Just last week, I had the pleasure of taking my family on a Carnival Cruise to the Bahamas...It was a surprise to my two boys, Tanner and Cameron, and they didn't know about it until we were ready to board the ship. What fun to see the surprise in their faces!
Spending the week on the ship with my family (and no internet), gave me some time to reflect on what is important, what is needed versus what is wanted in life. I have always said my goal for myself and my clients is to have everything one needs and most of what one wants, and that remains true...However I cannot help but think what that life would like without me in it, let me explain.
None of us are promised tomorrow, and in my life I have watched several people go before their time. It could be me next, it could be you...there is little each of us can do to change that, but there is much we can do to provide for those that we love, to give them the life we would have given them otherwise. It has always puzzled me how many of us plan on providing the best education, nicest housing, and safest transportation to our loved ones in life...but in the event of death only calculate what would be needed to take care of their basic needs.
I want you to understand the power of the most amazing financial product in the world, life insurance. Life insurance is the only "Love" financial product that I can think of. Life insurance is the only financial product that will guarantee* what you WANT to happen will happen, even if you are not here to see it happen. Of course that is if it is structured correctly. There is nothing else that can do that. Mutual funds can't do that, Stocks and bonds can't do that...
We did not need to go on that cruise...it is a luxury and certainly we can live without it. However, is that what I want to happen should I not make it? I am comfortable in the fact that what I have is what I want. Should I not make it, be taken before my time, my family will have everything they need and most of what they want. BTW...memories are the only thing you have left in the end.
You see, for most of us it will not be the amazing rate of return you got on your investment portfolio that you are remembered by. I doubt at your funeral your friends and family will be singing your praises on your investment prowess! "Geez Joe was such a great guy. Did you know that he got a 9.8% after tax return on his investment portfolio?" What they will talk about is what kind of a person you are, how much you loved...how much you cared. I can think of no greater gift of love.
My call to action to you is to figure out if what you have is what you want. Should you be taken before your time, does what you have equal what you want? My family will always have what I want them to have, of that I am certain. I love them more than money, more than things, more than life. I am confident, are you? I bring this to you because I want you to feel the peace I do...I may never meet or know you or you may be my best friend...it matters not. It is a beautiful place and I want to share it with you.
*Guarantees are based on the claims paying ability of the insurer.