For years, a potential client followed a plan. Patient. Disciplined. Steady. His portfolio mirrored that mindset: high-growth tech stocks and long-term strategies designed to pay off over decades, not days. And for a long time, it worked.
Then one phone call changed everything.
His daughter’s husband had lost his job. They couldn’t cover basic expenses, and she needed financial help. Suddenly, the question wasn’t, “How’s the market doing?” but “Can you help us this month?”
When he came to me to review his finances, I asked, “If you need to withdraw $100,000 this year, are you still a long-term investor?” He stared at the table, quietly absorbing the weight of the question. In that moment, it became clear: his portfolio reflected who he used to be, not what his life required now.
When Plans Outpace Reality
A retired U.S. engineer who made aliya decades ago, approached life and money with methodical discipline. He and his wife raised their children with strong values, lived modestly, and gave modest gifts over the years. But recently, his wife’s health declined, adding emotional weight (and extra costs) to life.
Not yet a client, he called me because he simply wanted to do the right thing for his family and his future. He needed extra cash now to cover the additional unexpected expenses.
I looked at his portfolio and saw that he had strong assets, but they were locked up. Converting them to cash quickly would mean paying a steep price. That’s when he realized: being asset-rich doesn’t help if you can’t reach your money when you need it most.
Why Flexibility Matters
Financial planning isn’t just charts and forecasts. It’s about building a strategy that can bend when life throws you a curveball. A great plan doesn’t only look good on paper; it works in messy, unpredictable moments, too. In fact, that is the definition of a good plan.
If life changed tomorrow, would your plan stay relevant? Could you help the people you love without derailing your future?
Let’s make sure your strategy supports not only the future you imagine, but the life you’re living right now. Schedule a free Cross-Border Financial Evaluation by clicking here.
Douglas Goldstein, CFP® is the director of Profile Investment Services, Ltd. www.Profile-Financial.com. He is a licensed financial professional both in the U.S. and Israel. Call (02) 624-2788 for a consultation on how to set up your American assets to meet your financial goals. Securities offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates. Neither PRG nor its affiliates provide tax or legal advice.
Published September 3, 2025.