Just a few short months ago, I wrote an entire post contemplating concerns about the next recession, and if I was going to be mentally and emotionally prepared to handle it when it inevitably happened. Little did I know I would be tested just a matter of weeks later, as the market declined by about 33% from it’s peak.

Don’t Panic

Thus far, I’ve done exactly the same things I’ve been doing the past many years… investing as much money as possible into exactly the same portfolio. My investments are designed for the long haul, and since I’m not going to need access to my investment portfolio for many years, I continue to view the current market conditions as an opportunity to invest at a lower cost, and be able to ride back up as the market recovers (and I feel very bullish that we will recover, just as we always have).

I’m also confident that ultimately, the federal government will step in and provide a plethora of financial instruments to prop up both businesses and individuals (although my hope is that they focus more on individuals and small businesses, and less on large corporations).

Thankful

Above all else, I’ve been thinking often about all the people out there that have it worse than I do, and feel very grateful and a little guilty. While others have been furloughed or have lost their jobs altogether, my cashflow remains unchanged, and my significant savings further protects me.

More importantly, I have my health, and my family also has theirs. All the money in the world is meaningless without that.