Summer Doldrums

Summer is a time when many things in our lives slow down, including the stock market. During this lull, why not revisit how and why you’re investing, examine changes in your life and revisit your investing approach? Ask yourself these questions and find the answers to them.

Has anything in my life changed?

Are marriage or children on the horizon? Am I earning more money in my career or by freelancing on the side? If the answer to the first question is yes, work out a plan to save for the new things that are important in your life, but don’t forget about your retirement investing strategy. If your answer to the second question is yes, put the extra money into your retirement plan.

Is my asset allocation out of whack?

A strong increase or decrease in the value of a particular asset class, such as stocks, can throw your allocation out of whack. Make an appointment with your financial professional every six-12 months to look at your asset allocation, and rebalance when necessary.

Have I unconsciously taken on more risk than I should?

When you don’t rebalance your portfolio regularly, you can have more risk than you want. It can also happen when you invest in a 401(k) at work and an IRA on your own and inadvertently double up on investments. Look at all of your investments, including individual ones, to gauge your total investment risk.

Is it time to dial down risk?

It could be time to dial down risk if you’re nearing a goal, such as the down payment for a new home or funds for a child who is near college age. You might also shift some of your assets to more conservative investments if you’re nearing retirement.