Will I Be OK?
Spring is here, and with April comes a few of my favorite things—trees turning green, the return of golf via The Masters, NHL playoffs, and yes… Tax Day.
Taxes and finances tend to be top-of-mind this time of year, which is why I make it a priority to meet with as many clients as possible in April and May. It’s a great chance to review last year’s tax return, revisit our projections, and see how accurate we were. For most clients I’ve already met with, projections and results were nearly identical—no surprises, which is always the goal.
These meetings also give us time to revisit financial plans, adjust budgets, and ask important questions:
• Any big life updates?
• How’s your health?
• How’s your cash flow—tight or flush?
• Are you expecting any big-ticket expenses?
Lately, nearly everyone I speak with expresses some level of concern. Uncertain markets, headlines about tariffs, potential tax changes, and general global unease are enough to make anyone anxious. Plus, seeing investment accounts dip—whether by dollars or percentages—can shake even the most seasoned investor.
That’s why I’ve placed extra emphasis this spring on planning and cash flow. Yes, taxes and investments matter, but they aren’t driving the bus—your financial plan is. Investments are simply a tool to help reach your goals, and tax savings are a bonus.
To help put things in perspective, I’ve been running “What-If” or even “Doomsday” scenarios. For example, one client with a $100,000/year lifestyle saw that even if they doubled spending to $200,000 and endured a market downturn, their plan still held up over a 30+ year timeline. That’s the power of planning.
Why go through these scenarios? Because it’s easy to get emotional or focus on short-term losses in a vacuum. Money is deeply personal and emotional—but part of my role as a Wealth Advisor is to provide context.
Yes, your account may be down -5% or -10% recently, but zoom out:
• Are you still ahead over the past 12 months?
• Over the past 2–3 years?
• Are you drawing sustainable income without tapping into principal?
A solid plan considers all of this. If you need 3–4% income from your portfolio, and it’s built to generate that (plus additional growth), then you’re in good shape.
So back to the original question: Will I be OK?
Yes, you will. We’ve been through global pandemics, financial crises, and market crashes—all worse than what we’ve seen in 2025 so far. Chances are, your portfolio is stronger today than it was in March 2020 or late 2022.
When things feel uncertain, reach out. Talk to your ACM Wealth Advisor, share how you’re feeling, and go over the numbers together. With a solid plan, the right tools, and guidance, you’ll not only be OK—you’ll stay on track.
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