As a former lifeguard, I often use the analogy of swimming in the ocean to describe what it’s like to make and sustain investment plans. It can help you as an investor to think of financial markets as vast and full of potential, but also risky should you decide to venture out.

In October of 2018, I had the opportunity to attend the annual BAM National Conference, a gathering of like-minded professionals who ascribe to the ethical, evidence-based values of the BAM advisor community. One speaker’s talk about everything beyond money in retirement planning was especially eye-opening.

At times like these, when record-breaking fire is again ravaging parts of California, we remember that our financial portfolios are not just numbers on paper. They are about protection for ourselves and our loved ones.

I just returned from a week’s vacation that culminated with my participating in the Trans Tahoe Relay swim across Lake Tahoe. This is my 16th year making the 12-mile swim. As I swam, I was awestruck by how blue the water was. With a cloudless sky above, the sun was shining rays of light all around me. It was a breathtaking sight.

My son was recently home from college. I was relaxing on the couch one evening when he called me over to his laptop to ask for help. He had been looking at his credit card statement online. Something was wrong. It appeared he had been charged a double payment. He was naturally a little alarmed.

Are you getting good returns on all your investments? There may be some you’re not even looking at. Usually the topic of investing is constrained to financial instruments. Advisors assess risk and calculate gains. It’s all about the numbers.