Investing like an ant is a concept that we may need to take to heart. There is no ultimate investment. Investments are comprised of different categories. Investing is a process of having a continuous, long-term focus.
Consider the ways of an ant. Watch it closely; let it teach you a thing or two. Nobody has to tell it what to do. All summer it stores up food; at harvest it stockpiles provisions. This is a proverb from one of the greatest books of all times – The Bible.
Investing like an ant is a concept that we may need to take to heart. There is no ultimate investment. Investments are comprised of different categories. Investing is a process of having a continuous, long-term focus.
The economic downfall has taught me not to depend on anyone for your personal financial growth. Listening to experts is fine but can they really give you the answers for your money. His or her explanations and experiences may not fit e me. One of things that ants do is to look for food in different areas. They do not always look in the same area for their food. Ants diversify. That is what we need to do also with our money. We must have a plan for our money. I call it – financial vision http://cedricdukes.wordpress.com/2010/03/23/htf-issue-3-financial-vision/
The financial vision should be a combination of your long and short-term strategy.
The short-term strategy will prepare you for things like the economic downturn, emergencies, and unexpected expenses. You can utilize savings, CDs, money markets and other liquid areas to keep your safety nets protected. In contrast, ants look for liquid assets. They pile their food up until it is needed. They are able to tap into their reserves when it is required. The economic downturn has taught me that we must be in control of our money. We must have the ant mentality.
The long-term strategy will prepare you for the long haul. A successful investment strategy must have these three objectives: diversification, long-term focus and continuity. With that being said, we should look in all areas to become like ants with stocks, bonds, mutual funds, insurances, and real estate. All in all, there is no way to become wealthy in one area of financial planning. It is the overall plan that will get you there. Here is my final proverb, good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.
Cedric Dukes – www.cedricdukes.com