The midterm elections are underway. In many states, ballots have been delivered and, in several cases, already returned by Americans exercising one of the most sacred of their Constitutional rights.

Election Day is always the Tuesday following the first Monday in November. So, if you haven’t voted yet, you must cast your ballot today.

The results of elections almost always influence the economy, whether that be an immediate reaction from Wall Street or a long-term reaction due to policy changes. Midterm elections, in particular, can shake things up.

It’s too early to tell what major or minor changes might be coming, but some change is inevitable.

Such changes are among the many factors we consider when building your portfolio. The U.S. has major elections every two years, and it’s best to be prepared for some market volatility as the election results come in.

If travel for you is less about escaping life and more about living it, then consider these vacation ideas:

By Car

East Coast of Australia: There may be no better way to experience this amazing continent than by driving along its east coast, stretching from Melbourne in the south to Cairns to the north. This 2,500-mile drive carries you through rainforests, cities, mountains, and the outback, with the blue waters of the Pacific as a constant companion. Be sure to carve out time for the Great Barrier Reef, snorkeling, kayaking, and hiking along the way.

By Ship

Northwest Passage: For hundreds of years explorers tried, and failed, to find the fabled Northwest Passage. Travelers can now discover what eluded so many brave adventurers. Begin your journey in Greenland, sail past its fjords, and you’re on your way. As you penetrate deep into the Arctic, you’ll scrape against icebergs and marvel at the harshness and sublime beauty at the top of the world. But, it’s not just ice. See the remains of explorations that came before you and the polar bears that call this home.

By Foot

Camino de Santiago, Spain: Sometimes adventure is a journey to discover ourselves. This medieval pilgrimage through France, Spain, and Portugal to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in northwest Spain can take you weeks or months. Travelers can recover from a day’s walk at one of some 300 refugios that offer food, drink, and a clean place to sleep. It’s a mystical experience that gives you time to reflect on life, learn about yourself, and connect with kindred spirits.

Once in a Lifetime

Botswana, Africa: One of the most sparsely populated nations on earth, Botswana is dominated by the Kalahari Desert and the Okavango Delta, the world’s largest inland delta and now a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Okavango is the ideal spot to safari as its waters attract a richness of wildlife that is unmatched on the continent. The country’s focus on minimizing human impact means that your African experience will be both primal and transcendent.

You may have heard the phrase “contrarian investing,” but did you know that one of the most reliable contrary indicators is individual investors?

Retail investors often do the wrong thing at the wrong time. But this year, they have been mostly correct in their bearish view. In the chart below, you can see that for most of 2022, individuals have had little confidence in the stock market.

Warren Buffett has one of Wall Street’s most famous quotes about contrarian investing. He suggested investors “be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful.” So is it time to be greedy, or is it best to remain fearful?

When we created your portfolio strategy, we anticipated there would be periods of market volatility. With your investing dollars, we’re not looking to time the market based on sentiment. Instead, we want to help you pursue your goals based on your time horizon and risk tolerance.