Earth Day lessons for investors

Preserving the environment

It’s almost Earth Day, when people around the world focus on ways of protecting and preserving the environment. And the lessons from this occasion can be applied to other areas of life — such as investing.

Here are some themes to consider:

Sustainability –– From an environmental perspective, sustainability encompasses a range of issues, such as using natural resources wisely. As an investor, you, too, need to protect your resources. So, for example, to sustain a long-term investment strategy, you won’t want to dip into your retirement accounts, such as your IRA home or car repairs or other unexpected, costly bills before retirement. You can help prevent this by building an emergency fund containing several months’ worth of living expenses, with the money kept in a liquid, lowrisk account. And once you’re retired, you need to sustain your portfolio so it can help provide

E Arth day EArth a p r il 22 april 22 income for many years. For that to happen, you’ll need to maintain a withdrawal rate that doesn’t deplete your investments too soon.

Growth potential – Growth – Many people plant trees to celebrate Earth Day, with the hope that, as the trees grow, they’ll contribute to cleaner air. When you invest, you also need growth potential if you’re going to achieve your goals, including a comfortable retirement. So, your portfolio will need a reasonable percentage of growth-oriented vehicles, such as stocks and stock-based mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Yet, you do need to be aware that these investments can lose value, especially during downturns can help reduce the impact of market turbulence on your holdings by also owning other types of investments, such as bonds, government securities

While these investments can also lose value, they are typically less volatile than stocks and stockbased mutual funds and ETFs. The appropriate percentage investments in your portfolio depends on your risk tolerance, time horizon and long-term

Avoidance of “toxins” –– At some Earth Day events, you can learn about positive behaviors such as disposing of toxic items safely. And in the investment world, you’ll also want to avoid toxic activities, such as chasing “hot” stocks that aren’t appropriate for your needs, or trading investments so frequently that you run up commissions markets altogether when there’s a temporary decline.

Consolidation –– Getting rid of clutter and unnecessary possessions is another lesson some people take away from Earth Day. All of us, when we look around our homes, could items — do we really need two staplers? When you invest, it’s also surprisingly easy to pick up “clutter” in the form of multiple accounts. You might have an and brokerage accounts with two or three others. If you were to consolidate these accounts with one provider, you might reduce correspondence — even if it is online — and possibly even lower the fees you pay. But perhaps more important, by consolidating these accounts

Celebrating the spiritual celebrations of Spring Embrace change

Spiritual Essay

“Spring is made of solid, fourteen-karat gratitude, the reward for the long wait. Every religious tradition from the northern hemisphere honors some form of April hallelujah, for this is the season of exquisite redemption, a slam-bang return to joy after a season of cold second thoughts.” (Barbara Kingsolver in Animal, Vegetable, Miracle)

Thismonth has an abundance of celebratory spring festivals. Redemption and the yearning for liberation leadfound on the lips of worshipers across a breadth of religious traditions.

•Christians continue the

Easter.

•Muslims continue the Ramadan anticipating the

•Jews continue the at one place, possibly with professional who knows your investment strategy. Earth Day only happens once a year — but it may provide lessons for investors that can last a lifetime.

Passover.

These traditions and others recognize that after a cold season and long wait that warm gratitude will shortly embrace us. Each in their own way seeks to prepare us to accept change.

For more information, contact Karen at 503-356-1190.

How much will you need to retire? Let’s talk.

Karen Bolin

Financial Adviser

3835 SW 185th Ave, Suite 300

Aloha, OR 97078 (503) 356-1190

Karen.Bolin@edwardjones.com www.edwardjones.com

Consider the timing of these spiritual events and their connection to spring’s momentous changes. Not surprisingly, found in all three traditions. Their color, vibrancy, beauty, and fragrance partner well with these holidays. ering plants that undergo cyclical annual transformations.

Blueberry bushes and assorted trees of hazelnuts, pears, cherries, apples, and more bring color, vibrancy, beauty, fragrance, and fruits year in and out. They do so by embracing the regularity and necessity of

Winter’s dormancy leads to spring’s bud burst, bright bloom, and petals dropping. Spring’s fruit setting leads to summer’s ripening, autumn’s harvest, and winter’s dormancy again. Embracing change helps us move from dormancy to fruit-

•What gratitude awaits you?

•What would a return to joy look like?

•What liberation do you long for and to share?