Do your investments reflect your values or someone else’s?  Imagine running for President of the United States and campaigning against something important to you, yet your investments were in direct opposition of your values. If this was discovered, wouldn’t it be a little embarassing?  Well…you don’t need to imagine this happening, it already happened…today in fact!

Cindy McCain, wife of Presidential candidate, John McCain, recently was caught with investments in companies profiting from Sudan.   John McCain has been a long-time critic of the violence in Sudan, yet the McCains had exposure to the very companies profiting in this African nation through the mutual funds they owned. It is quite apparent that the McCains do not screen their portfolio.  They do not have a process in place to make sure that what they invest in does not violate their morals.  This is not to pick on the McCains, but rather to highlight the ignorance most of us face when we invest.  We blindly trust that the professionals will do “what’s best” for us.  Most of us, never even think about the moral consequences when we invest.  Yet with some simple research and awareness the McCains could have prevented this embarassing story from breaking.  You face the same choice.

What if this happened to you?  It may be happening to you right now and you do not even know it.  You  may have exposure to companies that directly oppose your faith, beliefs, or values.  Learn more about what your are investing in. If you own stocks, mutual funds, or annuities, you may be shocked to learn what types of companies you own.  Take the time, browse faithbasedmillionaire.com, read my upcoming book The Faith-Based Millionaire. Don’t just sit there.  Do something!  Develop a process to align your values with your finances.