When Larry Sprung, Founder and Wealth Advisor at Mitlin Financial, joined AssetTV on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, he shared a message that sits at the heart of the firm’s work.
Financial planning should lead with JOY.
That may sound different from what people expect to hear from a wealth advisor. Many firms focus on returns, market moves, and long-term targets. Those things matter. But Larry’s perspective goes deeper.
Money is not the goal. Money is a tool. The real goal is to use it in a way that supports the life you want to live.
At Mitlin Financial, that means helping families align their goals, values, and risk profile with a plan built around what matters most to them.
Financial Planning Is About More Than Numbers
A good financial plan should do more than track assets or set abstract retirement goals. It should reflect what your life will look like behind the numbers.
That is the idea Larry brought to the conversation at the New York Stock Exchange. He explained that Mitlin’s philosophy starts with understanding each family’s goals and what truly matters to them. Once that foundation is in place, the next step is to align investments and planning decisions with their ideal vision of tomorrow.
This approach helps move the conversation beyond generic milestones and toward something more personal.
- What do you want your life to look like?
- What experiences matter most?
- What are you working toward?
Those answers should shape the plan.
Why JOY Matters So Much
For Larry, this belief is personal.
During the interview, he shared how the loss of his mother at a young age shaped the way he thinks about money and planning. His parents had saved for retirement and planned for the future, but his mother never had the chance to reach that stage of life.
That experience changed his perspective.
It reinforced the idea that financial planning cannot focus only on some distant date in the future. It also has to account for the life you are living now.
That does not mean ignoring tomorrow. It means building a plan that supports both the future you want and the life you are living today.
That is where JOY comes in.
JOY is more than a word. It is a way to think about priorities. It reminds families that wealth should support a meaningful life.
What This Means During Market Volatility
The interview also touched on market volatility and the uncertainty that investors face when headlines turn negative.
Larry’s view is steady and practical.
Yes, investors need to be aware of what is happening in the world. Yes, market swings can feel unsettling. But fear should not drive financial decisions.
That bigger picture matters most.
The question is not: “What did the market do today?”
The real question is: “Are we still on track for the life we want to live?”
A drop in the market may feel big in the moment, but if it does not change your ability to reach your goals, how much does it really matter?
Reacting emotionally during volatile periods can do real damage. If headlines around geopolitics or market swings start to create stress, a good advisor can help you tune out the noise and stay focused on your plan.
One Question That Changes the Conversation
At Mitlin Financial, one question helps start that process: What did you do today that brought you joy?
It is a simple question, but it opens the door to a very different kind of planning conversation.
Most people expect financial planning to begin with account balances, retirement targets, and investment performance. And while those things matter, they do not uncover what matters most to you.
This question does.
It helps families think about what makes their lives meaningful. It helps identify what they value, what they want more of, and what role money should play in supporting those priorities.
From there, the financial planning process becomes deeply personal.
A Different Way Forward
Larry Sprung’s message from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) reflects what clients experience at Mitlin Financial.
This is financial planning built around people, purpose, and the life they want to live.
That means helping families:
- Connect money with meaning
- Stay grounded during uncertain times
- Make decisions with purpose
- Build a future without losing sight of today
Financial planning should prepare you for the future while also supporting the things that matter now.
If that sounds like the kind of approach you have been looking for, schedule a free no-obligation discovery call.
FAQ
Who is Larry Sprung?
Larry Sprung is the Founder and Wealth Advisor at Mitlin Financial Inc
What makes Mitlin Financial different?
Mitlin Financial focuses on helping families connect their financial plan to the life they want to live, rather than focusing only on numbers. Because money is a tool. The goal is to use wealth to support a meaningful life.
Why does Mitlin Financial lead with joy in financial planning?
This belief is deeply personal to Larry Sprung. His mom passed away at age 47 after being diagnosed with breast cancer in her late 30s. Watching his parents save for a future that she never had the chance to fully enjoy shaped the way he thinks about financial planning. It is why he believes families should prepare for tomorrow while also making room to live meaningfully and find joy along the way.
How should investors think about geopolitics and their investments?
Geopolitics can shake the markets, but it should not shake your plan. Headlines come and go. What matters most is whether your investments still match your goals and the life you want to live. A good advisor can help you tune out the noise and stay focused on your plan.
How should investors respond to market volatility?
During market volatility, investors should take a step back and focus on the bigger picture. Headlines can create fear, but emotional decisions often do more harm than good. Historically, the market’s strongest returns come during a small number of key days, and missing the 10 best days can significantly hurt long-term results.
