We’ve all heard this adage: Don’t lose sight of the forest for the trees. In the world of investing, sometimes this advice isn’t so easy to take. This point is especially true when we see the market take a tumble.
That’s because you see your hard-earned money take a dip, too. After all, the stakes are high. We all have the twin objectives of growth and income-production. And, we all want to achieve the goal of many years enjoying a financially secure retirement.
If things do get scary, sometimes it helps to take a step back and refocus on that proverbial forest – the course of your saving strategy and the totality of your investment portfolio.
Here at Capital Investment Advisors, we asked our team to share some of their personal insights on how to come back to the larger picture. We also asked them to share other pieces of financial wisdom that they’ve found valuable over the years.
Take a look at what our professionals had to say:
Mitch Reiner, Chief Operating Officer, Managing Partner, CFP®, CIMA®
“Save in a Roth IRA if you can. It is better to pay taxes on the seed (contribution) and enjoy the harvest (future value) tax-free.”
James Lewis, Senior Investment Advisor, CFP®, MBA
“Every time you get a raise, bank it into your 401(k) until you max it out.”
Harris Lowe, Investment Advisor, CFP®
“If you cannot max out your 401k contribution, at least put in the minimum amount to get the maximum match from your company.”
Holly Mallory, Operations & Compliance Director
“Time in the market beats timing the market.”
Everett Wilkerson, Investment Advisor, CFP®
“Live within your means.”
Betsy Cleary, Senior Client & Operations Assistant
“Pay yourself first – meaning save money!”
Holly Mallory, Operations & Compliance Director
“Start saving for college as soon as your child is born.”
Harris Lowe, Investment Advisor, CFP®
“Buy low & sell high.”
Everett Wilkerson, Investment Advisor, CFP®
“Bulls and Bears make money, but pigs get slaughtered.”
James Lewis, Senior Investment Advisor, CFP®, MBA
“If it feels comfortable, you’re doing it wrong.”
Mitch Reiner, Chief Operating Officer, Managing Partner, CFP®, CIMA®
“The best/worst financial advice: Buy more house than you can afford today (if you believe your income is going up over time). Because of the costs of buying/selling a home, you don’t want to be stuck owning a house that you aren’t happy with when you are making more income in three to four years.
Everett Wilkerson, Investment Advisor, CFP®
The markets will either go up, down or stay the same. And they probably won’t stay the same.
Curt Klein, Senior Investment Advisor, Committee Director
When I started in this business, a wise person once told me to “Meet with as many people as you can, and tell them to buy stocks, buy stocks, buy stocks.”
We hope some, if not all, of our team’s advice gives you direction or peace of mind. And, if you need help navigating through your own forest, our professionals are always here to help.
Disclaimer: This information is provided to you as a resource for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as investment advice or recommendations. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. There is no guarantee offered that investment return, yield, or performance will be achieved. There will be periods of performance fluctuations, including periods of negative returns. Past performance is not indicative of future results when considering any investment vehicle. This information is being presented without consideration of the investment objectives, risk tolerance, or financial circumstances of any specific investor and might not be suitable for all investors. This information is not intended to, and should not, form a primary basis for any investment decision that you may make. Always consult your own legal, tax, or investment advisor before making any investment/tax/estate/
