Skip to content

Episode 95: How to Stay Calm in Market Chaos – A Volatility Survival Plan

How should I react when the market drops?
Should I sell my investments now or wait it out?
Am I doing the right thing with my money during a downturn?

These are the exact questions we hear from investors whenever volatility spikes. And if you’re asking them too—you’re not alone.

In Episode 95 of the Last Paycheck podcast, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professionals Rob and Archie Hoxton tackle the emotional, practical, and behavioral challenges that come with investing through uncertainty. Their message is simple: the market’s movement isn’t the problem—how we respond to it often is.

Why Market Volatility Feels So Personal

We all know the market goes up and down. But when your portfolio starts falling—especially as you approach or enter retirement—it’s not just numbers on a screen. It’s your future, your income, your peace of mind.

That’s why knee-jerk reactions like moving everything to cash or pausing retirement contributions feel tempting. It feels like “doing something.” Unfortunately, those short-term decisions can create long-term consequences.

What This Episode Covers

Rob and Archie outline a clear, level-headed framework for navigating a market pullback. Their volatility survival strategies include:

  • Avoiding panic selling: Selling when the market drops means locking in losses. Recovery often begins before you realize it—and missing those days can significantly lower your long-term returns.
  • Rebalancing with purpose: Market dips can throw your asset allocation out of balance. This is an opportunity to reset your portfolio—not abandon it.
  • Tax-loss harvesting: Down markets present rare opportunities to capture losses and reduce your tax bill—especially for taxable accounts.
  • Maintaining liquidity: Having a short-term cash reserve prevents you from withdrawing from investments during a downturn.
  • Understanding behavior: Investor psychology is often the biggest risk to your plan. Headlines and fear cycles can drive decisions that don’t align with your goals.

Ask Yourself:

  • What are my rules for handling market volatility?
  • Is my portfolio designed to support withdrawals even during downturns?
  • Am I responding to a long-term plan—or reacting to short-term headlines?

Why Staying Invested Matters

Rob and Archie cite studies that show just how damaging it can be to miss the best recovery days in the market. Most of those days happen close to the worst ones. That’s why discipline and planning—not timing—are the keys to success.

Market volatility is inevitable. Reacting emotionally isn’t.

Final Thought

If your portfolio feels like a source of stress instead of confidence, that’s a signal—not a failure. It means it’s time to review your strategy, understand your risk, and make sure your investments are aligned with your long-term goals.

You shouldn’t have to face market chaos alone. You need a plan that’s built to keep working—whether the market is up, down, or sideways.

Want to make sure your portfolio is prepared for whatever comes next?

Schedule a free, no-pressure consultation with our team at www.hoxtonpm.com/schedule. We’ll help you build a strategy rooted in clarity, not chaos.
Schedule a Consultation
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization’s initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.