Welcome
“
The dominant determinants of long-term, real-life, investment returns are not market behavior, but investment behavior."
— Nick Murray, Author
Now that relative calm has returned to the financial markets, I want to congratulate all of you on your patience and calm and for staying focused on what really matters: your long-term plan.
I know this isn’t always easy, especially when the headlines are filled with worrying (though usually exaggerated) market news. Unfortunately, the way our brains are hard-wired can tempt us to make emotional decisions about our money at precisely the wrong moments. This is why too many investors tend to “buy high” and “sell low.” Ultimately, this kind of emotional, short-term behavior can compromise a sound financial plan. So congratulations on staying the course! There will be more down markets to come, bear markets and recessions, but though we can’t predict them, we can plan for them and make sure you stay on track over the long term. The article below from Larry Swedroe reminds us that even if you could perfectly predict market “surprises,” they would have a minimal impact on your portfolio. But there are many things you can control. According to the article below, depending on how this year shakes out, and your individual situation, this may be a good year to convert your IRA to a Roth IRA (I’d be glad to do the analysis). You may also be able to lower your internet bill by following the tips below. Finally, we don’t know exactly when spring will get here—though it will eventually—but the “spring cleaning” tasks below can help you get your garden ready.
Best,
Maureen McShane
