The Money Muse

The world feels upside down right now. I’ve lost about $25,000 in the stock market in the last couple of months. I’m worried there could be a recession on the horizon, and that my job and my partner’s job could be impacted by tariffs. I’m concerned that the government will come after Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare in a way that could be detrimental to me in my elder years (in the very distant future). There’s talk of dismantling the Department of Education, and I don’t know what implications that will have if I ever have kids and they attend public schools.

The list goes on and on. There’s so much to be worried about right now, but financially, I have a plan, and I’m sticking to it. I know it’s natural to feel anxious, especially with so much uncertainty, but I’ve learned that taking a calm and steady approach is the best way to navigate these situations. It’s easy to let fear take over, but fear-based reactions rarely lead to good financial decisions. Instead, I focus on what I can control, stay consistent with my plan, and trust that it will pay off in the long run. What does that look like? Let’s take a look:

• Max out Roth IRA. I’ve been maxing out a Roth IRA since I was 22. This is my favorite investment account for all its tax-free growth benefits. I’m not going to stop funding it now. Even with market volatility, I know that sticking with my long-term strategy will pay off. The key is consistency and the power of compound interest. I’ve made the decision to invest for the future, knowing that the market will have ups and downs along the way.
• Get employer match in 401(k). This is “free money,” as they say. It would be ludicrous to stop now. No matter what happens in the short-term, I’m committed to getting my full employer match. It’s easy money that’s added to my future wealth, and it’s one of the best ways I can ensure I’m on track for retirement, no matter what happens with the economy.
• Invest aggressively in a taxable brokerage account. I got a raise in February, so I’ve actually been able to invest an additional $300 into this account each month since then – and, silver lining, with the market dip, I’ve been able to buy “on sale.” I’m committed to staying the course, even though the market is volatile right now. It’s in times like these that the most disciplined investors build their wealth. I’ve learned that you can’t time the market, but you can consistently invest in a diversified portfolio to build wealth over time.
• Continue developing my side hustle. Sales are down right now from last year, but I’m still making a profit – more than I would’ve expected to be making when I was first getting started a few years ago. I’m not sure if I’m getting fewer sales because consumers, like me, have economic fears or if it’s because people aren’t shopping as much on Etsy, where my side hustle lives. Either way, I’m going to continue to produce new listings and think about how I can develop this side hustle apart from Etsy, so I no longer have to be so dependent on that platform. Having multiple income streams helps reduce the financial stress of relying solely on one job or source of income, and in times of uncertainty, it provides a sense of control.
• Think about and plan for the future. I don’t know what the future will hold, but it doesn’t hurt to think about it, plan, and maybe even dream a little bit. Having goals, something to pursue, has gotten me this far. There’s so much I want to do, and I’ll never be able to achieve anything if I don’t put some thought into how I can get there. I’m aware that things can change unexpectedly, but I continue to set short-term and long-term goals to keep myself on track.

I can’t predict the future, but if I had to guess, I don’t think society is going to collapse in the next four years. Things are scary right now, but I hope by staying the course now, I’ll be able to reap the rewards in the future. There’s a lot of noise right now, and while it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the uncertainty, I’m choosing to focus on what I can control – my savings, my investments, my side hustle, and my long-term financial plan. So, I’m sticking to my plan – and I encourage you to do the same. If you’ve got a financial plan and you stick to it, you’re already ahead of many who react impulsively when things get tough. The future might be uncertain, but with discipline and patience, we can weather the storm.