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Dead or Alive? The Future of Long-Term Investing: Part III

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“If the phone doesn’t ring it’s me” — Jimmy Buffett

It’s funny how time heals temporary temptations and laps of reason. I wrote the piece below on October 16, 2014. Then the Dow was down from a recent peak and investors were scared. But those who followed their long-term investment plan and didn’t panic, made it through. Yesterday the Dow closed at 26,157.16. Investors who panicked and sold missed all that. Tomorrow markets could drop again, but if you prepare yourself with a diversified, income focused portfolio and the determination to stick to an investment plan that avoids risk whenever possible and seeks to build a portfolio for the long-term, you shouldn’t be worried. Here’s what I wrote then:

Are we having fun yet? Since peaking at 17,279.74 on September 19, the Dow Jones Industrial Average Index has lost 6.6% of its value. If you haven’t been investing very long, this is what it’s supposed to feel like. During bull markets it’s easy to say “I’m a contrarian” or “I’m in it for the long-term.” It’s harder to actually do.

You may be surprised to hear this, but my phone hasn’t been ringing a lot over the last couple of weeks. I’ve spent many hours, over many years, preparing my clients for times like these. I’m on the phones all day, but it’s me calling them to reiterate the investment plan, not them calling me in a panic.

I’ve been telling clients this correction is good for the markets. And it has been long overdue. I’m not stressed out, I’m confident in our dividend centric approach—because at the end of the day dividends are still being paid and are being reinvested at better prices.

It’s a good feeling when clients are comfortable with our investment approach. And if the phone doesn’t ring, it’s a good sign that they are. I’ll still call, but if the phone doesn’t ring it’s me.

Read the entire Dead or Alive? The Future of Long-Term Investing series.

Originally posted on Your Survival Guy. 

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E.J. Smith

Editor-in-Chief
E.J. Smith is Founder of YourSurvivalGuy.com, Managing Director at Richard C. Young & Co., Ltd., a Managing Editor of Richardcyoung.com, and Editor-in-Chief of Youngresearch.com. E.J. graduated from Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts, with a B.S. in finance and investments. In 1995, E.J. began his investment career at Fidelity Investments in Boston before joining Richard C. Young & Co., Ltd. in 1998. E.J. has trained at Sig Sauer Academy in Epping, NH. His first drum set was a 5-piece Slingerland with Zilldjians. He grew-up worshiping Neil Peart of the band Rush, and loves the song Tom Sawyer—the name of his family’s boat, a Grady-White Canyon 306. He grew up in Mattapoisett, MA, an idyllic small town on the water near Cape Cod. He spends time in Newport, RI and Bartlett, NH—both as far away from Wall Street as one could mentally get. The Newport office is on a quiet, tree lined street not far from the harbor and the log cabin in Bartlett, NH, the “Live Free or Die” state, sits on the edge of the White Mountain National Forest. He enjoys spending time in Key West and Paris. Please get in touch with E.J. at ejsmith@youngresearch.com.