Pure Luck

Truesdell Wealth, Inc.Casual Breakfast Conversations No Cost or ObligationIn-Person / Wednesday, December 11h The Truesdell Military Procurement PortfolioStone Creek Golf Club - The GrilleTEXT, OR CONTACT FORM US NOWIn-Person / Thursday, December 12h MICA Income & Return LockStone Creek Golf Club - The GrilleIn-Person / Wednesday, January 8thThe Cut to Social Security Will StinkStone Creek Golf Club - The Grille Online & On-DemandAdditional Engagements Online & On-Demand Will Be Scheduled - See TruesdellWealth.com/eventsReservations are available by calling 352-612-1000 or the CONTACT FORM( https://truesdellwealth.com/contact )Eirinn Abu and Tunnel to Towers Foundation Concert Fri, Feb 28, 2025 @ 7:00PM Circle Square Cultural Center, 8395 SW 80th Street, Ocala Florida - Join Eirinn Abu and two of his Miami Sound Machine band members for a wonderful concert in support of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. The event theme is a night of music and movies. https://eirinnabu.com/event/5760795/695871447/eirinn-abu-and-tunnel-to-towers-foundation-concertCorporate Sponsors: Truesdell Wealth, Truesdell Consulting, and Truesdell Insurance.https://truesdell.netRough Transcript1 There’s absolutely nothing wrong with playing it safe—period. It’s perfectly reasonable to believe that a significant portion of your financial fate is shaped by forces beyond your control. And if you prefer to take a more passive approach to money management because you prioritize safety, security, and a steady income over chasing the next big investment trend, that’s perfectly valid.2 You’ve likely seen how these so-called “hot investments” can blow up in people's faces—rich today, not so rich tomorrow. If you’re someone who values stability, particularly if you're in a situation where your partner is older or facing health challenges, it’s entirely appropriate to plan for a steady income stream. The reality is, you may need to prepare for the possibility of being alone for many years. And if you don’t base your financial decisions on deep, exhaustive analysis, that’s okay too. What matters is understanding the value of working with a fiduciary—someone who’s fairly compensated, treats you like an adult, and doesn’t talk down to you. Instead, they should teach and inform you, providing plenty of information that’s readily available online and on demand.3 It’s also natural to be a bit wary of others, especially given all the Ponzi schemes, the Bernie Madoffs, and the countless rip-offs that have surfaced over the years. You and I both know how often the words “guarantee” or “warranty” get thrown around, only for them to become meaningless when a company goes bankrupt, gets sold, or merges, rendering old contracts null and void. And when someone sues, what does the judge do? All too often, they side with big business, leaving the little guy high and dry.4 There’s nothing wrong with believing that sometimes, being in the right place at the right time is crucial for landing the right job, securing a promotion, or getting that much-desired salary increase. Not every bad outcome is the result of a bad decision; sometimes, it’s just plain bad luck. Maybe you invested a month or two before or after your neighbor, doing almost the exact same thing, yet they end up with three times as much money. It’s baffling how those tiny differences—a day too soon, a day too late—can add up.5 Here’s the bottom line: you can do everything right in life and still get clobbered. People don’t appreciate just how much luck influences outcomes. Nobody wants to talk about it, but I have no problem addressing it head-on. There’s not a person listening to this who couldn’t have been struck by a drunk driver, a distracted driver running a red light, or someone on the phone rear-ending them, leaving them messed up for life. You could be on your way to the job interview of a lifetime, only to end up in the hospital for six months, and suddenly, everything changes.6 Some might say, “Pull yourself up by the bootstraps, stay positive, and fight through it.” But much of that attitude is pure balderdash. Yes, I’ve said it before: if you wake up, you’ve had a good night; if you go to sleep, you’ve had a good day. But let’s not kid ourselves—luck is luck, and some folks just don’t have it. They get bamboozled by money scams, often by those closest to them, or they end up marrying someone who’s lazy, a spendthrift, and can’t get their act together. But heaven forbid you suggest a divorce or change in today’s politically correct world!7 The truth is, your actions do influence your financial outcomes, but sometimes, things just happen. As an investment advisor with nearly 40 years of experience, having worked with thousands of people, I can tell you—it’s okay to amble through life cautiously, especially when you’re retired and focusing on income. 8 And by the way, if you haven’t heard me discuss the five budgets everyone should have, ask me. That’s right—five budgets. Click on the CONTACT form if you want to know more about “The Five Budgets.”