                        face the facts.

                            There  are  two  statements  we  like  to  use  when  it  comes  to
                        understanding and utilizing your federal benefits:
                                 1)

                                 2)                               , you will fall behind.
                            Where am I now? Where do I want to be? What steps do I need to
                        take to improve? How much time am I willing to commit? These are

                        questions that can guide you  as  you move  forward in the process  of
                        maximizing your benefits. One of the hardest things to do when getting
                        started is forcing yourself to take a self-evaluation, or what I like to call

                        a financial check-up. A simple self-examination will give you a reality
                        check on your personal finances. Although this can be uncomfortable at



                        it, most of us would rather avoid looking in the mirror. Gaining a better
                        understanding of your benefits and other financial issues will not require

                        that you make a career out of it. There is no required exam at the end of
                        this  book,  no  continuing  educational  requirements  or  regulatory

                        compliance you must follow. This is not rocket science. We have seen
                        where a minor adjustment can make a huge difference and produce great
                        results.
                            We have found that even the slightest change in the way you present

                        a bait, maybe change the color, or the speed of retrieve (I know all you
                        hardcore bass anglers are getting this) can mean the difference between

                        catching one or two and filling out a limit. Little things can and do matter.
                        Most financial situations we are presented with require minor changes in
                        order to improve the game plan.




                                                                    36
   32   33   34   35   36   37   38   39   40   41   42