Life Stages: Struggling to Survive

Do you remember when you were first starting out? Before the comfortable paychecks. Before the security of your investment portfolio. Before the house with the garage. Back when you had to decide between going to the dentist or paying the electric bill. When you called a friend when your car was making a strange noise rather than run up a bill with the mechanic. When you set the thermostat at 62 degrees in the winter to save on heating costs.

In those days survival was the priority. Financially you were treading water, just barely preventing yourself from sinking into a sea of expenses. Living paycheck to paycheck, you were forced to postpone your long-term plans. Investing in others seemed like a daydream rather than a real possibility.

In those moments, did you find yourself learning to trust the Lord more and more, clinging to verses like Matthew 6:26? “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (NIV)

That promise was a lifeboat—an assurance of the care of the Creator of the universe.

While many people look back at this season of survival as a time of personal growth, few would willingly return to the strain of those years. Instead, it’s easier to reflect on the next life stage, when the desire for financial security was the incentive to advance. Whether you took big risky jumps or tiny baby steps, your business plans, your career climb, your education, your investments, and your financial maneuvering all orchestrated a steady upward scramble toward personal success.

In the early days, you can look ahead to many successful working years and even retirement, long in the future. But whatever your life stage, the professionals at Ambassador Advisors can help you put a plan in place to secure a steady future for your family. Call us today to learn more about making prudent financial choices for your family now and in the years to come.

Any opinions expressed in this forum are not the opinion or view of American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc. (APFS) or American Portfolios Advisors, Inc.(APA) and have not been reviewed by the firm for completeness or accuracy. These opinions are subject to change at any time without notice. Any comments or postings are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute an offer or a recommendation to buy or sell securities or other financial instruments. Readers should conduct their own review and exercise judgment prior to investing. Investments are not guaranteed, involve risk and may result in a loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investments are not suitable for all types of investors. To the extent that this material concerns tax matters, it is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by a taxpayer for the purposes of avoiding penalties that may be imposed by law. Each tax payer should seek tax, legal or accounting advice from a tax professional based on his/her individual circumstances.