Have you been watching the markets the past few days? Harrowing!

If you’re like many people you may be currently recovering from the damage the headlines did to your heart.

And that’s understandable. News stations screaming that the Dow is down 800 points on Wednesday is nerve-wracking!  Then add a 500+ point drop yesterday and here we are.

But don’t go running for your bomb shelter quite yet.  

Investing is a long-term game.

Markets go up and markets go down. What happens today (and the past few days, for that matter) has little to do with your plan for your money, in the long-term.

Yes, there is risk in the market currently. And maybe more so than normal.

For example:

●       We’re already in the longest bull market in history (that is debatable based on when you think it started, but still)

●       On Tuesday, the International Monetary Fund downgraded its outlook for the world economy.

●       Hurricane Michael made landfall in Florida on Wednesday as one of the worst US hurricanes on record

●       The Trump trade war with China is escalating and neither side seems to be backing down

●       Sears, once America's most iconic retailer, is reportedly on the verge of filing for bankruptcy.

I could go on…

Are you prepared for these risks?

I’m not saying this to scare you. But I want to make sure you have a plan!  

Repeat after me:  We cannot predict what the market will do and when it will do it.  Nobody can.  Not Warren Buffet, not George Soros, not even Peter Lynch in his prime.

We cannot predict, but we can prepare.

A plan helps you be prepared for these risks.

When you have a plan, seeing “Dow down 800” followed by “Down down another 500” in two trading days doesn’t hurt quite as much.

When you invest for the long term and prepare for risk, you’ll sleep a lot better at night.

The losses are temporary, but the gains are permanent.

When you plan for your financial future you have comfort knowing you are taking steps to live the retirement of your dreams.

If you don’t have a plan or aren’t comfortable with your plan – let us help!

We want you to succeed in your own version of financial independence and rest easy.

Schedule a time to talk with us.

What else is new, Jeff?

I’m glad you asked!  You probably noticed my weekly newsletter arrived in your inbox with a different banner at the top.

The big news from the past couple of weeks is that Columbine Wealth Planning is now Noble Wealth Partners!

It took all summer, but the merger of the two practices finally became official on September 24th.

Grant Glenn, my new business partner, is a powerhouse and brings a lot to the table as both a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).   I couldn’t be more excited for the capabilities that our firm can bring to our clients and future clients!

For more information, click here to read our press release.

Thanks for reading, as usual, and go have a great weekend and be kind to someone that needs it most.  We all deserve a little kindness these days!