I think we’re just going to start this message by getting real honest…

I’m not sure how to start these messages off.  I thought about saying “Hello friends” or something like that, but that’s not really my style. And “What’s up?!” seems a little too informal.

So for now I think I’m just going to dive right into everything. If you have any suggestions let me know.

Okay, on to my thoughts of the week – investment vs. cost.

Last weekend my daughter Blakely attended her first golf skills camp. I am a huge golfer and would LOVE for her to grow to love it too. The camp was help at Bear Creek Country Club, where we are members.

Originally, I thought I joined the club to both make some new relationships related to my business and give myself a place to play golf with other people who like golf. I was willing to pay their asking price to invest in those two things.

But I realized this weekend that the return on that investment is so much higher. I get to have a place to introduce my kids to the things I love AND do so in an environment that I trust is a safe one.

I often hear other people talking about the “cost” of membership, but for me the cost is $0. The reason is simple, I know that every dollar I am pouring into my membership I am receiving back at least two dollars in value.

Now, you’re probably like “That’s great Chris, but that doesn’t apply to me.”

Okay, then let me give you another example that happened this morning in my office.

I had a potential client in to talk about estate planning. They were making a decision between a basic estate plan and including a trust.

I told them about the differences (i.e. with a trust you get more control and you can avoid probate) and put it into context for them…

“So, for example, the money you want to give your grandkids, if you have a will, goes to them outright. They get a check when they turn 18, or, if they are over 18, immediately. They can do whatever they want with it.”

“With a trust, the assets assigned to each grandchild are held in trust for them, with someone in charge of managing and overseeing the money, distributing it only under circumstances you approve (generally health, support, education, and maintenance) or when they reach an age of maturity you think is sufficient for managing money on their own.”

The choice for them was obvious – the trust. “I’ve seen what happens when young people get money handed to them. I want to invest that money in their future, not their fun.”

I try to go through this analysis when making any buying decisions, whether personal, business, investment, or otherwise.

If the return on that money isn’t what I want or expect, I don’t invest (buy).

Be careful when making decisions solely based on up front cost. You could be losing out huge in the long run…

Have a great week. Get out there and enjoy that Seattle sunshine!

Sincerely,

Christopher Small
CMS Law Firm LLC

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