According to Plan

How to Stay Calm When Markets Feel Uncertain

Photo Credit | Сергей Шиманович | Adobe Stock

To be honest, this isn’t the easiest week to be writing about financial planning.

With everything going on in the world and the stock market, important topics like Roth conversions and estate planning don’t feel especially timely.

That said, this feels like a good opportunity to share how I think during periods like this, as we live through another market correction.

What’s Going On

A common piece of advice during times like this is to turn off the TV.

With so many headlines swirling, it’s hard not to let them affect you emotionally. Top of mind for me lately: geopolitical tensions, impacts of the government shutdown, and the recent flooding on the North Shore. And that barely scratches the surface.

These stories are emotional, and they hit close to home. Our hearts go out to families rebuilding after the floods. We feel the effects of global events when we pass by a gas station. It all adds up.

Like a stretch of bad weather, a constant stream of negative headlines can shape how we view everything around us. It can affect our mood and, more importantly, our decisions.

People have been asking if my job has been more stressful lately. The assumption is that it’s because of the markets.

In reality, something else is what keeps me up at night.

What Really Keeps Me Up at Night

Yes, market corrections are uncomfortable. And our team is paying close attention to what’s happening.

I’ve even caught myself waking up in the middle of the night when markets open, just to see what kind of day might be ahead.

But that’s not what concerns me most.

What keeps me up at night is the thought of someone being invested in a way that doesn’t align with their goals or risk tolerance.

Our firm’s founder, Les Andrews, created a risk tolerance KISS page that we still use in every meeting today. It’s a simple idea, but an important one: your investments should match who you are and what you’re trying to accomplish.

The market had a strong year in 2025. During times like that, we try to remind people that it won’t always feel this easy.

It’s easy to accept risk when markets are going up. It’s much harder when account balances start to decline.

Fortunately, most of our clients have been through this before. It may feel like this time is different, and the headlines will certainly try to convince you of that.

But we’ve seen this before.

And we know how this works.

It’s All According to Plan (If You Have One)

Travis and I often talk about organizing your money into different buckets. (Travis’ blog post on the topic here: The 3 Bucket Approach to Retirement Explained)

 

You have your bank account for short-term needs, and you have investments and strategies designed for longer-term goals.

 

Recently, we’ve been checking in with clients about their cash flow and any upcoming expenses. We know what each bucket is for.

 

Times like this are exactly why we structure portfolios this way.

 

If you have 12–24 months of cash and bonds set aside, you’re not forced to sell long-term investments at the wrong time.

 

And for those already making contributions, this is when those dollars go to work as intended.

 

Periods like this naturally create an urge to act. That’s human nature.

 

But this is where the plan matters most.

Final Thoughts

If you’re feeling uneasy about what’s happening, that’s completely normal.

But if your plan is sound, this environment is not a surprise. It’s something we’ve prepared for.

And if there’s any uncertainty about your investments or your plan, please reach out. We’re always here to talk.

Even if you don’t call, just know this:

My optimism is not based on hope, it’s based on planning. Because of that, I know we’re going to be okay.

Scott H. Tonai CFP®

Wealth Manager, Director of Retirement Plans

Investment advisory services offered through Andrews Advisory Associates LLC, a registered investment advisor. This blog is not meant to give investment advice. Before investing in any advisory product please carefully read any disclosure documents, including without limitation, the firm’s Form ADVs. The information herein is provided for informational purposes only, and does not constitute an offer, solicitation or recommendation to sell or an offer to buy securities, investment products or investment advisory services. Nothing contained herein constitutes financial, legal, tax, or other advice. These opinions may not fit your financial status, risk and return profile or preferences. Investment recommendations may change, and readers are urged to check with their investment adviser before making any investment decisions.