June 2022 - NEWSLETTER

Helping people intentionally design their wealth in a way that shapes their most inspired life.

But to long-term, goal-focused investors like us, it should not matter.

 

Your portfolio was and remains the result of your financial plan, which we created based on your most cherished financial goals. That progression again is Goals – Plan – Portfolio. Current Events are not included in that progression, and for good reason.

 

In my experience, most successful long-term investors are continuously acting on a plan while the failed investors I’ve encountered were continually reacting to current events.

 

Keep in mind, those of you still in the accumulation phase of investing can accumulate shares at marked-down prices. And for those of you drawing on your investments in retirement, remember that the plan we created includes reserves equal to 2 years of living expenses. I’m not suggesting that we’re going to need to draw on these reserves; I’m inviting you to be comforted by the fact that we included them in our plan.

 

You would not be human, I don’t think, if you didn’t experience some degree of concern at the direction of current events from time to time. But I encourage you to stay the course, and as always, we are here if you need us.

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burrow through the trash scrounging for anything valuable.  He admitted that he tried to ignore all the children begging for money, knowing that if he gave them money they would just have to turn it over to their handlers. Instead, John frequently took kids to McDonalds and got them a meal and ice cream.

 

In 2002, CMS Energy sold their International plants and gave 16 computers to the local school system. The Mayor, knowing that John had an interest in helping the kids, invited John to go with her to deliver the computers. Along the way, she asked John if he would be willing to renovate and run a local orphanage. She took him to a converted pig slaughterhouse where 26 orphans lived. John describes the facility as, “disgusting”, noting that there was an open sewer right near the kitchen entrance. He also told of a water trough where they washed their clothes, brushed their teeth, washed the dishes, and then used the water for cooking; everything out of the same trough. 

John spent a couple of hours at the orphanage, and as he puts it, “actually made eye contact with the children”. It made such an impact on him that he remembers their names to this day: “Ailene, Marjie, Marme, and Mark J.”. But…he didn’t want to build an orphanage, so he politely declined and went home, planning to never return to The Philippines again. 

Over the next year however, John found himself unable to sleep, waking up crying because he remembered the plight of those children. “God speaks in the silence of the heart and we listen,” he quoted. Finally, John put together a business plan and returned to The Philippines with the intent of proving that it just couldn’t be done, but at least he could say he had tried. While there, however, all of the obstacles were overcome. John returned home and told his wife, “Judy, we are building an orphanage”. 

The Lingap Center – “an oasis of hope and security” - had it’s grand opening in March of 2006. It provides a home for up to 100 children and includes a dining room, clinic, and playground. The children are provided school uniforms and are able to attend school every day. Thirty-two have gone on to graduate from college and 6 are currently enrolled in college programs.

In 2018 they built a new building with a library and computer lab that can also house an additional 32 children. Over 600 have called The Lingap Center home, many of whom are true orphans, and others that have been removed from their home due to abuse or exploitation. 

The first few years, John worked at CMS Energy by day, and The Lingap Center by night. He retired in 2006 so that he could devote his time to running the orphanage. Today, there is a staff of 26, but John still runs the day to day operations, returning to The Philippines frequently.

If you would like more information, or would like to make a donation, click here to visit the Lingap Center’s website. The Lingap Center is a 501C3 and 100% of all donations go directly to the children. John suggested considering the Lingap Center if your looking for a charity to make a qualified charitable distribution.

Pictured: Gretchen Maska, Candace Hackborn, and  

Don Hershberger

Investment advisory services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Paramount Wealth Management is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services.

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