March 2020

I got some new glasses last month and I was really excited about them! Over the last several years, I have needed to wear reading glasses. I have tried to avoid wearing them for as long as possible, but alas, my arms are just not long enough anymore. When I went to the eye doctor, her strong recommendation was a prescription for office glasses.

Now, you might be wondering what the heck are ‘office glasses?’ I know I was, and let me tell you that they are a dream come true. Office glasses are glasses that provide for corrective vision mid-length, so I can see my computer, but then also allow a change in the prescription so that I can look down and read my papers. One of my frustrations with my readers at work was the constant on and off. Sure, they help me read, but then I couldn’t see anything else clearly. As a result, I would usually choose to go without any glasses, but then by the end of the day, my eyes were tired and my vision was blurry. The office glasses are kind of like progressive glasses, but there is no correction for distance. Since I don’t need them to drive or for distance, I keep them at work and hence the term ‘office glasses.’

When I first got my new office glasses, I was so excited and put them on right away. It was horrible! Things were blurry and the more I moved my head, the more motion sick I got. I thought for sure this prescription must be wrong! Each day, I would wear them for a little bit at a time. I slowly got used to them and understood where I needed to look out of the lens to see best for each situation. I was still skeptical that it would improve, but continued to wear them a little bit more every day. Then, after about a week, I finally got used to them. I still have to think about things sometimes and I can’t walk down the hallway with them on, but they work great for what I need them.

Just like I avoided wearing my glasses, sometimes people wonder why they need to use a financial advisor. I know with you, I’m preaching to the choir, but some people don’t think they need advice from a professional. They figure they can do it on their own. I mean, there is a lot of information out there and people can spend hours doing the research, but alas, at the end of the day, it can lead to exhaustion, confusion and frustration. When you lean on the advice of a financial advisor, the first few weeks or months, might seem a little unsteady. This person is giving you advice and telling you this is what you need to do to reach your retirement goals and it all seems a little fuzzy. You are still learning to trust the process. As time goes on, and things progress, it all becomes clearer. In fact, with the expertise of a financial advisor, everything seems clearer. Eventually, you begin to really rely on us, your financial advisors, not just for investment management, but also for life events and financial decisions. You recognize that this is what we do day in and day out, and without us, things are just more complicated and strenuous. Let us do the hard work and help you simplify your financial picture.

Life is full of ups and downs and things are constantly evolving. We believe the guidance we provide helps smooth the road. If things still seem unclear, let us know what questions you have. We are here to help!

Any opinions are those of Stacy Caudill and Cliff Mulder and not necessarily those of RJA or Raymond James. Every investor's situation is unique and you should consider your investment goals, risk tolerance and time horizon before making any investment. Prior to making an investment decision, please consult with your financial advisor about your individual situation.