Sunday, June 24, 2018

Measuring Risk

Risk comes in many forms. The numerous types of insurance available help us mitigate some risk. Often folks take elaborate measures to avoid any kind of risk. But risk abounds. Life is a risk.

To avoid risk it may make sense to keep your money in cash, money markets, CD's or stable value funds. You watch as the stock market completes daily gyrations. After a huge downturn you express relief that your pile of cash is safe. But then you groan during an upturn, lamenting all the profits "you could have made"!

Running water, over time, wears away stone or carves a riverbed.

So too does inflation and taxes which wear away at your purchasing power when you keep your money "too safe". Little by little, year by year your pile of cash shows the same amount, or maybe a tiny gain. But below the surface, inflation has dramatically reduced the goods and services you are able to buy.

Over time, your cash will suffer the same fate as the stone - it will be worn away.

Bite the bullet. Put your money to work for you.
Yes, keep your emergency fund in cash or money markets.
Yes, keep the money you'll need for purchases in the near future (12-18 months) safe. Invest the rest. The stock market goes up and down. If you draw a trend line on a stock market chart you will see that the trend, over time, has been up.

Be $ Smart
- Work hard. Save. Make your money work hard too.