What to Do When Markets Get Messy

How Money Works

When the market takes a dip—or just feels unpredictable—it’s natural to want to do something. But when it comes to your retirement plan, sometimes the smartest move is actually to pause. In this episode, Craig and Jennifer share a calm, methodical approach to navigating difficult markets without panicking, overreacting, or making costly mistakes. Tune in if you’ve been looking at your portfolio lately and wondering, “What should I do now?”

You’ll learn why the duo recommends a “bucketing” strategy to separate near-term needs from long-term growth, how to think about volatility in real dollars (not just percentages), and what questions to ask if you're worried about whether your plan can hold up. Plus, Craig explains how sensitivity analysis helps you stress-test your portfolio so you can stop guessing and start planning with clarity.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

📉 Why the worst reaction to market drops is overreaction

🧺 How “bucketing” your money may protect your peace of mind

🧠 Why emotional investors often derail their own plans

📊 What a sensitivity analysis tells you about your portfolio

💵 The real danger of needing money from volatile investments

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