David Gardner: Bear markets, bad timing and the case for a written plan

David Gardner: Bear markets, bad timing and the case for a written plan

As I write this, the S&P 500 index is hovering near another bear market — defined as a 20% drop from a recent high. Poor stock markets are often accompanied by gloomy headlines and anxiety about the future. Whether it’s the global financial crisis in 2008 or the COVID crash in 2020, few of us feel optimistic when the market is in the dumps. David Gardner / For the Camera You could argue that this time is different. When has the U.S. raised tarif…