October 2026 Blog Newsletter
Captain’s Log
There’s Always a Reason to Wait
If you’ve watched the news lately, you could easily list a few reasons to hold off on investing. There’s ongoing conflict overseas, and the Iran conflict and the energy shocks it set off have added to market swings this year. The midterm elections are just weeks away, and inflation is still on everyone’s mind. It’s natural to think, “Maybe I’ll wait until things settle down.”
The challenge is that things rarely settle down. Every year brings a new list of worries: a war, an election, a recession scare, a pandemic. If we wait for a time when there’s nothing to worry about, we may wait a very long time.
You’re Not Alone in Waiting
Money market fund assets recently reached about $7.96 trillion, according to the Investment Company Institute. In one week in early October, investors put more than $166 billion into money market funds, the largest weekly inflow since April 2020 (IBTimes, citing Bank of America).
We understand why. Cash feels safe, and it has paid a decent rate. But feeling safe and being on track for your long-term goals aren’t always the same thing.
Why Timing the Market Is So Hard
To time the market, you must be right twice: when to get out and when to get back in. Most people who step aside struggle to find a comfortable moment to return, because markets often recover before the news feels good again.
According to J.P. Morgan, an investor who missed just the 10 best days over the past two decades would have seen their portfolio nearly cut in half. Also, 6 of the 10 best days between 2006 and 2025 came within two weeks of the 10 worst days (Julie Jason, citing J.P. Morgan’s 2026 Guide to Retirement).
The best days often follow the scariest ones, which is exactly when investors are most tempted to sit out. You might not get the dip you’re waiting for, and if it does come, it’s hard to feel brave enough to buy.
What About the Midterms?
Elections create plenty of noise, but they haven’t been the main driver of long-term returns. Since 1874, the S&P 500 has risen in the 12 months after 32 of the last 38 midterm elections, with an average gain of about 14%. It also hasn’t mattered much which party won (Motley Fool analysis via ABC17). History isn’t a guarantee, but it’s a good reminder that your plan shouldn’t change with the political calendar.
Cash Has a Job, Just Not Every Job
Cash plays an important role in a healthy plan. It’s the right place for your emergency fund and for upcoming large expenses. Money set aside for long-term goals, like retirement or your family’s legacy, has a different job. Over time, inflation quietly reduces the purchasing power of what cash can buy, and today’s rates may not last.
Practical Steps to Move Forward
- Start now, even if it’s small. Time is one of the most powerful tools an investor has.
- Automate it. Regular contributions take emotion out of the decision.
- Ease it in if needed. Investing on a set schedule, often called dollar-cost averaging, can help you get started with confidence.
- Match your money to its purpose. Keep short-term money safe and let long-term money work toward long-term goals.
The Bottom Line
As I mentioned in this month’s Adam’s Nightstand, Morgan Housel reminds us that doing well with money depends less on what you know and more on how you act. The best plan isn’t the one that predicts the next headline. It’s the one you can stick with through all of them.
Let’s Put Your Money to Work
There will always be a reason to wait, but your goals won’t wait for the headlines. Maybe you have cash on the sidelines, an old 401(k) you’ve been meaning to roll over, or questions about whether your portfolio still fits your goals. If so, now is the time to act.
Adam, CEO/Wealth Advisor
The Psychology of Investing: How to Tune Out Market Noise and Stay Anchored
Investing would be easy if we could remove one thing from the equation: ourselves.
Markets go up. Markets go down. Headlines get louder. And suddenly, the long-term investment strategy that seemed perfectly reasonable a few months ago can feel like the wrong decision.
That’s where the psychology of investing comes in.
CLICK HERE to finish reading Dan Leonard’s Blog for October
Adam’s Nightstand
I recently started reading The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel. The core premise of the book centers on two themes. The first is behavior over intelligence: doing well with money depends less on what you know and more on how you act. The second is soft skills: financial success is driven by qualities like patience, discipline, and emotional control. The book is a collection of short stories; each built around one simple lesson about how people think about money.
One of my favorite examples is Ronald Read, a gas station attendant and janitor from Vermont who quietly built a fortune of about $8 million by saving steadily, investing in blue-chip stocks, and holding them for decades. Housel also points out that most of Warren Buffett’s wealth came after his 65th birthday. Buffett didn’t get rich by being smarter, but by starting early and staying invested long enough for compounding to work. Housel also argues that the greatest value money offers is freedom: the ability to control your own time.
I think this book is a great read for our clients because it reinforces many of the conversations we have every day at Anchor Wealth. Markets will always have ups and downs, and headlines will always tempt us to react. Housel reminds us that a good plan is one you can stick with, and that leaving room for error matters more than chasing the perfect return. Whether you are building wealth, nearing retirement, or planning your legacy, this book is an easy, enjoyable read that offers a healthier perspective on money and what it can do for your life.
CLICK HERE for additional information
