I’m loving your account balances these days! Are you aware that, thus far in 2024, more than
20% of all trading days have ended at an all-time high? [1] That’s an average of more than one
per week. I think this is a good time to take a pause and think ahead.
Markets like this tend to either bring out the optimist or the pessimist in the best of us. Many
investors are embracing the ride with optimism, while others are waiting for the sky to fall and
wondering if it’s time to take some profits and convert them to cash.
We can never know what the future holds or when the markets will peak and make their
inevitable correction. What we can know is:
- How much cash do we need for emergencies?
- How much income do we need to pay our annual bills?
- Once we’ve planned for our basic needs, then we can invest the rest of the long term
and growth.
This is a magical time of year as we gather with friends, co-workers, and family to express our
love and affection for each other. As thoughts turn to the new year, I encourage you to take
stock of what you really, really want for 2025. Is it a trip? A charitable gift? A home
improvement? Or perhaps it’s just the quiet comfort of cash in the bank.
What will bring you financial peace and joy in 2025?
I hope you take time from the hustle and bustle to reflect and plan for your year ahead. Please
reach out if you’d like to have a discussion about your hopes, dreams, and investments.
Follow your heart and stay the course!
Barbara
December 15, 2024
[1] There are approximately 250 trading days in a calendar year, and there have been 57 new
all-time highs (data from Charlie Bilello) in 2024 thus far.
