Avoid this major mistake: Are you investing without a plan? (11 23 25)

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The market is noisy — from AI bubbles to sudden drops, it's easy to make emotional decisions that sabotage your long-term wealth. There is one simple mistake that derails more investors than any other: not having a plan.

Find out why a simple, clear financial plan is your shield against market volatility, and learn the six essential questions you need to answer to build yours today.

Here’s what we’re covering in today’s Clark Smart Investing newsletter:

• Why NOT having a plan is so dangerous

• What Americans say it means to be wealthy

• 9 things every investor should know about dividend stocks

• Q&A: What are TIPS and should I buy them?

• Smart money move of the week

💵 One of the Biggest Investing Mistakes: Not Having a Plan

The stock market has been on a wild ride lately. We have seen record highs, followed by sharp pullbacks. Investors are debating whether we are in an AI bubble, whether something big is about to pop, and whether the huge tech gains of the last few years are sustainable. When markets feel stretched and nervous at the same time, uncertainty rises fast.

That is exactly when people make emotional decisions. They look for predictions. They follow headlines. They swing between fear and excitement. And in the middle of all that noise, the biggest mistake many investors make becomes clear.

They do not have a plan.

A real plan gives you something solid to rely on when everything around you feels shaky. It keeps you from chasing trends during a boom and protects you from panic during a drop. Clark has said for years that investors who thrive are the ones who build a plan and follow it.

In the full article, we dive into why NOT having a plan is SO dangerous (along with reasons why having a plan is so helpful), six things your plan should include in your plan, and a simple example to help you get started.

📚️ Recommended Reading

✅ Poll: What’s Your Take?

Every week, we'll ask a new question to get your take on the latest financial trends and topics.

Last Week’s Poll Results

We asked: “Do you move more money into stocks when the stock market goes down?” Here’s how you answered:

• Yes: 32%

• No: 40%

• Sometimes: 28%

💬 Ask an Advisor

In this recurring Q&A, we share questions that have been answered by Clark Howard or Wes Moss on the podcast. Submit your question today!

Alex in Michigan asks: I'm recently retired and was wondering what Wes thinks of TIPS and a TIPS ladder?

Wes Moss says: I think Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities, or TIPS, are a fascinating tool for a retiree like yourself, Alex. They are fundamentally US Treasury bonds that offer both a yield and an adjustment based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), protecting you against inflation. For example, if you hold $10,000 in a TIPS bond with a 1.5% yield and inflation is 3% for the year, so 4.5%, your bond's value will increase to $10,300 due to the inflation adjustment. They are highly safe because they are US Treasuries, but you are usually accepting a lower initial yield, essentially making a 'bet' that inflation will rise. You can buy individual TIPS directly from Treasury Direct in 5, 10, or 30-year maturities. There are also lots of ETFs or funds that do this for you.

💸 Money Tip of the Week

☎️ Need Money Help?

The Team Clark Consumer Action Center is a free helpline that can help you navigate your money questions. Call 636-492-5275. Visit clark.com/cac for more information.

This information is provided to you as a resource for informational purposes only and is not to be viewed as investment advice or recommendations. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. There is no guarantee offered that investment return, yield, or performance will be achieved. This information is being presented without consideration of the investment objectives, risk tolerance, or financial circumstances of any specific investor and might not be suitable for all investors. Any company names shown are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. The views and opinions expressed are for educational purposes only as of the date of production/writing and may change without notice at any time based on numerous factors, such as market or other conditions. Always consult your own legal, tax, or investment advisor before making any investment/tax/estate/financial planning considerations or decisions.

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