It can be hard to find common ground between two unique individuals, even when they are in a relationship. This kind of dilemma can occur when dealing with investments. Just because you love each other doesn’t mean you have the same risk tolerance as investors! You may not be able to sleep at night if the market has taken a hit, while your spouse may be sleeping soundly right next to you, knowing your investments are bound to go back up. If you find yourself in this kind of situation with your loved one, we can help. Here are three approaches that can help you find investment common ground with your spouse.
Agreeing on a goal and timeline
There are three key factors to take into consideration when creating an investment portfolio. They are called investment objective, time horizon and risk tolerance. Even if you and your spouse don’t have the same risk tolerance, you may be able to come to an agreement because of your circumstances. For example, if you want to save for a down payment on the home of your dreams, you may be able to convince the aggressive investor to stay away from high-risk investments knowing that your home purchase may rest in the balance. You both can agree on your objective and time horizon and come to an agreement on your risk tolerance for this investment.
Meeting halfway
You may be able to find common ground with your spouse by creating a diversified portfolio. This means you can adjust the risk level of the investment to please each spouse. You should be able to find a mutual fund with an agreeable mix of equities and fixed income that creates a suitable compromise for each spouse’s risk tolerance. This would eliminate the more aggressive and conservative holding, allowing you both to meet halfway. This strategy can be very beneficial as diversifying your portfolio is a smart investment strategy.
Separate portfolios
You won’t always be able to come to a compromise, so you may just have to agree to disagree. If this is the case, you may have to each keep your own separate portfolio. This actually isn’t a bad investment strategy; it can be considered a well-rounded approach to investing. You may be able to strike a nice balance between the two of you. One portfolio could focus on long-term growth while the other focuses on capital preservation.
If you and your spouse need help with your investments, you should talk to a financial advisor at The Beacon Group of Assante Financial Management Ltd.
