There are many stereotypes, which certainly have merit in some cases, when it comes to financial professionals, insurance agents, financial advisors, etc.
You know these complaints before you read them: They just care about money. They will say anything to make a sale. They don’t actually care about what’s good for you, they just want to earn the highest commission they can.
These stereotypes are definitely true of some people in the industry.
I have seen it. You may have been a victim of it.
“But Luke! There is a mountain of regulations on the behavior of people in the industry!”
Yes, it’s true. There’s even one called “Regulation Best Interest.”
Reason #1
This brings us to Reason #1 You May Not Want to Work with Me: I do not believe that regulations like this actually achieve what they ostensibly seek to. In fact, my default position on every new regulation is that it is a bad idea and will do more harm than good. I love a good dialogue to explore pros and cons, just know that this is my starting point.
There are a limitless number of ways to solve society’s problems, and “let’s pass another law” is always at the bottom of my list. I will happily make the case that society’s problems are largely caused by these supposedly good-natured laws.
“No action can be virtuous unless it is freely chosen.”
Murray Rothbard
Reason #2
I am not going to tell you what to do! If you are looking for someone who will “manage” your money for you, and just send you updates on what they did with your money, keep looking. Perfect Spiral Capital’s central mission is to help you take control back from arrangements like this.
I want to see you be freed from the abuses of fractional reserve banking. I want to see you stop paying other people’s interest payments. I want to see your wealth increase no matter what the earnings reports of the companies in the S&P500 look like.
(It’s worth mentioning that I have no issue with you playing in the stock market. I am just stressing that I won’t do that for you. Ignoring the banking function in your life while just chasing “high rates of return” is missing the point.)
“The most improper job of any man, even saints (who at any rate were at least unwilling to take it on), is bossing other men. Not one in a million is fit for it, and least of all those who seek the opportunity.”
J.R.R. Tolkien
Reason #3
I stress understanding what we are doing, and why. This goes hand-in-hand with Reason #2.
Even if you come to me believing you have mastered the concepts thoroughly, I am going to make sure.
Why? Because I want to maximize your control over your financial life. If you sat down in a military helicopter without any prior thoughts on how they work or what the instruments do, how long do you think you will succeed at piloting it?
By the same token, if you dive headlong into this process without the long-term discipline to master it, that means you will be unhappy with the results. That also means I have not done my job to set expectations up front.
There is nothing “magic” about the strategy I use. You will get out of it what you put into it. The biggest hurdle is mastering yourself so you can implement the strategy appropriately.
“Seek freedom and become captive of your desires. Seek discipline and find your liberty.”
Frank Herbert
Reason #4
This is not a “one-and-done” relationship. If you work with me, I will call to check in on you.
This may be “old-fashioned” thinking, (and I have been told all my life that I have an old soul) but I believe in doing business with people you like and liking the people you do business with. Some of my best friends are clients, and several of my clients have become close friends!
This does not mean I will call to “up-sell” you. The planning we do together is extremely long-range. If you need something further, you will know. When that happens, you can tell me yourself. I have no desire to hassle you for more business.
“When you encourage others, you in the process are encouraged because you’re making a commitment and difference in that person’s life. Encouragement really does make a difference.”
Zig Ziglar
Reason #5
This is more of a personal thing. I don’t pay attention to most of what is popular.
Haven’t had a TV connection in many years. Go to the movies about once per year. Don’t watch sports. Don’t use a microwave. Don’t care what colors are in style. Dropped out of college. We homeschool, so I don’t even really know when school is “in session.”
What am I into? History. Austrian economics. Philosophy. Science fiction. Writing. Maintaining and improving our homestead. Video games. PC building. At least a few songs from most every genre of music.
I like to slow things down, savor the moment, and ponder the “big questions.”
“When you find yourself on the side of the majority, you should pause and reflect.”
Mark Twain
So if any (or especially all) of those Reasons are repulsive to you, then don’t click here to talk with me. There is no shortage of people out there who will speak the language you want to hear, and who aren’t as “weird” as I am.
But, if you found yourself nodding while you read this post, then I look forward to our friendship.
So here’s the question: You’ve convinced me of the IB strategy and that I should have bought whole life two decades ago . . . But, is working with you and your strategy a good idea for a 55 year old (reasonably good health)? How does being on the back-end of middle age affect things?
Eric,
Thanks for the comment! There’s no question that life insurance is more expensive at 55 than it was at 25. However, many of our clients have found that they still have some great options at your age.
Speaking broadly, you still have a decade or so before the annual cost of insurance makes it cost-prohibitive for the average person. Still, it’s hard to say much without knowing some details about your situation, and there are many differences depending on policy design, the insurance carrier being used, etc. We are here to help!