We believe the best client is an informed client. For this reason, throughout the year we provide our clients with a wealth of consistent and pertinent information on financial topics and markets conditions, including quarterly reports, tax reports, and articles. Our goal is to provide helpful, timely and meaningful information that is relevant to our clients’ personal situations. We also take pride in offering first-class service to our clients and are truly thankful for each and every one of our relationships.
2022 was a challenging year for investors. After over a decade of healthy returns, investors experienced declines in almost all areas of investments. As the holiday season arrives and the year ends, we like to shift our focus and share with you a message we feel is very important, especially in these times of volatility and uncertainty – two things the world has had its fill of this year. Our message for this article is gratitude.
Psychology Today says that, “Gratitude is the expression of appreciation for what one has. It is a recognition of value independent of monetary worth.” The publication also cites that, “Gratitude is a spontaneous feeling but, increasingly, research demonstrates its value as a practice—that is, making conscious efforts to count one’s blessings.” Studies show that people can deliberately cultivate gratitude—and there are important social and personal benefits to doing so. Each and every day we have an opportunity to embrace and share gratitude. Harnessing a feeling of gratitude and carrying it with you through the year - making it a habit - can be a powerful shield in times of difficulty. Remember – gratitude can help with happiness, and happiness matters!
What Is Your Gratitude Strategy?
One way to elevate your gratitude strategy is to be aware of where you place your focus. Even in negative situations, you can always choose to focus on the positive side of every situation, commonly referred to as the “silver lining.” Even our greatest difficulties provide the seed for equal and greater opportunity. A setback can easily be viewed as a chance to make a comeback. Your greatest struggle can become your greatest victory, if you choose to focus on what good is happening around you rather than the bad.
Many people start to realize when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at begin to change. Everyone understands that we cannot choose what happens to us, but we can always choose how we react. The only thing that we continuously have full control over is the power of our own minds.
For example, you can’t control the weather, just like you can’t control someone else’s attitude. However, you can choose how you react to those situations and can choose to act with an attitude of gratitude.
A plane is delayed due to inclement weather. There are two people at the airport. One chooses to get very angry and complain to the staff and other passengers. That person sits with their arms folded and focuses on all that's wrong with this situation. Their meetings are going to either get cancelled or pushed back. Their ride from the airport is going to leave. Their evening plans are going to be missed. Taking an angry and rough outlook fuels anxiety and unnecessary stress within yourself and those around you.
Another passenger scheduled for that same flight smiles and pulls out their laptop. They use this as an opportunity to get ahead on some work. They thank the attendants as they scramble to make sure everyone is accommodated. They make phone calls and reschedule for when they are now expected to arrive. They think about the fact that it is much safer to wait. They acknowledge that flying, even in good weather, is never easy – and safety can be compromised during a storm. They see this as an inconvenience, but they have adopted an attitude of gratitude.
The difference in these two passengers is not their situation. It is their attitude, their perspective, and their focus. Choose gratitude.
Can You Be Grateful During Tough Times?
This was a tough year for investors. After many healthy years, equity markets and bond markets both saw declines. Gratitude can be helpful when you are trying to make wise financial decisions. We believe that focusing on longer-term investing provides more flexibility than attempting shorter-term horizons. Of course, even when investing long-term, there is no guarantee that market volatility will decrease, increase, or stabilize in any timeframe. A study that Psychology Sciences released revealed that participants who expressed gratitude were more likely to generate better results than those who looked for immediate gratification. The research found that those who expressed gratitude appeared to display more patience and happiness with their current situation. The study also revealed that those who had more feelings of gratitude were able to reduce impulse buying, due to more overall contentment, and were less reliant on the high that immediate gratification can provide. (www.forbes.com, 11/25/2019)
In terms of investing, gratification and patience can be useful when focusing on your time horizon, especially during times of volatility. Remember, equities are considered long-term investments. Historically, it’s not uncommon for equity markets to drop over 10% or more during a shorter period of time. Investing for the long-term can help investors stay on track during turbulent times to ride out market volatility, thus potentially achieving their original goals. Contentment is a result of gratification.
Securing with your investments will help reduce panic and rushed decisions that may not be in the best interest of your portfolio. Our role as investment professionals is to help you understand your situation, because an educated client is our best client.
In the spirit of the season, we want to express our sincere gratitude for the trust you place in us as stewards of your wealth. As always, we are here to help and are available to review your situation. We will always consider your goals as well as your feelings about risk and the markets and review your unique financial situation when providing any recommendations.
Included in this article is a brief form to help you evaluate what you define as “wealth.”
In the coming year, we will continue to provide you first-class service, including:
consistent and effective communication,
regular client meetings, and
continuing education for members of our team on the issues that affect you.
We understand that having a good financial professional can help make your journey easier. As such, our commitment is to understand our clients’ needs and try to create plans to address those needs.
So, for 2023, let’s try to intentionally include gratitude! As always, we appreciate the opportunity to assist you with your financial matters.
We'd Like To Expand Our Family!
We are grateful to have clients that value our expertise. We take pride in the services we offer and the relationships we have cultivated throughout the years.
We Want To Help Others Like You In 2023!
Do you know someone who could benefit from our services? If so, please contact us so we can offer them a complimentary, one-hour private consultation to explore their personal financial situation.
To connect us with a friend or family member who you think could benefit from our services, please call (561) 735-9227!
Disclosure:
Advisory Services offered through Materetsky Financial Group Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. Securities offered by Registered Representatives through Private Client Services, Member FINRA/SIPC. Private Client Services and Materetsky Financial Group Inc. are unaffiliated entities. All insurance products are offered through unaffiliated insurance companies. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment, investment strategy, or product (including the investments and/or investment strategies recommended or undertaken by Materetsky Financial Group, Inc. [“Materetsky]), or any non-investment related content, made reference to directly or indirectly in this commentary will be profitable, equal any corresponding indicated historical performance level(s), be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. Due to various factors, including changing market conditions and/or applicable laws, the content may no longer be reflective of current opinions or positions. Moreover, you should not assume that any discussion or information contained in this commentary serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from Materetsky. Materetsky is neither a law firm, nor a certified public accounting firm, and no portion of the commentary content should be construed as legal or accounting advice. A copy of the Materetsky’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees continues to remain available upon request or at www.materetsky.com. Please Remember: If you are a Materetsky client, please contact Materetsky, in writing, if there are any changes in your personal/financial situation or investment objectives for the purpose of reviewing/evaluating/revising our previous recommendations and/or services, or if you would like to impose, add, or to modify any reasonable restrictions to our investment advisory services. Unless, and until, you notify us, in writing, to the contrary, we shall continue to provide services as we do currently. Please Also Remember to advise us if you have not been receiving account statements (at least quarterly) from the account custodian. Note: The views stated in this letter are not necessarily the opinion of broker/dealer, and should not be construed, directly or indirectly, as an offer to buy or sell any securities mentioned herein. Investors should be aware that there are risks inherent in all investments, such as fluctuations in investment principal. With any investment vehicle, past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Material discussed herewith is meant for general illustration and/or informational purposes only, please note that individual situations can vary. Therefore, the information should be relied upon when coordinated with individual professional advice. This material contains forward looking statements and projections. There are no guarantees that these results will be achieved. All indices referenced are unmanaged and cannot be invested into directly. Unmanaged index returns do not reflect fees, expenses, or sales charges. Index performance is not indicative of the performance of any investment. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index of 500 widely held stocks that is general considered representative of the U.S. Stock market. The modern design of the S&P 500 stock index was first launched in 1957. Performance prior to 1957 incorporates the performance of the predecessor index, the S&P 90. Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), commonly known as “The Dow” is an index representing 30 stocks of companies maintained and reviewed by the editors of the Wall Street Journal. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. CDs are FDIC Insured and offer a fixed rate of return if held to maturity. Due to volatility within the markets mentioned, opinions are subject to change without notice. Information is based on sources believed to be reliable; however, their accuracy or completeness cannot be guaranteed.There is an inverse relationship between interest rate movements and bond prices. Generally, when interest rates rise, bond prices fall and when interest rates fall, bond prices generally rise. There is no guarantee that a diversified portfolio will enhance overall returns out outperform a non-diversified portfolio. Diversification does not protect against market risk. There is an inverse relationship between interest rate movements and bond prices. Generally, when interest rates rise, bond prices fall and when interest rates fall, bond prices generally rise. There is no guarantee that a diversified portfolio will enhance overall returns out outperform a non-diversified portfolio. Diversification does not protect against market risk.