We live in the present, so it can be very easy to get caught up in things happening here and now. Sometimes that can be a good thing, especially when it comes to enjoying life and living in the moment. However, when it comes to things like your retirement savings or investing in the stock market long-term, you’ll probably want to avoid getting caught up in the moment. As I’ve mentioned in multiple posts over the past two years or so, the stock market has been quite the rollercoaster ride. Even just the past week has seen some substantial losses and smaller gains in recovery. Thus, it would be wise to not let the way things are going currently drive your future saving plans, especially if you are a ways from retirement. Now, I’m not saying that you should just ignore the markets or not make necessary adjustments, but what I am trying to say is avoid getting too caught up in the way the market is acting now. Don’t make irrational decisions or overreact based on things happening today. Those decisions may seem like good ideas now, but they could have impacts down the road that could make the idea seem bad in the future. For example, if you see your retirement portfolio is down in the current market, but still performing well, then maybe you’d be wise to let it be. Of course, if it’s performing extremely poorly, then yes, make changes, but be smart about it and stick to any financial plans or goals you have. The markets will always be moving and sometimes it’s best to just let things be in such a climate. As always, I strongly encourage you to speak with a certified financial planner or wealth manager if you have questions about your goals, financial plans, or investment strategies.