Animal Spirits

Hey, Tom here.

I hope you're having a great week.

A quick reminder—our Wealth Workshop is next Wednesday, March 12th, at 11 AM CT. I’ll walk through how to leverage the tax code to keep more of what you earn. It’s a session you won’t want to miss.

RSVP Here

This week, we’re diving into the recent market volatility—what’s driving it, what it does to the mind, and how to invest through it with confidence.

Let’s get into it.

The Right Team Can Change Everything

The right team and strategy can transform your financial future—especially as you approach retirement.

At Fjell, we help clients, as fiduciaries, refine investment strategies, optimize cash flow, and build financial plans that provide clarity, confidence, and peace of mind.

We’re offering you an exclusive 30-minute strategy session with a Partner and Wealth Advisor at Fjell. In this conversation, we’ll focus on:

• Minimizing unnecessary taxes so you can keep more of what you earn

• Optimizing your portfolio for long-term growth and security

• Providing a clear financial roadmap tailored to your goals

• Identifying costly mistakes that could set you back

This session is designed to be strategic, actionable, and focused on the decisions that matter most.

If you have $500,000+ in investable assets and are ready to take the next step, schedule your complimentary session today.

Your strategy is being tested right now.

Actually, everyone is being tested right now.

Ray Dalio, the legendary investor, just warned that the US debt situation could turn into a “fiscal heart attack” in three years.

The tariffs got turned on.

Europe is scrambling to figure out its response to Ukraine.

And the multinational companies that make up your portfolio? They’re trying to map out an uncertain 1-3 year future.

And investors, from pros to regular joes, are scratching their heads, looking for direction.

And if all this doesn’t break your brain, just look at this YTD chart of European Stocks vs the US.

Lots of uncertainty at the moment.

Which brings us to a crucial question.

Like, literally right now.

Why are you investing?

Here’s my personal answer:

• I am investing for my kids’ college.

• I am investing for my retirement in 25 years.

• I’m investing in Fjell to help hundreds of families across the US build a better financial future.

And here’s the time frame for those goals:

• College for the kids – 15 + years

• Retirement – 25 years

• Fjell – 25 years

And that brings us to the markets—where animal spirits are running wild.

A few weeks ago, I pointed out that the VIX was sitting at normal levels in not-so-normal times.

Three hours after I sent you that edition, the VIX popped as markets digested the fact that Mr. Trump wasn’t bluffing on his tariffs.

Now, the VIX is sitting at 23—about 50% higher than just two weeks ago.

 Meanwhile, the S&P 500 is 5% off all-time highs.

Volatility is back.

And my inbox is filling up with “what’s going on?” emails and calls.

It’s moments like this—when the market drops and your portfolio takes a hit—where reminding yourself why you invest is critical.

I’ve noticed that the more trouble you find yourself in life, the shorter the time frame.

It’s like being on an airplane after enjoying a ginger ale when suddenly the pilot announces, “The seatbelt sign is turned on. We’re heading into ‘rough air.’”

Your body then comically and suddenly tells you you need to use the bathroom, and all you see is the seat belt ON light everywhere you look.

Now, all you can think about is how many minutes until the seatbelt light turns off.

That beach vacation you’re headed to? Completely forgotten.

That’s what volatility does to the minds of investors.

It shrinks time frames.

It makes people feel stuck.

It triggers animal spirits—the survival instincts deep within us, passed down from generation to generation.

Long-term investing turns into watching the market obsessively.

And that’s precisely why asking yourself, “Why am I investing?” is such a powerful question.

It’s like a jolt to your animal spirits.

A way to say “Shut it!” as you remind yourself that your investment timeline is longer than three weeks.

Anytime the market goes down fast is usually an opportunity to buy.

And it’s in times like these, sudden volatility, where fixed income and cash allocations feel like magic.

Enjoy the fruits of them and use them wisely in your strategy.

Remember, diversification is one of the only free lunches on Wall Street.

As world leaders scramble to make moves and counter moves, remember why you are in the game.

And remember that money prefers to go to people who treat it best over the long term.

The game is to stay in the game.

This week, we’re on the phones reminding clients why they invest, the moves we’ve already made to protect them, and where we go from here.

Three things for you this week:

• Answer the Question – What are you investing for? If your goals are a decade away, take a breath and stop checking the market every two hours. If volatility is stressing you out, talk to your advisor—or us.

• Save Your Spot – Our Wealth Workshop on taxes is happening March 12th at 10 AM. No fluff or jargon—just real, actionable insights so you can maximize your wealth building. Join me.

• Work With Me – We are held to the fiduciary standard, and that means we put our clients first—always. Experience what it’s like to have a team of professionals that delivers a custom investment strategy, a clear financial plan, and expert financial guidance for every stage of your life. Let’s talk.

Stay steady. Stay patient. Keep playing the long game.

See you next week,

Tom