Harvey and Irma Schluter have been married for 75 years, getting hitched in 1942![1]  Harvey was a barber by trade but his true passion was being a foster parent along with Irma.  Together they helped 120 foster kids.[2]  According to a recent New York Times article several of the children they fostered had physical or mental disabilities.

Harvey is 104 and Irma is 92 and this lovely couple has been thrust into the limelight because of Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma.  Harvey was born in 1913.  The life expectancy of someone born in 1913 was 52.5 years and 2.3% of the population earned a bachelor’s degree.   The average income was $800 and the zipper was the latest in technology.   Harvard and Chicago finished the football year undefeated and were crowned co-national champions, a 1,000-year event.   General Electric and Campbell’s Soup were two of the most powerful companies in the country.[3]

What can we learn from Harvey and Irma?

Help others.  Being a foster parent is a challenge and fostering special needs children is even more difficult.  However, helping others with your resources is extremely rewarding.   The ability to help others and put others first is a true gift.

Think Long Term.   Harvey and Irma have been married for 75 years.  The S&P 500 has generated an average annual return of 11.6% since 1942.[4]   A $1,000 investment into this index in 1942 is now worth $3.75 million!

Work.  Harvey was a barber for 45 years.  Working allows you to fund your lifestyle, invest for the future, and help those in need.

Laugh.  The picture of Harvey and Irma in the New York Times article shows them laughing and smiling.  I’m sure their happy temperament has played a major role in their 75 years of marriage.  Here is a link to the article and their picture.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/07/us/harvey-irma-couple.html?mcubz=1

“If you can help someone, then help them.” ~ Irma Schluter

Bill Parrott is the President and CEO of Parrott Wealth Management, LLC.  For more information on financial planning and investment management, please visit www.parrottwealth.com.

September 13, 2017

Note:  Past performance is not a guarantee of future performance.  Your returns may differ than those posted in this blog.

[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/07/us/harvey-irma-couple.html?mcubz=1, Jonah Engel Bromwich, 9/7/2017.

[2] Ibid.

[3] http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-06-15/then-and-now-what-100-years-change-looks-one-infographic, Tyler Durden, 7/15/2013.

[4] Dimensional Fund Advisors 2017 Matrix Book.