So, I have two sons who have flirted with college football. One, a quarterback, opted to forego several college football opportunities turning instead toward a career in medicine. Fine, whatever. Maybe I’d have better luck with number two? Sure enough, despite numerous run ins with the law – me – he managed to graduate near the top of his class and was presented with numerous opportunities to play football at the next level – only to delay the decision until the absolute last moment. For us parents, this was, as you might imagine…unpleasant…and ripe with anxiety, frustration, regret and maybe a few four-letter words from his mother. (Or maybe that was me. Heck, I don’t recall.)  And we’re just talking about football here! How might a belabored, or in some cases, a broken decision-making process affect your family when it comes to your finances?  And why is it so difficult at times to make financial decisions?

Large Financial Decisions are Ripe with Emotion:

Decisions involving money can take on a life of their own. For most of us, or unless you’re the Fed, there’s not an endless supply of money. We just can’t print more when we need more (the aforementioned once again excluded). Money is inextricably linked to provision, and provision is tied to those we care for most.  And therefore, large financial decisions can be ripe with emotion. As objective as we may believe we are, when we make large financial decisions, we invariably do so with emotions having a seat at the table. And understandably so, right? Emotions are involved because we recognize the weight of the decision and how it may impact those around us. Can we afford this home? Can I afford to remain in this career? Can we make it with one income? Will we have enough to live off during retirement?  Now, with those questions, you may have some control over the outcomes. But what about those you have zero control over? Are we about to enter a global recession? What happens if Europe and Asia become further unstable? Will inflation continue to rise?

All of these concerns have the potential to lead to emotionally based decisions.  And equally concerning, they can also lead to paralysis or making no decision at all. It’s a well-known question for a reason: Why do today, what you can put off until tomorrow? When you’re stressed and tensions are high, emotions go from having a seat at the decision-making table to holding the pen in their hand. And that doesn’t often end well.

In Light of the Above, Now What?  

Well, that’s the first step – acknowledging that emotion can play an important role in making financial decisions. Not that emotions are bad, mind you, they may just need to be tempered. You may need only to think back a day, a week, or five years ago when your emotions led to a decision, which then led to an outcome, which may have then led to regret. (If not, then you’ve not made many decisions up to this point, have you?)  Instead of rushing into a decision or putting it off altogether, let’s pause, take a step back, and insert a little objectivity. Can’t find it, you say?  Then allow me to offer the following:

1. Are you able to recognize when your emotions are making the decisions? 
2. What are the possible consequences of the decision that you’re contemplating currently?
3. What emotion typically drives your decisions?  Fear? Happiness? Empathy?
4. And if you have a spouse, do you have an agreed upon process with which to make large financial decisions?
5. And finally, what is it that you value most out of life?

Here’s what I know about you, if I may be so bold.  If you’re willing to honestly address the five questions above, you’re on your way to living your one best financial life.  At the time this article was written, there’s quite a bit of uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets. And I’m going to presume that such times may create a little stress? If I’m speaking to you, as I’m speaking to myself, there’s little value in delaying a decision based on fear alone. Just as there’s little value in rushing into large financial decisions based on want alone.  If you’re in need of some objectivity within your financial decision-making process, that doesn’t make you unique, it makes you human. I happen to work with some pretty special humans who are quite gifted in helping with financial decisions.  You don’t have to go it alone. In CapSouth, you have a team to rely on. We can help.

So back to football. The second son did – finally – choose a school. In full disclosure, the emotional wear and tear was on that of his mother and me. He was dead set on what he wanted from a college experience, and he made a plan to get there. He contacted over 50 division1 football programs in search of a home, and he turned down nearly as many – some of which were financial no brainers. But that wasn’t his sole motivation. He was set on certain parameters and was willing to forgo others. He made a series of tradeoffs based on the realities of his recruiting process and chose – albeit 8 days before he was to report to camp – the opportunity that satisfied his ultimate goal – to be a part of a winning program and have an opportunity to play a role in the coming years. He didn’t do it alone, I must admit. He sought counsel from those he trusted and who could help him sort through the emotions that so often accompany large decisions.

If we can help you sort through your own emotionally charged decisions, please allow us. You don’t have to go it alone. We were made to live in community, and we’d be honored to serve our role in yours. You don’t have to go through it alone. We can help.

To discuss this article further or to learn more about CapSouth Wealth Management, visit our website at www.capsouthwm.com or call 800.929.1001 to schedule an appointment to speak with an advisor.

by: Billy McCarthy, Wealth Manager

Investment advisory services are offered through CapSouth Partners, Inc, dba CapSouth Wealth Management, an independent registered Investment Advisory firm. Information provided by sources deemed to be reliable. CapSouth does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information. CapSouth does not offer tax, accounting, or legal advice. Consult your tax or legal advisors for all issues that may have tax or legal consequences. This information has been prepared solely for informational purposes, is general in nature and is not intended as specific advice.