There is only one success. To be able to spend your life in your own way.
- Christopher Morley
You may already have a clear vision for your future, or you may be starting to think about it and know what aspects you’d like to improve.
Whatever weighs on your mind from time to time it usually involves the following: Having enough time, money and choices.
My parents had enough money, and gave me a great childhood, but they didn’t have time or options in their working life. They worked so hard so that I didn’t go without. But their money never worked for them. I only wish I could go back and tell them what I know now.
Personally, I believe that true wealth is time, and to be able to do what we want with that time. ‘Retirement’ in your 60’s is one example of that. But we don’t all have to work to that script. Wealth could mean an early retirement, or a lifestyle change, or enhancing life along the way.
Time and money are linked in the world we live in. We are taught from a young age that time = money. However, as many a book on wealth explains, when you accumulate assets, money = time. I see money as the first stage, as result of figuring out how to increase your income. The second stage is to invest that accumulating money in ‘assets’ which will grow the money. Investment funds - investing in the stock market in my opinion is the most effective and easiest way to do this. The key advantage is that it is a liquid asset. The investments over time generate passive wealth by growing tax efficiently. This passive wealth, which you can draw as income is how you gain control of your time and have more options available to you.
The moment you make passive income and portfolio income a part of your life, your life will change
- Robert Kiyosaki
When you are in accumulation, one of the best things you can ever do for yourself is to be committed to investing in the global stock market (through investment funds) for a lifetime, to profit from the many companies who profit from you and customers all over the world, to make your money work without you swapping your time for it. On the flipside, the biggest risk you can ever take, is to live your whole life without taking full advantage of investing in funds.
Today people who hold cash equivalents feel comfortable. They shouldn’t. They have opted for a terrible long-term asset, one that pays virtually nothing and is certain to depreciate in value.
- Warren Buffett
This makes it possible to become wealthy whether you are employed or a business owner. Many people have lost money starting a business with a windfall. Had they simply invested the money they would have had the original capital, plus capital growth. The foundation of the strategy for myself and my clients is quite simple. Our excess income/accumulated cash is directed into good investment funds (within an ISA, Pension and Investment Account) which grows our wealth passively and separately to our main incomes. Around this wealth base stems financial planning, contingency planning, clarification of priorities, tax planning and estate planning.
We do not subscribe to having seven income streams, or multiple businesses or incomes. We focus on doing well at what we do, and flow income into assets.
That being said, being in a good portfolio of funds is a bonus. Even if you were in an average investment, the key to everything is sticking to a plan and having discipline. A good investment does nothing with bad habits.
It’s harder to manage yourself than to manage money
- Richard Templar
You can become wealthy over time, live life how you truly want to, treat yourself (sensibly!), support your family, have a comfortable retirement, and leave a substantial legacy just by making the above a priority. All we have to do is write a new financial script, a wealth script with a wealth mindset and consistently make decisions that are in line with the plan.
This is my role and my commitment, to ensure that all the above is sustained for a lifetime.
Take a look at my case studies to gain some insight into the journey of some of my clients.