While many of us celebrated new year on 1st January, Chinese New Year celebrations will begin on 22nd January 2023. This marks the transition from Year of the Tiger to Year of the Rabbit. Rabbits have traits that lend themselves to shrewd financial planning. We could all take a leaf out of their book this year when planning for the future!
Why rabbits make great investors
If you were born in 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999 or 2011 you are a rabbit according to the Chinese zodiac. That makes you kind, with a quiet confidence and strength. You also display great determination in moving steadily towards a goal.
Which is a great way to approach financial planning.
Investing is a marathon, not a sprint
When it comes to moving steadily towards your financial planning goals, remember that it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
2022 was a turbulent year for investors and many of us didn’t build as much wealth as we would have liked. However, it is important not to fall prey to short-term thinking and write off stock market investments.
Remind yourself instead of the basic investment principle that has underpinned successful investment for decades: investing is a long-term game.
Why invest over the long term?
Almost any seasoned investor will tell you that time in the markets is more important than timing the markets. History tells us that over periods of 10 years or more, the trajectory of stock markets has always been upwards, even if during that time there were cyclical highs and lows.
If you’re aiming for the holy grail of ‘the perfect time to invest’ – you’re on a hiding to nothing. You’ll never find it.
When the market is booming you will be afraid of getting in at the top, when share prices are tumbling, you’ll always be afraid they will tumble further.
So, when is the right time to invest? The simple answer is now.
Dollar-cost averaging: the best long-term investment strategy
The best strategy for those wishing to build wealth to fulfil their future financial goals is to invest regularly and over the long term. Trust that the markets will do what they have always done: peaking and troughing their way upwards as long as the investment timescale is sufficient. What is important is to start as soon as you can.
Dollar-cost averaging is a time-honoured strategy. It simply means investing a set sum of money every month. Once you accept that market volatility is the unavoidable price you pay for long-term return, you can sit back and relax through the highs and lows. As long as your investments are sufficiently diversified and regularly reviewed.
Rabbits don’t work alone!
Wild rabbits live in burrows and are social creatures, relying on each other to construct their habitat and warn off prey. Investing is easier when you work with others too.
Building a team around you which includes a financial adviser, an investment manager and other specialist advisers will be instrumental to your success. Each member of your ‘team’ will have different experiences, skills and knowledge to contribute. Together they will ensure that all the foundations of a sound financial plan are in place: savings and investment to build wealth, and insurance, tax-efficient solutions and estate planning to protect it for you and your loved ones.
If you’re looking for a first-class financial team to work with, get in touch with us. Our financial advisers have a wealth of experience in advising expatriates in Asia on tax-efficient investment solutions. In addition, our partnership with Evelyn Partners gives you exclusive access to award-winning investment management. You can also benefit from our extensive network of experts to find solutions to the cross-border estate planning and tax issues that affect you.
Make 2023 the year you start investing like a rabbit to secure your financial future! Contact us for a free initial consultation.
A leading provider of expat financial services and wealth management services across Asia.
