Charles Dickens wrote in his book The Tale of Two Cities, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness.” That phrase comes to mind as I read the news.  Today, the average person enjoys healthcare, diet, and transportation well beyond what the wealthiest individuals had available in 1900. I’m not sure we can imagine what the quality of life will be in 2100.  What is constant, and I believe will always be, is change.  It’s called the certainty of uncertainty.  Just like our parents and grandparents had to navigate a whole range of times, we will have to do the same.

It’s natural and appropriate to look at your investment account balances and finances during these times.  Just remember that the recent events are simply one more pothole in a long road. This is an excellent time to make sure you understand your financial goals so that potholes don’t steer you off that road.  Understanding what financial risks you’re taking to achieve those goals is important to being able to sleep at night.  While I don’t know of any “scientific” study that proves this, I’ve noticed that investors who are focused on their goals and attuned to avoiding risks tend to sleep better than the person trying to outperform the S&P 500.

When the world seems to be going crazy, remember that you don’t have to go crazy along with it.  Focusing on the solid fundamentals of values-based financial planning will help you recall the big picture objective and help you weather the storms life brings.  We have a plan to face the financial risk of today.  Please read Ryan’s investment commentary to gain a greater understanding of how we actively manage investments for just such a time as this.

Whether it is “the best of times, or the worst of times,” we are here to help you achieve your financial goals.  Please reach out to us if you have questions.

Regards,