One of the things our family looks forward to is family movie night.  It is amazing that even our 14 year old manages to put down her iPhone (parents – can you relate?) for a couple of hours to hang out, have some popcorn, laugh, and sometimes, even cry together as we watch some of the great films of all time.

Recently we watched “Rudy”- a classic about Rudy Ruettiger, an undersized and slow football player who walked-on to eventually make Notre Dame’s team in 1975.  The film makers deftly take us on his inspirational journey from a steel mill to save money, to a junior college where he fought to bring his grades up, to finally getting into Notre Dame and making the football practice squad.  A week before his final game (having still not actually played) he decides to quit before an old friend and mentor encourages him to stay on and finish the season.  Hard to fight tears of joy in the final scene of the movie in his final game as the crowd chants “Rudy, Rudy…!” and he makes his first and only tackle of his college career.

Fast forward 40 years to today and the best coach in college football (as a UT fan this is brutal to say) is Nick Saban of Alabama. As he prepares his team to play for what would be an unbelievable 5th National championship for him, many writers have scrambled to ask former players about the secret to his success.  As I read them, a common theme emerged, and one quote really jumped: “People get the misconception that Coach Saban is miserable, but he’s really not,” said Outland Trophy winner Barrett Jones, who was a part of three national championship teams under Saban and now plays in the NFL. “He just loves the grind. That’s what he loves. Once you understand that, it’s different. He enjoys getting in his office and watching film. He loves practice. He loves preparing his teams, and he is an example for all of us.”

Knowing what works and having the patience to stay with it is critical as is bringing the energy and resolve every day to PREPARE for success.  Hopefully, like Rudy and Coach Nick Saban, we can serve beside you, working diligently to prepare a financial plan and reap the rewards of the long-term investor!

Market Summary:  Flat 2015 Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story

2016 has started worse than the way 2015 ended.  In 2015 the S&P 500 was up 1%, but it didn’t really feel that way to most investors as all of the gains were made by just four stocks (Amazon, Facebook, Google, and Netflix).  Small caps were down 4.5% with Small Value down nearly 8%, and International indexes (excl US) down 5.7%.  On the fixed income side the aggregate bond index was up 0.5%, adding to the “flat” feeling of 2015.  However, fortunately for EFinancial Alliance fixed income portfolios, most core funds exceeded their corresponding index, emphasizing the benefits of a diversified portfolio, strategically rebalanced to stay on plan.

As always, at EFinancial Alliance our mission is to help you “Plan Today for an Inspired Tomorrow”.  Thank you for allowing Destin and I to partner with you on your future success.

Mitch & Destin