For clients of Erick Conway, please see CLICK HERE to see important details related to the Strong Valley transition.
Call Our Office
(559) 384-2900 | Fresno
(619) 480-1413 | San Diego
Your Money
Your Life
Your Way
Article

Is Your Portfolio Music to Your Ears?

s Your Portfolio Music to Your Ears?

There are many important components involved in making music. The concept is similar to the challenging aspects of managing finances in today’s economy. Decisions about the various financial instruments that can be used for your particular objectives and your risk tolerance can come into harmony through guidance from a professional financial advisor.

September 1, 2023
s Your Portfolio Music to Your Ears?
Important Disclosure: Content on our website and in our newsletters is for informational purposes only. The information provided may (or may not) directly apply to your situation. We recommend that readers work directly with a professional advisor when making decisions in the context of their specific situation.

One of the more challenging aspects of managing finances today is deciding how much to save and which savings vehicles are most appropriate in helping you reach your goals. Naturally, you hope to create a savings and investment plan that’s “in tune” with your personal objectives and risk tolerance. But, the lure of potentially high rates of return can easily skew a novice’s objectivity, which could result in unrealistic expectations and unnecessary exposure to risk.

That’s why it’s important to meet regularly with a qualified financial professional to review your personal financial situation, taking into account your short-term and long-term goals. During these meetings, you’ll formulate answers to the following questions:

  • What do I wish to accomplish with my money?
  • How can I keep inflation from eroding the purchasing power of my money?
  • How much risk am I willing to take with my money?

One Key Player: Diversification

Professional guidance can help you create a well-diversified savings program with assets placed in different types of investments and investment classes covering a wide range of the risk/return spectrum. Examples of some investment vehicles include: stocks; bonds; mutual funds (which can comprise of stocks, bonds, or a combination of both); certificates of deposit (CDs); savings; and money market accounts. Each investment class, and its respective options, tends to react differently to changes in financial markets and to the economy as a whole. Thus, by diversifying your portfolio, risk is spread over a broader range of investments—potentially minimizing the impact of downturns in the economy or a particular market sector.

Maintaining Harmony

Each individual situation has its own set of circumstances that require constant re-evaluation. Factors such as your age, income, expenses, family responsibilities, and risk tolerance will certainly change over time. In addition, it’s important to recognize that past performance of any investment is not indicative of future results, and shares may be redeemed for more or less than their original value. Investments that are performing well above or below your expectations may create an unbalanced portfolio, which could result in an investment mix that is “out of harmony” (inconsistent) with your original objectives.

Regular reviews with a qualified financial professional will help ensure your portfolio is properly diversified, balanced, and performing in accordance with your investment goals—in short, making music you want to hear.

Other content you may like

  • Gratitude: A Pro-Investment Mindset

    November 22, 2024
    Trying to ignore our emotions and make cold and calculating decisions is fear-based behavior. Pursuing happiness doesn’t seem to be enough to make wise financial decisions. A mindset of gratitude has recently been shown to give people the patience to handle money better.
    Read this Article
  • 12 Estate Planning Must-Dos

    12 Estate Planning Must Dos

    September 20, 2023
    With all the considerations involved with estate planning, you may feel that the documents you executed years ago are more than enough. Yet circumstances change and life moves much quicker than we all expect. It’s important to have your estate documents reviewed by an estate attorney every 10 years or so. Here are 12 points that you should cover in your review.
    Read this Article
  • Podcast Highlight - New Tool for Clients to Visualize Strategy

    August 31, 2023
    As a way to help clients visualize the big picture during the ups and downs of a long-term financial strategy, the Team introduces a new software tool that does that.
    Read this Article
  • Investing Can Feel Turbulent

    Investing Can Feel Turbulent

    September 20, 2022
    After a big July for stocks, August was a bit disappointing at -4.1% even though historically the average return after “best months” is 1.1%. This month’s Student of the Market looks at those type of U.S. Stock Market ups and downs from a historical point of view, offering some relief to turbulent feelings by looking at the big picture.
    Read this Article
  • The link you have selected is located on another server. The linked site contains information that has been created, published, maintained, or otherwise posted by institutions or organizations independent of this organization. We do not endorse, approve, certify, or control any linked websites, their sponsors, or any of their policies, activities, products, or services. We do not assume responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information contained therein. Visitors to any linked websites should not use or rely on the information contained therein until they have consulted with an independent financial professional. Please click “Continue to Link” to leave this website and proceed to the selected site.
    phone-handset