Understanding Goals-based Investing
Goals-based investing is founded on a simple yet profound principle – your investment portfolio should be designed to meet your specific goals. This approach shifts the focus from beating market benchmarks to achieving what truly matters to you.
The process begins by categorizing your financial needs into two main buckets:
- Must-haves: These are your essential needs, including:
- Basic living expenses (food, shelter, healthcare)
- A retirement lifestyle comparable to your pre-retirement standard of living
- Any other priorities you consider non-negotiable (e.g., charitable giving, supporting family)
- Want-to-haves: These are your aspirational goals, which can vary widely from person to person.
Structuring Your Portfolio
Based on these categories, your portfolio is divided into two corresponding parts:
- Base Capital: This portion of your portfolio is dedicated to funding your must-haves. It’s invested conservatively, with a focus on capital preservation and steady growth. The investment strategy is aligned with your expected cash flow needs:
Cash flow timeline
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Investment type
|
< 5 years
|
Very safe (e.g., investment-grade bonds)
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5-10 years
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Conservative and balanced (e.g., diversified stocks, bonds, liquid alternatives)
|
10+ years
|
More aggressive (e.g., stocks, private investments)
|
- Excess Capital: This is the remainder of your portfolio, earmarked for your want-to-haves. The investment strategy for this portion is more flexible and personalized, based on your risk tolerance and personal preferences.
- For those prioritizing peace of mind, a more conservative approach might be appropriate.
- If your goal is to maximize potential returns for future spending or legacy planning, a more aggressive strategy could be employed, including taking potentially active risk to try to outperform the market.
The Benefits of Goals-based Investing
- Personalization: Your investment strategy is uniquely tailored to your life goals.
- Clarity: You gain a clear understanding of how your investments align with your objectives.
- Flexibility: As your goals evolve, your investment strategy can adapt accordingly.
- Peace of mind: Knowing that your essential needs are secured can reduce anxiety about market fluctuations.
By aligning your investments with your specific objectives, you’re not just growing your money – you’re actively building the future you envision. As your life evolves, this approach provides a flexible framework to ensure your investments continue to serve your changing needs and aspirations. The journey to financial well-being is deeply personal, and the destination is uniquely yours to define. Of course, we’re always here to help you draw up a roadmap.
Registration with the SEC should not be construed as an endorsement or an indicator of investment skill, acumen, or experience. Investments in securities are not insured, protected, or guaranteed and may result in loss of income and/or principal. Nothing in this communication is intended to be or should be construed as individualized investment advice. All content is of a general nature and solely for educational, informational, and illustrative purposes.
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