Building the “bulletproof” portfolio Financial moves to help you survive and thrive during troubled times Admit it: you’ve been a little worried lately. About the economy. The stock market. Tariffs. Inflation and interest rates. About rising government debt. Or the prices of gas, housing, groceries and pretty much everything else. About all of the conflict in the world – political, economic or otherwise. Most of all, you’ve been concerned about what all of these things might mean to your portfolio and, by extension, your ability to secure a long, happy, financially secure retirement. You’re certainly not alone. When each new day brings new headlines about an uptick in unemployment or a worsening trade dispute or a new war in some far-off part of the world, it’s tough to stay resilient and optimistic about the future. And it’s even tougher for our portfolios to stay resilient; the constant stream of worrisome news has taken its toll on stock and bond markets around the globe, as economies and businesses try to adjust to a more unruly world order. While there’s no way for us to stop crises from happening, there is a way to build a portfolio that’s more resilient to them: one that’s sturdy in the face of market meltdowns, less affected by economic emergencies, and which shrugs off political turmoil as if it’s no big deal. And you don’t need to be a professional money manager or a PhD in finance to build it. What you need is a set of well-planned, strategic financial moves that can protect your portfolio in the here and now, while positioning it for stronger long-term growth. Here are some practical financial tips for creating what we might call a “bulletproof” portfolio or, at least, one that’s as close to that ideal as is realistically possible. Whether it’s an economic downturn, a political crisis or a war, the following defensive actions should ensure that your finances are well prepared for whatever’s going on right now. And for whatever might happen next. By James Dolan 28 | www.snowbirds.org Finance
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