I really don’t like this time of year. The end of the year is annoying to me. I don’t like seeing, reading or listening to all the year-end stories in the media. I find it silly when people over the age of 10 say “See you next year” – when they’re going to see me tomorrow and I don’t enjoy the thought of gathering all the data I need to put together to file my tax return.
All in all, however, what I really don’t like is that people seem to use year-end as an excuse not to get anything done. These excuses seem silly to me. Yet everyone, including me, seems to use them. Maybe it’s just because we’re all being lazy or maybe it’s just because we all sort of give up after the 20th or so of December.
I will say that I am glad that 2008 is over, although I don’t seem much change coming in 2009 – it’s just a short 48 or so hours away. It is not like a wind is going come and whisk us all away. Nothing is going to change. The economy is still going to be the toilet, the recession is still going to be in full swing and market will be full of volatility.
I have three rules for you to follow throughout 2009 and beyond:
• Remember that no matter what happens, the sun’s going set this afternoon and rise tomorrow and the same can be said for many days to come.
• If you made a mistake yesterday – forget about it. Learn from it and move on. Dwelling on an error will not make it go away or make it better.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions and demand answers. This is not just in regards to investment advice, guidance and support – it is a rule to be used in all aspects of life. It is your life – demand answers and make sure you understand what you are being told.
One more thing: Are you all as sick and tired as I am of hearing that all these so-called “sophisticated” investors didn’t know what Madoff was doing with their money? It is really making me sick. Every day, another group, institution or fund of funds seems to be coming out with a statement of ignorance. Don’t believe it for one second.
Do they really believe that we are going to believe them? Come on, we aren’t that gullible, are we? I am not saying that they all knew this man was operating a Ponzi scheme but I am saying some of them must have known something was not right with the returns.
My final comment of the year is the one that I continue to make day in and day out: Make sure you know who is managing your money, where it is being held in custody and how you can access it. Don’t get caught in a Ponzi scheme. Demand answers to these simple questions – it may just save you from heartache, pain and unnecessary suffering. Don’t ever forget that it is your money and you have a right to understand what’s happening to it at all times.
Have a Happy, Safe, Prosperous and Peaceful New Year – so stay alert, stay focused and stay on top of it.