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The holistic approach might be most easily recognized in the medical community, where doctors of osteopathy are becoming more commonplace alongside medical doctors. The D.O. curriculum centers on the patient as a whole person, rather than defining a treatment plan based solely on physical symptoms. While still only around ten percent of practicing physicians, D.O.s are gaining in popularity as people view the holistic approach as sensible and comprehensive.Coined in 1926 by South African statesman Jan Smuts in his book titled "Holism and Evolution," the word "holistic" and the phrase "holistic approach" apply in myriad topics as diverse as ecology, theology, science, architecture, sociology, economics, agriculture, philosophy and more. The holistic concept, however, rarely crops up with regard to personal finance, and yet this has to be one of the most important places to embrace it.
"By addressing tax mitigation, estate planning, charitable giving, rising healthcare costs and large unexpected expenses, clients at Stone Financial receive the ubiquitous 'holistic approach' and gain a level of confidence that is difficult to find these days," states Ken Stone, founder of the retirement planning firm based in Cincinnati that bears his name.
People visit a medical practitioner to get well, and there's a huge follow-up effort to stay well. It's a parallel paradigm with finances - arranging a well-balanced approach, then keeping it working in a way that assures a secure retirement scenario down the road. Retirees love to visit kids and grandchildren across the country, fulfill a dream of cruising the Danube River, buy a small farm in the quiet countryside, play duplicate bridge, volunteer, go skiing and enjoy a comfortable retirement. It's attainable with a sensible and comprehensive plan in place.
Except for the last couple of years, the markets have performed poorly over the previous decade. The cost of living really is increasing. The price of something like a can of crushed pineapple may be the same as last year, but the size of the container is shrinking, and consumers are paying the same for less. That's an increase in cost of living, pure and simple. Blue jeans, trucks and cars, toys, rent, interest, vitamins and briefcases all cost more today for equal quality than a decade ago, maybe than last year or last month.
Statistics bear out the fact that two people age 65 each have a 50 percent chance to live to 92, and a 25 percent chance that one of them will get to 97. The biggest concern among retirees and those on the final approach to retirement is whether or not there will be enough money to meet their needs, along with a slice of fun funds in the mix. "Creating a life map involves a close review of all personal finances and an assessment of other building blocks. The experienced, savvy financial planner seeks to balance work and leisure and guide clients into making smart choices for the future, all so they can enjoy the journey. The reality is that few financial planners are knowledgeable in addressing advance planning that focuses not only on the accumulation side but also on the distribution side. Like a coin has heads and tails, a financial portfolio has an accumulation side and a distribution position as the flip side," explains Stone, who offers financial seminars monthly.
Just as the human being is multi-dimensional and needs to be treated as such, the financial complexities of managing money for the long-term are equally as multi-dimensional. Eleanor Roosevelt spoke well when stating: "It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan." And Aldous Huxley aptly wrote: "Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored."
Therein lies one of the greatest challenges facing American retirees or pre-retirees: Spending time and energy with a financial professional in advance of retirement or even in retirement. It's never too late to put financial affairs in order, with assistance from those who have proven track records of pulling together all the fiduciary elements into one holistic approach to financial well-being.
Contact Info:
Name: Ken Stone, President and CEO, RFC Professional
Email: Send Email
Organization: Stone Financial Retirement Planning
Phone: 513-793-8445
Website: http://www.stone-financial.com
Source URL: http://councilofeliteadvisors.com/liftmedia
Release ID: 70443
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