Between rising interest rates and a recent spate of bank failures, there’s a lot of uncertainty in the economy right now. This, in turn, has brought volatility back to the markets. It’s no surprise, then, that many of my clients, friends, and family have asked me what investors should be doing about it. So, I thought I would write it down: Five Do’s and Don’ts During Times of Market Volatility 1. DON’T panic and make emotional decisions. During times of uncertainty or fear, humans are prone to make decisions based on their “fight or flight” response. Yes, this is even true of our financial decisions! When market volatility strikes, many people make knee-jerk decisions simply so they can feel like they are doing something. So they can feel “in control.” But think about when you’re driving a car, and you see an animal in the road. What happens when...
Continue readingThe Traits of a Good Investor and How Women Can Make the Most of Them
Women are increasingly taking responsibility for managing their own money. That includes those who in the past may have left investing to a spouse because they were busy raising a family or had no interest in the subject, but who have since found that divorce, a spouse’s death, or the need to help a parent have forced them to learn some investment basics. However, many women, including high-level professionals who are experts in their field, may not feel confident about their investing abilities.If you’re one of them, you may have more going for you than you think. Traits such as patience, willingness to confront and deal with mistakes, and recognizing when help is needed can benefit portfolio returns, particularly for a long-term investor. Even risk aversion, sometimes a problem for women who are concerned about their investing abilities, can be an advantage if it’s applied wisely. Feel you aren’t as...
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