Greetings!
The headlines are loud right now—markets moving, oil rising, uncertainty everywhere. But the Good Life isn’t built by reacting to noise; it’s built on preparation, perspective, and purpose. This week, we help you steady your footing across all three.
In today’s Wealth Advisory, we break down what’s driving volatility and why pullbacks are normal, not something to fear. More importantly, we revisit the power of a well-balanced portfolio—one designed to do its job before uncertainty arrives.
Next, our Wellness Navigator, Christine Despres, highlights a surprisingly powerful lever for better health and sharper thinking: fiber. This isn’t about dieting—it’s about fueling your brain, improving mood, and strengthening your body in simple, practical ways.
And, last, in Etcetera, a short story offers a needed reminder that while net worth can be measured, real worth is often revealed in quiet, everyday acts of care.
If something here resonates, share it with someone who could use it. If you’re finding value, subscribe—we’re building something meaningful together. And wherever you are today, the invitation remains: live thoughtfully, invest wisely, and care deeply.
Wealth Advisory: How Portfolio Balance Can Help Investors Navigate Market Pullbacks
Rising oil prices and the ongoing conflict in Iran have been among the primary forces behind stock market turbulence in recent weeks. Brent crude oil has climbed back above $100 per barrel, sparking concern that elevated energy costs could simultaneously dampen economic growth and push inflation higher. These developments compound already existing worries, including the influence of artificial intelligence on established businesses, broad market valuations, private credit, and the Federal Reserve’s future policy direction. It is natural for investors to find themselves questioning the resilience of their portfolios in this environment.
The author Alfred A. Montapert once wrote “do not confuse motion and progress.” As global headlines drive daily market swings, there can be a temptation to adjust portfolios and financial plans frequently. However, a fundamental principle of sound planning is that the difficult work should be completed well before uncertainty arrives. A well-structured portfolio holds an appropriate mix of complementary asset classes and remains aligned with long-term financial goals. This design allows it to withstand a range of market conditions without requiring constant intervention.
Nevertheless, markets that lack clear direction can feel unsettling. In times like these, maintaining perspective is essential when negative news is pervasive. It is more critical than ever to remain focused on long-term objectives, particularly because disciplined saving and investing continue to be the most effective ways to build wealth over time. What key considerations should investors keep in mind as uncertainty persists?
Market pullbacks are an unavoidable part of investing
The stock market has experienced choppiness this year, with the S&P 500 sitting approximately 5% below its all-time high reached in January, as of mid-March. While recent market movements may unsettle some investors, pullbacks of this magnitude are entirely normal. In fact, the average year includes several declines of 5% or more over the course of weeks or months before a rebound follows. In 2025, for instance, the S&P 500 experienced six such pullbacks driven primarily by tariffs, yet the market still delivered a total return of 18% for the year.
This illustrates why staying invested has historically proven to be the most effective strategy for long-term investors. Some may be tempted to time the market, but the challenge lies not only in knowing when to exit, but also in knowing when to re-enter. The accompanying chart demonstrates that even missing a single week following volatile trading days has historically led to worse investment outcomes. While past performance offers no guarantees, this has historically occurred because the market’s best days have tended to follow closely after its worst. Investors who moved to the sidelines often missed the very rebounds they had been waiting for.
This is not to suggest that pullbacks are insignificant, or that markets always recover quickly. Rather, pullbacks are a recurring feature of investing that should be anticipated and planned for, not reacted to impulsively.
Bond yields are attractive amid recent volatility
While equities dominate financial headlines, the bond market is equally important for investors to consider. The potential for rising inflation is one of the key forces acting on bonds, and elevated oil prices have renewed these concerns in recent weeks. Further uncertainty stems from the upcoming transition to a new Fed chair in May and questions about whether the central bank may alter its rate path. Currently, market-based measures indicate expectations for only one rate cut by year-end.
Bonds serve as a core portfolio holding and often act as a counterbalance to stock market volatility. However, the conflict in the Middle East has also affected fixed income, with the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index roughly flat on a year-to-date basis. The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield has climbed back above 4.2% after falling as low as 3.9% when the conflict in Iran first escalated.
Some perspective is warranted: following their historic decline in 2022—when inflation and interest rates rose sharply—bonds have contributed positively, generating strong returns from 2023 through 2025. Since reaching a bottom in October 2022, the broad bond market has produced approximately 20% in total returns, with certain individual sectors performing even better.
For long-term investors, bond yields remain appealing relative to the prior decade. Current yields offer meaningful income potential that was largely unavailable for much of the past ten years. Specifically, the yield on the U.S. Aggregate Bond Index stands at 4.5%, well above the 2.9% average since 2009. Historically, investing when yields are elevated has also been correlated with healthy total returns, as illustrated in the accompanying chart.
This is particularly evident when compared to cash, where yields remain negative after adjusting for inflation. On average, $10,000 invested in certificates of deposit yields approximately $155 per year, which remains well below inflation of between 2.5% to 3%. For those in or approaching retirement, applicable inflation rates may be even higher due to medical expenses and insurance costs. While cash may feel like a safe option, a proper allocation to bonds remains the most effective way to generate income and support long-run growth.
It is also worth noting that growing concern surrounds private credit, with reports of rising redemption requests and some larger funds limiting withdrawals. At its core, private credit is an asset class consisting of non-bank loans to companies. The sector has expanded significantly in recent years and is tied to areas of market uncertainty such as technology and energy. Unlike publicly traded bonds, private credit is structured as a long-term investment precisely to account for this type of uncertainty. As with any asset class, what matters for investors who hold private credit is whether it is appropriate for their individual portfolios and how it complements other holdings.
Having a portfolio perspective continues to benefit investors
While each asset class presents its own set of considerations, the events of recent weeks underscore the value of a thoughtfully constructed portfolio. Holding a variety of investments—whether across asset classes, specific sectors, or different regions of the world—helps to smooth portfolio performance during turbulent periods, reducing the inclination to make reactive decisions that can derail long-term financial plans.
The accompanying chart highlights one of history’s most volatile periods: the pandemic-driven market disruption in 2020. Different asset allocations responded in distinct ways, with more balanced portfolios experiencing smaller swings. While these portfolios ultimately recovered to similar levels following that period, the critical question is whether investors would have overreacted during the stretches when the stock market fell 20% or 30%.
Today, assets such as commodities are leading performance, driven by energy and precious metals. However, the goal is not to predict which asset class will outperform next and concentrate holdings accordingly. Rather, it is about participating in the full breadth of market movements. When one portion of a portfolio faces headwinds, another may provide balance. Over time, this approach has enabled investors to participate in growth while managing risk—which is ultimately what achieving long-term financial goals demands.
The bottom line? Market volatility driven by oil prices and geopolitical uncertainty is uncomfortable but not unusual. Staying invested with a diversified portfolio remains the best way to turn short-term swings into long-term progress.
Wellness Navigator and Holistic Brain Health Coach, Christine Despres, RN,NBC-HWC,CDP
Let’s Talk About the F-Word
Yes, I’m talking about fiber. And before your eyes glaze over — stay with me. Because this isn’t about eating cardboard or counting grams obsessively. This is about understanding why fiber might be the single most important thing you’re not getting enough of, and what that’s actually costing you in terms of brain function.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
The goal is 30+ grams of fiber a day. The average American is getting around 15. That’s not a small gap — that’s half. A whopping 96% of the population is deficient in fiber.
And the consequences go well beyond digestion. Colon cancer is now the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Research consistently links low fiber intake as one of the most significant modifiable risk factors. A high-fiber diet is associated with up to a 40% reduction in colorectal cancer risk. That number is worth sitting with.
Your Gut Is Running the Show
Here’s what most people don’t know: 90% of your serotonin — the neurotransmitter most connected to mood, focus, and emotional stability — is made in your gut. Not your brain. Your gut. As well as 70% of your immune system. Always getting sick? Gut health is a major factor.
Your gut and brain are in constant two-way communication through the vagus nerve, and the gut sends far more signals up to the brain than the brain sends down. What you eat is directly shaping how you think, how you feel, and how you cope — every single day.
When the gut lining is healthy and the microbiome is thriving, the brain receives calm, clear signals. When it’s inflamed or depleted, the brain hears noise — anxiety, fog, fatigue, low mood. Symptoms that look like stress. Symptoms that feel like just getting older. Symptoms that have a source. And an easy fix, totally in your control.
Fiber is what feeds the bacteria that keep that lining intact. No fiber means no repairs. And when bacteria run out of fiber to eat, they start deteriorating the lining itself.
Close the Gap — Starting Today
You don’t need a meal plan or a major overhaul. You need a few easy additions. Start slowly to give your body time to adjust.
- Lentils or black beans — one cup gives you up to 16 grams.
- Chia seeds — two tablespoons adds 10 grams to anything. (Always soaked)
- Raspberries — a cup with breakfast is 8 grams before you’ve even thought about it.
- Avocado — yes, really. One medium avocado is 10 grams.
- Artichoke — one medium is 10 grams and one of the most underrated gut foods on the planet.
Mix and match. The goal is variety as much as volume. Different plants feed different bacteria — and diversity is everything when it comes to a healthy gut and a healthy brain.
You Have More Control Than You Think
The gut-brain connection is real, it’s powerful, and it responds quickly. Research shows the microbiome can begin to shift within days of consistent dietary changes. Mood, clarity, and energy tend to follow.
You don’t need perfection. You need fiber, real food, and a little consistency. Start with one meal. Your gut — and your brain — will notice. I promise!
To a healthier gut and a clearer mind,
Christine
RN | Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach | Certified Dementia Practitioner | Holistic Brain Health Coach | Nutrition Coach
If you’re ready to start investing in your greatest asset, I’d love to be your guide.
👉 Book a free Brain Health Strategy Session here: Click Here to Schedule Your 30 minute Strategy Call
https://www.thewellnessnavigator.com/
Net Worth vs. Real Worth (They’re Not Even Close)
Never confuse wealth with worth.
My wife is a preschool teacher, who last week alone changed the diapers of kids who don’t share our last name, cleaned bathrooms so adults visiting the facility over the weekend wouldn’t be traumatized for life, and removed a pink bead from the nose of a four year-old having a panic attack after realizing, poor thing, she couldn’t remove it herself.
Believe you me, per the sullied children (and their working parents), the patrons of the restored restrooms, and that four year-old girl from whom Wonder Woman somehow extracted that silly pink bead, the combined net worth of the Forbes richest in the world didn’t compare to real-life worth of my heroic wife.
May your path be steady, your heart full, and your life richly blessed—today and always.
