When new tariffs are announced, global tensions rise… we often see certain markets tumble. And, investors panic.
It doesn’t matter where you live, or what you do – or even how much you’ve invested. If you’re an investor and you read headlines that rattle the markets, we mustn’t let them rattle your financial plan!
And… it seems like every few weeks, the headlines flare up again.
I remember a recent conversation with an expat who had been tracking headlines closely and said, half-joking, “At this rate, we’ll need a tariff tracker app just to keep up with which country’s being targeted next.”
At the time, it was due to the U.S. imposing fresh tariffs (30% I think it was!) on imports from the EU, Mexico, and South Africa. Not exactly light reading over your morning coffee. It was quite rattling for many, to say the least.
But here’s the thing: as dramatic as the headlines can sound, they’re rarely the full story. Yes, markets react. Sometimes sharply. But just as often, they recover just as quickly.
It happened in April. It’s happened dozens of times before. And it will happen again.
What doesn’t make the headlines—because it isn’t sensational—is what wise investors do in response: they don’t panic. They stay the course. They trust the plan they built on calm, clear thinking, not the emotional rollercoaster of the 24-hour news cycle.
Markets fluctuate. Confidence doesn’t have to.
If you’re living abroad, the uncertainty can feel even more acute. You’re dealing with more than just one economic system. Your income might be in dollars, your investments in euros, and your future tied to a country with an entirely different political climate. Add in headlines about tariffs, inflation, or interest rate hikes, and it’s easy to feel like everything’s out of your hands.
We see this a lot with our clients.
But the truth is, this is exactly the kind of moment your financial plan is built for.
A good plan doesn’t try to predict the next market dip or policy shift. It prepares for it. It includes diversification, buffers, and flexibility. It’s designed to carry you through the ups and downs, and not help you swerve around them.
Here’s what I tell clients when the headlines heat up: (you may have seen it on LinkedIn in one of my posts)
⛔️ Don’t panic.
⛔️ Ignore the noise.
⛔️ Stick to your plan.
⛔️ Think long-term.
Because while markets may drop like a stone, they also bounce back, and over time, they rise. The people who stay invested are the ones who benefit from that rise.
So if you’re looking at your investment statement and feeling uneasy… that’s okay. You’re not alone. But before you make a hasty change, speak to someone who can zoom out with you. Someone who understands both your current life and your long-term goals.
This is what Certified Financial Planners ® are good at. To help you hold steady. To bring perspective when fear starts shouting louder than your choices.
The news will always have something urgent to say. But your plan? Your plan is built to outlast the headlines.
Feeling unsure or just want a sounding board? Let’s talk.
