In today’s unpredictable market, it’s more important than ever to own high-quality, undervalued assets. Gold and Bitcoin still have a role in long-term portfolios, but investors should focus on cryptocurrencies with real use cases and steer clear of speculative coins.

One key strategy is being flexible with investment choices. Rather than sticking to small or mid-cap stocks, go where the money is. This means sometimes investing in large-cap names like Facebook (now Meta), Apple, Google, and Tesla when they were undervalued, which led to significant gains. While small-cap stocks can be volatile and many are unprofitable, there are opportunities if you carefully pick companies with strong catalysts and manage your positions wisely.

For example, using options strategies like selling covered calls and cash-secured puts can help generate consistent income, especially in sideways or choppy markets. This “options wheel” approach allows you to make money whether the stock moves up or stays flat. It’s especially effective in tax-deferred accounts.

A good example of this is AST SpaceMobile, which saw strong returns after buying in early and selling options on the way up and down. Even during price drops, selling puts at key support levels brought in solid premium income, often without needing to buy the stock.

Investing is not always about hitting home runs. Sometimes grinding out base hits through smart strategies makes the biggest difference over time. It’s crucial not to panic during downturns or sell out of frustration. Many investors make the mistake of taking tax losses right before stocks rebound. Often, institutional investors are buying when retail investors are selling near the bottom.

When dealing with small and mid-cap stocks, it’s essential to remember that these markets are inefficient compared to large caps. That creates opportunities for those who do their homework. If you’ve picked strong companies and still believe in their long-term potential, holding through rough patches can pay off.

In terms of managing risk, now might be a good time to reassess overvalued large-cap stocks, especially with concerns around government shutdowns or broader market corrections. Large caps have hit very high valuations, which could be risky in the near term.

Options can be powerful tools if used correctly. Selling covered calls on stocks you already own can bring in extra income. Selling cash-secured puts lets you potentially buy stocks at lower prices while collecting premiums upfront. This works particularly well when market volatility pushes option premiums higher.

This strategy requires a solid foundation of good stock selection. It’s like setting a limit order to buy a stock—but getting paid while you wait. If the stock doesn’t drop to your target price, you keep the premium. If it does drop and you’re assigned the shares, you’re buying at a discount.

Technical analysis tools like the weekly Relative Strength Index (RSI) can help identify good entry points for selling puts. When RSI is low (around 30-40), it often signals a buying opportunity or a chance to sell puts for high premiums.

By combining smart stock picking with options strategies, it’s possible to earn strong returns with less risk than just owning stocks outright. Holding a balanced mix of ETFs and individual stocks, while keeping cash ready to deploy via puts during dips, creates a well-rounded approach.

Looking at the broader economy, Quantitative Easing (QE)—or money printing—has changed the game. Historically, governments print money when they overspend or under-tax. The U.S., with over $37 trillion in debt, is no exception. QE helps keep markets liquid but also inflates asset prices.

This benefits asset owners and hurts those without investments. To protect your wealth, owning assets that grow faster than inflation—like quality stocks—is crucial.

In this kind of environment, avoid buying average assets just because they offer a high dividend yield. Instead, focus on undervalued companies with strong growth potential over the next 3–5 years.

Private equity firms often provide clues about where smart money is going. Recently, many have shifted from energy investments into AI-related infrastructure like data centers. Some are also buying back into natural gas and beaten-down clean energy sectors—signals worth watching closely.

Artificial Intelligence is perhaps the most impactful trend since the internet boom. Just like the dotcom era built out digital infrastructure that later enabled giants like Amazon and Google to thrive, today’s AI build-out is laying the foundation for massive long-term gains.

AI isn’t just about flashy tech firms—it’s also transforming industries like healthcare and manufacturing by improving efficiency and lowering costs. Companies that can maintain pricing power while using AI to boost margins will likely emerge as winners.

For example, Pfizer could benefit from using AI in drug development thanks to its vast data resources and budget for computing power. Mid-cap companies that embrace AI and eventually grow into S&P 500 members could offer great upside potential with less risk than speculative small caps.

On gold and crypto: gold remains a solid store of value and has kept pace with inflation over time. While it may not deliver explosive returns from here, it still offers stability in uncertain times.

Bitcoin plays a similar role as digital gold. While it started as a tool for moving money across borders (often for questionable reasons), it’s matured into an asset class watched by major institutions. However, it still faces regulatory risks if governments feel threatened by its rise.

Among cryptocurrencies, focus on those with real-world utility—such as Ethereum and Solana—which power smart contracts and decentralized apps. These platforms are being adopted by governments and big organizations for things like digital property titles and secure transactions.

Avoid speculative tokens without clear use cases or business models—they’re high-risk and often manipulated by pump-and-dump schemes.

In summary:

– Own quality assets that hold value over time
– Be flexible: invest in all caps based on where the best opportunities are
– Use options strategies like covered calls and cash-secured puts for consistent income
– Don’t panic sell during rough patches—especially in small/mid-caps
– Follow where smart money is going: AI infrastructure, undervalued large caps
– View AI as a major force that will impact everything from healthcare to finance
– Own functional crypto; avoid speculative coins
– Protect your wealth from inflation by investing wisely

Being patient and following smart strategies can help you thrive—even during uncertain times.