When I think back to what got me on the road to a healthy and sustainable financial future — and ultimately planted the seeds that eventually led me to become a financial advisor — there was one single event, one single intervention that everything in my current life can be traced back to.
In my early 20s, my life consisted of eagerly awaiting my next paycheck and then spending it as quickly as possible! My overwhelming need for a new motorcycle, outfit, or vacation ensured that I was always broke or, worse yet, further in debt!
Around that time, my mom introduced me to a part-time financial advisor who showed me the wisdom of ‘paying my future self first.’ It was this little piece of advice that convinced me to make a small contribution to the hypothetical future version of myself with every paycheck. Although painful at first, I gradually became accustomed to making small compromises, and in time, the ritual of spending was replaced with a ritual of saving with an impact that continues to improve my quality of life to this day.
It was this singular event that planted the seeds that eventually led to my passion for this business. If I can inspire someone to get started saving by helping them create a clear vision of its impact on their future, my mission is accomplished. And for those who had the discipline their whole lives and have made the sacrifices, it is so essential that the sum of their life’s work was not in vain! A lump sum of assets accrued over a lifetime can be squandered in just a few years without proper guidance. I take my role of converting numbers on a page into my clients’ most personal vision very seriously.
When I meet with a client for the first time and review their statements, I see so much more than numbers on a page. Because I’ve lived the discipline required to accumulate real wealth, I understand the sacred duty I have to manage a lifetime of sacrifice and compromise that has led them to work with me.
I will forever be grateful for the encounter that paved the way for me to not only create the habit of saving but also for the impetus that eventually allowed me to find fulfillment in my career as a financial advisor. If you have questions about how to get started or need help managing what you’ve created, I encourage you to schedule a consultation.
Paul Kuhn is a Registered Representative with, and Securities and Advisory Services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC. Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.