17 Smart Money Moves When It Feels Like a Bear Is Mauling Your Retirement Account 🐻📉

When the stock market takes a temporary nosedive and your retirement account starts looking bleak, it’s natural to feel anxious. But here’s the truth:

Panic doesn’t build wealth—simple, long-term investing does.

With over $1 million personally invested across real estate and the stock market, here’s exactly what I am and am not doing right now. Every decision is grounded in data, not drama.

And if you're ready to take real control of your investments, don’t miss my upcoming workshop—details at the end.

1. 📉 I’m Not Selling a Thing

Historically, the market has recovered from every crash. Of the 10 worst single-day S&P 500 drops since 1981,

• 8 recovered in under 60 days

• All 10 fully recovered in under 14 months

Even the most dramatic, headline-making crashes didn’t leave long-term investors underwater for long. The market rebounded—every single time.

2. ❌ I’m Not Checking My Portfolio Every Day

Research shows that the more frequently people check their portfolios, the more risk-averse they become—even when it hurts them long-term. Check less. Stress less. Win more.

3. 🧺 I’m Staying Diversified

Diversification works. I don’t just invest in the S&P 500. My portfolio includes:

• U.S. large caps

• U.S. small caps

• International equities

• Real estate (via REITs and direct ownership)

Diversified index funds make this simple and cost-effective. Wanna learn how to do this in an uncertain market? Don’t miss my next free investing workshop.

4. 🕰️ I’m Not Touching Retirement Accounts for Decades

If you're in your 30s, 40s, or even early 50s, your 401(k) or IRA has time to recover. Time in the market beats timing the market—especially with decades ahead.

5. 📆 I’m Dollar Cost Averaging (Still)

I’m consistently investing a set amount every month, whether the market is up or down. This strategy is called dollar cost averaging, and it helps take the emotion out of investing by sticking to a plan.

When the market drops, my fixed contribution buys more shares at lower prices—which can boost long-term returns. When the market rises, I continue investing steadily, knowing I’ve already built a strong habit and system. Over time, this approach helps smooth out the market’s highs and lows, reducing the risk of “buying high” and keeping me focused on the long game instead of short-term swings.

6. 🛒 I’m Not Panic-Buying Essentials

Right now, fear-based marketing is everywhere—telling us to stock up before prices rise or products run out. But I know that panic spending often leads to buying things I don’t actually need, wasting money and cluttering my home. Instead, I pause and ask: Does this align with my values and budget?

Most of the time, the answer is no. I’d rather keep my money working for me through intentional spending and consistent investing—not reacting to emotionally charged sales tactics.

7. 🧰 I’m Repairing, Not Replacing

Did you know the average cost of appliance repair is 50–70% less than replacement?

I’m fixing the dryer in one of my rental properties, not buying a new one.

8. 🚗 I’m Shopping for Insurance—Again

I re-shop our home and auto insurance every year. Last time, I saved over $600 annually. That’s way more than cutting a streaming service like Hulu.

9. 🎶 I’m Choosing Low-Cost Joy

Inflation might be hitting groceries and gas but it doesn’t affect free concerts in the park, BBQ’s with friends, or sunny beach days. These simple events still bring so much happiness without putting pressure on my budget. In a time when everything feels more expensive, I’m intentionally seeking out joy that doesn’t come with a price tag.

And guess what? My friends are loving it too—they’re craving connection, not a pricey night out. These small moments remind me that building wealth doesn’t mean cutting out fun—it just means redefining it.

10. 🧸 I Know Bear Markets Don’t Last

A bear market is when the stock market falls 20% or more from its recent high, usually fueled by fear, economic uncertainty, or major global events. It’s often accompanied by scary headlines and emotional selling—but historically, these downturns don’t last forever. In fact, bear markets last an average of 9.6 months, while bull markets—periods of growth—last around 2.7 years on average

That’s why I stay invested. The U.S. stock market has recovered from every bear market in history—whether it was caused by inflation, war, recession, or a global pandemic. Instead of fearing the dip, I view it as a temporary chapter in a long-term success story—and a chance to keep building wealth while prices are lower.

11. 📈 I’m Staying Invested—Again

From 2008 to 2023, the S&P 500 returned over 400%—but only if you stayed in the market.
Timing the market rarely works.
Time in the market? That’s where the magic happens.

12. 💰 I’m Building My Emergency Fund (Not Hoarding Cash)

Having a 3–6 month emergency fund gives me peace of mind and financial stability if life throws a curveball—like a medical bill or unexpected repair. But I’m not letting fear push me into stockpiling excessive cash beyond that, because cash actually loses value over time due to inflation.

While it's important to feel secure, it’s also important to keep your money working for you. Historically, market downturns can be some of the best opportunities to invest and buy quality funds at a discount—but only if you’re not sitting entirely on the sidelines. I’d rather strike a balance: feel financially prepared and continue building long-term wealth.

13. 📅 I’m Planning My 2025 Retirement Contributions Now

If you want to save money on taxes next year, your retirement account contributions are one of the most powerful tools you have—but you can’t afford to wait until the end of the year to figure it out.

Most people wait until November or December to think about their 401(k) or IRA contributions. But by then, it’s often too late to catch up or fully maximize the benefits. Here’s why I start planning my 2025 contributions right now:

14. 💬 I’m Talking About the Market (Not Avoiding It)

Inside Money Confident Club, we’re having real conversations about investing—even during downturns.
Avoidance breeds fear. Transparency builds power.

15. 🧠 I’ve Updated My Free Investing Guide For You

Need a clear roadmap for investing in a market that feels messy? I've updated my free investing guide to help you start smart—even during a downturn.
Read it here.

16. 🧘‍♀️ I’m Consuming Less News

Studies show that too much news—especially negative headlines—raises cortisol and clouds judgment.
I’m choosing to unplug and focus on what I can control.
(Source: American Psychological Association)

17. 🎯 I’m Focused on Long-Term Wealth

Temporary fear shouldn't derail your long-term goals.

Even if the market drops, the long game has worked…well forever. I’m staying focused on financial independence, freedom, and flexibility—not headlines.

You don’t need to do everything. But you do need to do something. Start where you are. Stay consistent. Use data, not drama, to drive your decisions.

Want More Help? Join My Next Investing Workshop!

If this post made you feel a little more grounded and a lot more confident, don’t stop here. Join me live for my next investing workshop where I’ll walk you through:

• How to invest confidently—even in a bear market

• What to do with your 401(k), Roth IRA, or brokerage account right now

• How to build wealth without needing a finance degree

👉 Click here to save your seat

Spots are limited, and this is the workshop you want to attend if you’re ready to stop stressing and start building.