The Markets Were Miserable Last Year, But That’s Great News
It’s all about perspective. Hopefully, you learned that your financial plan can withstand market downturns. If not, now you know you need to make adjustments.


It’s not a shock that the markets had a pretty abysmal year last year, in fact the worst since 2008. Not only that, 2022’s double-digit loss was the worst for the bond market since 1976, the first year tracked by the Barclays Agg. That being said, the miserable market is great news — but how?
It’s all about perspective, and the one thing that a terrible year in the market does is give us all some perspective, both in investing and in life in general. There are a few perspectives that we can all take thanks to the 2022 market outcome.
First, your financial plan has been tested, and you’re likely in an all right place. The whole purpose of a financial plan is to see you through the market ups and downs, and 2022 was certainly a downturn. The good news here is that your financial plan got a thorough test in last year’s market, and you’re likely in a spot where you will still recover and can rely on your plan.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
If you’re not, that is something that you can adjust and work through. If you need help, you can rely on a financial adviser or planner for advice. But take solace in the perspective that the markets threw what could be their worst at you, and financially you made it through.
Secondly, investing is a long-term process, and hopefully that is something you’ve realized over the last year. If you’re investing in order to get rich quickly or for short periods of time, then investing may not be for you — because you need time to ride out the market ups and downs.
The S&P 500 hit 735 at its lowest point in 2008 (before going even lower in 2009), while after a decent-sized sell-off in early 2023, we’re looking at a market around 4,000 now — which is an increase of more than 3,000 points. These increases take time, and you need to ride them out.
The final perspective you need to take is zooming out and looking at the bigger picture. When you think about your life in general, the worst years likely have nothing to do with the market. And if 2022 was one of the worst years of your life (market or not), here’s hoping that next year is an improvement.
The good news is that 2023 is already looking brighter. Unemployment is at a low, inflation is seeming to abate and reverse, and interest rates aren’t too far from where we’re accustomed to seeing them.
As you can see, it’s all about perspective, and while the markets may not have performed how we liked last year, there’s hope ahead for a better tomorrow.
Diversified, LLC is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any specific level of skill or training and does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the SEC. A copy of Diversified’s current written disclosure brochure which discusses, among other things, the firm’s business practices, services and fees, is available through the SEC’s website at: www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. Investments in securities involve risk, including the possible loss of principal. The information on this website is not a recommendation nor an offer to sell (or solicitation of an offer to buy) securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction.
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

In March 2010, Andrew Rosen joined Diversified, bringing with him nine years of financial industry experience. As a financial planner, Andrew forges lifelong relationships with clients, coaching them through all stages of life. He has obtained his Series 6, 7 and 63, along with property/casualty and health/life insurance licenses. Andrew consistently delivers high-level, concierge service to all clients.
-
The Most Popular Apps for Retirement Planning in 2025
A J.D. Power survey ranks retirement planning apps based on customer service and satisfaction. Does your financial app make the cut?
-
Don't Disinherit Your Grandchildren: The Hidden Risks of Retirement Account Beneficiary Forms
Standard retirement account beneficiary forms may not be flexible enough to ensure your money passes to family members according to your wishes. Naming a trust as the contingent beneficiary can help avoid these issues. Here's how.
-
Don't Disinherit Your Grandchildren: The Hidden Risks of Retirement Account Beneficiary Forms
Standard retirement account beneficiary forms may not be flexible enough to ensure your money passes to family members according to your wishes. Naming a trust as the contingent beneficiary can help avoid these issues. Here's how.
-
This Is How Life Insurance Can Fund Your Dreams Now
Beyond a death benefit, life insurance can provide significant financial value and flexibility through 'living benefits' while you are still alive, helping with expenses like education, business ventures or retirement.
-
Potential Trouble for Retirees: A Wealth Adviser's Guide to the OBBB's Impact on Retirement
While some provisions might help, others could push you into a higher tax bracket and raise your costs. Be strategic about Roth conversions, charitable donations, estate tax plans and health care expenditures.
-
One Small Step for Your Money, One Giant Leap for Retirement
Saving enough for retirement can sound as daunting as walking on the moon. But what would your future look like if you took one small step toward it this year?
-
This Is What You Really Need to Know About Medicare, From a Financial Expert
Health care costs are a significant retirement expense, and Medicare offers essential but complex coverage that requires careful planning. Here's how to navigate Medicare's various parts, enrollment periods and income-based costs.
-
I'm a Financial Planner: Could Partial Retirement Be the Right Move for You?
Many Americans close to retirement are questioning whether they should take the full leap into retirement or continue to work part-time.
-
From Mortgages to Taxes to Estates: How to Prepare for Falling Interest Rates
As speculation grows that the Federal Reserve will soon start lowering interest rates, now is a good time to review your financial plans for housing, estate, taxes, investing and retirement to make the most of potential changes.
-
This Is How Lottery Winners Build Lasting Legacies, From a Financial Professional
Winning a massive lottery jackpot, like the recent $1.4 billion Powerball, requires seeking immediate legal and financial counsel, protecting your identity and winnings and planning your legacy.