Welcome to my world! It is always best to start at the beginning, which for me is in the charming, small and sophisticated town, Ashland, Oregon, where I was born during the now famous baby boom. I always love to find the humor in everything, even biographies and recessions. I was born during The Eisenhower Recession: (August 1957 - April 1958) .
(reference: http://www.investopedia.com/articles/economics/08/past-recessions.asp )
I have a copy of the hospital bill for my mother's 2 day stay for my delivery, which you will be astonished to learn was $20.00. This is an object lesson in the concept of inflation, as one cannot leave the hospital now, nearly 60 years later for less than several thousands. However, prudent insured mothers likely deliver for the deductible and copay!
Ashland was a safe, security and confidence instilling place to be raised, and the small town afforded me the chance to test entrepreneurial instincts with the annual Camp Fire Girl candy box sale, summer lemonade stands and eventually working as a hostess and usher at the renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Theater. I stretched my world view by attending Beaverton High School, in Portland, Oregon, and graduated just as Nike was blossoming into an international company in the mid 1970's. Later, Beaverton became ground zero for the world famous Nike Headquarters, in 1990, which except for my Oregon clients, might be the only reason you have heard of my high school town experience. I graduated during The Oil Crisis Recession: (November 1973 - March 1975)
Expanding my world view even a bit broader, I am delighted and proud to have found Mills College, in Oakland, California, where I graduated with great career aspirations and newly minted Communications B.A., I graduated just before The Energy Crisis Recession: (January 1980 - July 1980). Politics aside, the first time I voted in a presidential election was for Ronald Reagan during the ending of The Iran/Energy Crisis Recession: (July 1981 - November 1982).
I see clearly, that fortunately I was blissfully oblivious to the economic headwinds of those days, and see clearly that I got my auspicious start in this financial advising and services career just as the first long economic growth and prosperity in a generation was beginning. Hindsight also shows me that I must have been an affirmative action hire, as the financial services industry like many others, under pressure to welcome women. Merrill Lynch in Pepper Pike, Ohio displayed great confidence in me, and I learned from many very fine "older and wiser" advisors while my husband and I lived 4 years on the "North Coast". Many of my clients have experienced the recessions since then: The Gulf War Recession: (July 1990 - March 1991) , The 9/11 Recession: (March 2001 - November 2001) and most recently The2008-2009 Recession The Great Recession was the worst since the 1929 Depression. It was also the longest since the Depression, lasting 18 months. The Subprime Mortgage Crisis was the trigger. That created a global banking bank credit crisis.
Through all of these "money recesses", my clients have provided for and raised their families, grown their financial independence nest eggs, and fortunately for me, each of these clients have provided me the honor of assisting them in this process. We have toiled tirelessly to teach, learn, enhance, review, and generally streamline the savings and investment process, grateful for the patience of each and everyone of you. In the ever increasing complexity of the world in which we live, I cannot be more grateful for the root of my career fulfillment, which is the relationship I enjoy helping clients negotiate the ever changing economic and financial landscape that is the backdrop of each of our lives. Finally, many ask me, when will you retire Linda, which I usually first reply with a giggle. I have spent at least half of my career, trying to seem old enough to know enough to be useful to everyone, and I could not be more fulfilled being of assistance to everyone to this very day. Continuing with the giggle, I assure you, I will spend the other half of my career, trying to seem young enough to understand all the new technology, and methods of communications that we all enjoy (as long as the internet is "turned on".) You will retire before me, and I will visit you while you are enjoying your retirement.
My husband, and best friend of 34 years, Frank, is of similar disposition, and busy in his career as an Orthopedic Surgeon, and our children, Liberty, Bliss and Noble are trail blazing through College (gratefully in our time zone) and we spend our non-career time traveling, and visiting our nearly grown children's lives. But enough about me!