Principle 5: Prepare for What Can Go Wrong; Invest for What Can Go RightEven the absolute best investment portfolio can be undone if you are not prepared for life’s what-ifs: What if there is an unexpected death, health issues, accidents or lawsuits, or you become disabled? But by planning for these what-ifs, and insuring against these risks, you can move ahead knowing that you have the best offence and defence on your side.
“We cannot control what happens to us, so we must be prepared for each of these possibilities,” says Jed.
Principle 6: Good planning has a long time horizonThe team at Rockwater Wealth Management views every client relationship as a lifelong partnership.
“We’re here for the long haul,” says Jed. At Rockwater Wealth Management, their single objective is to provide advice that will result in the accomplishment of your multi-decade goals.
“We expect to walk with you every step of the way.”
Principle 7: Partner with those who practice what they preach Jed and his team don’t just advocate for these financial planning principles, they put them into practice in their own lives.
“As the steward of many of our clients’ complete financial lives, we believe that we should plan for our own financial lives by using these same financial planning principles. So, that’s exactly what we do.”
Adjust your focus
It’s an exercise in futility to spend time and energy trying to predict market tops, bottoms, or directions. “We’re not market timers or short-term traders,” says Jed.
“That’s why we prefer a disciplined, fact-based approach that takes advantage of academic evidence and historical drivers of return.”
While it’s tempting to panic and pull your investments when financial news predicts losses, Jed urges clients to stay focused on their goals, not the latest headlines.
“The good times will always outweigh the bad, no matter how scary it may seem,” he says. “If you pull out your money whenever a crisis looms, you’re likely to miss out on some of the best opportunities for your investments to grow.”
Smart asset allocation and diversification
While there’s no way to know for sure which of your investments will be top performers, the team at Rockwater Wealth Management aims to structure each portfolio to withstand whatever the future might bring.
“Investment returns are not guaranteed, and past performance does not indicate future returns,” says Jed.
While there are many possible outcomes to investments, which are difficult to predict, the key to investing well in an uncertain market is through proper asset allocation and diversification. By striving for lower overall volatility and the prospect of increased returns, you have the potential to yield positive, stable returns over the long term.
Your next best steps
Before committing to working together, Rockwater Wealth Management always suggests beginning with a 15-minute phone call, to determine whether your financial needs match their team’s services and expertise.
“After all, you wouldn’t see an orthopedist if you needed heart surgery,” says Jed. “If we currently aren’t a perfect fit, no worries. You’ll walk away with our recommended next best steps, so you’ll know exactly how to proceed.”
Visit RockwaterWealth.ca to book an initial 15-minute call with Rockwater Wealth Management and get a free, personalized one-page Financial Plan.
TEXT SHELANNE AUGUSTINE | PHOTOS ANDREW FEARMAN | INFOGRAPHICS CARL RICHARDS, BEHAVIOUR GAP
