The truth is:
You don’t need to obsessively watch the markets…but you do need a structured review schedule.
One of the most common mistakes we see among families is assuming their investments only need attention once a year — typically when their tax return is being filed. But today’s financial world moves faster, life changes more often, and your goals evolve as you do. Reviewing your portfolio too infrequently can lead to unnecessary risk, underperformance, and missed opportunities.
Below is a practical, high-impact rhythm that keeps your portfolio aligned, efficient, and working toward your goals.
1
Quarterly Review: Your 3 month check in
A quarterly investment review should be quick and focused. Think of it as your early-warning system.
What to look for:
- Allocation Drift
Different investments grow at different rates. Over time, this can shift your portfolio away from your intended risk level — sometimes significantly. - Performance vs. Expectations
You’re not looking for perfection, just making sure nothing is wildly out of step with your goals. - Contribution Tracking
Are you funding your 401(k), IRA, or taxable accounts as planned?
Quarterly checks help keep consistency. - Major Market Moves
You don’t need to react to every headline, but large movements may merit discussion.
Why it matters
Most problems start small. Quarterly reviews help you catch issues before they compound.
2
Semi-Annual Reviews: The Strategy Check
Every six months, you should reassess your investment strategy on a deeper level.
Key items to review:
- Your Risk Tolerance
Has your comfort with market movement changed?
Has your timeline changed? - Fees & Expenses
Are you paying unnecessary fees?
Are better alternatives available? - Life Circumstances
Did anything change in your job, family, or financial goals that affects how you should be investing? - Market & Economic Trends
While we don’t react emotionally to the market, we also don’t ignore reality.
Semi-annual reviews help us ensure your strategy is still aligned with the current environment.
Why it matters
This review keeps your portfolio intentional — not reactive or accidental.
3
Annual Reviews: The Full Portfolio Health Exam
Once a year, every investor needs a full, strategic investment review. This isn’t something you do on autopilot. It’s a deep dive across all accounts and all goals.
What should be included:
- Rebalancing
Bringing your portfolio back to its intended alignment. - Tax Efficiency Review
Where your investments are held matters as much as what you hold.
We evaluate taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-free strategies. - Beneficiary Review
One of the most overlooked (and most important) aspects of financial life — especially after life changes. - Goal Alignment
Retirement planning, college planning, wealth building, income generation — each has different strategies.
We ensure your investments match your real goals. - Protection Review
Investment planning and risk management go hand-in-hand.
We evaluate insurance, estate planning, and income protection.
Why it matters
This is your investment “annual physical.” It sets your direction for the next year and ensures your financial life stays on track.
4
Life-Event Reviews: Update Immediately
Some changes require immediate investment review — not quarterly or annual.
These include:
- Job changes
- New baby
- Marriage or divorce
- Selling or buying a home
- Inheritance
- Caring for aging parents
- Approaching retirement
- Major income changes
- Health events
Your investment plan should always reflect your life today — not your life 12 months ago.
The Bottom Line
You don’t need to check your portfolio every day.
You don’t need to react emotionally to the markets.
But you do need a structured review schedule.
Quarterly = small adjustments
Semi-annual = deeper evaluation
Annual = full strategic review
Life events = immediate update
If it’s been a while since your last full review, we can help.
Schedule your complimentary CSI360 Portfolio Health Check: (732) 224 3990.