Money and the Pursuit of Inner Peace: Why Wealth Alone Is Not Enough

Money may provide a sense of security but cannot address our underlying existential anxieties. These fears are intrinsic to the human condition and cannot be fully resolved through material wealth. Although money is often seen as a solution to our worries, it is not sustainable or satisfactory and wealth alone is not enough.

The Importance of a Strong Personal Narrative

To achieve true inner peace and security, we must find courage and develop a strong personal narrative that can guide us through life’s uncertainties. While financial stability has benefits, it is not a substitute for a deeper understanding of what we want from life. True security and meaning come from within. We must be willing to confront our anxieties and develop a “cognitive defense mechanism” that helps us navigate life’s challenges.

Constructing a Meaningful Path in Life

To be truly secure, we must take control of the narrative of our lives and construct a meaningful path that aligns with our values and aspirations. Wealth cannot provide us with this sense of purpose or fulfillment, and we should not allow it to dictate what we consider to be a good life.

While money can provide a temporary sense of security, true inner peace and security come from within ourselves. We must find the courage to confront our anxieties and develop a strong personal narrative that guides us toward a meaningful life. Financial stability can be helpful, but it should never be the sole focus of our efforts to find security and meaning in life.

Improving Our Relationship with Money

How we think about and relate to money is crucial for our financial well-being and happiness. Unfortunately, many people fail to recognize the tension between their desire for financial growth and their actions, often driven by a misconception that money is only meant to provide comfort.

In reality, money is not a guarantee of happiness or success. To live a fulfilling life, we must align our actions with our core values and avoid external influences that dictate our priorities. This requires improving our relationship with money and addressing underlying mindset issues that may hold us back.

Rewiring Our Brain to Become Comfortable with Managing Money

We can make better financial decisions and achieve long-term success by rewiring our brains to become comfortable with managing money. This involves focusing on our mindset regarding money first and foremost rather than simply trying to improve our financial organization.

Using Money to Support Our Goals and Values

Ultimately, the key to achieving financial stability and happiness lies in recognizing the true nature of money and learning how to use it to support our goals and values. With the right mindset and approach, we can take control of our finances and create a more fulfilling life for ourselves and those around us.

Disclaimer
The content on this site, provided by Able Wealth Management, is purely informational. While we aim for accuracy and completeness, we cannot guarantee the exactness of the information presented. The views and analyses expressed in this blog represent those of the authors at Able Wealth Management. They should not be considered as investment advice or endorsement of any particular financial instrument or strategy. Any references to specific securities and their performance are purely informational and should not be taken as advice to buy or sell.Before implementing any information or ideas presented, we strongly advise consulting with a financial advisor, accountant, or legal counsel. Investing carries inherent risks, including potential capital loss. Asset values can fluctuate over time and may be worth more or less than the original investment. Past performance does not guarantee future results, and Able Wealth Management cannot ensure that your financial goals will be achieved. Information from third-party sources has not been independently verified by Able Wealth Management. Although we trust these sources, we cannot assure their accuracy or completeness.

Schedule an appointment

Volatility Drag

Volatility drag, often unnoticed by many investors, plays a significant role in the performance of investment portfolios, especially in markets characterized by high volatility. Understanding volatility drag is crucial for making informed investment decisions and managing long-term investment performance.

Understanding Volatility Drag

Volatility drag refers to the negative effect of investment volatility on compound returns over time. It occurs because losses have a more significant impact on portfolio value than gains of the same magnitude. For example, if an investment loses 10% one year and gains 10% the next, the investment will not return to its starting value due to the mathematical asymmetry between gains and losses. This phenomenon underscores the importance of minimizing large fluctuations in investment value to protect long-term returns.

The Mathematics Behind Volatility Drag

The mathematical principle underlying volatility drag is relatively straightforward but profound in its implications for investors. The key concept is that percentage gains and losses are not symmetrical. A 50% loss requires a 100% gain to break even, not a 50% gain. This asymmetry means that volatility (up and down movements in price) can erode the compound growth rate of an investment, even if the arithmetic mean of the returns seems healthy.

Example of Volatility Drag

Consider an investment with the following annual returns: +20%, -15%, +10%, and -5%. While the arithmetic mean of these returns might suggest a modest positive performance, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) would tell a different story, factoring in the volatility drag and showing a lower effective return than the arithmetic mean would suggest.

Implications for Investors

  • Risk Management: Understanding volatility drag emphasizes the importance of risk management strategies, such as diversification and the use of derivatives for hedging, to minimize significant downturns in portfolio value.
  • Investment Strategy: Investors might consider investment strategies that aim for steady, consistent returns over those with potentially higher but more volatile returns. Such strategies might include investing in low-volatility stocks, index funds, or using dollar-cost averaging to mitigate the impact of market fluctuations.
  • Psychological Aspects: Volatility drag also highlights the psychological challenge for investors who may overreact to short-term market movements. A long-term perspective is crucial for successful investing, as frequent trading in response to volatility can exacerbate the drag on returns.
  • Performance Evaluation: When assessing investment performance, considering both the arithmetic mean return and the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) can provide a more comprehensive view of an investment’s performance, factoring in the effect of volatility.

Financial Planning Fees












  • Fees can be paid monthly, quarterly or semi annually
  • Actual fee will be determined on complexity and scope after an initial consultation
Investment Advisory Fees


Fee Rate: %

Annual Fee: $

  • Fee charged on a percentage-tiered rate
  • Fee based on total assets managed
  • Fee covers services such as portfolio design, continuous monitoring, rebalancing, and personalized guidance

Join Our Mailing List