Here’s My Investment Philosophy. What’s Yours?
A set of core beliefs can guide your plan and decisions. It can also help you tune out distractions like inflation or IPOs.
/author-service-images-prod-us-east-1.publishing.aws.arc.pub/morningstar/66112c3a-1edc-4f2a-ad8e-317f22d64dd3.jpg)
Christine Benz
Christine Benz is director of personal finance and retirement planning for Morningstar. She is also the author of How to Retire: 20 Lessons for a Happy, Successful, and Wealthy Retirement. Email Christine at christine.benz@morningstar.com. She reads all of the emails she receives but doesn't always have time to send a personal response.
More From Christine Benz
Which Asset Types Have Held Up Best in US Recessions?
Stocks have been unreliable, but one asset class stood out across every recessionary period we examined.
Your 2026 Reading List: The Books Our Analysts Are Giving and Reading This Season
Discover thoughtful, insight-rich books perfect for holiday giving or for starting your 2026 reading list strong.
/d10o6nnig0wrdw.cloudfront.net/10-13-2025/t_5c69cdb982094b2881bbba39c4e0e1ad_name_file_960x540_1600_v4_.jpg)
Don’t Count on Dividend Stocks Alone for Retirement Income
There are risks if you rely too much on the payouts from dividend stocks in retirement.
/d10o6nnig0wrdw.cloudfront.net/09-30-2025/t_356a8fc29378452a94412c569579a056_name_file_960x540_1600_v4_.jpg)
Your Investment Portfolio Is Probably Riskier Than You Think
Complacency and a higher risk tolerance are to blame.
/d10o6nnig0wrdw.cloudfront.net/09-18-2025/t_fa9acf3a300743f59a920dd773d45a31_name_file_960x540_1600_v4_.jpg)
5 Investments You Don’t Really Need
Plus, which core building blocks every portfolio should have.
/d10o6nnig0wrdw.cloudfront.net/08-06-2025/t_eab8912f03ba4ec18a224cca662421ea_name_file_960x540_1600_v4_.jpg)
Is Investing Becoming Too Complex? Vanguard’s CEO Weighs In
Salim Ramji discusses private markets, cryptocurrency, and Vanguard.
My Baptism by FIRE: Lessons on Financial Independence
A “normie” reflects on working longer, the benefits of staying flexible, and hopping off the hedonic treadmill.
/d10o6nnig0wrdw.cloudfront.net/05-01-2025/t_93185f1202cc4c44831379d2d1158992_name_file_960x540_1600_v4_.jpg)
5 Key Investing Lessons From Recent Market Volatility
Tips to help investors navigate uncertainty.
Are US Bonds Broken as Diversifiers for Stocks?
The case for fixed income as equity ballast remains largely intact, but investors should check their exposures.
Maybe You Should Sell Some Stocks
Not everyone should sit still despite the market's turbulence.
