Realistic Resolutions
INVESTING“First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.”
- Epictetus
We hope everyone is having a wonderful start to 2021. For some, a new year brings resolutions with the best of intentions. An opportunity for a fresh start and self-improvement. For most of us, another trip around the sun doesn’t translate to lasting commitments. Anything that sparks positive change should be celebrated. But if you’re waiting for the calendar to roll over then you’re already too late.
With that in mind, we compiled a list of manageable, non-gym related actions you can accomplish at the start of any new year.
Fund IRAs Now
Play the odds. 75% of years on record have had positive U.S market returns*. Invest in January. Successful investing is about putting the odds in your favor.
Commit to Debt Reduction
Make an extra payment toward principal now to pay debts down faster. Relying on debt to support a lifestyle will catch up to you.
Consider Buy A Stock!
There’s nothing wrong with buying a few shares of a company you like! Most of the money you invest should be boring and disciplined. However, watching a company you believe in can make investing more personal and fun for suitable investors.
Reflect on Prior Year’s Lessons
There were tremendous lessons to be learned last year for anyone paying attention. Did you sell at the wrong time? Should you have invested when things looked the worst? How many events impacted the stock market in the way you predicted? Sometimes the easiest way to improve is to simply learn from the past.
*In US dollars. CRSP data provided by the Center for Research in Security Prices, University of Chicago. The CRSP 1-10 Index measures the performance of the total US stock market, which it defines as the aggregate capitalization of all securities listed on the NYSE, AMEX, and NASDAQ exchanges. Indices are not available for direct investment; therefore, their performance does not reflect the expenses associated with the management of an actual portfolio.