Come back in time with us to the glory days of The Simpsons.  An episode entitled Like Father, Like Clown – season #3 if we’re not mistaken – offers a parody of The Jazz Singer.  (We’re partial to the Neil Diamond 1980 remake but for the purists there’s also Al Jolson’s 1927 original.)

In one particular scene several young Jewish scholars and residents of Springfield’s Lower East Side follow Rabbi Hyman Krustofsky (voiced brilliantly by Jackie Mason) down the street and pepper him with questions:

MAN #1: Should I finish college?

RABBI: Yes. No one is poor except he who lacks knowledge.

WOMAN (baby in arms): Rabbi, should I have another child?

RABBI: Yes. Another child would be a blessing on your house.

MAN #2: Rabbi, should I buy a Chrysler?

RABBI: Eh, couldn’t you rephrase that as a, as an ethical question?

MAN #2: Um… Is it right to buy a Chrysler?

RABBI: Yes! For great is the car with power steering and dynaflow suspension!

While the humor is enjoyable it raises a couple of interesting points – that education and family are means to something and whether that something is “right.”

Longtime friends and clients of Apollo Wealth Management know we share a similar philosophy.  What we do is not an end in itself but a means to an end.  It’s not man #1’s quest for knowledge or the woman’s question about family but, instead, questions about estate planning or investments or income taxes or cash flow or…

What is that end?  That’s up to you – our friends and clients.  Some of you want to send your kids to college.  Others want a safe and secure retirement.  Still others want to build a Rockefeller-esque fortune and legacy.

What is it about these goals?  Are they the true goals or are they a means to an even greater end?  What is it about sending your kids to college?  What is it about a safe and secure retirement?  The common answer is these things provide happiness.

Is happiness a journey or a destination?  Many believe the latter but there’s something to be said for the former.  Are you familiar with The Road to Hana anecdote?  Go to Hawaii and you’re sure to hear, “You have to go to Hana.”  Some make the trip and wonder why.  There’s not much exciting or beautiful upon arrival.  Others make the trip and understand exactly why.  There’s an incredible amount of excitement and beauty along the way.  The reason to go to Hana is not to get to Hana but to experience the trip to Hana.

Today’s entry from our friends at The Daily Good provides food for thought.  If the goal of financial planning is to achieve financial security then the goal of financial security is to achieve happiness.  Is happiness a natural state?  Is it an entitlement?  Is it something to be obtained?  Is it something out of reach?  Is it a journey or a destination?

As you read the article imagine good ol’ Rabbi Krustofsky and what he might say.

YOU: Rabbi, should I be happy?

RABBI: Eh, couldn’t you rephrase that as a, as an ethical question?

YOU: Um… Is it right to be happy?