This is what we do.

I get stopped on the street and in airports and in restaurants all over the country. “You’re that financial guy from TV, right?” or “I follow you on Twitter!” It’s pretty great to meet people who connect with my work. I love it. Sometimes they’ll run an ETF or a stock by me. Other times they’ll ask what I do.

I tell them we give people financial advice. But in reality, it’s so much more important than that. It’s so much more relevant than that. What ETF someone should buy is almost besides the point. The real value, beyond portfolio management and sound financial advice, is being to illustrate to people that they can do what they want, and that their hopes and dreams can be saved for, planned for, financed and covered by their assets.

Here’s Tony, from an emotionally charged post in which he shares the worst day of his life.

We were speaking to longtime clients yesterday about their financial plan. Even though their situation keeps getting better and better, one spouse cannot stop worrying. Yesterday I told him, “My job is to make sure you enjoy the blessings you have. Go on trips, sponsor family vacations, pay your grandchildren’s tuition, and give money to charity. Enjoy what is left of your life to the fullest. I give you complete permission.”

I didn’t stop there.

“I consider myself a complete and total failure as a financial advisor if you don’t listen to me. I don’t care how many millions you have if you can’t enjoy it and spread the wealth, nothing else matters.”

Tony speaks from personal experience when he says nothing else matters.

And when I think about the nature of this sort of work, it’s something I’m incredibly proud to be a part of, as are thousands of financial advisors all over the country. This is what we do. This is what we really do.

Every day of the week.