Why are people more afraid of flying than driving—even though car crashes are far more common? As one researcher put it, “In a car, at least I know when to brake. In a plane, I have no control.”

It’s the same with investing. When we hear talk of a possible recession or see markets slide, it’s natural to want to hit the brakes. We can’t control when a downturn will happen or how the markets will respond—but we can control how we react.

While riding out market turbulence is often the smartest move, doing “nothing” doesn’t have to feel passive. In fact, there’s a lot you can do to strengthen your financial life in the meantime. Below are smart, practical steps—many of which are easy to knock out—that can help you build financial resilience, no matter what the market is doing.

Preserve What You Have

• Reduce debt. Focus on paying down high-interest loans and credit card balances.
• Cut back on unused services. Cancel subscriptions or memberships you’re no longer using.
• Shop around and negotiate. Review your insurance, phone, or utility bills regularly. Seek better rates or discounts.

Protect What Matters

• Freeze your credit. It’s free to freeze or unfreeze your credit reports, which adds a strong layer of fraud protection.
• Freeze your kids’ credit too. Identity thieves often target minors.
• Monitor your reports. Check your credit and Social Security statements each year.
• Add a Trusted Contact Person (TCP). This is someone your financial institution can reach out to if they see signs of fraud or concern.

Prepare for What’s Next

• Increase your retirement contributions. Compound growth works best when you start early and stay consistent—especially if your employer offers matching.
• Build or boost your emergency fund. Set aside enough to cover a few months’ expenses in case of job loss or an unexpected bill.
• Review your estate plan. If it’s been more than a year, it’s time to take another look. Life and laws change.

Simplify Where You Can

• Consolidate your accounts. Bringing investments under one roof can make them easier to track and manage.
• Clear out the noise. Unsubscribe from emails and financial “newsletters” that don’t serve you or only stir up worry.

Keep Learning

• Grow your financial knowledge. Podcasts, books, classes—you don’t need a finance degree to feel empowered. We’re happy to share resources we trust.
• Teach your kids. Start with basics like spending, saving, and goal setting.
• Have money conversations with your family. Open dialogue with parents or adult children can help prevent confusion and reduce financial stress later on.

Get Support Where It Counts

• Work with a fiduciary advisor. Managing all of this alone can be overwhelming. A fiduciary helps you stay focused on what’s within your control—while aligning your strategy with your bigger life goals.

That’s why we founded Navalign. Yes, managing investments is part of what we do. But more than that, we help clients coordinate every area of their financial lives—so they can move through uncertain markets with more clarity and confidence.

Give us a call. We’re here to help.