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People often ask me, “is now the right time to get into the market?” If I had a crystal ball that told me when to buy and when to sell, I probably would not be writing this piece! With the highest inflation numbers since the 1980s, concerns about an economy potentially in recession, and the most prolonged downturn in stocks since the Great Financial Crisis, there is no question that investors have been challenged this year.
The good news is that there are always opportunities for long-term investors with the right plan.
Whether you are an experienced investor, have recently come into cash, or are new to the financial markets, below I discuss some things to consider when asking if now is the right time to invest.

This week has been another extremely turbulent one in the stock market. While it is never comforting to see large, red numbers, volatility can be even more uncomfortable for recent retirees or those considering retirement. A colleague of mine recently told me that he has seen more of his clients retire in the last two years than in his first ten years of working at SWP. This got me thinking a lot about the notion of retirement. Retirement is a huge life event and adding volatile markets can compound the feeling of uncertainty. In this article, I will share some of the concepts we have been discussing with our clients.

You have likely heard of a “60/40 portfolio” — a portfolio that is composed of 60% stocks and 40% bonds. One rationale for the 60/40 portfolio has long been that stocks and bonds are negatively correlated. In simple language, the belief has been that when stocks lose their value, bonds should hold their ground or even appreciate in value, helping stabilize the portfolio during periods of market unrest.

This year has been another proof point that this assumption is flawed.

I filled up my car with gas the other day, and it cost $91.78. Good times!

As I reflect on the first five months of 2022, expensive gas is certainly one thing that sticks out. Inflation is running at +/- 40-year highs, and we are all feeling it one way or another. Even my Starbucks Venti Cold Brew costs 25% more than a year ago!
I find the economy and financial markets so interesting because of how intertwined everything is. For example, rising inflation impacts corporate earnings, which, in turn, impacts stock prices. To be sure, some companies benefit from inflation, but many more are hurt by it.

I have always been an avid outdoorsman, spending much of my free time camping and hiking in the mountains. And over the years, I’ve looked for ways to incorporate these interests into my investment portfolio.

When I was younger, I did this by investing in companies related to the outdoor industry. However, today technology has made it possible to take a much more impactful approach through ESG investing.

In honor of Financial Literacy month in April, SWP Wealth Advisors shared money lessons they have learned throughout their lives.  In this piece, you will find a compilation of these lessons.

Each month, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) tracks the price of consumer goods and services in the United States. Recently the BLS reported that the cost of this “basket” of goods increased by 1.2% in March — bringing the 12-month change to 8.5%, the highest in more than 40 years.[1]

In this article, we want to share our perspective on what is driving inflation and, most importantly, how your SWP team is navigating this period of increasing prices.

Over the years, we have had the privilege to serve a wide range of professional service providers such as doctors, lawyers, and accountants. Through our work with these professionals, we’ve identified things that make their lives especially unique from a wealth management perspective.

Let’s start with a basic question – what exactly is inflation? Inflation is an effective decrease in the value of a currency, which happens when there is an overall increase…