Tariffs. Economic Fallout. Investing.

... consistency over chaos ...

This content is for informational purposes only, this isn’t legal, tax, or financial advice. This isn’t advice or an invitation to buy or sell any securities or investment product. Duh.

When the headlines scream “Trade War!” and economic commentators debate whether we’re barreling toward a recession, it’s easy to panic. Tariffs, falling stock prices, supply chain disruptions—none of that exactly screams “financial security.”

I’ve always tried to ignore the talking heads and not get caught up in the blaring headlines. I’ve lived more than a few decades on this earth, and it still keeps spinning around and around. You know what? Good investments have been good investments for the last few hundred years.

But for those of us pursuing Financial Independence, Retire Early (F.I.R.E.), this isn’t a time to change course. In fact, it’s a time to double down on the fundamentals: keep investing, stay the course, and trust the process.

“Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful.”

– Warren Buffett

To best honest, if you’re a reader like me, a student of history, you know something that the average person driving around in their Tahoe drinking their Starbucks doesn’t know.

Trade war? Recession? Economic downturn? That’s when riches are made my friend. This could be your once in a lifetime change to make some GOOD money while others are panicking and making rash, stupid decisions.

Trade Wars and Economic Uncertainty

Trade wars—like the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and <insert country> or recent tariff battles between other countries—can ripple through global markets. They often lead to short-term volatility, dips in stock prices, and investor anxiety. I mean go look at the headlines.

And yes, recessions can follow. But here’s the key point: markets recover. Always have. Always will.

“In the 20th century, the United States endured two world wars, a dozen or so recessions and financial panics, oil shocks, a flu epidemic, and the resignation of a disgraced president. Yet the Dow rose from 66 to 11,497.”

– Warren Buffett

Dollar-Cost Averaging: The F.I.R.E. Superpower

If you’re on the path to F.I.R.E., you're likely using dollar-cost averaging (DCA)—investing a set amount of money at regular intervals, regardless of market conditions.

This strategy is designed for times like these. When prices are low, your regular investment buys more shares. When prices are high, it buys fewer. Over time, it smooths out volatility and keeps you from trying to time the market—something even professionals get wrong.

“The best way to measure your investing success is not by whether you’re beating the market but by whether you’ve put in place a financial plan and a behavioral discipline that are likely to get you where you want to go.”

– Benjamin Graham

Stick With the Plan, Not the Panic

Emotional investing is one of the greatest threats to F.I.R.E. discipline. Panic selling or going to cash during a downturn often means missing the rebound—which is where much of the market’s long-term gains occur.

Consistency is your best friend. Automation helps. Set up auto-transfers, scheduled investments, and forget about trying to “wait for the dust to settle.” The market is the dust.

“The stock market is a device for transferring money from the impatient to the patient.” – Warren Buffett

Long-Term Vision, Not Short-Term Noise

F.I.R.E. isn’t built in a day. It’s built over years of consistent savings, smart investing, and disciplined living. Economic downturns are just bumps along the road—not roadblocks.

Stay focused. Keep investing. Live below your means. Don’t react to fear, and don’t let the media noise shake your resolve.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve chosen the path to financial independence, congratulations—you’ve already done something most people never will. Don’t let short-term turbulence take your eyes off the long-term prize. Whether the trade winds are howling or markets are calm, your plan is stronger than the panic.

“Time in the market beats timing the market.”
– Every seasoned investor, ever

Stay the course. FIRE on.