The Best Time to Invest Was Yesterday (But Today Works Too)
🎧 Prefer to listen? Listen to the audio version above! 🎧
I used to be completely intimidated by investing.
I had great saving habits, but investing felt like something only rich people did — complicated, risky, and not for me. So for years, I just… didn’t.
If I’d only known what a Roth IRA was, I could’ve started building wealth ten years earlier. I’ve gigged and worked for myself my entire career, without company benefits. I had money sitting in savings accounts doing nothing, simply because I didn’t know my options — or even who or what to ask.
And honestly? I see this all the time.
People wait because they’re afraid — of messing up, losing money, or feeling stupid. I get it. I was there too. But here’s the truth: the longer you wait, the harder it becomes. Time is the most powerful ingredient in growing your money — and the one thing you can never get back.
🧭 Why Waiting Feels Safer (But Really Isn’t)
I once met a man in his late 60s who’d spent years waiting for “the right time” to invest. He had a pension and was rebuilding after a divorce and business loss, but still needed to grow his retirement savings.
He kept saying, “I’m just waiting for the market to crash so I can buy in at a good price.”
Here’s the thing: He’d been waiting for years. This was the several years after COVID, as the market was soaring. Every year he waited, it kept climbing — and he missed out. (By the way, the S&P 500 has grown about 88% in the last five years.)
By the time we met, the return he needed to reach his goal was in the double digits — not a realistic or safe plan.
As a fiduciary advisor, I’m required to give prudent advice — reasonable, responsible, and grounded in realistic expectations. A plan that needs 12–15% returns every year just isn’t dependable.
Historically, the S&P 500 (with dividends reinvested) has averaged about 10% per year — closer to 6.5% after inflation. Some years are better, some worse, but over time it evens out. That’s the power of consistency. You can’t control the market, but you can control your behavior.
And that’s where working with an advisor adds value. Vanguard’s “Putting a Value on Your Value” study found that the biggest impact advisors make isn’t beating the market — it’s helping clients stay calm, avoid emotional mistakes, and stick to their plan. Vanguard estimates advisors can add up to about 3% extra in long-term returns.
⚖️ What You Can Control
Let’s make this simple: you can’t control the market, but you can control—
How much you contribute
How often you invest (steady beats random)
The type of accounts you use (like Roth IRAs or 401(k)s)
Your mix of investments
Who you work with — or whether you go DIY
The goal isn’t to “time” the market — it’s to spend time in the market.
One of my favorite strategies is called Dollar-Cost Averaging — investing the same amount on a regular schedule no matter what’s happening in the market. When prices drop, you buy more; when they rise, you buy less. Over time, it smooths out your costs and takes emotion and guesswork out of the process.
If you’ve ever contributed to a workplace 401(k) that takes money from your paycheck every two weeks — congratulations, you’ve already been dollar-cost averaging! 😊
🧩 Investing 101 (In Plain English)
Let’s break down a few basics — because education builds confidence.
Stock: Something you own. You’re buying a slice of a company. That company’s growth (or decline) is reflected in how much your little piece of that company is worth.
Bond: Something you loan. You lend money to a company (or the government) and earn steady interest for that loan (hence the name “fixed income”).
Portfolio: Everything you own that’s invested — your total money mix. Some things fuel growth (stocks), others add income or stability (bonds or cash).
Rebalancing: Checking that mix once or twice a year and adjusting so it stays aligned with your original goals.
Compound Interest: The magic of your money earning money — and those earnings earning more. The earlier you start, the stronger the snowball effect.
👉 Is there an investing word you’ve always been confused by? Reply and tell me — I bet you’re not the only one.
⏳ The Three Key Ingredients in Your Investment Recipe
Feeling overwhelmed by investing is normal. Focusing on these three factors simplify it:
Objective: What’s it for — retirement, extra income, a down payment? Your goal guides your strategy.
Time Horizon: When will you need the money? More time = more ability to ride out ups and downs (aka take more risk)
Risk Tolerance: How much market “rollercoaster” can you handle? Some prefer calm seas, others can stomach the waves.
Your answers shape your asset allocation — how much goes into stocks, bonds, and cash. DIY platforms like Vanguard or Fidelity have pre-made models (investment mixes) you can choose from, or you can work with an advisor (like me!) to design one that fits you.
🌱 Start With What You Know — Smartly
Investing doesn’t have to be complicated. The goal is consistency, clarity, and confidence.
If fear is holding you back, start with curiosity. Ask questions, seek out basic education, or get help from someone who makes money feel approachable — not intimidating.
A good financial advisor is an investment in itself. They charge a fee, yes — but if they’re doing their job, that fee pays for itself in smarter decisions and less stress.
Your financial health touches everything: your peace of mind, your energy, your freedom. Don’t wait for the “someday” — it might never come.
The best time to start investing was yesterday.
The second-best time? Today. 💛
✨ Let’s Talk
If you’re ready to step off the sidelines and start making smarter moves witih your money, let’s talk. Whether it’s with me or another advisor you vibe with — start the conversation.
You don’t need to have it all figured out yet. You just need the courage to take the first step.
