^{Source: The Street}

As global markets shake under the weight of intensifying U.S.-China trade tariffs, financial stress is hitting home for everyday investors. But personal finance guru Suze Orman has a clear message: don’t let fear hijack your financial future.

“If you’re contributing to a retirement account, do not stop,” Orman emphasized in a widely-shared Facebook post. “Stay the course. Keep investing. Your consistency is your financial power.”

Markets in Turmoil: What’s Causing the Panic?

Since early April, major U.S. indices have taken a beating, with the S&P 500 dropping nearly 6% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average shedding over 1,400 points. This volatility comes as President Donald Trump's escalating trade war with China rattles investor confidence, raising tariffs on $250 billion worth of Chinese goods and threatening more.

Adding to the unease is the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX)—commonly dubbed the “fear gauge”—which surged to its highest level since August. This spike signals that investors are responding with emotion over logic, as Orman put it.

“The VIX doesn’t lie—it tells us fear is winning,” Orman wrote. “And when fear dominates, logic takes a back seat.”

Suze Orman’s Playbook: Simple, Smart, and Steady

Orman, known for her blunt yet empowering advice, is adamant that this is not the time to jump ship or ‘go rogue’ with your investments.

“Stay diversified. Don’t get angry. Stay smart,” she urged.

Financial planners across the board echo her sentiments. According to Lee Baker, a certified financial planner and founder of Apex Financial Services in Atlanta:

“When markets dip, people get emotional. But panic-selling is often the worst thing you can do. You lock in losses and miss the rebound.”

And the data backs it up. Fidelity found that some of the best stock market gains occur within days of the worst drops, underscoring why missing just a handful of recovery days can cost investors thousands—or even tens of thousands—over the long run.

Bear Markets: Not a Curse, But a Buying Opportunity

In a follow-up post, Orman reminded investors that market downturns can be strategic moments for long-term gains. With stock prices down, she says, “it’s like everything’s on sale.”

“You’re buying more shares for the same money, which means bigger gains when the market rebounds,” Orman wrote.

That’s not just optimism—it’s historical reality. A Bank of America analysis reveals that the average 12-month return after a bear market is around 47%, and over a 2-year period, it can top 70%.

But experts warn against trying to “buy the dip” at just the right moment. Eric Roberge, CEO of Beyond Your Hammock, cautions:

“Market timing is mostly luck—and not a strategy. What works long-term is consistent investing, month after month.”

This practice, known as dollar-cost averaging, helps smooth out market highs and lows by investing the same amount regularly, regardless of current prices.

A Human Reminder: Breathe, and Stay the Course

Markets are unpredictable, but human behavior doesn’t have to be. Suze Orman’s final piece of advice wasn’t technical—it was emotional.

“I want you to breathe,” she wrote. “Yes, we may be in for a rough ride. But this will pass. Markets always recover—just not all at once.”

In times of turbulence, it’s tempting to react out of fear or frustration. But as Orman and other financial voices agree, resilience, routine, and rationality are your strongest allies in building wealth.

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