Diamonds Sparkle. Dividends Compound.
I remember when I first got engaged.
I loved looking at my diamond ring
Two carats. Clear. Beautiful. I felt lucky.
I had just started my career on Wall Street, riding the subway every morning as my boss did.
After getting married, having babies, a nanny, and a wonderful husband, my career took off.
But something funny happened one morning on the subway.
I looked down at my ring and thought:
Maybe I deserve a bigger one.
Around me was the wealth of New York—private drivers, bigger apartments, flashier jewelry. My new boss had a car service - he didn't take the subway.
Six months later, I left the job.
I was exhausted. Burned out. Overworked and down to 98 pounds.
And looking back, I realize something important about that moment on the subway.
- It wasn’t really about the ring.
- It was about comparison.
New York has a way of quietly moving the goalposts.
What once felt like abundance suddenly feels small when you’re surrounded by bigger, shinier things.
Thankfully, I never upgraded the ring.
Because over time I learned something better.
Diamonds may sparkle…
But they don’t pay dividends.
The real sparkle in life turned out to be something different:
Doing work I love:
- Helping people build financial confidence
- Investing patiently in the stock market
- Creating a plan that leads to freedom
The older I get, the more I realize:
The goal isn’t to collect shinier objects.
The goal is to build a life that shines on its own.
What makes you sparkle?
Tiffany Kent
Your Friendly Wealth Engagement Guide
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This commentary offers generalized research, not personalized investment advice. It is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a complete description of our investment services or performance. Nothing in this commentary should be interpreted to state or imply that past results are an indication of future investment returns. All investments involve risk and, unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to consult with an investment & tax professional before implementing any investment strategy. Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible.
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