The Secret To Surviving Scary Times

💲 NEED FINANCIAL ADVICE? 💲
1) Google "fee-only financial adviser" or visit www.NAPFA.org (largest association of fee-only financial advisers). NOT an affiliate link
2) The first question to ask any financial adviser is, "Are you a fiduciary to me 100% of the time". Get the answer in writing
3) Please note that some people call themselves "fee-based". This is NOT the same as fee-only. Fee-only advisers have committed to being fiduciary to you 100% of the time.
4) Personally, I would only hire an adviser who is a fiduciary to me 100% of the time. This is not a suggestion on what you should do. Just sharing my personal preference.

⚠️ Azul's "Scammer" Warning ➡ PLEASE READ! ⚠️
Be careful of scammers. In the comments section, I will NEVER ask you to contact me, offer any investment products, recommend a stock broker, or anything similar. Some scam bot commenters 'ask' for investment help, and later, other comment bots reply with "how great X idea/investment/person is" in the replies. These are scam threads. Do not fall for them.

🚨 Azul's VIDEOS ARE NOT FINANCIAL ADVICE (Disclaimer) 🚨

The decisions on how to invest, when to retire, and other financial planning topics are some of the most important financial decisions you will make in your life. I urge you to seek professional financial advice as you make this decision. Ideally, from a financial adviser, AND a CPA AND an attorney. Having the perspective of all three professions will help you make the right decision for you and your family.

This information is being presented without consideration of the investment objectives, risk tolerance, or financial circumstances of any specific investor and may NOT be suitable for all investors.

This information is NOT intended to, and should NOT, form a primary basis for any investment decision that you may make. Always consult your own legal, tax, and/or investment advisor before making any investment/tax/estate/financial planning considerations or decisions.

Spoiler Alert: There are no "get rich" programs. Rather, just basic blocking & tackling and putting in time and care. Do your homework, choose wisely and (IMHO) work with experienced professionals who are fiduciary to you 100% of the time.

*587 Holding Cash In Scary Times Can Be A GREAT Idea

[ThomasLuke-uv]

Many people are increasingly struggling to secure a comfortable retirement. Low-paying jobs, rising inflation, and soaring rents make it difficult to save. On top of that, middle-class Americans are finding it harder than ever to afford a home, leaving them without a stable place to retire.

[KinseyGrowthThinking]

Whatever you do, do NOT panic sell--especially if you're young and don't need the money right now.

[DavisReed-qv]

Success depends on the actions or steps you take to achieve it. Building wealth involves developing good habits like regularly putting money away in intervals for solid investments. Financial management is a crucial topic that most tend to shy away from, and ends up haunting them in the near future.., I pray that anyone who reads this will be successful in life!!

[kzalaska]

I retired 1 year ago. One of the best moves I've made is when the markets really ran up just before I retired I decided to go from three years worth of cash to four years worth. The last few months have not been stressful for me because I know I am a long way out from having to change anything.

[dilara]

I'm planning to retire at 59 in another country outside the US that is free, safe and very cheap with a high quality of life and good healthcare. Greed has eaten up those in our economic sectors making lives of the average Americans difficult. Mr. president seems to be myopic about how to better the country and seemingly peaks interest in war topics. Taxes are heavy on the middle class while the billionaires evade this taxes. some are even given tax cuts. I could fully just rely on only my SS if I wanted to when that times arrives but l'll also have at least one pension, a 403 (b) and a very prolific Investment account with my Catalina Soto Busch my FA. Retiring comfortably in the US these days is almost impossible

[LizaPhilips]

High prices for everything have severely affected my plan. I'm concerned if people who went through the 2008 financial crisis had an easier time than I am having now. The stock market is worrying me as my income has decreased, and I fear I won't have enough savings for retirement since I can't contribute as much as before.

[lekely]

Investing in stocks is like planting a tree for your future; with patience, it will bear fruit

[philipem]

I am 75 and I lost $500K in 2007 so I have learned my lessons and understand my priorities. For me preservation of capital is far more important than gains. At best I hope to not lose too much to inflation. Immediately after the election I sold off all my stocks and bought into US Treasuries the most secure investment in the world. Or so I thought. In the past few weeks I've been selling my Treasuries and buying Swiss, German, Swedish and Japanese treasury ETFs. Who knew one guy could crash the domestic and the world's economies and devalue the dollar AND make treasuries risky -- all in less than ninety days?!

If you're over 70 your priority should be preserving your capital you don't have ten or twenty years for the market to recover.

[comeon_man]

I’m old. I cashed my winnings in before another crash.

I had already achieved my number. I.E. pay for my modest lifestyle.


For me I never liked the idea of 24/7 focus on money. It seemed to contaminate life.

[chrisroche]

Thank you, Azul, for all of your great videos. I appreciate all of the efforts you have put into sharing your knowledge and wisdom.

[tedgayer]

Been short since Christmas. I'm loving these drops!

[rodolfomier]

Thank you Azul glad you clarified the point as I was very troubled from previous videos where i had misunderstood to do dollar cost average and stay in course during a huge market crash.

[nicolasbenson]

The concept of mini-retirement changed my life. I'm no longer waiting for some retirement paradise when I'm 65. It helps to know how to fund the lifestyle. You know, making money while you sip that piña colada by the beach does help. I wouldn't have been able to do it otherwise.

[kaydens]

Cash has no meaning besides converting into assets in uncertain times

[TalonID]

Great Video! When you’re young, 90 days of cash in a high-yield savings account. As you age, this should grow. I currently hold 18 months worth. When I retire, I’ll have 24 months of cash. Most downturns don’t last over 18 months.

[jwillard]

I’ve made some great buys over the last 2yrs. Still keeping some cash cause another great buying time is coming up.

[FeralPlumber]

My CD ladder and preferred savings consistently get 4-5% and I don't worry as much. The 457 took a 20K hit but it came back already. I just leave that alone like I always have. I'm fortunate to have pension, SS, and zero debt.

[m.y.]

I’m thinking that a solid portion of your retirement money should be in annuities. Sleeping good at night is priceless.

[Keepmoving-yc]

Thanks Azul. Because of your videos, I rebalanced my 401k last Oct, Dec, and Jan. I have approx 9 yrs worth of money in bonds. I was concerned though when a wek or so ago with all the tariffs and bond market acted abnormally. Everyone expected the stock market to drop, but when people and countries did not move to bonds like normal, it was concerning. Because of these crazy times, I am focusing on the basics. I was talking to coworkers today and they said lots of places on a hiring freeze rn - like UPS, Amazon l, and some retail.

[markd]

I've been in mostly cash slowly putting it to work during the selloff.