This Week’s Blog Is Written By Matt Totsky, CFA®, IAG Wealth Platform Manager
August 26, 2026

Allergic Reaction

My daughter has wanted a pet of her own for quite some time. This is a desire she has made both abundantly and repeatedly clear.

We have two loving, playful family dogs but their attachments lie more with my wife than any other member of our household. Despite coaxing and outright bribery attempts, they ultimately will choose my wife when making key affection decisions like whom to snuggle with on the couch or in bed.

She has also been the owner of betta fish over the years, but they have been decidedly less cuddly than she desires from a pet. Their life expectancy is also relatively short, so she’s already had to hold a few burials at sea.

And so, my daughter’s quest for an animal whose devotion lies with her has continued. Reptiles and amphibians are nonstarters in our home. Guinea pigs have been discussed but ultimately ruled out. She may love goats more than any other animal, but our municipality rules state our property is too small to own one (which is a nice, convenient excuse for Dad).

This has led to her zeroing in on cats, another animal she has loved from an early age. However, my wife is highly allergic to cats. Research has been conducted and we’ve found some hypoallergenic breeds that may not result in making my wife absolutely miserable living in close proximity to them.

The word hypoallergenic doesn’t mean allergen-free; it means less likely to cause an allergic reaction. Those hypoallergenic breeds shouldn’t aggravate my wife’s allergies to a point of being unbearable, but no breed eliminates allergens entirely.

Homing in on the right pet for our daughter has involved eliminating unsuitable choices and finding the best fit for our family’s needs, much like you do when creating an investment portfolio.

Some investments can be ruled out completely because they don’t fit your goals. Others may be far riskier than what you can tolerate. Still others simply may not work for your situation due to the rules surrounding them.

Even when you find investments that may play the correct role for you, no strategy is truly risk-free. Much like hypoallergenic pet breeds, you may be able to lessen the uncomfortable side effects of investing, but you’ll never fully eliminate your shortness of breath or watery eyes that can accompany an overreaction in the markets.

If you know what triggers your reactions, you can select an allocation that minimizes those effects while still giving you the opportunity to participate when markets are working in your favor.

Finding the right allocation isn’t about selecting the perfect investments. It’s about determining the right combination for your financial goals and your tolerance for risk. If you’re struggling to determine what that means for you, reach out to us and let one of our advisors help build a portfolio that fits your financial goals—with hopefully less stress than picking your next household pet.

Quote of the week: Mark Twain: “The cat, having sat upon a hot stove lid, will not sit upon a hot stove lid again. But he won’t sit upon a cold stove lid, either.”

Securities offered through LPL Financial. Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through IAG Wealth Partners, LLC, (IAG) a registered investment advisor and separate entity from LPL Financial. Jason Ganiere is solely an investment advisor representative of IAG Wealth Partners LLC, and not affiliated with LPL Financial.

The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results.

Any opinions are those of IAG and not necessarily those of LPL Financial. Expressions of opinion are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. This information is not intended as a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any security referred to herein. No strategy assures success or protects against loss. Investing involves risk including loss of principle.

ART: 1164562
Photo Credit: iStock 1406010839