"Anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm." I remember sailing with Dad as a child. I loved it. Sailing was generally a very peaceful activity (except that one time in Canada...). Nowadays you generally go sailing only when there are blue skies and calm waters. Occasionally (like that one time in Canada), the wind suddenly shifts and begins to tip the boat. Everyone should have a life jacket then! In the first century, sailing was a necessary and often deadly economic activity. When you're sailing in rough seas, hold tight to the sail and the helm or you may not arrive at your planned destination. Sometimes, even the most experienced helmsman need help to navigate a clear course. Now is one of those times. To stay on course towards your long term goals and objectives, let's work together to tend the sails and hold the helm. We cannot change the wind but we can adjust the sails. The results of some asset class funds we utilize in our portfolios are a good indication of the stormy seas we are experiencing in the U.S. and Global marketplaces. These funds, compared to mid-conservative benchmarks, approximate benchmark returns in the shorter term and outperform the benchmarks over longer periods of time. It's extremely important to remember, especially now, that to stay on course you must steady the helm. Hold tight, watch for changes in the weather, know your tides and currents, and be prepared...for anything. Please give Marybeth a call (734-737-0866 x107) to set up your quarterly or annual meetings, or just to spend time discussing concerns you may have about your strategy. |