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October 2022

Greetings!

The major hurricane to hit Florida wasn't the only storm we've faced recently - the turbulent financial markets, continued war in Ukraine, and events overseas, like British Prime Minister Liz Truss' announcement of tax cuts funded by borrowing to drive economic growth in Britain. The markets quickly responded and reminded the PM that tax cuts are not a good idea when the country is already facing high inflation.

We live in a global economy where events overseas affect U.S. markets and vice versa. The events of the past several weeks are a further reminder that in any policy endeavor, there are risks and rewards coupled with both acceptable, unacceptable, and unanticipated trade-offs.

Are you well-resourced to digest everything that is going on around us? Let me share two strategies that help me stay grounded, centered, and calm amidst the various storms.

The first is to avoid the investment noise. Many investment firms, magazines, broadcast media outlets, social media, newsletter publishers, and the financial media have a vested interest in investors becoming hooked on investment noise. Why? Because greater traffic and attention help drive their profits. The interests of the financial media are not necessarily aligned with your, the investor's, best interests. Their winning strategy is likely to be the losing strategy for you. Paying attention to the often urgent noise of the moment can lead investors to abandon their diversified strategy and chase the latest mania, be it FAANG stocks, crypto, biotech, real estate, or tulip bulbs. 

The second is to practice mindfulness (the operative word is practice.) I know what you are thinking -- mindfulness is hot, hot, hot, but it doesn't resolve any problems or clarify much. Actual meditation practice is nothing much to write about - no white light or spiritual enlightenment, at least not for me. But the experience of meditation creates enough stillness that allows me to be calmer and see more clearly what I'm going through in my daily life. It doesn't mean that what I'm going through is any more fun, easier or pleasant; it's just that I can see it for what it is. 

I want to share two resources: please take a moment to listen to my colleague, Kevin Grogan's, broad perspective of what has happened in the markets and why. The second links to the world's most extensive FREE library of guided meditations, Insight Timer, featuring teachers like Tara Brach, Sarah Blondin (my favorite), Stephen Procter, Mary Maddux, and others.

I want to leave you with this question – what's good about life right now? Hit the reply to let me know.

I wish you the beauty and calm of the hushed energy of autumn.

Dream. Plan. Prosper.
WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING IN THE MARKETS?
In this episode of Buckingham Perspectives, Managing Director of Investment Strategy Kevin Grogan shares a broad perspective of what has happened, why it happened and the implications for investors.
10 WAYS TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR TIME ON THIS PLANET
“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. What we do with this hour, and that one, is what we are doing. A schedule defends from chaos and whim. It’s a net for catching days.” Annie Dillard “The Writing Life." 

WHY THE LOCATION OF YOUR INVESTMENT MATTERS
Most investors have a process for deciding which investments to buy in their portfolio—with different objectives for building wealth over time. But once you’ve selected your investment mix, have you considered how the account that holds your investments affects what you ultimately earn?
HOW TO FIND AN ADVISOR YOU CAN TRUST
Many people have questions and concerns about finding a reputable, honest and skilled wealth advisor. Drawing from his years of experience, Buckingham Strategic Wealth Chief Research Officer Larry Swedroe has compiled a list of five criteria that should be an absolute requirement when vetting a new advisor.
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