Here's Why You Shouldn't Check Your Portfolio Right Now

Last week after lunch with a friend, I stopped in front of a building with posters for upcoming performances. As I was reading, the owner stepped out and asked, “Are you a fan of the arts?”

That sparked a 30-minute conversation about the building’s history (a 1920s furniture store), San Pedro’s economic shifts, and even how fortune cookies were invented in Los Angeles. We chatted about my podcast and brainstormed ideas for a live taping.

It reminded me how easy it is to overlook what is right in front of us. I drive past that building often but never noticed what it was. Walking—rather than rushing—led to an unexpected connection.

If you are feeling stuck or uninspired, shake up your routine. You never know what you might discover.

📝 My Latest Written Pieces: Work in Progress

April is here, and I am brainstorming my next Forbes pieces. I aim to publish two articles this month. One idea: what investors can learn from the fintech startup Frank. The founder was recently convicted of $175 million in fraud - including fabricating the number of active users.

I’m also thinking about writing more from an investor’s perspective—like how early-stage founders often use made-up probabilities in sales forecasts. I want to explore better ways to model uncertainty at this stage.

Got a topic you want me to explore? Just reply to this email!

🎙️ On the Podcast: Lessons on Resilience

• Latest Episode: I spoke with Michael Lux, founder of The Student Loan Sherpa, about the state of student debt. He breaks down policy shifts, smart repayment strategies, and what borrowers need to know now. Listen here and don’t forget to subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts!

• Upcoming: Adam Silver, CEO of Plural Energy, shares how financing innovations are accelerating the energy transition. The episode will air Wednesday April 9.

💡 A Note on Tariffs, Turmoil, and Feeling Overwhelmed

If the recent tariff headlines have left you feeling overwhelmed, you are not alone.

As tensions rise between the U.S. and China, and talk of trade wars creeps back into headlines, it is easy to feel like things are spinning. Tariffs shape everything from supply chains to consumer prices, and the downstream effects can hit portfolios without warning.

When markets feel noisy, it helps to come back to a few grounded investing principles. Here are three I am leaning on right now:

✅ Be Realistic – This is not a short-term trend. It is a structural market shift that could impact inflation, interest rates, and growth forecasts. Be cautious of overly rosy projections.

✅ Sell Strategically – Think about tax-loss harvesting and the timing of your exits, especially as we approach mid-year. A smart sell can offset future gains. If you want a deeper dive on how to do this, let me know—I may feature it in an upcoming edition.

✅ Buy Cautiously – Momentum is not the same as value. Even if you believe in a sector, do your homework. Entry price still matters—especially in a volatile macro environment.

🔗 Other Interesting Reads & Listens

📌 “Adolescence” co-creator says “maybe we’re all accountable” for youth violence - This great Fresh Air episode featuring Stephen Graham got me to watch this series.
📌 More Than Half of Baby Boomers Never Plan to Sell - I’ve been exploring a real estate idea, and came across this information gold mine. So many of these results shocked me, but perhaps the most jaw dropping one was that most boomers earned an annual salary of just $20k at the time of their first home purchase.

📣 I Want to Hear From You

Got a topic, trend, or question you want me to tackle? Just hit reply.
If you enjoyed this newsletter, feel free to forward it to a friend.

Until next time,

Ilona