This time on “Real Personal Finance,” I’m hosting a solo episode on how to establish investment principles that can help you keep a level head no matter what the markets are doing.
I recorded this episode in the beginning of 2025, a time when a lot of smart people make a lot of predictions about what the markets will do – and those predictions are usually wrong. But not only is it a new year, we also have new political leadership in power, so we’re experiencing elevated levels of uncertainty about what’s next.
The first thing to keep in mind is that the overall trend of the stock market is positive, but you have to be patient. For instance, if you invested one dollar in the markets back in 1926, your investment would now be worth more than $33,000. Of course, you probably don’t want to wait 100 years to cash in your stocks. But with a little patience and a level head, you can harness the power of the markets and make your money work for you.
You also want to be sure to invest globally to capture opportunities outside of the U.S. While American companies make up 61% of the stock market, there are plenty of companies beyond our borders that consistently have positive returns.
Much of investing comes down to perspective. Focus on the long-term. Focus on what you can control. Focus on your goals. If you can do those things and tune out the noise, you can avoid losing your way in the uncertainty of the markets.
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Scott Frank on LinkedIn
Stone Steps Financial
Money can be confusing—but it doesn’t have to be. When you’re able to understand the complexities, you can make better decisions to improve your daily life. Are you ready to align your money with your ideal life? Connect with us at Stone Steps Financial or Flow Financial Planning.
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