I’m back from vacation – and somewhere over the Atlantic I realized airports and investing have a lot in common.

Let me explain.

Two weeks ago, I boarded a plane headed from San Diego to Croatia – with one quick lay-over in Newark. (Probably a bad omen to begin with.) About the time we were all putting on our seatbelts, the pilot came on and said that we were on a broken airplane, and we all needed to disembark.

Really?

Panic-math set in fast: Will I lose a day of vacation? Did I pick the wrong airline? What does it cost to cancel and find another flight?

This is risky behavior.

The airline rebooked us … middle seat … back of the plane … by the restroom … and they added a third flight to the agenda. Then the first flight was delayed 1.5 hours, and the next one by 2.2 hours. By the math, we had zero chance of making our connection.

This wasn’t the way I planned it. It was stressful, and it didn’t feel good!

Yet, by some miracle, we landed in Croatia just 4 hours behind schedule. Had I cancelled and chased a “better” airline, I’d have arrived later and paid more.

Staying the course won.

Investing has the same pressure points. The plane breaks, the investment drops – same jolt – “Wrong airline?” becomes “Wrong stock?” “What does it cost to rebook?” becomes “What does it cost to sell?”

Delays happen, volatility stacks up, and doubt and fear grow right along with it. On bad days it’s stressful, it doesn’t feel good, and it doesn’t go as planned. 

Every setback gave me a choice: bail, or trust the airline would get me there? Every market drop gives you the same choice: bail, or trust the plan? The math favors staying put in both.

Buy good companies, hold them, and you’ll most likely reach your goals — maybe not as fast as you’d like, but you’ll get there.

On the trip I read a line that stuck with me: “Die with memories, not dreams.”  That’s not a bad mission statement for money — we invest so the journey happens, whatever gets in the way.

Here’s to staying in your seat — on the plane, and in your investments.

Happy Father’s Day!
Barbara

June 21, 2026

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