Kingsmill's Investment Miscellanea - Friday August 30th, 2024

August 30, 2024 | Joshua Kingsmill


Share

Even though I’ve been out of school a long time (like really long!), September still instinctively feels to me like going back to school, and the start of a new year. Of course, with 4 kids in school, it’s probably a little more real.

 

A rite of passage since I was a young boy, we went to the Exhibition this week, with a bunch of kids: to me it’s always a bookmark for the end of summer. As much as our lives change, there is something comfortable about visiting the Ex every year: the same games that take all our money, the guy who predicts your age or weight, the rides, the Food Hall with all its variety, and funky foods (I tried the deep fried pickled Oreo cookie!), the animals, and just the general vibrancy of people of all ages and stages that congregate at the Exhibition. This year, I was struck by the inflation of pricing in admissions, food, games, etc. But inflation, that’s for another weekly topic.

 

One of the things I like to do at what I consider the start of this September new year, is to reflect on our practice: what we are doing right, and where are there opportunities to improve. Avril and I are working on a review of our services. How often do we reach out to you? When are we doing our reviews? Are you set up for online access? Do you want to hear from us more? Or less? This September, we’re working on creating a better system to ensure that we communicate effectively with all our clients. We look forward to connecting with you this fall.

 

Among other things that we will set up:

  • Full portfolio and wealth plan reviews

    • What frequency is best for you (annual, semi-annual, quarterly)?

    • Do you have a preferred month of the year to meet?

  • Telephone Check-ins

    • How often would you like us to check-in? (monthly, quarterly, semi-annually)?

  • Ensuring we have your accountant’s contact information, to email/mail them everything they need in advance.

Another “end of summer” reminder to me is the US Open at Flushing Meadows in Queen’s New York. It’s on my bucket list of events to attend: the atmosphere, and the late evening games seems so electric when I watch on TV. On the men’s side, I can’t see anyone beating Djokovic, and on the women’s side, going again with one of my favorite names in tennis: Coco Gauff.