When others are fearful, investors can often find some of the best opportunities. That's the mindset our Managing Principal, Daren Blonski, shared with Authority Magazine for its "Investing During The Pandemic" series, in the interview "Investing During The Pandemic; What Should I Do With My Money Considering All of the Volatility and Uncertainty Today." Daren's core advice: stick with the investing strategy you had before the volatility hit, keep a well-diversified portfolio, and resist the urge to chase whatever sector looks hot in the moment, since retail investors often pile in only after institutions have already moved on. He also talked about running a fiduciary practice through the pandemic, from building a virtual office to teaching personal finance basics, and about lessons from his years volunteering as a wildland firefighter.
Key Takeaways
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Staying invested and disciplined through market volatility historically tends to outperform trying to time or predict what happens next.
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Chasing "hot sectors" after they've already become popular is a common and costly mistake. Institutions typically move first.
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A well-diversified, low-cost portfolio, paired with consistent dollar-cost averaging, remains one of the most reliable long-term strategies.
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Alternative investments like managed futures can offer diversification and downside protection in volatile markets, but only for investors who take the time to understand them first.
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Paying down debt aggressively and keeping credit card balances at zero matters just as much as any investment decision.
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Daren's advice to build an emergency fund reflects lessons from his own experience volunteering as a wildland firefighter during California wildfires. Preparation matters before a crisis hits, not during one.
This same disciplined, big-picture approach shows up across everything we do for clients. Learn more about our Financial Planning services.