This Week’s Blog Is Written By Matt Totsky, CFA®, IAG Wealth Platform Manager
July 15, 2026
In the Wake
My parents own a home on a lake about two hours north of Milwaukee and one of our kids’ favorite activities when we visit is tubing.
If you’ve ever gone tubing—or any activity that involves being pulled behind a boat—you know the general idea: hanging on to the tow rope or the tube, you attempt to stay above the water and (reasonably) dry as whoever drives the boat makes laps around the lake at high speeds.
If you’re directly behind the boat in its wake, this is usually a relatively easy task to accomplish. The rope stays taut, keeping steady tension as it pulls you smoothly forward, while the boat and its wake absorb most of the waves you encounter.
Once outside the wake, the tube bears the full impact of every wave. The rope becomes slack and you’re then jerked violently when the rope tenses once again. These sudden movements can send you airborne, spin you around, or cause the tube to capsize completely.
When tubing, that’s the point, though. You’re attempting to hang on for dear life while the driver does everything they can to throw you off. It’s the unexpected bumps, jerks, and turns that add a sense of danger and excitement to the activity.
Investing can sometimes feel a lot like tubing. Pulled along by the markets, you may feel like you’re simply hanging on for the ride, always at risk of going underwater.
When it comes to your financial future, this isn’t a fun thrill but a real risk you want to avoid. Unlike sitting on a tube, though, you have more control over your ride than you might think.
Choosing an appropriate asset allocation is like deciding how fast the boat should go in the first place. Rebalancing is what keeps your tube centered in the wake instead of drifting into rougher water.
When your portfolio begins to drift outside that “wake,” selling asset classes that have performed well and using those proceeds to buy those that have lagged can make the market waves feel much less jarring. Successful investing doesn’t mean eliminating every bump along the way. It does mean making sure those bumps don’t throw you overboard. Markets will always create waves, but a thoughtfully allocated and regularly rebalanced portfolio helps you ride through them.
If today’s markets feel like they’re pulling you faster than you’re comfortable with—or your portfolio has drifted farther outside the wake than you’d like, it may be time for a conversation. Reach out to one of our helpful financial advisors. We’ll make sure your portfolio is aligned with your long-term goals and positioned for a smoother ride ahead.
Quote of the week: Franklin D. Roosevelt: “A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.”
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.
Rebalancing a portfolio may cause investors to incur tax liabilities and/or transaction costs and does not assure a profit or protect against a loss. Asset allocation does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss.
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: 1139374
Photo Credit: iStock 104231583
