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’Twas the day before Christmas, yes, winter is here.

The days have grown shorter and year-end is near.

My staff is now gone, they deserve time away

I’m here all alone, till the end of the day.

Why am I here, working late, you might ask,

Instead of a bar, as they tap a fresh cask? 

Most clients are planners, for I’ve trained them well,

But there’s always one, with stocks they must sell.

From out on the walkway, a ring of my bell,

I feared in my bones, this would not end up well.

This client was grinchy. Of fees he would rant,

“You hereby are fired!” he said with a pant.

“I had a good year, my problems were few,

“Investing is easy, and I don’t need you.”

Advisors’ dilemma: When things go too well,

Some think we add nothing, no product to sell.

This guy is a grinch, making Christmas Eve tough,

Our bond can be saved, but today will be rough.

It’s been a good year, but you haven’t a clue,

Of so many things I am doing for you.

Come sit for a moment, and I’ll have my say,

Then you can decide, if you’ll walk away.

“OK,” said the grinch, “it sounds fair to me,

But I’m telling you now, I watch CNBC.”

You made money in stocks, your return it was grand,

But that only happened when I held your hand.

You wanted to sell, when September came calling,

I said if you bail, you might find yourself bawling. 

You put up a fuss and you went on attack,

But then you stayed put, and the market bounced back. 

Interest rates rose, they surpassed five percent, 

Your credit card rate, up to twenty five it went!

I said “pay down those cards, and you’ll save some cold cash.”

You took my advice. Any thanks? Not a dash! 

Remember your folks, on fixed income they be,

They’re now earning five, more income they see. 

You’re hopeless at saving, is something I reckoned,

But we made a plan as retirement beckoned.

You are now on track to quit working quite soon,

For golfing and leisure and sleeping till noon.  

You’ll travel the world, the sights you will see, 

Use ATMs to get cash, without paying a fee.

You don’t watch the market, so easily bored, 

You task me to stand guard and look over your hoard.

I’ve been here consistently, all through the years,

Understanding your dreams, your hopes and your fears.

Do you want to fire me, and take responsibility,

And wake up one day, and know that was silly?

My fees they are fair, my attention is great,

When you pick up the phone, you never need wait.

“OK, you’ve convinced me, I gave you short shrift.

It’s Christmas Eve, I should come through with a gift.”

“My brother with money, he’s hopeless, you see,

Can you do for him, what you’ve done for me?”

With referral in hand, and no longer a fight,

I bid him goodbye, as he walked out of sight.

Merry Christmas to hardworking advisors everywhere!

Bryce Sanders

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