Celebrating Women In Business Ask Amanda Vol. 1 Issue 32

Amanda Johnston

There are two formulas that are incredibly important when considering financial decisions. The first is TR (Total Return) = G (Growth) + I (Income). Total Return is something that we are all striving for. It is comprised of 2 different numbers, Income PLUS Growth. I would like to challenge you to look at your investment account statements and look for an “income” column. This will tell you how much dividends and/or interest your investments are producing for you. If you don’t find an “income” column, this may be an indication that your investments are naturally more aggressive. This is represented by the “Growth” in our equation. Growth type investments may provide a better upside at times but unfortunately, sometimes that “G” turns into an “L” or a loss.

There is another formula I believe is impactful to our lives… E (Event) + R (Reaction) = O (Outcome). This is especially important financially as well. If we are investing according to the major events that typically occur in the Stock Market, our reaction to those events is what determines our outcome. If we are spending our days reacting to the market emotionally and with a “what’s going to happen next” mentality, that may make for a very erratic outcome with your investments. However, if you are naturally invested in non-stock market tools such as bonds and bond-like instruments, you are no longer sitting on the sidelines waiting for the other shoe to drop in the market. You have instead shifted your reaction to the events in the market and therefore created a much more consistent investment strategy.

Investment Advisory Services offered through Sound Income Strategies, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisory Firm. Johnson Wealth and Income Management and Sound Income Strategies, LLC are not associated entities. Johnson Wealth and Income Strategies is a franchisee of the Retirement Income Store. The Retirement Income Store and Sound Income Strategies LLC are associated entities.