With global conflict and economic uncertainty dominating the headlines, it’s tempting to "do something" with your money. We’re breaking down three specific ways to evaluate your portfolio right now — including when it actually does make sense to shift toward bonds.

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

The U.S. and Israel are at war with Iran. Oil prices have spiked. Gas is getting more expensive. There’s talk of inflation coming back, of the conflict spreading, of a wider regional war nobody can predict. Meanwhile, AI is reshaping entire industries, and many people are quietly wondering whether their jobs will look the same in five years — or even exist at all.

If you’re watching your portfolio and feeling the urge to do something, that feeling is understandable.

But remember, nobody knows what any of this actually means for the economy or your investments. There are a hundred plausible scenarios between “this resolves quickly and the market shrugs” and “this gets worse and drags on for years.” Every one of those scenarios has smart, credentialed people behind it. None of them knows.

What you do know is how you’re feeling right now and that’s worth paying attention to.

Checking your balance several times a day, thinking about moving to cash, wondering if you should wait this out on the sidelines — those feelings are telling you something.

Your current plan may not be right for your temperament.

In the full article, we break down why your current strategy might not match your actual risk tolerance — and how to fix it so you can finally stop checking the markets every hour.

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: “When it comes to your retirement portfolio, are you a "Set It and Forget It" pilot or a "Manual" flyer?” Here’s how you answered:

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!

Mike in Ohio: Since I am ineligible for both a Roth and a deductible Traditional IRA, is it better to continue making nondeductible contributions or switch to a standard brokerage account? I was playing with ChatGPT and it told me to put the money in a brokerage. What are your thoughts?

Wes Moss says: Non-deductible IRAs can be a useful tool when used specifically as a stepping stone for a Backdoor Roth IRA, but outside of that strategy, they often create unnecessary tax complications. The primary issue is the administrative burden; because you are contributing after-tax dollars, you must track your "basis" using IRS Form 8606 for the rest of your life. This makes future withdrawals and tax filings significantly more complex, especially when compared to the simplicity of a standard brokerage account. When you invest in a taxable brokerage account, your long-term gains and qualified dividends are taxed at favorable rates — typically 15% for most investors and even 0% for some, with only ultra-high earners hitting the 20% mark. In contrast, earnings within a non-deductible IRA are eventually taxed at ordinary income rates, which could be 24% or higher during retirement. By choosing the IRA over a brokerage account, you are essentially trading a lower tax rate today for a higher tax bill tomorrow. Unless you are pursuing a Roth conversion, the brokerage account offers superior tax efficiency, better liquidity, and much less paperwork.

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.