How to Request Rebalancing in Turbulent Times

Understand how portfolio rebalancing can protect your investments during turbulent times and help keep your financial goals on track

Understand more about rebalancing in turbulent times

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You’ve probably heard the term “rebalancing” thrown around in financial podcasts or maybe seen it pop up in your brokerage app. But what does it really mean when the market feels like it’s doing backflips, and more importantly, how do you go about requesting it when things get rocky?

If you’ve been watching your portfolio bounce up and down lately, you’re not alone. These turbulent times can make even the calmest investor feel a little dizzy.

So, if you’re wondering how to take action, talk to your advisor, or even just understand why rebalancing matters right now, let’s dive in together.

What Even Is Rebalancing?

Think of your portfolio like a pizza (yes, really). When you first built it, you probably decided how much of each “slice” you wanted, some stocks, some bonds, maybe some cash or alternative investments. You had your perfect combo. But then the market happened.

Suddenly, your pepperoni slice (maybe tech stocks) got way bigger than the rest. Or maybe your veggie slice (bonds, for example) shrunk.

Rebalancing is basically saying, “Okay, let’s go back to the original recipe,” and shifting things around so you’re not accidentally taking on way more risk, or missing out on potential gains.

It’s not about timing the market. It’s about keeping your mix aligned with your long-term strategy. And in volatile times, that matters a lot more than people realize.

Why Turbulent Times Are Actually the Best Time to Pay Attention

When the market’s calm, people tend to let things slide. But when the headlines are full of red arrows and dramatic predictions, suddenly we all start paying closer attention to what our money’s doing. That’s a good thing.

Here’s the deal: during rough patches, some parts of your portfolio may take a harder hit than others. If you don’t rebalance, you might end up overexposed to high-risk assets without even realizing it. On the flip side, you might miss out on opportunities to buy assets at a discount—aka, the “buy low” part of “buy low, sell high.”

Don’t Overthink the Ask, Just Start the Conversation

Now, maybe you’re thinking, “Okay, sounds good… but how do I actually request a rebalance?” Honestly, it’s not as complicated as it might sound.

If you’re working with a financial advisor, just shoot them a message or give them a quick call. You don’t need to use fancy jargon.

Try something like: “Hey, I’ve been thinking about how the market’s been lately, do you think it’s a good time to review and rebalance my portfolio?” That’s it. That one sentence opens the door to a smart, proactive conversation.

If you’re managing things yourself through a brokerage account, many platforms offer rebalancing tools or suggestions based on your chosen strategy.

Even just logging in and checking your asset allocation compared to your original plan can help you decide if it’s time to act.

Stay Grounded, You’re Playing the Long Game

One of the biggest temptations in volatile times is to make drastic moves. You might feel the urge to cash out completely or go all-in on “safe” options. But more often than not, reacting emotionally can cause more harm than good.

Rebalancing helps you stay grounded. It’s like your financial GPS saying, “Hey, you veered off course a bit, let’s get back on track.”

When done thoughtfully, rebalancing can actually be a way to reduce your stress, because it gives you a sense of control. It reminds you that your portfolio isn’t just some chaotic rollercoaster, it’s a strategy. And you’re steering the ship.

Final Thoughts

Rebalancing isn’t a one-and-done kind of thing. It’s something you’ll want to do periodically, especially after big market swings or changes in your life, like a new job, a new home, or changes in your family.

But more than anything, rebalancing is about you. Your goals. Your risk tolerance. Your timeline.

So when things feel uncertain out there, try tuning back into what matters most: where you want to go, and whether your current setup is still helping you get there.