Monica asked that we meet to see if I could help to reduce the differences between them. When the time came, she started the conversation by saying that Richard wasn't saving any money at all. They hadn't started implementing. She said he spent a good deal of time buying and selling stocks. He seemed to be influenced by the weekly ups and downs of the market. At least temporarily, however, he had raised the quality of the stocks he was buying.
Richard seemed a little annoyed and said that Monica never wanted to sell any securities. She almost always told him to wait. She said the shares would come back. When I asked what money meant to them, Richard said an opportunity to gamble and Monica replied a chance to lose what you've accumulated. As far as their long-term goals were concerned, Richard said he had no real long-term goals. The future was too fickle. He said who knew what fate had in store for them. Monica's goal was to feel secure. I had the feeling that her remark was in response to Richard's behavior. She wouldn't allow herself to think of anything beyond security until Richard's activities could be controlled.
Questions
1. What should be done about Richard's spending?
2. What kind of investment behavior is Richard demonstrating? What can be done about it?
3. What is Monica's investment behavior called? How can it be helped?
4. Contrast their two views of money. Do you have any recommendations?
5. How can Monica's fears be dealt with?