The Complexity of Convenience

Forty years ago, you couldn’t grocery shop on Sundays. In fact, you couldn’t really do much shopping on Sundays at all. 

This tradition was rooted in the religious doctrine that on Sundays, we rest. Some stores still observe the Sabbath, but most indulge the habits and demands of consumerism. Not to mention higher revenues. 

It seems that, more and more, there are tradeoffs for the conveniences we enjoy. Ironically, more convenience often comes with an added dimension of complexity. When dealing with insurance products, that doesn’t always have to be the case. We’re here as your financial professional to help address your retirement income concerns and make recommendations based on your specific situation. 

We work in an industry in which there are few simple products, but some may provide convenient features that are not readily found elsewhere. Please let us know if you would like us to provide clear, concise descriptions and illustrations of how these types of insurance products work. 

[CLICK HERE to read the article, “Chick-fil-A makes rare Sunday exception” from CNBC, Dec. 28, 2015.] 

[CLICK HERE to read the article, “How to get guaranteed retirement income for life” from CNN Money, Jan. 20, 2016.] 

Here’s another new idea that offers both convenience, and yet challenges. A small grocer in a rural region of Sweden opened a store that has no employees. Shoppers sign up for admission and use an app on their cellphone that allows them to enter, shop and pay for goods all by themselves. This is a great option when it’s midnight and you’ve run out of diapers. 

However, one of the challenges is that some residents find the app usage requirements a little beyond their comfort zone, so the business model doesn’t quite cater to everyone. 

[CLICK HERE to read the article, “In Sweden’s 1st unstaffed food shop, all you need is a phone” from Associated Press, Feb. 29, 2016.] 

Speaking of cellphones, is there anything more convenient/complex? Later in 2016, the new iPhone 7 will feature “integrated wireless charging.” This confusing-sounding component makes it easier to charge a phone by setting it on a wireless device that will charge it without a cord. 

[CLICK HERE to read the article, “IHS Technology: Five Wireless Power Predictions for 2016” from HIS Technology, Jan. 7, 2016.] 

[CLICK HERE to read the article, “Wireless Charging” from PowerByProxi, 2016.] 

What about keyless ignitions? How great is it not to carry your car keys around; just push a button and go. But how awful to jump out of the car and forget to turn it off because there’s no key you have to dislodge. Some folks wake up the next morning and find their car still running. 

[CLICK HERE to read the article, “The Deadly Dangers Behind Keyless Car Technology” from CBS New York, Feb. 1, 2016.] 

Then there’s the issue of service. Thus far, no amount of technology has been able to match or surpass the value of personal service and customized recommendations. You can research many things on the Internet, but you can’t trust everything you read. We believe trust is one of the cornerstones of financial services, and we’re happy to be in the business of earning it. 

We are an independent firm helping individuals create retirement strategies using a variety of insurance products to custom suit their needs and objectives.

The information contained in this material is provided by third parties and has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed; it is not intended to be used as the sole basis for financial decisions.

If you are unable to access any of the news articles and sources through the links provided in this text, please contact us to request a copy of the desired reference.