The stock market has been extremely volatile as of late. Consider August 24, 2015, when the Dow opened down nearly 1,000 points and as of this writing has rebounded nearly 700 points. Volatility is like a roller coaster and today is probably about as wild of a roller coaster for one to be on.

However, never forget that volatility is driven by emotional buying and selling, and investors (not traders), like myself, don’t let our emotions determine our long-term investment strategy for retirement. Part of the reason our clients hire us is to keep their emotions in check, so that they don’t get off of the roller coaster before it comes to a complete stop. The complete stop is when you’re ready to stop investing in the wealth generating tool that is capitalism. Are you at that point today?

Check out this video "The Retirement Gamble" by Martin Smith at Frontline.

This is a very thought provoking and well done documentary by Martin Smith.  It touches upon many areas that are at the foundation of taking control of your own retirement and understanding how to invest for your safe and secure financial future while not being misled by big, bloated Wall Street Firms whose seemingly only interest is to gouge you with fees (like the ones seen in the documentary with company representatives stumbling over their words poorly trying to defend what they do).