Preparing for Another Four Years of Donald Trump

This past week was a busy one! First, we had the U.S. elections. I wasn’t expecting Trump’s comeback, but it happened. Many Americans are feeling deeply disappointed and even afraid. I really appreciated Kamala Harris's powerful speech following her defeat. For Canadians, Joe Biden's kindness and strong leadership were comforting. Starting in January 2025, though, things will look very different. I don’t think Americans who voted for Trump fully realize the impact of their choice, but in a democracy, they’ll have to live with it. It’s certainly not a result I’m thrilled about.

Back in 2017, at the beginning of Trump’s first term, I found him somewhat intriguing—I didn’t know much about him then. But as time went on, it became clear he wasn’t suited for the presidency. He’s a convicted felon, and it’s puzzling to see Americans voting for him again. Trump seems focused solely on his own interests. He’s a self-absorbed man lacking in presidential qualities and good manners. Much like Elon Musk, Donald Trump displays erratic behavior. The best way to endure another four years under his leadership is to stay somewhat emotionally detached. I have an account on Twitter/X, but I avoid following figures like Elon Musk and Donald Trump. Following such individuals on social media can really affect your mental health.

My investment portfolio didn’t perform particularly well during Donald Trump’s first term. To illustrate, here’s my portfolio net worth over the years 2017 to 2021:

• 2017: $221,989.65
• 2018: $204,306.57
• 2019: $239,582.44
• 2020: $259,661.24
• 2021: $339,434.39

Yes, my net worth increased by $117,000 between 2017 and 2021, which is roughly an average of $23,400 per year. However, I truly believe that with the assets I held, I could have experienced significantly more growth during those years. You can view a more complete history of my net growth here.

Following the news of a new term for Donald Trump, both the U.S. and Canadian markets reacted positively. However, we’ll have to wait and see how things play out over the long run. Starting January 2025, we can expect increased market volatility as Trump’s unpredictable mood swings will likely have a significant impact on the global economy. Personally, I’m preparing for this by focusing on paying down my margin debt. Currently, my margin debt stands at $4,912. My goal is to reduce it to around $1,800 by the end of November and to have it fully paid off by the end of December.