As a sequel to a previous column, "irreconcilable differences", I received an email from a reader asking how she could provide, in advance, investment compatibility with future husband.
Unfortunately, like most things the direct approach does not work in life. To ask him, "Honey, how are you going to invest our 401 (k) funds?" Will only lead to getting the answer he thinks you want. "Honey, what you think is best," will answer you should be. The idea that the different investment strategies may lead to irreconcilable damage to your future relationship seem remote to him. But we know better. He will say what you want to move to probably more important the conversation questions like: "How many children do you want, five or six? Or, "What religion we must raise the children?" Such index investors, all we know, however, that our Investment Gestalt (IG) is the most important predictor of future happiness. Fortunately, I have a test that the likelihood of that match your IG with that of a potential partner will increase developed.
This is the scenario: Your friend (and I would keep until after this first test of compatibility relationship in a platonic stage) driving and you approach a toll on the New Jersey Turnpike. It is 05:30 and the traffic is backed up a quarter mile. Now watch carefully as your friend selects one of 10 lanes approaching the toll. Does he have the mass to scan the possibilities and get the shortest path? Abruptly eight lanes So far, so good, right? No, do not jump to conclusions. Wait and see his behavior as his lane stops dead. He has two rows pull and squeeze the fastest moving lane to the left? Worse, is set to continue for the next 10 minutes as he chases the best performing lane this behavior? Stay away from this person. Do not give him a kiss goodnight and do not take. Been calls in the future His approach is strictly short term. He hunts on short-term performance (and he is too coarse).
Still confused? The most suitable partner, one with a similar IG would arbitrarily chose a lane and not wavered. He realizes that the path the fastest moves in advance and that short-term performance can be determined has no statistical significance for the final result. You Mr. Right would have chosen a lane and there they stayed. He would have used the extra time to find your favorite CD and ask how your mother feels.
Stay close to this man. (Note:. With the introduction of the express toll the validity of the above test was challenged) My question to our readers: what are the habits, quirks of personality that will help you identify a person with a similar IG? Please share your perspectives with us.
Is it the kind of car he drives? Or the kind of dog he is? Or how clean his apartment? Is it important that every night he calls his mother? Or is it completely counterintuitive? His Indy 500 and Formula One drivers more likely to index investors, while librarians take very large positions in hedge funds?
Please e-mail me with your insights, so that I can share with our readers. They
Hesh Reinfeld writes a syndicated business column humor. You can read more examples of his columns on his website: Or contact him
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