Happy New Year! As we begin another year, here are five investing resolutions and words of wisdom from the world’s best investors:

“Sometimes the tide is with us, and sometimes against. But we keep swimming either way.” — Charlie Munger

1. Keep swimming. It’s easy to feel confident when the tide is in our favour, as it was in 2024. Yet, Munger often emphasized the importance of discipline: keeping a steady stroke regardless of market conditions. Staying invested through the highs and lows, and resisting the urge to overreact to short-term tides, can be key to longer-term success.

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.” — Proverb

2. Don’t overlook the value of time. After the rapid gains of 2024, it may be easy to overlook the importance of time and patience in investing. Meaningful growth is often measured over decades, not merely days or even years. Starting today, even a modest contribution like $19 per day can yield remarkable results. At an annual rate of return of 6 percent, this small daily amount could grow to over $1.1 million in 40 years — a powerful reminder of the impact of time.

“All these noises and jumping up and down along the way are really just emotions that confuse you.” — John Bogle

3. Pay less attention to the noise. On average, we’re staring at our screens almost 7 hours a day, amounting to over 17 full years of our lifetimes! While the news we’re being fed has always leaned negative to capture attention, this negativity has increased. This may explain why both economic and non-economic sentiment have declined over the last 50 years despite fewer economic setbacks.¹ Focusing too much on tomorrow’s uncertaintiesis counterproductive: it often involves factors beyond our control, causes investors to make hasty decisions and shifts attention away from longer-term plans.

“Do not save what is left after spending, but spend what is left after saving.” — Warren Buffett

4. Save more. Saving is among the few elements of investing within our control, unlike factors such as stock market fluctuations, interest rate changes or the timing of economic downturns. Moreover, it is a fundamental pillar in the process of wealth accumulation. Building wealth is possible even with a modest income, yet it becomes improbable without a commitment to saving.

“Any sound long-range investment program requires patience and perseverance. Perhaps that is why so few investors follow any plan.” — John Templeton

5. Have confidence in your plan. In our work as advisors, we are here to provide support at every stage of the investment journey to help you achieve your goals. Research continues to show that investors who work with advisors build more wealth over time, with success driven by key factors including asset allocation, savings discipline and coaching to avoid costly mistakes.² Have confidence in your plan, and continue looking forward.

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^{1. https://www.ft.com/content/af78f86d-13d2-429d-ad55-a11947989c8f; 2. https://www.ific.ca/wp-content/themes/ific-new/util/downloads_new.php?id=27821&lang=en_CA}

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