Lillian and her husband have not had success with investment planners. After many attempts at finding an advisor at a bank that they felt comfortable with, they gave up on professionals. “We bought some stock software and now we manage our portfolio ourselves, online. Right now we are only earning minimal interest, but I think that may just be because the market is bad”.

Gas prices and terrorism have hurt their dental practice, but she will not give up her dream of one day traveling the world. “We have a vacation home in Mexico, but we never get any time to use it. Hopefully, once the kids are grown my husband and I can finally take some time off.”

Lillian has a deep distrust of the financial services industry, explaining, “We were almost snowed by a young broker when we were first married.

We almost lost everything.”

Although she doesn’t see their current investments allowing them to retire any time soon, Lillian feels they are more prepared for retirement than most people in this country.

“I wish I could trust a stock broker or an advisor, but our early experiences have left a bad taste in our mouths. We just want someone smarter than us to manage our money. Until we find that, we are going to continue to do it ourselves.”

That said, she describes her and her husband’s financial future as unsure. Because they have no formal training in investment training or in analyzing the markets, they don’t know what to expect.

“I think we may need to simplify our lives and pare down our lifestyle. Americans spend too much money on material things anyway.”

When discussing this, Lillian looks lost, as if she has just admitted something to herself which she has been unwilling to face.  As she raises her head, she becomes more hopeful. “A simpler way of life. I think I could even embrace that.  Maybe at least get used to the idea.”

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