--- title: "Financial Planning Idea for the Day: Micro vs. Macro: Draft a Plan Before Moving Forward" description: Learn the importance of developing a sound financial plan, and thinking macro, before making any investment decisions. image: https://www.4tfg.com/hubfs/Blog/4Thought-Blog_Micro-vs-Macro.jpg --- [![4thought_footer-logo.png](https://www.4tfg.com/hs-fs/hubfs/4thought_footer-logo.png?width=335&height=101&name=4thought_footer-logo.png "4thought_footer-logo.png")](https://www.4tfg.com/) - [![4Thought Financial Group](https://www.4tfg.com/hubfs/4thought_footer-logo.png)](https://www.4tfg.com/) [![4Thought Financial Group Compass](https://www.4tfg.com/hubfs/4Though-Compass.png)](https://www.4tfg.com/) - [About 4Thought](https://www.4tfg.com/investment-methodology) - [Our Investment Methodology](https://www.4tfg.com/investment-methodology) - [Management Team](https://www.4tfg.com/management) - [In the Media](https://www.4tfg.com/media) - [Contact](https://www.4tfg.com/contact) - [Services](https://www.4tfg.com/investing) - [Private Individual Investing](https://www.4tfg.com/investing) - [SMAs for RIA /Institutional /Family Office](https://www.4tfg.com/financial-advisors-and-institutions) - [Services for CPAs](https://www.4tfg.com/cpa-investing-services) - [Private Wealth Management](https://www.4tfg.com/wealth-management) - [Retirement Plan Services](https://www.4tfg.com/retirement-plan-services) - [Resources](https://www.4tfg.com/resources) - [Financial News](https://www.4tfg.com/resources) - [Portfolio Review](https://www.4tfg.com/portfolio-review) - [Investment Performance](https://www.4tfg.com/performance-requests) - [CPA Continuing Education](https://www.4tfg.com/cpe-continuing-education) - [FAQs](https://www.4tfg.com/faq) - [FAQs](https://www.4tfg.com/faq) - [Contact](https://www.4tfg.com/contact) - Log In - [Goldman Sachs Accounts](https://www.folioclient.com/servlets/ProcessAction?identifier=loginFormEntry&user.mode=IAC) - [Wealth Management](https://wealth.emaplan.com/ema/SignIn?ema) - [Consolidated Reporting](https://client.myadvisorlink.com/auth/users/webportal/4tfg) - [Retirement Plan Services](https://www.4tfg.com/rps-login) - - Log In - [Goldman Sachs Accounts](https://www.folioclient.com/servlets/ProcessAction?identifier=loginFormEntry&user.mode=IAC) - [Wealth Management](https://wealth.emaplan.com/ema/SignIn?ema) - [Consolidated Reporting](https://client.myadvisorlink.com/auth/users/webportal/4tfg) - [Retirement Plan Services](https://www.4tfg.com/rps-login) ## 4Thought Investing Resources ## 4Thought Investing Resources [Financial News](https://www.4tfg.com/resources/) [Investment Strategy](https://www.4tfg.com/resources/topic/investment-strategy) [Personal Finance](https://www.4tfg.com/resources/topic/personal-investing) [Business Finance](https://www.4tfg.com/resources/topic/business-finance) [For Professionals](https://www.4tfg.com/resources/topic/financial-professionals)[Compass and Crosshairs](https://www.4tfg.com/resources/topic/compass-and-crosshairs) SUBSCRIBE Subscribe for free tips and articles to help you lead a smarter financial life. [FAQs](https://www.4tfg.com/faq) , [Investment Strategy](https://www.4tfg.com/faq/topic/investment-strategy) , [Financial Planning](https://www.4tfg.com/faq/topic/financial-planning) , [Financial News](https://www.4tfg.com/faq/topic/financial-news) # Financial Planning Idea for the Day: Micro vs. Macro: Draft a Plan Before Moving Forward *Welcome to the 4Thought Financial Group ‘Financial Planning Idea for the Day’ video series, with our CFO and host, Martin Levine. This week, Levine shares tips on micro versus macro investment strategy options.* ### Levine recently sat down with a client looking for some investment advice, and a fairly common set of questions immediately surfaced.  “Micro versus macro,” Levine begins. “Recently, I got a referral, and right away: What would you recommend for my investments? What would you recommend when I’m about to retire, and I have some money from my old retirement plan. Where would you put it? Where would you invest it?’”   > “The lesson is to think macro and not micro.” This was clearly a client looking for some quick answers to a few complicated questions. While both micro and macro policies have the same *ultimate* objective, their *intermediate* objectives are quite different.  Thus, Levine provides a more calculated answer, stressing that all of the above speaks to the need to develop a plan *before making any investment decision*.  “The answer is, I don’t know. The answer is part of a macro picture, part of the bigger plan,” Levine continues. “What’s your goals, objectives, time horizon, risk tolerance? All these really need to be addressed before any recommendations can be made.” In summing up the lesson learned from this installment of “Idea for the Day,” Levine stresses that a macro approach is the best starting point, but not before that aforementioned plan is firmly in place.  “So, that’s the lesson—the lesson is to think macro and not micro. Micro is only part of the solution,” he explains. “Macro is really where you have to start, and go to a firm that’s a fiduciary, like our firm, that works for you, that can do the plan objectively, put the macro into place, and then you could follow it, and you could implement it after that. But first you need the plan—*plan first*.”   *Check back for the 4Thought Financial Group ‘Financial Planning Idea for the Day’ every week, as Martin Levine tackles frequently asked questions from clients spanning a wide range of topics, such as the [importance of selecting the ideal life insurance company](https://www.4tfg.com/faq/what-type-of-life-insurance-company-should-i-choose), [understanding retainer fees](https://www.4tfg.com/faq/advantages-of-retainer-fee-financial-planning), and [maximizing older life insurance policies](https://www.4tfg.com/faq/life-insurance-into-an-annuity-for-income), among many others.* 4Thought Financial Group is a Syosset, New York-based provider of[Retainer Fee-Based Wealth Management](https://www.4tfg.com/wealth-management?hsLang=en-gb) services specializing in delivering the most effective financial planning solutions aligned with clients' lifelong goals. **Contact 4Thought Financial Group today, and let’s build wealth, together.** ## Was this article helpful to you? ### Subscribe to our newsletter for free tips and articles to help you lead a smarter financial life. ### Related Questions [![Investing in the Coronavirus Bear Market](https://www.4tfg.com/hubfs/Investing-in-the-Coronavirus-Bear-Market.jpg)](https://www.4tfg.com/faq/investing-in-the-coronavirus-bear-market) [![Financial Planning Idea for the Day: Am I Paying High Investment Fees?](https://www.4tfg.com/hubfs/Blog/4Thought-Blog-Am-I-Paying-High-Fees.jpg)](https://www.4tfg.com/faq/why-am-i-paying-high-investment-fees) [![Financial Planning Idea for the Day: Turn Life Insurance Into an Annuity For Income](https://www.4tfg.com/hubfs/Blog/4Thought-Blog_Life-Insurance-Into-an-Annuity-For-Income.jpg)](https://www.4tfg.com/faq/life-insurance-into-an-annuity-for-income) ## Leave a Comment ### Search 4tfg.com This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. ### Other Questions [--- ![Bear-Bull-Wolf-Eagle-Market-Icons](https://www.4tfg.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Bear-Bull-Wolf-Eagle-Market-Icons.png?width=600&name=Bear-Bull-Wolf-Eagle-Market-Icons.png)](https://www.4tfg.com/bear-bull-wolf-eagle-markets) - [Call 1-516-300-1617](tel:+15163001617) - [Email info@4tfg.com](mailto:info@4tfg.com) - ABOUT 4THOUGHT [Investment Philosophy](https://www.4tfg.com/investment-methodology) [Management Team](https://www.4tfg.com/management) [In the Media](https://www.4tfg.com/media) [Sign Up](https://www.4tfg.com/sign-up)[Contact](https://www.4tfg.com/contact) SERVICES [Private Individual Investing](https://www.4tfg.com/investing) [SMAs for RIA /Institutional /Family Office](https://www.4tfg.com/financial-advisors-and-institutions) [Services for CPAs](https://www.4tfg.com/cpa-investing-services) [Private Wealth Management](https://www.4tfg.com/wealth-management) [Retirement Plan Services](https://www.4tfg.com/retirement-plan-services) RESOURCES [Financial News](https://www.4tfg.com/resources) [Investment Performance](https://www.4tfg.com/performance-requests) [CPA Continuing Education](https://www.4tfg.com/CPE-continuing-education) About 4Thought [Investment Philosophy](https://www.4tfg.com/investment-methodology) [Management Team](https://www.4tfg.com/management) [In the Media](https://www.4tfg.com/media)[Contact](https://www.4tfg.com/contact) Services [Private Individual Investing](https://www.4tfg.com/investing) [SMAs for RIA /Institutional /Family Office](https://www.4tfg.com/financial-advisors-and-institutions) [Services for CPAs](https://www.4tfg.com/cpa-investing-services) [Retirement Plan Services](https://www.4tfg.com/retirement-plan-services) [Private Wealth Management](https://www.4tfg.com/wealth-management) Resources [Financial News](https://www.4tfg.com/resources/) [Investment Performance](https://www.4tfg.com/investment-performance-services) [CPA Continuing Education](https://www.4tfg.com/CPE-continuing-education) [Investing Questionnaire](https://4tfg.typeform.com/to/ZRF2dJ) ![4Thought Financial Group](https://www.4tfg.com/hubfs/4thought_footer-logo.png "4Thought Financial Group") The information provided by 4Thought is educational only and is not to be interpreted or construed as investment or tax advice. © 2026 4Thought Financial Group Inc. 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Information throughout this site, including, but not limited to, stock quotes, charts, articles or any other statement or statements regarding market or other financial information, is obtained from sources which we, and our suppliers believe reliable, but we do not warrant or guarantee the timeliness or accuracy of this information. Nothing on this website should be interpreted to state or imply that past results are an indication of future performance. Neither we nor our information providers shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies, regardless of cause, or the lack of timeliness of, or for any delay or interruption in the transmission thereof to the user. THERE ARE NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, AS TO ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, OR RESULTS OBTAINED FROM ANY INFORMATION POSTED ON THIS OR ANY LINKED WEBSITE. Any opinions presented here are subject to change at any time without notice. Any comments or postings are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute an offer or a recommendation to buy or sell securities or other financial instruments. Readers should conduct their own review and exercise judgment prior to investing. Investments are not guaranteed, involve risk and may result in a loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investments are not suitable for all types of investors. \*4Thought Financial Group claims compliance with the Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS®). GIPS® is a registered trademark of CFA Institute. CFA Institute does not endorse or promote this organization, nor does it warrant the accuracy or quality of the content contained herein. The GIPS firm definition excludes any third party asset management programs over which 4Thought maintains oversight advisory agreements on behalf of its clients, any arrangements under which 4Thought provides recommendations for client self-implementation, and any assets under advisory but not under direct management (in which 4Thought provides allocation changes or trading signals to third party firms but does not take discretion over the trading of client accounts). GIPS-compliant performance information for 4Thought's strategies may be obtained by email at [info@4tfg.com](mailto:info@4tfg.com); on the 4Thought website at [https://www.4tfg.com/performance-requests](https://www.4tfg.com/performance-requests); or by phone at (516) 300-1617. ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "Organization", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "", "addressLocality" : "Syosset", "addressRegion" : "New York", "postalCode" : "11791", "streetAddress" : "6851 Jericho Turnpike Suite 120" }, "alternateName" : "4 Thought Financial Group", "areaServed" : { "@type" : "GeoCircle", "geoMidpoint" : { "latitude" : "+40.8100713", "longitude" : "-73.5172286" }, "geoRadius" : "150 km" }, "description" : "Learn the importance of developing a sound financial plan, and thinking macro, before making any investment decisions.", "email" : "[GDelorenzo@ClearHorizonGroup.Com, info@4tfg.com, no-reply@4tfg.com]", "image" : "https://www.4tfg.com/hubfs/4Thought-Financial-Group-OG.jpg", "logo" : "http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2201374/4thought_header-logo.png", "naics" : "523920", "name" : "4Thought Financial Group", "sameAs" : [ "https://www.facebook.com/4ThoughtFinancialGroup", "https://www.linkedin.com/company/3043702", "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEHRK-25mAwfTlNzdvFSN3g", "http://investment-advisors.credio.com/l/39493/4thought-Financial-Group-Inc" ], "telephone" : "516-300-1617", "url" : "http://www.4tfg.com" } ```