As the end of the year quickly approaches, I found myself procrastinating (more than I usually do) to write this letter. Like many of you, I’ve been hanging-on and hoping for the magical “Santa Claus Rally” to kick-in and almost instantly bring relief to the struggling stock markets. I was hoping to be able to deliver some positive news and spread some holiday cheer. I’ve stayed positive and optimistic that everything will work itself out, rooting for the tariffs and trade war headlines to fade away so we can get back to “business as usual.” After all, it’s the holiday season and we all deserve some holiday happiness, right?
My seven-year-old, Charlie, is taking a similar approach with his wish list for Santa this year. He’s been working on his list every morning while we’re eating breakfast and made multiple revisions to it since his first draft at the beginning of the month. Despite my efforts to try and lower his expectations, he’s also remained very positive and optimistic that Santa is going to make and deliver everything on his list again this year. In the past few years, that’s been the case and that’s been Charlie’s experience…Santa has had no problem with bikes and balls and even video games. Ask and you shall receive! It’s been easy – up until now.
This year, Santa has his work cut-out for him because Charlie is fully expecting a pair of Rocket Boosters to be waiting for him under the tree on Christmas morning. Yes, Rocket Boosters!
Don’t ask me what he is referring to because we have tried for weeks to figure it out and are still scratching our heads!
So, despite our positive thinking, hopes and wishes, it appears we are both in for a little disappointment in the upcoming weeks. I’m afraid there are not enough days remaining for the markets to deliver a “good” year for 2018 and, barring a Christmas miracle or a direct connection to Elon Musk, we’ll have some explaining to do on Christmas morning. But, that’s absolutely OK. It’ll provide a good opportunity to talk to Charlie and his brother, Graham, about the true meaning of Christmas and the importance of love and family. They have no idea what a tariff is and are not worried one bit about the next recession – and that’s just how it should be. I’m also going to take a day or two and try to forget what those words mean, too.
As we gather around the holidays, it’s a good time of the year to reflect on all of the truly important things in our lives, such as our health and relationships with our family and friends. From all of us at Potomac Financial Group, we hope you are enjoying the holiday season with your loved ones and look forward to turning the page with you into 2019. Try not to pay too much attention to all of the negativity that surrounds us and remember what is truly important in our lives.
But, seriously…if anyone has an inside track to a pair of rocket boosters, I’d be forever in your debt.
Todd M. Wike, CFP®
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™
Managing Partner, Potomac Financial Group
2018 RJFS Chairman’s Council Member*
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