Financial Focus
Navigating your way through the investment world
You may not realize it, but
July 24 is Amelia Earhart Day. July 24 was chosen because it’s the birthday of perhaps the most famous female aviator in history. Earhart’s story ended tragically when she became lost in the Pa- cific Ocean in 1937 on her voy- age around the world, but she is still celebrated for her bravery and pioneer spirit. As an investor, you can learn
a lot from Earhart’s career. Here are a few lessons to consider: • Plan ahead. After a lengthy
analysis of Earhart’s final f light, decades after it occurred, a noted aviation expert came to one suc- cinct conclusion: “poor planning, worse execution.” Yet on her successful f lights, Earhart was known to have produced, and followed, detailed f light plans. As an investor, you, too, must plan your journey toward your financial goals. First, you need to identify your destination, such as a comfortable retirement. Next, you must create a “map” to reach
your goal, in the form of a de- tailed financial strategy based on an investment portfolio tailored to your risk tolerance and time horizon. And along the way, you must chart your progress via reg- ular reviews of your investments’ performance. • Use the right “tools.” Some
sources have noted that, on the fateful f light, Earhart did not ap- pear to fully understand how to use her plane’s direction-finding loop antenna, which at the time was a new technology. If you don’t fully understand the “tools” — that is, the investments — you need to help achieve your goals, you may run into difficulties. Always know exactly what you’re investing in and why you’ve cho- sen those specific investments. Without this information, you could end up with investments that are either too risky for your comfort or too conservative for your goals. • Follow your vision. On the
day they disappeared, Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan, were scheduled to land on How- land Island. Unfortunately, it was a cloudy day; some researchers speculate that the clouds’ dark shadows on the ocean surface may have camouf laged Howland and confused the aviators. As an investor, you need a clear view of
what you want to accomplish in the long term — and you need to avoid having your vision “clouded over” by short-term events such as price drops and recessions. • Put sufficient “power” in your
portfolio. Many aviation scholars and researchers believe Earhart’s plane simply ran out of gas be- fore she could land on Howland Island. Does you portfolio have sufficient “fuel” to help you go the distance? Specifically, do you have the right mix of growth- and income-oriented vehicles to power you toward college for your kids, a comfortable retire- ment and your other goals? If you’re not sure, you may want to work with a professional finan- cial advisor to get the assistance you need. You probably will never try to
circumnavigate the globe in a small plane. But if you can emu- late the best features of Amelia Earhart — such as her courage, perseverance and faith in the fu- ture — while taking steps to help focus on what you can control, your investment journey may be rewarding.
This article was written by
Edward Jones for use by Bill Boughton, Weaverville’s local Edward Jones Financial Advi- sor.
ON TRACK.
NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT TO KEEP YOUR FUTURE
Lots of times, changes in life also affect your investments. That’s why there’s never been a better time to schedule your free portfolio review. We’ll talk about the changes in your life, and help you decide whether it makes sense to revise your investments because of them.
A portfolio review will help ensure your investments are keeping pace with your goals. Call your local financial advisor today.
Bill Boughton, AAMS®
Financial Advisor .
61 Weaver Boulevard Weaverville, NC 28787 828-645-0341
www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC
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July 22 - July 28, 2010 - THE TRIBUNE 5
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