(This story is mostly true.)
Professional: We have to discuss our financial situation and what we should be thinking about for next year.
Spouse: Should I be worried?
Professional: No, but we might want to make a few adjustments.
Spouse: OK, go ahead.
Professional: No matter who wins the election, I'm sure our taxes are going up. The Middle East seems to be at war. Europe is making progress-sort of, gradually. ... Well, maybe not. China is slowing down. Our economy is just a mess. Business this year was challenging and it doesn't seem like there's going to be a quick turnaround in the business next year.
Spouse: What about the closet?
Professional: We're talking about converting one of the larger bedrooms into a humidity-controlled shoe closet with biometric locks, Kevlar-reinforced walls and steel-reinforced doors. The closet would have its own backup generator, alarm system and each shoe would have its own GPS tracker.
Spouse: The walls will be pink and we'll need a new floor and we'll have to redo the bathroom so nothing clashes.
Professional: Yes, that's what we've been talking about for next year. With the unexpected car repairs and the house repairs and the repairs we've put off ... plus, the cost of college and prep school and the downturn in business, it might be wise to put off the closet just until we stabilize our finances.
Spouse: You don't love me anymore!
Professional: What?
Spouse: All I want is for you to be happy.
Professional: And that's just one of the reasons I do love you.
Spouse: You've always said that you're happiest when I'm happy. So that you can be as happy as possible, we need to put the closet in so I can be happy, which is all for you. It's like the shoes. I buy them so I can look good for you. It's always about you.
Professional: Business is down.
Spouse: Didn't you tell me that there are more wealthy people than ever before and that the really wealthy are getting much, much richer?
Professional: Yes, the very wealthy are doing quite well and they're likely going to continue to do very well. Even if there's a severe downturn, there will be a substantial number of very wealthy people who will likely be able to capitalize on the situation. The wealthy aren't going away and there are more of them at the high-end.
Spouse: So, that's the answer. You already work with the very wealthy. All you need to do is work with more of them. You should also work with even wealthier people than you generally do. This way, your business will do much better; I'll be happy, which means you'll be happy.
Professional: That's the answer?
Spouse: Perfect. Since you're going to be even more successful next year, let me tell you some of my new ideas for my closet.