The Man Behind the Curtain

Funny how you grow up as you get older. At least I think that's what's happening. I realize there are quite a few people who grew up early in life, say by 30 or 40. Not me. I'm growing up.

I say this because I just climbed out of the ring after the second go round with my financial planner. Her name is Dana but I think I'll call her Dorothy. Dorothy? Yes, Dorothy. Remember that scene in the Wizard of Oz where Dorothy discovers the man behind the curtain? That's kind of what my financial planner does. You walk in thinking you are the Great and Powerful Oz and 65 minutes later you walk out that pudgy bald-headed man behind the curtain. Less pretense, more substance. The flames are out, the show is over and you're ready to leave the Emerald City, prepared to take off back to Kansas-- or Michigan, as the case may be.

The good in all that experience is that you leave with perspective. And it's not only perspective about what you will be living on until the hopefully not-so-bitter end, it's perspective on who you are, what you've been doing (for better or worse), what it is you'd like to be doing, and how you're going to get there. A planner like Dana doesn't provide ruby slippers but she can offer you a balloon.

It's akin to visiting a shrink. You don't have to be crazy to benefit from talking to someone about one's hopes, fears, and concerns. Sometimes it's just a damn good idea to let someone take a look, listen, and a run through a few scenarios. Chances are you're not crazy, you just need a little help with vision.

As it stands at present, there will be no fire sale of any sort in our driveway. So far we're hanging on to the silver and Evan will not be spending afternoons sorting through mismatched socks down at the local cleaners for 25 cents a pair. It is a little disconcerting when the software reveals you will die in 2042 but, hey, I would've found out anyway. For now it's carry on, pay attention, and keep getting smarter.

One last thing a good financial plan helps call into question: Value. You can't budget happiness. You can't buy great memories. And while joy in life is one of the most precious commodities of all, it's hard to figure on a spread sheet. The most valuable things in life really are priceless. But for a lot of the rest of it you need to grow up, get out from behind the curtain, and get a plan.