Jared Weggeland

Have a long term plan

Whether you're trying to determine the mortgage you can afford or how much to allocate to stocks, bonds, and cash, it's important to have a long term plan you can live with no matter what happens in the economy, the housing market, or the financial markets.

for more information visit www.mysouthernhome.com

Invest in your other "portfolio"

During times of economic crisis, your personal and social "portfolio" can be just as important as your financial portfolio.

Stephanie Chappell, a corporate gerontologist and part of the Hartford Advance 50 team, says, "Make sure you continue to invest in your personal network, your physical and emotional health, your career, and your friends and family."

for more information visit www.mysouthernhome.com

Increase Diversification

No investment can outperform indefinitely. Prudent investing calls for diversification across many different types of investements, and even across financial products.

Talk to your advisor about shifting your investment approach to view retirement income as an asset class, alongside the traditional diversified mix of stocks, bonds, and cash in the portofolio.

"There are a variety of options available that can help increase your ability to retire comfortably through all market cycles" says Pat Harris, director of institutional investment products at the Hartford.

For more information visit www.mysouthernhome.com

Don't obsess over the news.

News outlets are only doing their job by reporting up to the minute. But 24/7 access can also perpetuate panic. Take a step back and remove yourself from the crisis of the day.

" With today's instant connectivity to the media, it's easy to be paralysed by fear," says Dr Joseph Coughlin, director of the MIT ageLab. "Realistically assess your current plan, long term situation, and identify what you can do to survive and thrive in the current cycle."

Don't panic.
the way you react to financial crisis can determine whether you're successful investor in the long run. Anxiety can lead to poor choices. Before making hasty decisions, recognize that the market has been through downturns before and history shows that panic isn't a good investement strategy.

Take heart: A little worry can motivate you to make sure your long-term investementstrategies are on track.