4 Key Tips for Investing in Volatile Markets

Should you be investing in volatile markets?

When the Coronavirus triggered a stock market crash, a lot of investors panicked. Others saw the dip as an opportunity to buy. So, what if you want to invest, but you don’t want to live on an emotional roller coaster? Is there an approach to investing that lends to calm, even when markets are volatile?

Hear Stephanie and Gillian’s tips for investing in volatile markets

How to invest in a volatile market

Stephanie and Gillian are the Canadian expat couple behind Our Freedom Years, a blog that follows their path to financial independence and early retirement. Experts in DIY investing, they gave up their corporate careers in October of 2019 for a life of slow travel. Stephanie and Gillian also share their adventures (and money advice) on the Our Freedom Years YouTube channel.

On this episode of Queer Money®, Stephanie and Gillian join us to explain what inspired them to pursue early retirement and describe the role investing played in achieving financial independence. They discuss the creative ways they saved money (without feeling deprived) and walk us through their four principles of investing. Listen in for insight on developing a strategy that takes the emotion out of investing and learn how to get started on your own journey to financial freedom!

Topics covered on investing in volatile markets

What inspired Stephanie and Gillian to pursue early retirement

‘Made it’ by society’s standards but still not fulfilled
Seeing examples of others living interesting lives

The role investing played in allowing Stephanie and Gillian to retire early

Already saving for retirement but FIRE inspired more discipline
Tracking spending led to more saving, investing accelerated process

Stephanie and Gillian’s advice for saving without feeling deprived

Substitute expensive nights out with alternatives (e.g.: dinner party)
Conduct one-month experiments to decide what you really value

Stephanie and Gillian’s four principles of investing

DIY investors, accountable for own financial literacy
Buy-and-hold approach
Regular contributions (buy equities every month)
Diversify via investing in tiny slice of global market

The two types of investments in Stephanie and Gillian’s portfolio

Equities (limited to one low-cost index fund)
Fixed-income investments in syndicated mortgages

Stephanie and Gillian’s advice on the first steps to financial independence

Start investment education with JL Collins’ Stock Series
Best first step to money management = track spending