Expert insight

The road to successful investing starts with a few steps

December 13, 2023

Jon Cleborne

Jon Cleborne, CFA

Vanguard Head of Personal Investor Advice

Even when tested by fear and uncertainty, investors are well-served by sticking to a long-term plan. They can improve their chances for investment success by taking three important steps, said Jon Cleborne, CFA, a principal and head of Personal Investor Advice at Vanguard, in a guest column for MarketWatch.

What investors should consider on their journey

Cleborne specifically notes the following actions for investors:

  • Take a slow, calm, methodical approach when confronted with unexpected market volatility or intimidating headlines. A calm, disciplined approach will allow an investor to stay the course, ride out market challenges, and successfully track long-term investment goals.
  • Keep investment costs as low as possible. The less investors pay in investment expenses, the more they can keep in returns. You can’t control the markets, but you can control costs and taxes.
  • Know when to get help. A financial advisor can be indispensable when an investor encounters challenging markets or experiences complex financial planning and retirement needs. In addition to providing financial expertise, an advisor can also serve as a financial coach—providing stability and supporting clients through complicated and sometimes emotional decisions.
Read the column
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Notes:

All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest.

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