You're Not Alone

If you think you need to learn more about investing, you're in good company. In a recent poll, 97 percent of American investors said it was important to increase their investment knowledge. Almost half said they could have avoided a negative experience in the market if they had known more about investing ¹.

In the old days, many workers retired at age 65 with a gold watch and a lifelong pension. They didn't need to know how the stock market works or understand issues affecting bond prices. But as more people are discovering, responsibility for retirement income has shifted to the individual.

One advantage you have is the ability to tap a source of professional advice to help with the decisions you are likely to face as you prepare for your financial future. Do It Yourself or Do It with Help? If your refrigerator stopped working tomorrow and you wanted it repaired, you would be faced with a decision: hire a qualified repairman or learn how to fix it yourself.

So it goes with investing. You could set out to learn for yourself what works and, given enough time and money, could probably become an accomplished investor. But time is a key element in successful investing. After you had learned any lessons from your mistakes, there might not be enough time left to apply what you had learned to reach your goals.

The alternative is to take an active role in planning your retirement, using professional guidance along the way. Of course, professional advice is no guarantee of success, but it may help you make more informed decisions and better use of your time and money.

Most people could afford to learn more about investing, but don't let a lack of knowledge stand in the way of your retirement goals. Call today if you would like to review your personal financial situation.

¹National Association of Securities Dealers, 2004



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