Financial Planning and Market Update 04/09/20

Hello Clients and Friends,

When we began speaking with clients at the start of this crisis our focus was on creating a historical context and a perspective with which to understand what was happening, and addressing what we assumed would be, for many, the impulse to want to “do something” – sell, buy, change, anything! But what we learned was that clients for whom we have done comprehensive financial plans are to an extraordinary degree on the same page in terms of how they are responding to current events: they know that their personal plans ASSUME that there will be periods of volatility and decline, as well as periods of tremendous growth, and that over time there will be an “average” annual rate of return that takes all the ups and downs – bull and bear markets – yielding a measure of confidence that they will be able to live life the way they are planning to do so. In fact, because they have done their planning with us in a way that not only provides balance in investments but also includes strategies that aim to protect them from many of life’s and the market’s uncertainties, most of our clients know that even if in the highly unlikely, unprecedented situation where the losses we have seen so far were “permanent” that they would be “okay”, they would not be at risk of not being able to live life comfortably. This is a huge relief and comfort, a feeling much less available to those without a planning context in which to be able to envision and have power over their financial present and future.

And so if you have not worked with us on a comprehensive plan, this is your moment – there is no better time to create that “context” for yourselves that will hold you and provide you with vision and control throughout this and the other inevitable crises to come. It’s also a great time for your adult children to do their planning – one of the best gifts we can give our children (beyond our doing our own planning so that we’re never a burden to them!) is a set of tools that will allow them to live their lives with intention and knowledge, supported by a team of advisers who will be there to turn the lights on for them as they build their lives.

Our team of advisers has been thriving in this new and strangely empowering Covid-inspired environment. We feel blessed that our field lends itself well to electronic alternatives to face to face contact. Coincidentally, the crisis arrived just as we had expanded our team – our advisers and support staff, all working efficiently from the safety of their homes, have had the capacity to address the needs of our current clients and also add new planning clients. So be in touch for some conversation about working with us if you are not already doing so – there is never any obligation or cost for initial consultations, and planning fees in this time of the virus can be stretched out as needed.

Also, please consider sharing this email with others you know for whom financial planning could be a good option at this time. This moment of fear and vulnerability has focused everyone’s attention (and given us some time to think about and do something about) the things that matter most in our lives – our physical and financial health, our children’s and other loved ones’ welfare and security, and what our legacy will be – the ideas we have for making this world a better place today for our community and for future generations. There is no better time to begin a formal planning process than now. Please refer a friend or family member and we will be certain to reach right out to them.

Regarding the markets, the generally upward movement of the markets recently seems to be suggesting a degree of optimism among professional investors, optimism born of greater certainty (markets HATE uncertainty!) about what it is we are facing, and a sense that there will one day be an end to this pandemic, and rising hope that the damage to our markets and way of life will not be as severe or long-lasting as originally feared, and that we will get through this crisis. This could change in the blink of an eye of course as conditions and outlooks change. My takeaway though is that the current “bullish” response to news concerning the virus supports the assumption that the volatility has largely been a reaction to external events (the virus, and economic pain in its wake) and not an expression of fundamental underlying economic problems as the meltdown in 2008 had been. So, as the crisis abates, the markets – and our economic and personal lives – at some point will improve. May it be so!

We here at DFG are wishing you and yours a rich and meaningful Passover and Easter, two holidays that remind us about the power of hope, and the promise of redemption. Stay well.

With gratitude,

Allen Davis for the DFG Team

Allen J. Davis, CFP® ChFC
Financial Planner and Advisor
Davis Financial Group, LLC
10 Bay Road, Hadley, MA 01035
(413) 584-3098 x11 office
(413) 427-2782 cell
(413) 584-0160 fax
www.davisfinancialgrp.com
ajdavis@davisfinancialgrp.com

Due to the escalating COVID-19 situation, we have suspended in-person meetings and visits to our office to protect our clients, employees and the greater community, and to do all we can to flatten the curve. That said, we remain fully staffed and capable to conduct all business remotely via phone, email, web conferencing and paperless technology and serve existing and prospective clients alike. So please don’t hesitate to call or email us if there’s anything we can do to help you.

We wish you good health and look forward to hearing from you soon.

Our Contact Information:

Allen Davis
Cell (413) 427-2782 email ajdavis@davisfinancialgrp.com
Lou Davis
Cell (413) 374-3565 email ldavis@davisfinancialgrp.com
Joanna Ballantine
Cell (413) 531-4029 email jballantine@davisfinancialgrp.com
Carol Valade
Direct Line (413) 570-8310 email cvalade@davisfinancialgrp.com
Ellen Carey
Direct Line (413) 570-8315 email ecarey@davisfinancialgrp.com