5 Things Worse Than A Stock Market Crash

Stocks are tumbling, led by the Nasdaq. The tech-heavy index is down more than 25 percent this year. Numerous stocks have fallen more than 50 percent as investors sell speculative growth stocks, including Peleton, Teledoc, Palantir, Roblox, Redfin, Shopify, and Coinbase. Giant companies like Amazon, Disney, and Facebook have dropped more than 30 percent. It's an ugly market.

However, I'm not worried because the market has always recovered. The Nasdaq crashed in 2000, 2008, and 2020, and despite the corrections, it bounced back to all-time highs. I'm optimistic the Nasdaq will return to its winning ways.

Stock market corrections are terrifying, but here are five items that can permanently destroy your family's financial future.

1. No savings. Saving money is the ultimate way to create generational wealth. After you get paid, allocate money to your retirement account, savings account, and emergency fund. How much should you save? As much as you can! A recommended savings percentage is 10% of your income. Timing is also essential, and the sooner you start, the better. If you habitually save money, then market corrections become less of an issue because you built a margin of safety, allowing your stocks to rebound and recover. I've noticed individuals who do not save money panic and sell when their investments fall because they don't have a margin of safety or financial cushion. I don't know how much your account balance will be worth if you regularly save money, but I do know if you don't save any, it will be worth zero.
2. No emergency fund. An emergency fund is essential during uncertain times and extreme market volatility. Investors prefer not to allocate funds to cash when stocks are soaring because it's an earnings drag, but when stocks crash, cash is king. An emergency fund allows you to meet your obligations as stocks fall. What is the recommended amount? An emergency fund covering nine to twelve months of expenses is suitable if you're working. For example, if your monthly expenses are $10,000, an emergency fund of $90,000 to $120,000 is appropriate. If you're considering retirement, plan to cover three years of expenses. If your annual expenses are $120,000, then prepare for a balance of $360,000. A three-year cash cushion will help if you retire during a stock market collapse.
3. No will. Dying without a will or estate plan is unacceptable, especially if you're married or have children. Don't leave your estate distribution plan to a probate court or state-appointed attorney. If you have substantial assets, hire an estate planning attorney. A good estate planning attorney is expensive but cheaper than trying to settle your estate without the proper documentation.
4. No life insurance. Providing for your loved ones is paramount. If you owe money to your bank, have young children, or a spouse, then providing for their needs after you're gone is a must. A lack of insurance planning can leave your family desperate to make ends meet. Spending a few dollars on insurance premiums can eliminate a lifetime of worry for your heirs.
5. No financial plan. A financial plan quantifies your hopes and dreams and addresses the first four issues in this blog. During challenging markets, a financial plan brings financial peace. One of the first things we check when conducting financial reviews for our clients is the financial plan, and it gives us the confidence to make sound recommendations void of emotions or opinions. Most financial planning software accounts for wide market swings, so a significant market correction will not derail the majority of plans, which is the case for our clients.

Market corrections are painful, disruptive, and untimely but temporary. If you don't save money, have a will, or own life insurance, you can permanently damage your family's financial future.

The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining. ~ John F. Kennedy

May 16, 2022

Bill Parrott, CFP®, is the President and CEO of Parrott Wealth Management, located in Austin, Texas. Parrott Wealth Management is a fee-only, fiduciary, registered investment advisor firm. Our goal is to remove complexity, confusion, and worry from the investment and financial planning process so our clients can pursue a life of purpose. Our firm does not have an asset or fee minimum, and we work with anybody who needs financial help regardless of age, income, or asset level. PWM's custodian is TD Ameritrade, and our annual fee starts at .5% of your assets and drops depending on the level of your assets.

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