Smart Financial Planning During Market Volatility

How to Navigate Tariffs, Politics, and Economic Uncertainty

When markets are volatile and headlines scream uncertainty, the instinct is to pull back. Business owners often shift their strategy, reduce exposure, and protect what they’ve built. It’s a natural reaction we see frequently, and it can seem like it makes sense in the short term. 

But here’s the reality: the investors who come out ahead in the long run aren’t the ones who flinch at every dip or detour. They’re the ones who plan, prepare, and—when needed—pause instead of panic.  

Why Staying the Course Is Often the Most Strategic Move  

From the dot-com bust to the 2008 recession to the COVID-19 crash, we believe the market is efficient in the long term, and has historically bounced back, often faster than expected. Managing market volatility starts with understanding that staying the course, not scrambling to react, keeps your financial future intact.  

Let’s look at a few not-so-great moments in market history that turned out better than most people thought:  

• March 2020: The COVID pandemic hit, and the S&P 500 fell nearly 34% in just over a month. It was the financial equivalent of watching someone knock over a Jenga tower in slow motion. But by the end of that very same year, the market had not only recovered but posted a solid double-digit gain.  
• 2008: The financial crisis rocked portfolios across the globe, and markets lost over 50% of their value. But those who stayed invested and had a long-term strategy not only recovered in under four years but also came back stronger.  

The Common Thread  

Markets are indeed volatile. But resilience is built into their DNA. Panic is a cost, not a strategy.  

At Maner Wealth, we help high-net-worth individuals, business owners, and those nearing retirement navigate these emotional moments with clarity and perspective. We remind our clients, especially high-net-worth individuals and business owners, that the smartest move during volatility is often to stay the course, so long as that course is grounded in a holistic financial plan.  

Strategic Financial Planning to Prepare for the Future  

For those nearing retirement, the philosophy of staying the course is especially true. You can’t afford to take unnecessary risks, but you also can’t afford to let short-term emotions derail a strategy that will carry you through the next 20–30 years. That’s why we build plans that:  

• Balance growth and preservation through diversified, tax-efficient portfolios.  
• Incorporate withdrawal strategies to help ensure income stability through market downturns.   
• Tie every financial decision—from business investments to estate planning—to life goals.  

Headlines are filled with tariff talk, economic uncertainty, and geopolitical tension. While this is both concerning and emotionally exhausting, we’ve seen uncertainty before and will see it again. The key isn’t reacting. It’s planning. A resilient wealth strategy doesn’t guess what the market will do next. It prepares for what life will do next.  

Get a Second Set of Eyes on Your Financial Plan for Free  

If recent volatility has you second-guessing your financial plan—or wondering if you even have a real strategy—you’re not alone. That’s precisely why we offer our Second Opinion service.  

Maner Wealth’s Second Opinion is a complimentary, no-pressure review of your current financial plan or investment strategy. We’ll sit with you, walk through your situation, and offer honest, objective feedback. If everything looks great, we’ll tell you so. If there are areas for improvement, we’ll give you clear recommendations.  

There’s no obligation, no sales pitch. Just the chance to make sure your strategy is aligned with your goals, lifestyle, and today’s economic realities. Sometimes, the smartest move isn’t making a big change. It’s making sure you’re on the right track to begin with. If you want to learn more about our Second Opinion service, send a message to maner@manercpa.com or book a meeting directly with the Maner Wealth team.

Investment advisory services offered through Maner Wealth, a SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Subadvisory services offered through Advisory Alpha LLC, a SEC registered investment advisor. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the CFP® certification mark, the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification mark, and the CFP® certification mark (with plaque design) logo in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.