Managing Your Finances Through Economic Volatility

Investopedia’s mission is to help people be in control of their financial lives, and that mission is just as important as ever given the health and economic crisis we are all living through. We’ve organized the most important information about a variety of financial topics that are particularly relevant in today’s financial markets that will impact your investments and your personal finances. From managing your portfolio through volatility to the latest on student loan interest and mortgages, this guide is here to help you plan for and react to the current economic realities.

In the face of historic drops in the stock market, we’re all concerned about our investments and retirement plans. The good news is that things will get better, but it will take time as the world adjusts to the current reality. In the interim, you can take some proactive steps to set yourself up to rebuild and strengthen your 401(k)s, IRAs, and brokerage accounts despite the fact that we are in a bear market for the first time in a long time.

Here are several recently updated resources to help you think through what to do with your investments right now:

How to Prosper in a Bear Market

How to Protect Your Retirement Money from Volatility

How to Invest in Gold

Strategies to Maximize Your 401(k)

How to Withdraw Money from Your 401(k) early

9 Penalty-Free IRA Withdrawals

What Happens When the Stock Exchange Closes Due to COVID-19?

Understanding Volatility Measurements

Pandemics and public health emergencies, like the COVID-19 crisis, have an impact that is far beyond the stock market. It has and will continue to touch every aspect of the local and national economy. It has spurred important government reactions, such as extending tax payment deadlines and student loan payments. Find out what you need to know about how to deal with the various other aspects of your financial health during these turbulent times.

Congress is considering stimulus checks as part of a large aid package designed to help those impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Whether or not the government will send stimulus checks has not yet been decided. But they have acted in other ways. For instance, on March 18, President Trump signed a bill that includes provisions for free testing for COVID-19 and paid emergency leave.

For instance, if you work for the government or a company with fewer than 500 employees, you will be eligible for two weeks of sick leave at your regular pay rate. You will also be eligible for two weeks of paid sick leave at no less than two-thirds of your regular pay rate if you are caring for a family member with a positive COVID-19 diagnosis or caring for a child whose daycare has closed as a result of the crisis. Find out more about how the coronavirus stimulus bills affect you.

Check out this other news related to the U.S. government’s response to this evolving crisis.

Planning for Medical Bills