Living Through Market Madness

Let’s face it — the equities market has been acting like it’s on a double espresso with a side of chaos. If you’re like me, who’s semi-retired, you probably felt that gut punch when the red numbers started flashing. And while the experts keep saying, “Stay invested for the long term!” I couldn’t ignore the writing on the wall — I had to act.

So yes, I trimmed down my U.S. exposure. Even took some losses. Painful? Sure. But necessary? Absolutely. Let me walk you through what I’ve learned, what I’m doing differently, and how you can prepare too — without turning into a financial zombie or losing your joy.

My Equity Journey

How It Started

I only started investing seriously about three years ago. That was after I took a good look at my CPF — Singapore’s mandatory savings scheme for retirement, housing, and healthcare — along with my unit trusts and cash flow. I realized: “If I want to age actively and independently, I need to learn this stuff.” Thank goodness for AI tools that helped me research companies, analyze trends, and get my head around valuation metrics. It was like having a Bloomberg terminal at my fingertips — minus the cost.

Why I Trimmed My US Exposure

The US has generally made up a smaller slice of my portfolio. I’ve often found many of the stocks overvalued, especially compared to opportunities in Asia. But even with a light allocation, I chose to further trim it down over the last two months.

Why? Because the risks weren’t just external — rising interest rates, sticky inflation, and global protectionism — they were also internal. Political gridlocks, ballooning debt, and regulatory uncertainty made me think twice.

That said, I didn’t exit completely. I held onto a few US names that I still believe have upside potential. And yes, I’ve taken a small risk on one promising medtech stock — one I’m willing to wait on, even if it means losing some capital. It’s a calculated risk, not a blind bet.

I did sell some positions at a loss. But to me, that was tuition — the cost of learning and evolving toward a more resilient and thoughtful portfolio.

What I’ve Learned: Investing Isn’t Set and Forget

The Reality of Market Cycles

Markets don’t climb in a straight line. They stutter, correct, and sometimes fall hard. If you’re approaching or already in retirement, that volatility can feel like whiplash. But here’s the deal: it’s not about avoiding the waves, it’s about learning to surf them.

Cutting Through the Noise

The financial media loves drama. Headlines scream doom one day and rally the next. I learned to turn down the noise and look at fundamentals: debt levels, cash flow, dividends, and long-term tailwinds. And yes — AI helps cut through the fluff so I can make sense of it all faster.

Why I Hedged with Gold — and How It Paid Off

During all the turmoil, one of the decisions I’m thankful for was allocating a small part of my portfolio to gold. It wasn’t a big bet — just a mindful hedge. But wow, did it help. As my US stocks dipped and I trimmed them (some at a loss), that small gold stake rose and cushioned the blow.

Should I have gone in heavier? Maybe. But I don’t like to dwell on “what ifs.” I prefer to look ahead. What mattered most is that it worked when I needed it to. Today, my US holdings are slimmed down significantly, and I’m much more deliberate in what I add back in.

Tips to Prepare Yourself Financially When the Market’s a Rollercoaster

1. . Take a Brutally Honest Look at Your Finances

Know where every dollar is going. If you haven’t done a personal cash flow analysis, now’s the time. I keep it simple — just an Excel spreadsheet. Nothing fancy, but it works. It helps me track what’s coming in, what’s going out, and where I might be leaking money without realizing it. You don’t need a fancy app — basic tools are more than enough if you’re consistent.

2. Diversify Like Your Life Depends On It (Because It Might)

Don’t be all-in on one region or sector. I’ve shifted more into Singapore REITs, picking up both individual REITs and a REIT ETF that offer steady dividend yields. These give me consistent income — which is important as I navigate semi-retirement.

I also took positions in several undervalued blue-chip stocks in Hong Kong. Yes, there’s currency exchange risk, but I believe the upside potential more than makes up for it over the long term. These companies have strong fundamentals and are trading well below their intrinsic value — too good to ignore.

My focus now is on quality, yield, and resilience — not hype.

3. Cash Is Still King (Yes, Really)

It’s boring. It doesn’t grow like stocks. But it buys you peace of mind.

For me, a portion of my cash is parked in the Ordinary Account of my CPF — Singapore’s national savings scheme. The interest rates are risk-free and relatively attractive compared to typical bank deposits (you can check them here). It’s my way of keeping liquidity while earning decent interest.

This reserve gives me the flexibility to wait out market volatility without having to liquidate investments in a panic. It’s not flashy, but it’s functional — and that matters when you’re 50+ and planning for the long game.

4. Revisit and Rebalance Regularly

Quarterly, I do a portfolio review , I look at sector allocations, winners vs. losers, and whether I’m still aligned with my long-term goals. These days, rebalancing isn’t just a good habit — it’s survival. Markets change, and so should we.

How I’m Spending Differently Now (And Still Enjoying Life)

Conscious Living vs. Cutting Joy

Let me be clear: I’m not a monk. I still enjoy life — good food, stylish clothes, and the occasional indulgent trip. But I’m conscious now. I choose experiences that nourish me over impulse buys that clutter my space and mind.

My New Shopping Mantras

• Buy less, choose well, make it last.
• If it’s not cotton or linen, it’s probably not worth sweating in (hello, Bangkok/Singapore humidity).
• Would I wear this regularly and 10 years from now?

Travel Planning with Purpose

I’ve started using AI tools to plan wellness-oriented trips to China and places that nourish me spiritually. Less touristy fluff, more meaningful connections. And yes, I look for good value — not cheap, but worthwhile.

Mindset: Calm Amid Chaos

Why I Still Stay Invested

Because long-term wealth is built over decades, not quarters. I trimmed my US holdings, but I didn’t pull out entirely. I still believe in innovation, resilience, and global diversification — just not with blinders on.

Emotional Discipline > Market Timing

Market timing is a game most lose. I remind myself: emotions lie, data clarifies. Whenever I feel fear or greed rising, I go for a walk, take a pause, or distract myself with something meaningful — anything but touching my brokerage account in the heat of the moment.

What I’d Tell My Younger Self (and You)

Don’t Try to Outsmart the Market Every Month

Be strategic, not reactive. Yes, make moves when the fundamentals change — like I did recently — but don’t panic just because a chart dips. The long game wins.

Keep Learning. It Pays Off.

Whether it’s books like One Up on Wall Street, YouTube channels, or ChatGPT-powered analysis — learning has been my greatest return on investment.

In fact, I recently stumbled upon a quick financial literacy quiz from the Stanford Center on Longevity — it’s called the “Big Three,” developed by the Initiative for Financial Decision-Making (IFDM). Just three questions covering interest, inflation, and risk. Sounds simple enough, right?

Out of curiosity, I took it — and to my relief, I passed! It was a reassuring little moment, a sign that maybe all this self-learning over the past three years hasn’t been in vain. But let’s be honest: I’m still a novice, and learning about money doesn’t stop just because you get a few things right.

What struck me most was how the quiz highlights the core concepts behind smart financial choices — saving, investing, and handling debt. It also reminded me how easy it is to second-guess even the basics.

If you’re curious, you can try the quiz yourself at https://ifdm.stanford.edu/Big3SLC.

My takeaway? It’s never too late to sharpen your financial thinking. I’ve come to enjoy the process — reading, researching, reflecting. The markets may be unpredictable, but the more I learn, the more grounded I feel navigating them.

Keep Calm, Trim Smart, and Live Fully

We can’t predict the next crash, rally, or political shake-up. But we can control how we respond. I’ve seen enough cycles to know: this too shall pass. But that doesn’t mean doing nothing.

Trim what doesn’t serve you. Be mindful of your money. Invest in what brings long-term value — in your finances and in your life. You’ve worked too hard to let volatility derail your dreams.