5 Shields to Protect Your Wealth

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Something Unexpected Happened…

Last week at JFK(John F. Kennedy International Airport), something unexpected happened that made me think differently about market downturns.

A young TSA officer who was checking my bags recognized me.

"Sir, the market's getting crushed," he said, anxiety in his voice.

I asked him, "When the S&P 500 was hitting record highs, did you ask anyone what to do?"

He smiled and said something profound: "No sir... because we're human."

That hit home.

Here's the truth: We can preach "stay calm" and "this is just a cycle" all we want, but we're human.

Studies show we feel losses about 2.5 times more intensely than equivalent gains.

That $20,000 drop in your portfolio? It hurts way more than the joy of a $20,000 gain.

So today, let's skip the usual "just stay calm" advice.

Instead, I'm sharing five practical "shields" I've developed to help you navigate market downturns without losing your mind (or your money).

🔰 The Stability Shield: Building Your Market Armor

Remember learning to ride a bike? You didn't start with a Harley. Similarly, your portfolio needs training wheels in the form of stability.

Here's how:

Use the 100-minus-age rule: If you're 30, keep 30% in stable assets (Treasury bonds, I-bonds, CDs, high-yield savings) and 70% in equities.

Within equities, I recommend:

• 40-50% in S&P 500 funds

• 30-40% in mid-cap ETFs

• 10-20% in small-caps (if you can handle the volatility)

Real example: During recent corrections, while the Russell 2000 dropped over 15% in a month, the S&P 500 fell only about 5%. That's stability in action.

🔰 The Numbers Shield: Less is More

Here's a shocking stat: Americans often hold 8-12 different funds in their 401(k)s, thinking it's "diversification."

But in reality, they’re investing in the same companies multiple times.

What to do instead:

• Stick to 3-4 core ETFs or mutual funds (one S&P 500 index, one flexi-cap, one small-cap).

• More funds ≠ better returns. Less is more.

Why?

Because when everything's red, seeing three negative numbers hurts less than seeing twelve.

Plus, it's easier to analyze and adjust three investments than twelve.

🔰 The Sector Shield: Avoiding Love Affairs

I'll admit it - as a tech founder, I once thought anyone not investing in FAANG stocks (an acronym for Facebook (now Meta), Amazon, Apple, Netflix, and Google) was foolish.

Classic sector bias.

Don't fall into this trap.

No sector is "forever great." Look at recent history:

• Tech stocks soared then plunged

• Energy went from zero to hero

• Work-from-home darlings crashed

• AI stocks exploded

The lesson?

Spread your bets across sectors.

If you're heavy in tech, balance it with consumer staples.

Heavy in energy?

Add some healthcare.

Think like a business owner: Would you invest all your savings in just one type of business?

🔰 The Common Sense Shield: Fighting FOMO

Greed and emotion destroy wealth.

 Signs you need this shield:

• You chase "hot" stocks just because everyone else is buying.

• You hold on to bad stocks, hoping they'll recover.

• You expect 20%+ returns forever and ignore steady, boring 10-12% stocks.

Ask yourself honestly:

• Did you buy any Stock just because of Hype?

• Which investments make you uncomfortable but you're holding anyway?

• What would you never buy at current prices (even though you own them)?

It's okay to cut losses and reallocate to better opportunities. That's not failure - it's smart investing.

🔰 The Technology Shield: Use Tools Wisely

A fascinating observation:

We hold real estate for decades without checking Zillow daily (okay, maybe we do), but check our stock portfolio 17 times a day because we can.

My solution?

I often have to reset my Fidelity password because I check it so rarely.

Set up your automatic investments, max out that 401(k), and delete those portfolio tracking apps.

Technology should serve your strategy, not feed your anxiety.

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Final Thought: Your Investment Mindset Matters More Than the Market

Market falls aren’t the problem. Your reaction to them is.

• Balance your portfolio (Shield #1)

• Simplify your investments (Shield #2)

• Diversify across industries (Shield #3)

• Avoid emotional investing (Shield #4)

• Use technology wisely (Shield #5)

Your Next Steps:

1. Review your portfolio today. How many of these shields are you missing?

2. Start with the Stability Shield - it's your foundation

3. Remember: You don't need to implement everything at once. Pick one shield and master it

The smartest investors stay calm, stay invested, and use these shields to build lasting wealth.

Will you?

Reply to this email and let me know: Which shield resonated most with you?

I read every response.

To your wealth,

Be Wealth Operators