DOUG LINDSEY, CFP^®

Fiduciary is a fancy word that simply means we must legally do what is right for our client, not what is best for our business or just what is easiest for me. A few years ago, in December, I was helping a local small business start a retirement plan. Turns out one of their employees had a criminal record which caused problems getting his paperwork approved at our custodian, Fidelity. I called the employee to discuss the situation and he asked me not to bring this up with his employer. I felt stuck. If I don’t tell the owner, I’ve left her at risk. But if I do tell the owner, she might terminate the employee. Merry Christmas, you’re fired. As a fiduciary, my duty was clear but still uncomfortable. I considered my options, took a deep breath, and phoned the owner. Turns out she already knew about the employee’s criminal past. She generously stated, “my employee has paid his debt, I’m giving him a chance to move forward.”

I enjoy teaching, simplifying complicated ideas, sharing information, being on stage. I love seeing people laugh and learn. I’ve been teaching at our local continuing education program for many years. I give classes on Social Security and Medicare. Almost everyone will eventually use these complicated government programs, but most don’t understand how they work. I wanted to fix that. More recently, I’ve been teaching a beginner’s investment class at a local non-profit, Saranam. Their mission is to empower families to end homelessness. They provide an innovative, transitional living program which includes a home, an education, and intensive case management. I am proud of the students in this program and teaching them gives me that warm, fuzzy, satisfied feeling like nothing else can.

I used to hate insurance. I despised the idea of insurance, the cost, the complexity. I hated interacting with the state bureaucracy, the continuing education, the insurance companies, and the mind-numbing paperwork. I’ve changed my mind. Many reasons. My mentor, Jim, patiently, repeatedly describing how a certain feature worked and why he thought this was a good choice for the client. My other mentor, Mary, exclaiming “Will you look at the leverage on this life policy?!” Thoughtful, intelligent insurance agents explaining why they thought a particular policy was a good idea. And a retirement income professor named Wade Pfau. Wade says there are two types of advisors. The insurance guy who thinks every client problem can be solved with a new policy. And the investment lady who thinks stocks and bonds are the only solution. Turns out both have their place. Wade’s open-minded research encouraged me to create our Retirement Pyramid, a unique framework for making decisions about what is most important to a retiree. And now I’m giving due consideration to both insurance and investments, which work together to make our clients unbreakable.

I love board games. The pieces. The rules. The strategy. The laughter. The time together with friends and family. Finding a way to win! At last count, we had more than 100 games. I enjoy teaching new players how to play, although my son says I’m bad at it. Probably because my mind has already drifted to “How Will I Crush You?” Current favorites include Splendor, Terraforming Mars, Everdell and Agricola. My kids hate Agricola. The only time I get to play it is on my birthday when I force them. Let me know if you’d like to play? I also cherish reading. I’ve been in a book club for 20+ years. I read everything: fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels (yes, comic books, but no superheroes!). My favorites tend to be science fiction or fantasy and “how-to” business books. I’ve mostly made the switch to reading on my kindle. But when Amazon wants to charge me $5 more for the e-book, then I order up a physical copy and cram it onto my overflowing shelves. I also like vinyl, ice cream, mountain biking, dark chocolate, dark beers, and dark starry nights around a campfire. And, of course, anything with my family. Thirty+ years with my wife Cindy. Four wonderful kids. Amazing daughter-in-law and three perfect grandkids. Ask me, I’ll tell you.