Integrating your money with your life is easier than it might first appear, but it requires work up front to understand what it is you want your money to do for you. So we begin with what we call “Personal Discovery” What inspires you? What do you value? What are your real dreams for your life?

          If money were no object, how would you spend your time? Having enough money for a comfortable retirement is important, but there is clearly more to a quality life than just the money. We encourage thoughtful meditation on your life’s purpose and the legacy you want to establish.

          Were you made to create, lead, study, organize, heal, serve, teach, or all of these? Be ruthlessly honest about yourself and follow your dreams. Maybe you would like to go back to school, or teach, or go on an extended mission’s trip…Or develop a new hobby, like painting or learn how to fly or fix up a ‘68 Mustang, or take acting classes or better yet become an actor (without starving)…Maybe you want to resign from your corporate job and work for the nonprofit of your choice, but wonder if you can afford to…Perhaps you’d like to travel extensively, to see the Seven Wonders of the World, or find your ancestors’ homes in Europe, Africa, or Asia.

          What is your passion? The point is you have to determine what you are passionate about; you will become great at what you really love. Arthur Miller once wrote, “It is using one’s endowed giftedness to serve the world with excellence and, through that service, to love and honor God.”

          Only after we have a firm understanding of YOU will we look at the financial and wealth management options available and appropriate for you. Here we explore options and see how investments, retirement, estate planning, insurance, tax planning, education funding or some other aspect of wealth planning might move you towards your goals and dreams. All these endeavors are strategies, tactics and tools used in support of your life goals. After thinking through what avenues are appropriate to take in support of your goals, we move to strategy implementation.

          Once implemented, it is imperative to monitor and review your decisions and compare the results against your life vision and goals. Are we getting the results we desired? Are they moving you towards your vision and goals? If some aspect of our earlier decisions is not supporting your life goals, we need to revisit that. We’ll review your goals and discuss what is working or not working, and why. We’ll then explore what adjustments or changes are appropriate and decide on a revised strategy. Over time, your results must move you towards your goals.

          By using a visual construct to move in a clockwise fashion starting with Discovery, moving through Exploration and Implementation, and ending with Results, you will intuitively integrate your money with your life. You are using your money as a tool to enhance your life.

          You have only one life to live. Let Bolen | Dodson & Associates help you live it in an inspired fashion.