Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

—Psalm 23:4

 

Last month, I was driving through the Awakino Gorge.

It’s a drive I’ve been doing one way or another since I was a child.

In fact, a long-abandoned Rover was a source of fascination for me as a 4-year-old.

 

Source: Author

 

This should serve as a warning. This remote part of State Highway 3 is not part of the country where you want to breakdown or get into an accident. There’s no cellphone reception for much of it. Rocks tumble from the unstable cliff sides without any warning.

So, there we were one evening as dusk was falling. A jagged rock fell on to the road. We came around the corner. There was a heavy thud. The tyre blew out. The wheel cracked. I navigated into a very fortuitous gravel pit on the opposite side of the road.

Now, I haven’t changed a tyre for more than 20 years. Despite weighing over 2 tonnes, the Mercedes SUV only has a donut tyre. This is designed to run a short distance to the tyre shop. We were about 100km from New Plymouth. Then we discovered the shorter bolts needed for the donut were missing.

It’s funny when disaster strikes how sharply the mind tunes to your options:

  • Walk for hours on dangerous roads or amongst hazardous bush to find a phone signal.
  • Attempt to flag down help in the dark from another motorist.
  • Camp in the car until the morning with limited water and food. (12-year-old daughter was most distressed with this option).
  • Change the tyre and risk the dodgy donut.

Well, rapidly progressing the last option before full darkness set in became the most appealing choice. This could at least allow us to reach a safer area with cell reception.

We began limping slowly toward New Plymouth with hazard lights on. Stopping at intervals where the roadside allowed, checking the wheel. It seemed fine.

Hours later, we made it to the destination.

 

 

Journeys are the value

 

As 2025 gets underway, many readers will have made financial goals. This little adventure reminds me of something:

  • The destination is the desired outcome. It’s all about what happens when you arrive.
  • The journey is how you get there. That path is seldom smooth.

Let’s take a goal of becoming financially independent. Say, having a passive income of over $100,000 a year.

You could reach the destination of your financial goals by winning Lotto. Yet, when you arrive, your enjoyment of that destination may not be as satisfying. You didn’t do much more than buy a ticket. You don’t really know how to develop something small into something larger and more worthwhile (other than through luck).

If you want to repeat your ‘success’, it’s extremely unlikely Lotto will deliver again and again.

Instead, you could also reach your goal by a proven journey:

  • Spend less than you earn.
  • Invest skilfully in income-rich opportunities.
  • Learn continually.
  • Build up a robust portfolio.
  • Avoid toxic people and toxic activities that could bring you down.
  • Become financially free.

Of course, this journey takes longer. It does not involve a smooth road. There could be jagged rocks along the way.

Yet that journey will give you stories and experience. It will make you. When your reach your destination, you arrive as a different person. In the financial sense, you will have the ability to repeat the journey again and reach even more exciting destinations.

 

A plan for Eligible and Wholesale investors

 

 

Here at Wealth Morning, we run a night-trading desk in the global market. Our goal is to help Eligible and Wholesale clients on their journey to financial freedom. We build robust, income-rich portfolios for Kiwi investors. We help our clients navigate risk.

If you have previous experience in financial investing or significant wealth, this may be a key to navigate your journey. It’s a transparent solution where the assets remain in your own name and brokerage account.

Want to know more?

Do request a free consultation to understand your eligibility and discuss your goals.

 

Regards,

Simon Angelo

Editor, Wealth Morning

(This article is the author’s personal opinion and commentary only. It is general in nature and should not be construed as any financial or investment advice. Please contact a licensed Financial Advice Provider to discuss your personal situation. Wealth Morning offers Managed Account Services for Wholesale or Eligible investors as defined in the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013.)