Your Survival Guy

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Black Swan Ripping the Roof Off

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“Slow and Steady” is a wonderful way to think about investing. But thinking isn’t acting. It’s thinking. And that type of thinking can get investors into trouble. In other words, investors believe stocks average around X% per year and expect X% to be in their account by year’s end.

Which makes investing in the moment, today, dear reader, a leap of faith. It feels uncertain. It can feel uncomfortable, unfair, and downright scary. It’s amazing anyone leaves the house these days. Everyone wants “Preservation of Principle and Growth” on their front door mat, but that’s not investing. That’s a fairytale. Then, when another black swan swoops in to rip the roof off the house, no one can sleep.

Sleeping well at night is a gut check. It’s a way to make sure you’re investing within your comfort level. Not your neighbor’s. Let him spend like a wild man. Let him have his five minutes of fame. That’s not you. You be you.

Investment Concerns? Save Money. Get My Friday Email. It’s Free

Your Survival Guy likes investments that throw off income. I like stocks, and I like bonds, too. And just like my kids, not in any particular order. And I don’t worry about prices. Yes, it’s a wonderful time to be an investor, but just don’t start believing that it’s easy.

Action Line: In remembrance of Jimmy Buffett, I remember reading about his friendship with the Eagles’ Glenn Frey and how the group gave him his big chance as an opening act.

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E.J. Smith - Your Survival Guy

E.J. Smith is Founder of YourSurvivalGuy.com, Managing Director at Richard C. Young & Co., Ltd., a Managing Editor of Richardcyoung.com, and Editor-in-Chief of Youngresearch.com. His focus at all times is on preparing clients and readers for “Times Like These.” E.J. graduated from Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts, with a B.S. in finance and investments. In 1995, E.J. began his investment career at Fidelity Investments in Boston before joining Richard C. Young & Co., Ltd. in 1998. E.J. has trained at Sig Sauer Academy in Epping, NH. His first drum set was a 5-piece Slingerland with Zildjians. He grew-up worshiping Neil Peart (RIP) of the band Rush, and loves the song Tom Sawyer—the name of his family’s boat, a Grady-White Canyon 306. He grew up in Mattapoisett, MA, an idyllic small town on the water near Cape Cod. He spends time in Newport, RI and Bartlett, NH—both as far away from Wall Street as one could mentally get. The Newport office is on a quiet, tree lined street not far from the harbor and the log cabin in Bartlett, NH, the “Live Free or Die” state, sits on the edge of the White Mountain National Forest. He enjoys spending time in Key West (RIP JB) and Paris. Please get in touch with E.J. at ejsmith@yoursurvivalguy.com To sign up for my free monthly Survive & Thrive letter, click here.
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