Investing During Volatile Times

By: Brandon Kreig

Published: Apr 07, 2025

Markets are all over the place today, down, up, then down….These types of swings can feel intense—but here’s what I know from 25 years in the market: moments like this aren’t new. I’ve lived through the dot-com crash, the Great Recession, the COVID market meltdown, the last round of Trump tariffs, and plenty more. Every time, it felt uncertain. And every time, the market found its footing again. Looking back, each downturn was just a moment in the bigger picture—a moment to lean into your strategy, leverage Auto-Stash, and keep moving forward on the path you’ve been building.

1. It’s just a moment, not the full story.

Markets move. Always have, always will. A drop doesn’t mean failure—it means fluctuation. Selling now locks in losses. Staying invested gives your portfolio the chance to recover and grow.

With fractional shares on Stash, you can keep investing small amounts regularly to stay consistent and smooth out the ride.

2. Down days can be buying days, just like up days.

When the market dips, your dollars go further. That’s the power of Auto-Stash—investing on a schedule, through highs and lows, with no guesswork.

Auto-Stash isn’t just a tool. The philosophy of regular investing is one I’ve lived by since 1999. I’ve used it to invest through every kind of market moment. Small amounts can add up.

3. No one can predict the bottom.

Not you. Not me. Not even the experts. But what we can do is stay diversified, stay consistent, and keep stacking over time. That’s how long-term wealth is built.

So, what should you consider buying right now?

You’ve got great options, depending on your goals:

• Smart Portfolio: Diversified and expertly managed by Stash for the long term. It balances stocks (both U.S. and international) and bonds, and adjusts automatically to market conditions.
• IVV (iShares Core S&P 500 ETF): A classic, time-tested way to track the overall U.S. stock market—broad exposure in a single ETF investment.
• VT (Vanguard Total World Stock ETF): Another great single ETF investment that gives exposure to the overall global stock market, providing exposure to all economies, not just the U.S.
• TFLO (iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF): If you want to wait it out a little, yet still earn some income, consider this ETF that is exposed to ultra short term US Treasury rates and currently pays a monthly dividend that annualizes to a little over 4%.

The bottom line:

If you’re already Auto-Stashing, you’re doing it right. You’re investing through the noise. You’re staying calm while others panic.

That’s powerful—and it’s the Stash Way.

Need a gut check? Open Money Coach in the app. We're here to help.

Keep calm. Keep going. We’ve got this.

— Brandon Krieg

Co-Founder & CEO, Stash

Investing made easy.

Start today with any dollar amount.