Fix It Friday - When Bear Markets Arrive, Change Spending Strategy, Not Portfolio Strategy

Welcome to Fix-It Friday, the podcast segment that simplifies financial strategies to help you make smarter decisions hosted by Jonathan Blau, CEO of Fusion Family Wealth. This episode explores behavioral investing, market volatility, and retirement spending strategies. Instead of reacting to market declines by changing your portfolio, Jonathan explains why adjusting your spending strategy can help protect long-term investments and preserve the power of compounding. Learn why inflation may pose a greater long-term threat than volatility, how a two-to-three-year reserve of short-term bonds can help retirees avoid selling stocks during bear markets, and why disciplined investing beats trying to predict the future. What You’ll Learn: ✅ The difference between portfolio-centric and behavior-centric investing. ✅ Why changing your spending strategy may be wiser than changing your portfolio during a bear market. ✅ How a two-to-three-year reserve of short-term bonds can help retirees avoid selling stocks during market declines. ✅ Why inflation, emotional decisions, and market predictions can threaten long-term financial goals. Want to make smarter financial decisions grounded in clarity and confidence? Subscribe and share the Crazy Wealthy Podcast. To learn more about Fusion Family Wealth’s evidence-based investment strategies, visit www.fusionfamilywealth.com and request our current disclosure brochure. Key Timestamps: 00:00 – Why market uncertainty inspires this discussion 02:38 – The problem with reacting to market volatility 04:27 – The principles behind behavior-centric investing 05:34 – How short-term bond reserves can support retirement spending 06:00 – Why inflation can be a greater long-term risk than volatility 07:41 – The fix: Change spending strategy, not portfolio strategy 08:46 – Closing thoughts and where to find more episodes Key Takeaways: 🔹 Avoid making investment decisions based on short-term headlines or predictions that cannot be made reliably. 🔹 During bear markets, retirees may be able to draw from short-term bond reserves instead of selling stocks at depressed prices. 🔹 Inflation can erode purchasing power over time, making long-term growth an important consideration. 🔹 Successful investing is about building a plan you can stick with, even when markets become uncertain. Quotes: Quote 1: “Markets are unpredictable. Spending needs aren't.” - Jonathan Blau Quote 2: “Successful investing is never about predicting the next bear market. It's about building a plan that does not require us to react to the next bear market.” - Jonathan Blau 👤 About the Host: Jonathan Blau is the President and CEO of Fusion Family Wealth, a fiduciary wealth management firm he founded in 2013 to help families achieve clarity, confidence, and purpose with their money. With a deep focus on behavioral finance, Jonathan teaches investors how to recognize emotional biases and make evidence-based decisions that support long-term success. A sought-after speaker in wealth management, Jonathan previously held senior roles in tax and estate planning at Arthur Andersen. He holds a BS in Finance, an MS in Taxation, and an MBA in Accounting. Based on Long Island, Jonathan is active in the local business community, supports organizations such as the Middle Market Alliance and Sunrise Day Camp, and enjoys boating with his family. LinkedIn – Jonathan Blau Fusion Family Wealth Website Crazy Wealthy Podcast