December 27, 2013
By Beth Jones, RLP®, AIF®, CFT™
Life is full of changes
What do a lottery winner, lawsuit recipient and a widow have in common? Sudden money ― and sudden, similar emotions. While it may seem their experiences are polar opposites ― one is a “celebratory” experience and another involves deep grief ― both result in shared emotions. Shock, surprise, loss of identity and self-esteem, guilt, confusion, overwhelm, dramatically altered relations with friends and family. Other transitions which can elicit similar emotions are divorce, retirement, sale of a business, loss of money or a loved one. Life transitions are a time of change ― “what was” no longer exists and “what will be” has not yet taken shape. By definition, a transition is a temporary state. One of the keys to a successful transition is to take the time to re-examine your sense of purpose and consider your new choices in light of your highest life goals. Working with a financial planner trained by the Sudden Money® Institute in Financial Transition Planning can provide the needed guidance and structure to handle this time effectively.