With 2011 remembered by many as a year of extreme volatility, we reached out to Boomer consumers to gauge their appetite for risk tolerance. Following are highlights from those conversations.
What is your tolerance for risk?
It’s pretty high. I have always been a bit of a rebel, zigging when other people zag, that sort of thing. And it’s paid off for me most of the time, especially in my business. Now that I’m a little older, I have mellowed somewhat. I still get nervous when I hear my caddie talking about a great new investment, though. That’s usually when I start thinking about getting out.
Ian, 62
Greenwood Village, Colo.
Oh, I don’t like risk. There are too many safe ways of investing to do anything reckless. My father was a butcher in St. Paul. He lost everything in an investing scheme with his brother-in-law. We were left with nothing and had to move in with some cousins until we could get back on our feet. I’m sure that scarred me because I have always wanted to take the safest route with my money. There are just too many pitfalls and dishonest people around. Just look at what happened with that man in New York…Madoff. No, I prefer not too give my money to swindlers, thank you.
Pamela, 66