The Comfort Spectrum

Every day, we make financial decisions to give us a level of comfort: air conditioning, vehicles, food, drinks, home improvements, travel – all are to provide some sort of additional comfort. So why should your investments be any different? Many financial professionals and investors purely look at “the best investment” when making recommendations, but sometimes people want the most comfortable investment.

I tell my clients that there is a “Comfort Spectrum” when it comes to everything.

  • Food: On one end is toast with mustard (a snack my grandmother had as a child during the great depression) and on the other end is caviar.
  • Vehicles: On one end is a beat-up bicycle and on the other is a Lamborghini.

I could go on, but I think you get the point.

Investments are no different – and no less important. There are three different Comfort Spectrums you have to look at when making investment decisions:

One of my good friends, who is a car person, always told me: “You can have a fast car, you can have a reliable car, or you can have a cheap car; Now pick two of those things.” The same goes for investments.

So, applying that same “pick two” formula here’s what you’re left with:

  • Stable + Liquid = Not Growing
  • Liquid + Growth = Not Stable
  • Stable + Growth = Not Liquid

If you think you’ve found an investment that is safe, liquid, and will grow, you may want to seek a second opinion.

Remember, this is a SPECTRUM. You don’t have to be, and you probably shouldn’t be, at the extreme end of any of the spectrums with all of your money. The key is to find a balance that you’re comfortable with. If you don’t think you’ve found your comfort zone yet, please find a financial professional you trust and have them help you with finding the right investments that fit into YOUR comfort zone.

Securities and advisory services are offered through Madison Avenue Securities, LLC (“MAS”). Member FINRA/SIPC and a Registered Investment Advisor. Anders Retirement & Investment Advisors and Madison Avenue Securities, LLC are not affiliated entities.