By: Joseph Goldy, CFP®, CDFA®
After fifteen years of guiding clients through market volatility, retirement planning, and financial milestones, I was offered an opportunity to take a sabbatical. HIGHLAND is the only company I’ve worked for to offer such a benefit. So first, a thank you to HIGHLAND, for affording me this time to step away from the numbers and reconnect with what matters most.
The month began with some much needed shore time with my sons, Luke and Sam. We made it down several times for day trips. There's something about the simplicity of beach life that strips away all the noise—no schedules to keep, no meetings to attend, just the smell of the ocean air, sound of the seagulls, and fun of people watching on the boardwalk.
On one of the trips, we brought my mother, who, at 80, is still very energetic. She wanted desperately to watch the boys enjoy themselves at the waterpark in Seaside Heights. I found myself thinking how special it was to see our three generations together, no one on their cellphones, just laughing and enjoying each other’s company.
Another visit to the shore was with my girlfriend, Nandini, and her dog Rocky. Rocky is a bit of a weirdo, and I’m convinced that if he could talk, he would be the first to agree. But he’s lovable, and he’s never seen the ocean. So we took him to the Asbury Park dog beach and watched him play, off leash, with 100 other dogs, all running around like nuts. Sitting on the bench with Nandini, holding hands, and just watching Rocky and enjoying the ocean air was a day well spent. Rocky had the time of his life, and I remember him passed out in the backseat on the way home, covered in sand, thinking he was probably dreaming of the great day he just had.
Those daytrips to the Jersey shore reminded me why I do what I do. Financial planning isn't really about money—it's about creating the freedom to have moments like these. It's about being present when your kids still want you around (although it definitely appears less so now that they’re in their teenage years).
I'd be lying if I said I didn't need some time alone, too. I spent several days on the golf course, finally getting a chance to focus on improving my game. There's a particular kind of meditation that happens on the fairway—just you, the course, a good cigar, and the humbling reminder that mastering your game is a lifelong pursuit. I played terribly, improved slightly, and remembered why I love the game anyway. It's not about the score; it's about the four hours when your phone stays in the cart and your biggest concern is reading the break on a tricky putt.
Between rounds, I carved out mornings for reading. Not the typical Wall Street Journal or financial planning articles, but actual books. Things that had nothing to do with market returns or asset allocation. I went through five books that month, sitting on my back deck with coffee, remembering what it’s like to "get lost" in a book.
The final week brought a different kind of adventure.
Aruba was the planned family trip: me and the boys and Nandini, and her family. We snorkeled in hidden natural pools of Arikok National Park, enjoyed the warm ocean, and looked forward to delicious seafood each evening, joking and sharing stories – and forcing four teenagers to make conversation rather than be on their phones.
HIGHLAND’s motto is What We Do Matters. I didn’t fully understand the meaning behind the words when I joined HIGHLAND, but I’ve come to realize just how meaningful those words really are. The motto is meant to apply to the work we do for you, our clients, and how that work hopefully translates into better lives for you and your families.
However, after a month off, I realized that sometimes you need distance from your routine to see what really matters in life, too. Time with those we love and for ourselves matters. I'm more convinced than ever that wealth without time is just a number on a statement.
Thank you to HIGHLAND and to my clients for giving me this opportunity. My sabbatical wasn't an escape from my life—it was a reminder that how we choose to spend our limited time is what matters most.
Joseph Goldy, CFP®, CDFA ®, is a wealth advisor and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ at Highland Financial Advisors, LLC, a fee-only fiduciary wealth advisory firm based in Wayne, New Jersey.
Joe specializes in working with newly independent women because of divorce or losing a spouse. He understands firsthand the value of having a clear financial picture pre- and post-divorce and a plan to restate goals as a single person. When he is not helping clients, Joe enjoys spending time with his two sons outdoors and volunteering to help raise money for Type 1 diabetes organizations.
The foregoing content reflects the opinions of Highland Financial Advisors, LLC, and is subject to change at any time without notice. Content provided herein is for informational purposes only and should not be used or construed as investment advice or a recommendation regarding the purchase or sale of any security. There is no guarantee that the statements, opinions, or forecasts provided herein will prove to be correct.
Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Indices are not available for direct investment. Any investor who attempts to mimic the performance of an index would incur fees and expenses, which would reduce returns.
Securities investing involves risk, including the potential for loss of principal. There is no assurance that any investment plan or strategy will be successful or that markets will act as they have in the past.
The above article was written with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI).