Dec. 1, 2005 - Where Have I Been? |
Sorry to be absent so long. It's not that I don't have anything to write, but like everyone else I have to balance my time. God is first, family is second, and running my financial planning business is third -- which leaves precious little time to write! We've been busy this fall with homeschooling and a little travel. Plus my business has picked up which is a great blessing. Now that things are settling down I should have more time to write.
Thanks for your patience!
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Jan. 3, 2006 - Tone of your comments |
| Posted by Anonymous |
| How do your comments honor God? You do not present the entire story in any of your "articles". Your comments are unbalanced. You attack others to make yourself look better. Talk about conflict of interest. I am a believer who feels you are doing harm to further your interests. |
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Jan. 3, 2006 - Reply to Anonymous |
| Posted by stevebraun |
Thanks for your input.
So far as I can tell, my comments do not dishonor God. I seek to honor God by helping people understand finances. Sometimes that means pointing out some painful, unpleasant truths about how the financial services industry works in this country -- including many of the conflicts of interest which abound, manipulative sales practices, and terrible investment products on the market. If exposing these things in order to warn others of the potential pitfalls is not what you consider honoring God, then so be it. I happen to think it is a worthwhile service. I fail to see the "harm" that is caused.
I realize not everyone agrees with me but that's just how it is when you make your views public. I'd be happy to debate any specific examples but you have provided none. You make sweeping statements without any specifics so it is difficult for me to learn where I may be erring. For example, what specifically do you feel is "unbalanced" or what is the "entire story" that I have missed? On the contrary, I believe that I am providing the "balance" that is woefully lacking from the billions spent in industry advertising and sales incentives.
Am I biased? Do I have a conflict of interest? Yes. I favor a business model that most closely aligns my interests with those of my clients. I happen to believe other ways of doing business in my profession present too many financial conflicts of interest that can hurt clients. Naturally I am going to promote what I think is best. What would you have me do, promote things I don't believe to be right? Or maybe just let harmful practices go by without comment so that I don't ruffle any feathers? Is that what you'd consider honoring God?
(By the way, the issues I've written about are well recognized within the industry even by those who practice under the very business models I disagree with. The trade publications visit these issues regularly. It's just that the public doesn't benefit from this knowledge.)
In my business I deal with people's money and life savings everyday. I take that responsibility seriously. Many times I am in the unenviable position of having to piece back together people's financial lives from the messes created by others whose interests were not aligned with the client. That's not a pleasant experience my friend. If I can provide information to the public that helps just one person avoid trouble, then I am a happy man.
My writing about these subjects may sound a little "testy" (but feel free to insert your favorite adjective -- arrogant, upset, angry, etc.) and I do take great delight in pointing out the absurdities of my profession (though I wish there weren't any absurdities to report). But that's only because I have to deal with the pain of seeing couples torn apart by financial stress, families wondering how to pay for their children's educations, and seniors wondering how to make ends meet in retirement. I'm sorry, but I have little tolerance for industry practices that hinder these folks by sqandering their hard-earned money.
Feel free to leave a comment or email me directly if that is a more convenient way for us to discuss any specific issues you wish to explore.
Again, I appreciate you taking time to leave your input, even if I do not agree.
God bless and prosper you in the coming year.
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