Gold, Nintendo, and Vibes: My No-Panic Strategy for a Recession
Except for gold and Nintendo.
After watching the markets whip around like a cat on catnip thanks to tariffs, trade tensions, and whatever else is in the economic stew this week, I decided it was time to protect the bag.
Before I go on—if you’re fortunate enough to have money to invest, I just want to say: I see you. Not everyone has extra cash lying around or access to a retirement plan at work. It’s a privilege to even be in the position to make these kinds of financial moves, and I don’t take that lightly.
If you're curious about what I did—and maybe wondering what you should do too if you're feeling recession jitters—here's a breakdown of how I moved my money into safe mode (but, you know, still with ✨a vibe✨). Disclaimer: I am not a financial advisor.
Step 1: Trim the Fat
I sold off all of my stock investments except for two:
- GLD (SPDR Gold Trust): Because when the world burns, gold glows.
- NTDOY (Nintendo ADR): I mean, it’s Nintendo. Have you seen their balance sheet? Plus, gaming doesn’t stop just because the economy sneezes. Honestly, I’ll probably never sell these. They’re a comfort holding at this point.
Step 2: Define the Goal
Protect the money. Still earn something. Don’t be boring, but don’t be reckless. Avoid anything that relies on vibes alone.
Step 3: Where to Consider Putting Your Money
If you're looking to keep your money safe(ish) during these rollercoaster times, there are a few types of investments that historically hold up better:
✦ Treasury Bonds & Bond Funds
Long-term or short-term U.S. Treasury bonds tend to be the financial equivalent of chamomile tea during a panic attack. They’re not exciting, but they’re dependable.
✦ Dividend-Paying Stocks & ETFs
Companies that consistently pay dividends, especially those that have done so for decades, tend to ride out economic storms better. They’re the slow-and-steady types.
✦ Utilities & Consumer Staples
People don’t stop flipping light switches or buying toilet paper just because the stock market's having a tantrum. These sectors often perform better when everything else is down.
✦ Gold (obviously)
I didn’t let go of my gold for a reason. It’s a classic recession hedge—and honestly, it just feels cool to own.
Why Not Just Hold Cash?
Because inflation is rude. You want your money to do something without doing the most.
A Quick Word on My 401(k)
Oh, you thought I was done? Nope. I rebalanced my 401(k) too.
Moved future contributions away from aggressive growth funds and into safer, more stable options like:
- Bond index funds
- Total return funds
- Real estate funds
- Dividend growth equities
- And a touch of long-term strategy (just in case the sun comes out again)
And yes, I even calculated how many shares I’d have of each. Because this is financial prep and a little Pokémon stat page energy.
So, yeah. That's the state of my little portfolio kingdom right now.
Safe, structured, and still vibing with Mario and a bar of gold.
And honestly? I'm deeply aware that being able to invest at all is a privilege. I’m grateful to have this opportunity, and I never want to treat it like a given. Whether you’re investing hundreds, thousands, or just figuring out how to start, you deserve to feel good about whatever steps you're able to take.
If you’re thinking about recession-proofing your money too, consider this your nudge to check your allocations, trim what’s wobbly, and remember: boring money moves are often the sexiest long-term.
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