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As our nation prepares to celebrate its independence this July, it’s an ideal time to reflect on another kind of freedom, financial freedom. Some wisdom is too enduring to fade. It often arrives in quiet moments—simple truths shared in passing, but powerful enough to guide a lifetime of investing. Especially in today’s volatile markets, those lived-in lessons about what not to do with hard-earned money feel more relevant than ever.
Here are five timeless “Don’t Do This” lessons—proven through booms, busts, and everything in between.
Investors are often drawn to the newest trends, be it cryptocurrencies, flashy startups, or sectors promising overnight returns. But history shows that hype tends to inflate asset prices well beyond intrinsic value.
If the fundamentals of a business are unclear—its revenue sources, sustainability, or resilience in downturns, then caution is warranted. Long-term success hinges on backing enterprises with real-world durability, not short-lived excitement.
Market timing is a trap that even seasoned investors can fall into. The idea of jumping in at the bottom and exiting at the top is alluring—but consistently doing so is virtually impossible.
A more sustainable strategy is one built on consistency and patience. Whether in bull markets or steep corrections, investors who stay the course tend to fare better than those reacting to daily headlines or gut instincts. This is especially true during periods of high volatility, when sudden swings can tempt rushed decision-making.
The emotional roller coaster of investing can be intense, particularly in turbulent markets. Sharp declines often trigger fear, while rallies inspire overconfidence.
Those who allow emotions to steer their decisions frequently end up buying high and selling low. Successful investors cultivate the discipline to remain calm and rational. This emotional detachment helps maintain focus on long-term goals, even when short-term conditions are unsettling.
Peer influence can be a powerful force in investing. Whether it’s a friend’s tip, a viral post, or a neighbor’s success story, the temptation to follow the crowd is strong.
But true financial health is built on individual goals, risk tolerance, and timelines. What works for one person may be entirely unsuitable for another. Independent decision-making—especially in uncertain or chaotic markets—often proves to be a defining trait of resilient investors.
Investing involves complexity, emotion, and an evolving set of needs. Working with a qualified financial advisor can bring clarity and structure, especially in uncertain times.
The most effective advisors offer more than just portfolio advice. They seek to understand personal values, financial fears, and life aspirations. They listen before they guide. With markets prone to rapid change, having a trusted professional who provides both strategic and emotional support is not just beneficial—it’s essential.
Much like the enduring values that shaped this nation, the journey to financial independence demands discipline, conviction, and a long-term view. In both battles, strength comes not from reacting emotionally, but from thoughtful planning and resilience.
In an era of unpredictable markets, the most powerful investing tips are the ones that help people stay grounded, resting on the principles of integrity, patience and discipline. These principles don’t promise instant wins—but they do provide a time-tested path towards financial peace of mind.
Sometimes, the smartest strategy isn’t to chase trends or react to every swing, but instead to stay calm, avoid common traps, and seek help when it counts. That’s how real wealth and peace of mind are won and protected.
This past April, when the headlines flashed, “Markets Plunge 18% in Two Weeks,” it was hard not to feel like we were watching 2022 on repeat. But less than a month later, those same indexes had clawed back almost from every loss, leaving the year-to-date numbers…well, flat. The whiplash is real, yet it reinforces a truth, volatility and failure are two very different things.
Below, we’ll break down why market swings shouldn’t derail an investor’s retirement vision—and how a thoughtfully balanced portfolio can keep an investment on solid footing, no matter what stories are in the news.
Storms Are Inevitable—But Valleys Endure
A walk through the California Central Valley after a spring rain reveals rows of young crops standing tall again, within hours. The fields are built for sudden squalls; healthy root systems and well-planned irrigation make resilience possible. The valley perspective reminds us that “farmers must be prepared for unexpected storms, shifting seasons, and sudden changes in market prices.”
Investing isn’t very different. Volatility is the weather; the long-term plan is the soil. Trying to predict every rain cloud is exhausting—and unnecessary—when the asset allocation strives to account for changing conditions!
Volatility ≠ Loss
A portfolio balance that wobbles day-to-day can feel like failure, but it's important to remember that price movement is just one factor that can impact wealth. Permanent loss happens only when an asset never recovers or when an investor locks in damage by selling at the worst possible time.
During the recent April “sell-off,” the S&P 500 slipped 18% from its previous high, while the tech-heavy NASDAQ fell more than 25%. Yet by mid-May, both indexes were back near breakeven, while investment-grade bonds had quietly gained about 2% for the year, and international stocks were showing positive double-digits. In other words, the diversified investor who stayed on course may have experienced some losses, but they were not lasting.
The Logic of Balance
A resilient portfolio holds a strategic mix of assets designed to respond differently to economic conditions, spreading risk instead of concentrating it. Here’s how the components typically function:
This multi-faceted approach keeps portfolios from moving in lockstep with any one asset class, allowing clients to weather volatility with greater confidence, unlike “all-stock” portfolios that often swing wildly from drought to flood.
Headline Risk vs. Goal Risk
We live in an age where even an 81-year-old bond investor is asking about Nvidia because the media made it sound like the only game in town. But chasing today’s darling stock introduces goal risk—the danger of abandoning a carefully calculated mix that funds your retirement lifestyle.
Making the right near-term decisions comes from clarifying long-term goals. This means designing asset allocations around the required rate of return, tax implications, and the spending horizon, not whatever ticker symbol is trending on X.
Four Habits That Turn Volatility into Opportunity
How Strong Valley Puts Principles into Practice
Our clients often tell us the greatest value we provide is peace of mind. That confidence grows from three commitments woven through every interaction:
Your Next Step: Put a Plan Behind the Headlines
If April’s market hiccup made you wonder whether your current portfolio can handle the next storm, let’s talk. Strong Valley advisors have guided families through dot.com bubbles, financial crises, and pandemic panics—and we’re still here planting for the next season.
Take the first step toward turning uncertainty into confidence: schedule a no-obligation review today. Together, we’ll test asset allocation, fine-tune it for the journey ahead, and ensure that the inevitable bouts of volatility never derail the life you’ve worked so hard to build.
Final Thoughts
In farming and investing alike, the weather will change, but with deep roots, diverse crops, and a trusted guide walking the rows beside you, temporary squalls won’t wipe out a lifetime of growth. Balance isn’t boring—it’s the quiet strategy that wins the harvest!
Internal audits play a crucial role in the proper functioning and success of a business. They are an essential component of a company's risk management process and provide management with valuable insights into the effectiveness of their operations.
An internal audit is an independent, objective assurance and consulting activity designed to add value and improve an organization's operations. It evaluates a company's internal controls, corporate governance, and accounting processes to ensure compliance with laws and regulations and maintain accurate, timely financial reporting and data collection.
Internal auditors are hired by companies and work on behalf of their management teams to provide them with the tools necessary to achieve operational efficiency by identifying problems and correcting lapses before they are discovered during an external audit.
There are several types of internal audits, each with a specific focus and purpose. These are the main types of internal audits of which business owners should be aware:
Financial Audits. Financial audits focus on the accuracy and completeness of a company's financial records, reports, and statements. They aim to ensure that financial transactions are recorded correctly, and financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), or other relevant accounting standards. This type of audit helps in detecting fraud, errors, and misstatements that may affect the company's financial health.
Operational Audits. Operational audits examine the efficiency and effectiveness of a company's operations, including the use of resources, adherence to company policies and procedures, and the achievement of organizational goals. These audits aim to identify areas of improvement in processes, systems, and controls and provide recommendations for enhancing productivity, reducing costs, and improving overall performance.
Compliance Audits. Compliance audits assess whether a company is adhering to the applicable laws, regulations, policies, and industry standards. These audits are essential for minimizing legal and regulatory risks and ensuring that the company operates within the boundaries set by various regulatory authorities. Compliance audits can cover a wide range of areas, such as labor laws, environmental regulations, and tax compliance, to name a few.
Information Systems Audits. Information systems audits evaluate the reliability, integrity, and security of a company's information technology (IT) systems, infrastructure, and data. These audits help to identify vulnerabilities, assess risks, and ensure that the company's IT systems are adequately protected against potential cyber threats, data breaches, and system failures.
Fraud and Investigative Audits. Fraud and investigative audits focus on detecting and preventing fraudulent activities within an organization. These audits may be triggered by suspicious activities, whistleblowers, or routine analysis of company data. Auditors in this area specialize in identifying the signs of fraud, investigating the circumstances, and recommending actions to prevent recurrence.
Internal audits are vital for businesses, as they help ensure compliance with laws and regulations, maintain accurate financial reporting, and improve operational efficiency.
As a business owner, conducting regular internal audits can proactively address potential issues and help create a foundation for continued success.
Market swings often prompt investors to reassess their portfolios. To evaluate the efficacy of investments in light of financial goals, it’s important to revisit two key principles—asset allocation and diversification. Any long-term investment plan will most likely have to weather market “ups” and “downs.” Softer markets often create opportunities for purchasing shares at lower prices, and through dollar cost averaging, investors may be able to average a lower cost per share over time. Maintaining a regular investment program and balancing portfolios to account for a comfortable risk level are important to the overall success of financial strategies.
The main objective of asset allocation is to match the investment characteristics of the various asset categories (equities, bonds, cash, etc.,) to the most important aspects of the personal investment profile—that is, risk tolerance, returns and liquidity needs, and the time horizon. Asset categories generally react differently to economic fluctuations.
If an investor assembles assets without careful planning, then they won’t likely know the extent to which the investments are (or are not) consistent with the overall objectives. Since various investment categories have unique characteristics, they rarely rise or fall at the same time. Consequently, combining different asset classes can help reduce risk and improve a portfolio’s overall return. While there is no set formula for asset allocation, guidelines can help to accomplish certain goals (for example, the need for growth in order to offset the erosion of purchasing power caused by inflation).
Diversification is an investment strategy used to manage risk for the overall portfolio, using techniques such as mixing holdings to include a variety of stocks (small-cap, mid-cap, and large-cap), mutual funds, international investments, bonds (short- and long-term), and cash. By varying investments, diversification attempts to minimize the effects that a decline in a single holding may have on the entire portfolio.
To maintain a regular investment program, many investors make dollar cost averaging an integral part of their overall savings plan. Using this systematic investing technique, an investor spends the same amount each period on the asset, but due to market trends, the money buys more shares when prices are low, and fewer shares when prices are high. This may result in a lower average cost per share than purchasing a constant number of shares at the same periodic intervals or if making a one-time large investment.
Dollar cost averaging cannot guarantee a profit or a lower cost per share, nor can it protect against a loss. However, it is a strategy that reinforces the discipline of regular investing and offers a systematic alternative to “market timing.” In order to take full advantage of dollar cost averaging, the investor needs to consider continuing purchases through periods of market down-turns. Periods of falling prices are a natural part of investing, as are strong market intervals. It is important to regularly review the portfolio and meet with a financial professional to help ensure the investment strategies remain aligned with the overall financial objectives.
Life can present some serious storms, and when it comes to financial liability, standard homeowner's insurance might feel as inadequate as a raincoat during a hurricane. That’s where umbrella insurance policies offer an additional layer of protection, when life’s little showers turn into a financial downpour. Umbrella policies are designed to help safeguard a property owner’s income, assets, lifestyle, and legacy, if someone is injured on the property or by a member of the household.
Understanding this protection requires a closer examination of the potential storm clouds and the valuable assets that may be at risk.
Determine the Right Amount of Coverage
Take an inventory of potential risks around the property.
How much coverage is really needed?
A widely accepted guideline is to correlate potential umbrella insurance coverage to the obvious assets, including:
Coverage Guidelines Based on Financial Profile
Consider net worth and potential risks when determining coverage.
A Proactive Approach
Keep in mind that umbrella policies typically require certain minimum limits on underlying home and auto insurance. Be sure to review those policies, as they can provide a significant foundation for an umbrella policy.
Be proactive, don't wait for the storm clouds to gather. A well-chosen umbrella policy may help weather an unexpected financial downpour. Let’s discuss your circumstances and tailor a solution that provides the clarity you deserve.
In 2025, diversification helps with stock market volatility, and April saw the volatility index rise to its highest point since the pandemic. We also look at alternative strategies, bond performance, and scenarios surrounding interest rate cuts later in the year.
Some of life’s biggest moments come with celebration - like selling a business, welcoming a child, or retiring after decades of work. Others arrive quietly, like taking care of aging parents or handling a financial windfall you didn’t expect.
And sometimes, life just throws a curveball.
In moments like these, the question isn’t just, “What’s next?” It’s, “Am I ready?”
Here are just a few of life’s moments that may deserve a fresh financial conversation and a new perspective:
Selling a home or buying a new one
Caring for aging parents or an ill loved one
Getting married or divorced
Starting a business or stepping away from one
Having a baby, adopting, or planning for college
Receiving an inheritance or settlement
Preparing to retire - or realizing you’re not ready yet
Each of these events can reshape your financial picture. The earlier you plan, the more options you have, and the less overwhelmed you’ll feel when the time comes.
We’re here to guide you through life’s most meaningful and difficult moments. Whether you’re planning ahead or facing a new normal, we’ll help you navigate with clarity and confidence.
If something on this list resonates with your current life season, simply reach out to us and we can set up a time to talk.
Each year, the back-to-school season brings a mix of excitement and anxiety for families across the United States. As students prepare to return to the classroom, parents and grandparents face the growing financial burden associated with back-to-school shopping and the rising costs of education. Let’s explore the factors contributing to these rising costs and how families can strategically plan for the future, particularly by leveraging the benefits of 529 plans.
The cost of back-to-school shopping has surged, driven by several factors, including inflation, increased demand for technology, and supply chain disruptions. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), families with children in elementary through high school are expected to spend an average of $890 on school supplies, a significant increase from previous years. For college students, the average spending can surpass $1,200 when factoring in textbooks, electronics, and dorm supplies.
One major contributor to this rise is the increasing reliance on technology in education. Laptops, tablets, and other electronic devices are now essential tools for learning, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which accelerated the adoption of digital learning platforms.
Another factor is the ongoing supply chain challenges that have led to higher prices for many goods. From shipping delays to shortages of raw materials, these disruptions have created a ripple effect, driving up the cost of everything.
While the cost of school supplies is a significant concern, it pales in comparison to the cost of education itself. Over the past few decades, tuition fees at both public and private institutions have outpaced inflation and wage growth. According to the College Board, the average cost of tuition and fees for the 2023-2024 academic year was more than $10,000 for in-state students at public four-year institutions, more than $27,000 for out-of-state students, and more than $38,000 for students at private nonprofit four-year colleges.
These figures do not include additional expenses such as room and board, textbooks, and personal expenses. As a result, many families are grappling with how to afford a college education without incurring significant debt.
Given the rising costs, it is essential for families to plan ahead. One of the most effective ways to do this is by investing in a 529 plan, a tax-advantaged savings plan designed to encourage saving for future education expenses.
529 plans offer several key benefits that make them an attractive option for parents and grandparents looking to mitigate the financial strain of education:
To make the most of a 529 plan, parents and grandparents should consider the following strategies:
The rising costs of back-to-school shopping and education present significant challenges for families. However, with careful planning and the strategic use of tools like 529 plans, parents and grandparents can better prepare for these expenses.
By starting early, making regular contributions, and taking advantage of tax benefits, families can build a solid financial foundation that supports their children’s educational journey without undue financial strain. In an era where education is more important than ever, a proactive approach to saving and investing is essential for ensuring future success.
A typical college degree is worth a lot of money over the length of a career. A typical degree – but not every college.
College costs rose roughly 7% annually over the past 50 years, about double the average yearly inflation rate. And overall costs of some, including even community colleges, have increased faster than that in recent years, according to the College Board.
In general, higher education does boost lifetime earning potential. Some schools simply seem not worth the investment, though.
To calculate whether a college is worth the investment, use an opportunity cost measure called return on investment (ROI). After factoring all the net college costs, compare 30 years of estimated income of a college graduate versus 34 years of income from a high school graduate who started working immediately and didn’t pay college expenses or assume the debt of student loans.
Future college students (and their parents) must realize that not all colleges are equal. Graduates from the lowest-ranking schools often earn less income after graduation. One can also assume that low-performing schools tend to offer less financial assistance, which leaves graduates with larger debt burdens.
The most highly endowed colleges can reduce their cost of attendance with grants and scholarships. For example, Stanford ranks as one of the most expensive schools based on sticker price. But generous financial assistance makes for a very competitive net cost and would give the school a high ROI score.
Debt burdens are also relative. A doctor’s salary more quickly pays off a high-price education loan than a teacher’s. Good rule: Avoid incurring college debt exceeding half of the expected annual income. Limiting loans in this way allows students to pay off the debt after five years, using 10% of their future salary.
Clearly, an ROI analysis will show a world of difference between the outcomes of graduates of highly rated schools and those graduates of schools near the bottom of the barrel. Attending a college with a poor ROI is not necessarily a mistake, but the financial aid package should be sweet. As with any investment, do the homework before committing time and money to determine if the overall investment is worth it.