Long before I came into the financial industry, I struggled with the role of money in my life and in the world. In my twenties I went through a crisis of conscience; between environmental concerns and human rights it seemed that in our global economy there was no way to work, invest, consume without hurting someone, somewhere. Were my clothes made in a sweatshop? Is my car contributing to climate change? Is my bank investing in corporations I do not support? Am I investing in corporations I do not support? Ultimately, I found no way to completely extricate myself from these issues so I began choosing my battles instead. What are the things that matter most to me? Where can I make an impact? How can I contribute something good to this world?
In my role as a financial advisor I have a daily opportunity to help individuals and families work toward financial freedom and security. This alone is highly rewarding, and one of the things I love most is that a large percentage of my clients are young people who also want to make a difference and invest in companies they feel good about. Can they make money in their investments while still holding true to their values? Is it possible to earn healthy investment returns while contributing something positive to the world?
For years I thought that investing according to my values meant sacrificing returns, but I have discovered that that is a myth. And some investment companies are also learning that it is a myth. We can make healthy returns while still feeling good about where our money is going. More people are starting to catch on to this idea, and over time more opportunities for Responsible Investing are developing in the Canadian markets. We have options!
If you’re in the Vancouver area, I would love to sit down with you and talk about what some of those options are and how they work. In addition to investments, I will look at your entire financial picture and help you construct a plan that will accomplish your goals and overcome roadblocks. Everything I do is tailored to you–your needs, your family, your dreams, your values.
Call me today and we will get started!
