As the air turns crisp and the leaves start to change color, many Greenville, SC, residents look forward to Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. The spooks and scares of October are all in good fun, but a more haunting reality may lurk in the shadows of your financial life: the prospect of a recession in 2024. 

When economic downturns roll around, they can be as unpredictable and disruptive as any haunted house—but with a far more lasting impact, particularly on your retirement assets and plans.

History has shown that recessions should not be taken lightly. The Great Depression of the 1930s, the stagflation of the 1970s, the crashes in 1987 and 2000, and the Great Recession of 2008 left indelible marks on the American economy. These periods eroded individual wealth, and the financial recoveries took years. 

The impacts can be even more chilling for those nearing retirement or enjoying their early golden years - they have the most to lose.

Our blog will explore how former economic downturns and recessions impacted individuals and what you can do to prepare for another recession that could haunt us during 2024.

The Power of Diversification in a Recession

During times of economic uncertainty, such as the looming possibility of a recession in 2024, the power of investment diversification becomes critical to your ability to offset significant market volatility.  

Let's look back at some past recessions for answers.

In prior economic downturns, individuals with concentrated portfolios— in a specific sector, asset class, or geography—likely suffered bigger financial setbacks than those with more diversified portfolios. For example, when the technology bubble burst in the early 2000s, those investors who were heavily concentrated in tech stocks experienced major losses that altered their financial futures. 

Similarly, during the 2008 financial crisis, those who invested predominantly in real estate or financial sectors endured crippling financial stress, particularly when their retirement date was 12/31/08. Lack of diversification increased their risks and deepened their losses, sometimes causing irreversible damage to their financial well-being.

Rebalancing is also key to maintaining diversification.  In both recessions mentioned above, many investors experienced greater losses due to an overweighting in stocks exposure.  This overweight was mostly caused by the preceding years of market growth that allowed stocks to become a greater percentage of portfolios.  Without having the discipline of rebalancing on a regular basis, many investors expose themselves to additional downside risk in a market correction.  

A properly diversified portfolio spreads your investments across various asset classes and sectors of the economy and across various geographical borders. The economic downturn in one country or region may be offset by stable or growing markets in another, providing a more stable outcome during turbulent times.

Tips from Global View: Implementing a global investment strategy should be your first defense against turbulent markets. Our team of financial advisors in Greenville specializes in developing well-diversified, global investment strategies. 

Watch our video on three financial steps you can do today for a more secure tomorrow. 

Cash Reserves, Debt Management, and Recessions

Recessions are typically characterized by economic contraction, reduced income, and job uncertainty. A study of prior recessions reveals that individuals without sufficient cash reserves often resorted to emotion-based financial decisions that were short-lived but had lasting repercussions.

Some people leaned on high-interest credit cards as their emergency fund to cover essential costs. While this strategy may have solved short-term issues, debt can accumulate quickly and take years to pay off.

Another pitfall is withdrawing assets early from your retirement plans, such as a 401(k) or IRA. This immediate cash relief comes at a cost, and you can incur penalties and have tax consequences when you withdraw early from tax-advantaged accounts. The other impact of withdrawing early from tax-advantaged accounts is reducing your capital base, which produces future income.

Some people also reverted to depleting other investments and savings accounts to ensure ends were met during a recession. These accounts may have been intended for other long-term objectives like children's education or a down payment on a vacation home. Accessing assets in tax-advantaged accounts to cover the cost of living can create a powerful setback for reaching your financial goals for prolonged periods.

Tips from Global View: As fee-only financial planners in Greenville, we emphasize the critical role of having an emergency fund with a balanced financial strategy. Cash reserves offer the financial stability needed to weather economic downturns without compromising long-term objectives. 

Get to Know Global View

You're probably wondering, "How can a firm managing other people's money ever claim to be free from conflicts of interest?" The honest answer? We can't entirely. But here's the thing—we're upfront about it.

At the heart of our operation is a single, unwavering belief: we can guide you toward better financial outcomes than you'd achieve alone. And you know what? You're the final judge of that. 

• Your Interests Are Our Only Priority: We're privately owned and don't answer to corporate executives or external shareholders. Our loyalty lies solely with you.
• Aligned Financial Interests: Success for us is intertwined with your success. We earn trust, gain referrals, and grow by consistently doing what we say we will do. Feel free to part ways with us at any time—however, we're committed to earning your trust every single day. As we help you thrive, we flourish right along with you.
• We Also Invest Right Alongside You: Talk is cheap. That's why we put our money into the same strategies we recommend. Our financial commitment backs up your confidence in these strategies.
• We Know the Pitfalls: Having been on the inside track at Merrill Lynch (owned by Bank of America), we understand the pressures advisors face—quarterly quotas, mortgage targets, you name it. We parted ways with that world because we wanted no part in their conflicts of interest. Our focus is on you, not on hitting the corporate numbers.
• The bottom line? We established Global View to serve as your financial advocate. Our advice is as real as possible, specifically tailored to help you sidestep common pitfalls and reach your financial milestones.

With Global View Investment Advisors, you get a team genuinely vested in your financial well-being. We wouldn't settle for anything less. And neither should you.