Pardon me as I shake my head. Everything’s red, at least in my portfolio. Investing should be driven by the future of the company. Trading and speculating can be driven by the price. Politics shouldn’t be an issue, but whoa and ouch. What a week. Fortunately, I don’t think I have to sell any stock to pay my taxes, but oy; I sympathize with anyone who has to sell now. Here’s hoping the recent performance is temporary. Here’s how I’m getting through it.

Do nothing. It’s not like I’m hunkering down with my head in the sand. This is all story. It’s like paying attention when The Great Depression started, Pearl Harbor happened, Yuri Gagarin went to space, the PC was introduced, and 9-11. See how the world shifts, but to do so, it’s handy to be standing still.

I think 2026 is an excellent time to be poised and ready to move. 

Or, that’s just an excuse to do nothing but watch the chaos and antics. 

Politics can change on a whim, an election, or a blurted out comment. 

Every one of my stocks is down this week, and down this month. Almost all of my investments are in companies with good news. The companies are progressing. The stocks are going the other way. Politics is just being weird, as if children are running through the halls, blaring things over the PA system, and pulling the fire alarms – and even setting fires for fun. 

Someday, adults will be in charge.

In the meantime, I’m glad I have a cash cushion and some income. I have a house, though I rent the land. I’m invested with some diversity. I have books to write and photos to take. My extended period of poverty deferred so much health care that doctor visits take up much of my time. (I miss the efficiency of health care that puts the doctor in charge. The insurance companies may make the system financially efficient, but that is assuming that time doesn’t matter to a patient and that insurers know more than doctors. I digress, but expect a post about this later.)

I am also frugal.

Regular readers know that I claim to be at least somewhat frugal. There’s always a better example, but that’s okay; I’m not trying to be the best, just good enough.

The news is full of worries that society’s cart is losing its wheels. The intricacy of our infrastructure has become very apparent. The kids in the hallway aren’t looking where they are going. Whimsy sounds sweet and innocent, or at least expressive, but there’s a reason we grow up.

The folks I am most impressed with are the people who own their house and land, and who know how to live frugally. They aren’t going shopping unless it is for a tool or raw material they don’t have. They’re more likely to need a pickup than a sedan. Ironically, some frugal folk figure out how to do it on a bicycle. Impressive.

I’m not that frugal. I don’t have land, yet. But I am also not feeling that I am missing the hot new smartphone, the exotic travel, the expensive fragrances, the smart-looking fashion, the fast car. 

I’m practical. I have my work. I dance. I look forward to hiking again, and will try supplanting that with a recently repaired bicycle. I like to cook. And I tend to do chores around the house. I’m busy enough, and rather than plan a trip to Europe or Asia, I’m more likely to plan on spending more time with my friends, and friends-to-be.

I’m also not as reliant on society’s infrastructure. I’m not trapped in some penthouse condo that only is habitable when every system is working and being delivered to the top floor. I need the same basics, but the closer I am to having land, the closer I am to having what I need, and even what I want.

Personal finance is personal. I’ve found finances that work for this person, me. There is a lot to do if I win the lottery, or the equivalent, but I’m largely living a fine life. 

My regular mantra of worries is almost a habit to recall: politics, climate change, social injustice, AI. I’m aware of those things. Some show their power by protesting. Good. I am learning to exercise my personal power by doing what I can do with what I have – and staying invested in companies that are doing good work, or at least trying to. I hope they and their stocks succeed, because at least for now I still have to pay those bills.