Looking to get away? As Your Survival Guy, I want you to try to be invisible while traveling abroad. Don’t be the one creating a scene in customs. As Covid rears its ugly head, make sure you’re up to speed on the requirements to enter a country and to return to the U.S. They’re not the same if, for example, you’re going to France and back.
Cash is king. Make sure you have travel cash on hand. Don’t rely purely on traveler’s checks. Have a mix of small and large bills and know the exchange rate before and during your trip.
Make sure you pack some patience. Missed trips because of Covid are being made up now, and people need to get out of the house. And they are doing so en masse. Dealing with crowds is a learned skill and not always intuitive. Train yourself on how you’re going to react in certain situations before you leave.
Are you driving to your destination? Going to a national park? That roar you hear isn’t just from a mother bear protecting her cubs, it’s from the road raging driver in the next lane. If you’re on the Interstate and wondering what the heck is going on, remember, driving is another victim of Covid lockdowns.
Speaking of which, it’s graduation season, and the Covid kids are entering the workforce or going off to college. They lived through two years of lockdowns, remote learning, etc. It’s an emotional time for all. We’re seeing huge shifts in how they’ll choose to live and work. And yes, in that order. Find a state that respects you here.
Does the stock market have you up at night? Prepare for the long-haul. This might take some time. Plan for the worst. Buy the dips? Only if you can handle prices going lower. Remember, when it comes to preparedness, you don’t rise to the occasion, you fall to the level of your training.
If you follow Richard C. Young, you know how he deals with times like these. It was nice to get this note from a client friend of mine. Make sure you’re up to speed on the Prudent Man. Investing isn’t supposed to be fun.
Action Line: You know my favorite investment is Y-O-U. But sometimes, when it comes to emotions and investing, that three-letter word can be one’s worst enemy. If you need someone to help you, I’m here.
