How to Stress Less and Make Smarter Investment Decisions
At the time of this writing, it has been a little over 50 days since the Trump administration took office. Regardless of where you stand politically, one thing is clear: the news has been relentless. It’s everywhere —headlines, notifications, social media feeds— demanding your attention and emotional energy at every turn.
At Mana, our goal is to empower people to feel more confident about their financial future. But today, we’re here to challenge a notion that might seem counterintuitive: If you want to be a smarter investor, stop paying so much attention to the news.
Why the News is Making You a Worse Investor
The news cycle thrives on fear. It’s engineered to keep you clicking, worrying, and reacting. Every headline screams urgency, every update demands your immediate response—but at what cost? This is the central theme of Stop Reading the News by Rolf Dobelli, who argues that constant exposure to news doesn’t make us more informed—it makes us anxious, distracted, and reactionary.
Nowhere is this more evident than in financial media. CNBC and other financial networks capitalize on market drama, creating the illusion that every tick of the stock market matters. Their viewership spikes during volatility—not because investors are gaining valuable insights, but because fear and uncertainty keep them glued to their screens. The personalities they feature—fast-talking traders, dramatic analysts, and self-proclaimed experts—aren’t there to help you make better investment decisions. They’re there to keep you watching.
But successful investing isn’t about reacting to headlines. It’s about cutting through the noise, thinking independently, and focusing on long-term fundamentals.
Be Your Own Algorithm: How to Filter the Right Information
Many people fear that stepping away from the news means tuning out important information. That’s not what we’re advocating. Instead, we want to empower you to curate your sources of information intentionally.
Think of it this way: if you had to explain your investment strategy to a friend who knows nothing about finance, would you base it on daily headlines or on thoughtful, long-term research?
The key is to filter out noise and focus on wisdom. Instead of endless scrolling, build a balanced information diet:
- Follow true experts, not entertainers. Find investors, economists, and financial historians who have studied markets for decades, not just TV personalities reacting to the latest trend.
- Read fewer, better sources. Instead of chasing market updates, subscribe to long-form analysis that aligns with your long-term goals.
- Curate your own feed. Most social media and news apps bombard you with algorithm-driven content designed to keep you addicted. Be proactive—mute, unfollow, or unsubscribe from sources that don’t add real value.
At Mana, we take this approach ourselves. We don’t focus on the latest panic-driven takes; we read and listen to experts who understand multi-decade investing strategies. Your portfolio isn’t built for tomorrow; it’s built for the long haul.
Find the Right Voices, Not Just Another List
Rather than adding to the never-ending pile of “must-reads,” we encourage you to be intentional about where you get your financial advice and information. Instead of mindlessly consuming what your social media algorithm serves, seek out voices that resonate with your thinking and learning style—those who deliver wisdom thoughtfully rather than simply reacting to the latest market swings.
That said, if you’re looking for a starting point, the Mana team finds value in the work of Rubin Miller of Fortunes and Frictions, Ed Yardeni of Yardeni Research, Jill Schlesinger of Jill on Money, Matt Klein of The Overshoot, Vivian Tu of Your Rich BFF and John Authers of Bloomberg and his Points of Return daily newsletter. These commentators are all very different, but they each focus on long-term trends and deep analysis rather than short-term noise. But the real takeaway here isn’t to follow a pre-made list—it’s to curate your own sources with intention, ensuring you’re learning from people who help you think clearly and invest wisely.
A Practical Guide to Turning Off the Noise
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by financial news, try this simple step-by-step approach:
1. Unsubscribe from alerts. Market notifications trigger stress and reactive decision-making. Turn them off.
2. Mute unnecessary sources. Whether it’s Twitter/X, YouTube, or financial news apps, limit your exposure to reactionary content.
3. Replace doom-scrolling with deep reading. Instead of scanning 20 headlines, read one insightful article or book per week from a trusted expert.
4. Find your own balance. Instead of consuming whatever the algorithm serves, ask yourself, “Does this content make me a better investor, or just a more anxious one?”
Mana’s Recommendation: Tune Into What Matters
We believe that real knowledge doesn’t come from reacting, it comes from thinking. Instead of keeping up with the latest stock market panic, focus on insights from experts who have mastered their craft over decades. Our team at Mana filters through the noise to bring you balanced, thoughtful perspectives that actually matter. No doomsday predictions, no knee-jerk analysis—just clarity, strategy, and long-term thinking. You don’t need more news. You need better wisdom. And we’re here to help you find it.
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Stephanie Bucko and Cristina Livadary are fee-only financial planners based in Los Angeles, California. Stephanie is the Chief Investment Officer and Cristina is the Chief Executive Officer at Mana Financial Life Design (FLD). Mana FLD provides comprehensive financial planning and investment management services to help clients grow and protect their wealth throughout life’s journey. Mana FLD specializes in advising ambitious professionals who seek financial knowledge and want to implement creative budgeting, savings, proactive planning and powerful investment strategies. As fee-only fiduciaries and independent financial advisors, Stephanie and Cristina never receive commission of any kind. Stephanie and Cristina are legally bound by their certifications to provide unbiased and trustworthy financial advice.