Let’s be real — things feel heavy right now. The markets are shaky—the uncertainty of tariffs. Prices are climbing. There’s tension in the air that you can’t quite put your finger on, but you can definitely feel it.
Ever since President Trump declared “Liberation Day” and announced sweeping tariffs on countries around the world, that tension has only grown. And we’re already feeling the ripple effects — in our wallets, in our investments, in the everyday cost of just… living.
Now, I’m not an economist, but from everything I’ve seen and heard, it sounds like the goal is to return America to a place of power — to produce more, consume less, and keep more of our wealth here at home instead of sending it abroad.
And while there’s something to be said for self-sufficiency… I can’t help but feel like we’re trying to rewind the clock instead of moving forward.
Because here’s the thing, tariffs aren’t just political tools for negotiation and power.
Someone ends up paying for them. And more often than not, that “someone” is us.
The consumers.
We’re already seeing it — and I have a feeling we haven’t seen the worst of it yet:
- Prices ticking up across the board
- More economic uncertainty
- Market swings and volatility that rattle even seasoned investors
And it’s all stacking on top of a foundation that, for a lot of people, already felt pretty fragile.
Then there’s the phrase: “Make America Wealthy Again.”
Sure, it sounds bold. Catchy. Maybe even inspiring, if you don’t look too closely.
But it made me pause.
Weren’t we already wealthy in the US?
By almost every global measure — yes.
We have the largest GDP in the world. The biggest tech companies. More millionaires and billionaires than any other country.
But here’s the part we don’t always say out loud:
We weren’t satisfied with wealthy.
We wanted more.
More growth. More convenience. More consumption.
And in that constant chase for “more,” we made the wealth gap wider than it’s ever been.
Now, with new tariffs rolling in and prices rising fast, that gap might grow even faster.
Because let’s be honest — the ultra-wealthy?
They’ll be just fine.
They’ll move assets, take advantage of the chaos, and probably walk away even wealthier than before. I can almost guarantee that reality.
But for the average American, or average consumer around the world — the ones already stretched thin — this isn’t a bump in the road.
It’s a growing burden that’s impact could last years and years.
More expensive groceries.
Rising energy bills.
Job uncertainty.
Retirement accounts shrinking.
Dreams of stability and security starting to feel further and further away.
So yes, America is wealthy. But that doesn’t mean most people feel wealthy.
And unless we’re really intentional about how we navigate this moment, the gap between those building wealth and those just trying to stay afloat could become a canyon.
Here’s what’s real right now:
- Wealth inequality is at historic highs — the top 1% holds more wealth than the bottom 90% combined.
- Wages haven’t kept up with the cost of living…let’s not even mention childcare costs or education costs because it truly is just outrageous.
- Nearly 60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck.
- And the middle class? It’s been shrinking for years.
That’s the backdrop we’re dealing with.
So when I hear slogans like “Make America Wealthy Again,” what I really hear is a deep frustration — maybe even fear — that we’ve lost control of our economy, our future, and what we believed the American Dream was supposed to be.
And while I understand that sentiment… tariffs and economic nationalism aren’t magic wands.
They sound strong. But in practice? They often bring short-term pain, global tension, and long-term consequences.
Because real, lasting wealth — whether it’s for a country or for an individual — is built on:
- Innovation & Creativity
- Flexibility
- Collaboration
- And everyday people being financially empowered
That’s where true strength comes from — not just having wealth, but making it accessible, sustainable, and resilient.
And that starts with us.
With you and me.
With the steps we take right now, even in the middle of all this uncertainty.
Now I know when you look at your portfolio it’s probably a little painful – but let me give you some perspective… This isn’t the first time we’ve faced something like this.
Every generation has had a moment that felt like the end of something.
But what history has shown us — time and time again — is that these moments can also be the beginning of something new.
Here’s a quick look back:
1929 – The Great Depression
Market down 89%. Truly devastating. But the economy recovered — slowly, then stronger than before.
1974 – Oil Crisis
A 48% drop. Skyrocketing prices. But it was followed by one of the strongest bull markets (stock price history).
1987 – Black Monday
23% loss in a single day (which has led to policies in place and circuit breakers to make sure this never happens again). Within two years, the market had fully recovered — and kept climbing.
2009 – The Great Recession
A 49% drop, triggered by the housing collapse. But those who stayed invested saw their portfolios multiply in the following decade.
2020 – COVID Crash
Markets plunged 34% almost overnight. But by the end of the year, they’d hit new highs.
Every time, we thought, “This is different.”
And in some ways, it was.
But every single time, the markets came back. Often stronger than before.
So What I Want You to Consider Right Now…
- This is temporary. Don’t make permanent decisions based on temporary fear.
- Volatility is normal — but hard. You’re not wrong to feel anxious. But don’t let fear take the wheel, I’ve only seen it be a detriment to clients’ wealth and portfolios.
- Clarity is power. The more you understand your money and your options, the more control you have.
What You Can Do Right Now
- Get clear on your cash flow.
Know what’s coming in and what’s going out. Gain clarity and confidence in this area of your life and you’ll gain more control. - Diversify your income.
One paycheck, one client, one stream of income— it’s risky. Start building others, even if they’re small. - Reassess your portfolio.
If retirement is nearby, it’s time for a real overview of your assets and allocations — there may not be a change to make but you’ll need to re-evaluate where you stand and what changes, if any, need to be considered moving forward. - Stay invested — with a long view.
Trying to time the market rarely works. Staying consistent usually does. Maybe stop staring at your portfolios for a bit 🙂 - Build a buffer.
Even a small emergency fund can bring peace of mind — and right now, that’s worth its weight in gold.
Final Thoughts For You
This is hard.
But it’s also a moment of opportunity.
Not the “get rich quick” kind — the kind that builds quiet, steady, lasting wealth.
The kind that’s built not during the hype, but in the messy, uncertain in-between.
Now’s the time to get smarter. Leaner. More resilient. To stop waiting for someone else to fix it — for some policy to come and save the day— and start creating your own security.
