On February 4th, 1789, George Washington was unanimously elected as the first President of the United States.
The United States held its inaugural presidential election, culminating in the unanimous selection of George Washington by the Electoral College. The College, comprising 69 electors from ten of the thirteen states, cast their votes, with each elector allotted two votes. Washington appeared on all 69 ballots, reflecting his universal acclaim and the trust placed in him to lead the fledgling republic. John Adams secured the vice presidency, receiving 34 of the 69 votes cast. Notably, North Carolina and Rhode Island did not participate, as they had yet to ratify the Constitution, and New York abstained due to internal legislative conflicts. This historic election underscored the collective confidence in Washington's leadership and set foundational precedents for the nation's democratic processes. George Washington was a military leader, statesman, and Founding Father who played a pivotal role in the formation of the United States. As commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution (1775–1783), he led the colonies to victory against Britain. After the war, he presided over the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and was unanimously elected as the first U.S. president in 1789. Serving two terms (1789–1797), he established key government precedents, including the peaceful transfer of power. Declining a third term, he retired to Mount Vernon, leaving a legacy of leadership, integrity, and national unity.
National unity? How quaint. Regardless, here are six lessons for the modern investor from the life and times of the first American President.
❄️“Winter is Coming” – The Valley Forge Strategy. Washington didn’t win battles by hoping for the best—he prepared for the worst. Just like he stockpiled resources to survive brutal winters, a smart investor builds an emergency fund and diversifies a portfolio after creating a master plan. If your portfolio is all high-risk stocks with no backup plan, you’re basically charging into battle without shoes. Good luck with that.
🍒“I Cannot Tell a Lie” – Beware of Investment Tall Tales. The cherry tree story might be fake, but Washington’s reputation for honesty was real. If an investment sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Ponzi schemes, meme stocks, and “sure thing” tips? That’s financial Benedict Arnold behavior. Remember that heavy consumers of television, the internet, and social media for investment “advice” make King George look sane.
⛵“Crossing the Delaware” – Take Calculated Risks, Not Blind Leaps. Washington’s surprise attack on Christmas night at Trenton in 1776 was bold—but it wasn’t reckless. He planned every detail. Modern investors should take risks, but smart ones—do your research, understand the odds, and don’t just YOLO (You Only Live Once) into the latest crypto craze.
🚶♂️Two-Term Limit – Know When to Walk Away. Washington set the precedent for stepping down after two terms. Sometimes, the best financial move is knowing when to take your profits, cut losses, or simply not check your portfolio 50 times a day. Long-term planning and sound tactics beats constant micromanaging.
💰“No Taxation Without Representation” – Fees Matter! Just like Washington wasn’t a fan of hidden taxes from King George, you shouldn’t ignore hidden fees from mutual funds, brokers, and advisors. A small percentage might not seem like much, but over time, high costs can eat your gains, like British troops raiding supplies. Make sure you get value out of your relationship with an advisor if you plan to make history together.
🇨🇭"Stay Neutral... Until You Can’t" – Don’t Chase Every Market Trend. Washington initially wanted the U.S. to stay out of foreign conflicts, much like an investor should avoid getting caught up in every market frenzy. But when action was necessary, he took it. The lesson? You don’t need to jump on every hot stock or crypto hype—stay steady, but when a real opportunity arises (after research, of course), be ready to make your move.
This episode is sponsored by Victory Independent Planning. Ready to take the stress out of your retirement? At Victory Independent Planning, we put you on the right trajectory with our exclusive VIP Retirement Glidepath™️! Schedule an assessment now: https://freebusy.io/victoryindependentplanning-VIP-Booking/phone-consultation 🎯Patrick Huey is a small business owner and the author of three books on history and finance as well as the highly-rated recently-released fictional work Hell: A Novel. As owner of Victory Independent Planning, LLC, Patrick works with families and non-profit organizations. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® and an Accredited Tax Preparer. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Master of Business Administration from Arizona State University. Patrick previously served as a Naval Flight Officer from 1996-2005, earning the Strike Fighter Air Medal during combat operations and two Navy Achievement Medals.
👉🏻 Reach him at 877-234-8957 or schedule a time to talk using this link: https://freebusy.io/victoryindependentplanning-VIP-Booking/phone-consultation
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