September Edition Navigator
By Allen Davis
Hello Fellow Navigators,
We’re all navigating a lot these days, amidst inflation, market declines, political drama, and geopolitical dangers, how do we navigate our way forward? How does – or should -- the present set of woes affect our long-term planning strategy? Is this another instance of “Do nothing as the market will recover as it always has following bear markets”?
When we need perspective, I always turn to Daken Vanderburg, who in this installment talks to us about – perspective! I hope you enjoy his recent article and find the perspective he offers helpful and calming.
To our Jewish readers, we wish you a Shana Tova, a good, healthy new year, which of course we wish for all of our readers! We remain optimistic about long-term prospects and are here to help you understand what’s going on, and manage your overall financial planning process. Stay well, and be in touch with us anytime for any reason!
A father went to his son one day and handed him a watch. The watch was an old family heirloom with a cracked leather band and prominent scratch across the face. As the son studied the watch, the man asked his son to take it to the local merchant and find out the value. The son did as he was asked and soon returned with a watch and an estimate of $80. The man then asked his son to take the watch to the local jeweler and ask the same question. The son, growing somewhat impatient with this unimpressive heirloom, did as he was asked again, and soon returned with the watch and an estimate of $110.
The father pondered this for a moment and asked his son for one last trip. He asked his son to go visit a friend at the local museum, and again, to inquire as to the watch’s value.
Several hours later the son returned. He sat silently before his father with a stunned look on his face. After several moments, the father asked his son what his friend at the museum had said. The son quietly responded that the man at the museum had first put on white gloves, delicately and painstakingly evaluated the watch, then offered to buy the watch on the spot for $325,000.
The son was confused. He asked his father if he had known the watch’s true value? The father responded, yes, he knew its value, and that all three estimates were wrong, and all were undervaluing the watch. The father was given the watch by his father, and it was his sole tangible possession reminding him of his father. He valued the timekeeper more than any other possession he owned and explained to the son that he had no interest in ever selling the watch, but would instead one day give the watch to him.
While I find this allegory touching and prescient for several reasons, I see the most significant lesson being perspective. The watch held different value to each individual in the story based on their experience, their needs and, ultimately, their perspective.
As we explore and evaluate markets and opportunities right now, I find myself using the lens of perspective as a helpful mechanism for clarifying what we are going through, and what we, as investors, should be considering as we look forward.
Therefore, what follows is an exploration of inflation and the relative value of various asset classes.
With that, let us begin.
If you’re ready to take that next step in your financial planning, consider booking a complimentary consultation with us to see how we can help you to create an intentional plan and partner with you on your financial journey.
Allen for the team at the Davis Financial Group
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- Allen J. Davis
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