A guide to financial sanity now
The first 100 days of Trump's second administration have caused significant economic disruption, primarily due to his punitive tariff policies, which many economists believe are detrimental to the US economy. The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta predicts a sharp decline in GDP, marking the worst quarter since mid-2020. Despite this, core growth indicators show slight improvement, and consumer spending spiked in March as Americans anticipated the tariffs. The stock market experienced severe downturns, leading to its worst performance in over fifty years, while private-sector job growth was below expectations. To maintain financial stability during this tumultuous period, individuals are advised to create backup plans, diversify investments, and consider international markets to protect their portfolios from volatility.
President Trump's tariff policies have led to economic uncertainty, with economists across the spectrum predicting a reversal in US economic growth due to the tariffs' extensive application.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta forecasts a decline in GDP by 2.7% for the first quarter of 2025, which would be the worst since the COVID-19 pandemic's economic impact in mid-2020.
Economic data indicates a weakening economy with a decrease in the annualized growth rate due to a surge in imports before tariffs, although the core growth rate has seen a minor increase.
Consumer spending slowed overall in the first quarter but increased in March as consumers rushed to make purchases ahead of the tariff implementation, while government spending saw a significant decline.
Stock markets suffered substantial losses, marking the worst performance in the first 100 days of any presidential term in over half a century, and private-sector job growth fell short of expectations.
Financial advice suggests creating contingency plans for worst-case scenarios, such as layoffs, by assessing income sources and establishing an emergency fund to mitigate financial stress.
Investors are encouraged to diversify their portfolios with a mix of stocks and bonds, consider international stocks due to better valuations, and avoid liquidating holdings during downturns to prevent locking in losses and missing recovery opportunities.