The universe isn't on a budget. Ask for more.

Issue 19: 8 minute read

📚 Life Lessons: What to do with the stock market is on fire (like, now)

🙋🏽‍♀️ Dani’s Doings: Recapping my time in Bangkok (experiencing a whole earthquake), plus (un)surprising updates on my entrepreneurship journey…

💸 Money Matters: Updates on the stock market, recession indicators, and more money news

✈️ Travel Tings: How to protect yourself and prepare your phone if you decide to travel into the U.S., plus more

🫶🏽 Community Corner: What I’m using to learn Spanish online while I travel, and 2 of my FREE resources to help you get your money on track for Q2 onwards!

What to do when the stock market is a burning trash fire 🔥

It’s no secret that the stock market has been all over the place for the past few weeks. I personally haven’t been concerned though, and here are 5 tips I’d share with anyone who reaches out to me about what to do in times like these:

1) Do nothing. Whatever you do: Do not panic sell. Selling when prices are down often locks in your losses and can hurt your long-term gains. HOLD!

2) Zoom out. Look at how your investments have done over the past few years, not just the past few weeks. A short-term drop doesn’t always mean something is seriously wrong. If you’re in it for the long haul (as in, you’re investing for retirement in a few decades), this may not a big of a concern as it seems to be.

3) Don’t obsess. If checking your accounts is making you anxious, it’s okay to step away. You don’t need to watch the market every day. If I’m being honest, I haven’t logged into my accounts in months because I know I’m an anxious investor!

4) Buy the dip. If you have extra money and your bills are covered, you can consider buying while prices are lower. It’s like getting stocks on saaaaale! Or, if buying stocks are part of your payday routine, continue as usual.

5) Reflect. Ask yourself how this market drop makes you feel. If you’re very stressed or discover your portfolio isn’t diversified enough, you might want to adjust your investing plan in the future (and perhaps book a call with a fee-only financial planner).

✈️ Nomad Travel Updates

⏪ Where I was before: Bangkok, Thailand 🇹🇭 (2 weeks)

📍 Where I am now: Hoi An & Da Nang, Vietnam 🇻🇳 (1 month)

⏩ Where I’m off to next: Chiang Mai, Thailand 🇹🇭 (1 month), then Taiwan for a few days, then Hong Kong for a long stopover, then back home to Toronto for the summer!

🇹🇭 Bangkok Recap:

• I experienced my first-ever major earthquake: It was really scary. It was actually a 7.7 magnitude earthquake that hit Myanmar, but the tremors were felt all the way in cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai in Thailand. Here’s a short video I made recapping the scary experience. I’m grateful my partner and I are safe & healthy. Praying for all those affected.

• Otherwise though, Bangkok was a viiiibe! I did fun activities like a photoshoot in traditional clothing at one of the most famous temples in the city, ate at an authentic Jamaican restaurant (my honest review here) and also checked out BKK’s famous “plus size mall” with WILD store names like “love calories” and “moo moo” (recap here).

• Side note: Can I share how impressed I am with myself for being able to adapt to new countries, environments, languages, and cultures so quickly these days? I feel like I’m truly becoming a human of the universe, and I love that for me!

👩🏽‍💻 Entrepreneurship Updates:

Q1 was really good for my business and I, friend 🥹. And for some reason, I’m surprised???? I really shouldn’t be considering I truly did work my assssss off all Q1, but as I’ve shared before, I’m actively working on healing from a scarcity mindset and limiting beliefs. I’m a biz owner newbie, so it’ll take me a while to get there! Here’s what I’ve accomplished in Q1 in my business:

• My business profited more in Q1 than in all of 2024. Wild!

• My Liberty Leave course & community waitlist has continued to grow to 150+ women interested in learning how to take a career break without growing broke. Sign up here if you’re interested in a discount at launch!

• This Liberty Letter email list has over 1700 subscribers, and I’m so grateful for every single one of you being here 🫶🏽

• I signed my first long-term partnership with a travel client I adore, and completed another finance partnership with a brand partners I’ve worked with previously

• My assistant pitched me to 60+ brands for partnership opportunities

• I got new headshots for my business in Malaga that match my current vibe and mindset

Plus so much more! The first quarter of the year taught me to stop being surprised when the universe rewards me for all of my hard work. In fact, it reminded me that I should ask for and expect even more from it, because it’s not on a budget!

• Worried about an upcoming recession? Same. Here are some tips to prepare for it.

• Let’s talk recession indicators, but make it about ✨beauty✨. Did you know there are ways to tell if a recession is around the corner by things like lipstick sale increases, or increased requests for low-maintenance hairstyles with grown-out roots. Check out the article here.

• The trade war news over the past couple months is one of the most overwhelming financial topics I’ve ever followed. If you’ve been tuning out but would like a summary all in one place, here’s an excellent resource.

• ‼️ REMINDER for Tax filing deadlines: Canadian friends, for individual taxes, the deadline is April 30th. U.S. friends, the deadline is April 15th (aka this Tuesday!).

• Tesla, a stock that was once a goldmine to keep in your portfolio for gains, is now down a whopping 38% for the year. Yiiiiiiikes. Full story here.

• It’s a scary time to travel to the U.S. due to people being turned away (or even detained for weeks) when trying to enter. Here is a helpful guide on how to protect your phone and minimize risks because of information found on your device. Stay safe, friends!

• Canadian travel to the U.S. has dropped significantly (a whopping 32% for land travel). *pretends to be shocked 😱* Details here.

• Spain’s anti-tourism protests are starting again ahead of the busy travel season. Something to keep in mind if you plan on visiting soon! Summary here.

• A massive 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit Myanmar a few weeks ago, which killed thousands of people in the country (and also in Thailand). Some milder aftershocks are still happening today. Read the summary of what’s happening here.

• Heads up: As of May 1st, all foreigners entering Thailand must get an “online arrival card” before landing. It can take up to 3 days. Details here.

• 🗣️ Learn a language: Though I’m no longer in Spain, I’ve still been keeping up with my Spanish lessons and taking private online classes on Preply. I highly recommend their platform for learning any language! Here’s my referral link to get 70% off your first class.

• 💰 Get your money goals back on track! If Q1 wasn’t a great time for you to start your new year’s resolutions, Q2 (aka now) is the next best time! Grab my FREE savings goals tracker here to start working toward your goals. Or, claim my free Budget Bingo 2025 card here.

_{These may include affiliate links where I earn a small commission (and you pay nothing!), which helps me to continue to grow and produce content like this newsletter. Thanks for your support!}

Psssst: Did you know that the Liberty Letter is part of the Liberty Leave brand? Visit the website to learn more! | Wanna work together? Reach out here.