By Intelligent Horizons @ Adobe Stock

Your Survival Guy invested a chunk of money yesterday in my dividend-centric portfolio at Fidelity Investments. This is a retirement account. When thereโ€™s cash available, I invest. Iโ€™m also in the middle of a home project and use money markets for my working capital. Did I mention I have two kids in college?

All of this should come as no surprise to you. Iโ€™m not a day trader. I donโ€™t use leverage. I spend my working hours on the phone with investors like you. I understand your goals as well, if not better than my own, because thatโ€™s my job.

After graduating from college, I spent the summer backpacking through Europe, and the winter teaching skiing. Then, I got a job at Fidelity. I remember like it was yesterday when my dad called and said a family friend needed help with his retirement investments. Thatโ€™s when I realized how serious this business isโ€”how this is a relationship business, and you better get it right.

Action Line: Investing, being a prudent man, is not about on-the-job training. Like the trades, itโ€™s a craft. What most investors donโ€™t understand is that itโ€™s as much about them as it is the market. Email me at ejsmith@yoursurvivalguy.com. But only if youโ€™re serious.

Originally posted on Your Survival Guy.