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Noah Damsky, Joey Loss, Devin Pope, Mark Wilson: “Ask an advisor: How can I diversify when both stocks and bonds are down?” FinancialPlanning, May 1. Damsky says, “Sophisticated institutional investors implement hedges, such as commodities, which can go up when stocks suffer, but that takes a lot of discipline and know-how. If you’re up for it, then go ahead. For everyday investors, bonds should do the trick.” Loss says, “… for those who plan to spend money in the near to intermediate future, it may be worth exploring high-yield cash savings accounts available in the current landscape.” Pope says, “You can get diversification by owning different types of equities, in terms of market cap or sector allocations.” Wilson says, “But if you can hang in there, trend following (‘managed futures’) funds are probably the best option for you to consider.”

Ken Robinson: “CD rates at 5%: Is it worth buying one, or are there better options?” Cleveland.com, April 27. “You don’t have to do the very best thing as long as you do something that’s helpful,” says Robinson.

Lazetta Rainey Braxton: “A Financial Planner Reflects at 50,” Next Avenue, April 24. Braxton says, “The good news is that it’s never too late to act on your financial planning journey. I believe this mantra and will hire a financial planner as one of my 50th birthday gifts to myself. Ideally, I will find a planner who shares my family’s values, possesses cultural competency, believes in holistic financial planning and values leading with EQ (engaging our humanness) to enhance the IQ (knowing the craft).”

Yonhee Choi Gordon, Valerie Rivera: “Women gain momentum in new CFP numbers but overall percentage is stuck,” InvestmentNews, April 20. Gordon says, “Mentoring is important.” Rivera says, “I suck at math. That’s why there are calculators. The most important skills are high self-awareness and emotional intelligence.”

Kristy Archuleta: “Framework | E190 | Dr. Kristy Archuleta: Understanding Clients with Financial Therapy,” Carson Group, April 17. Archuleta says, “When we think about psychology or financial planning or financial psychology or financial therapy, there’s a number of different terms that … have some different meanings to them. It really needs to be an integrated approach. And so I’m talking about solution focus therapy, where we call it solution focused financial therapy when it has a spin on financial because you’re really integrating in that process.”

Colin Moynahan, Jordan Nietzel, Danika Waddell: “Save for a Down Payment and Retirement, All at Once? It’s Tricky,” The New York Times, April 16. Moynahan says, “The long-term value of missing these contributions adds up very quickly and will hurt their account values come retirement time.” Nietzel says, “The real power of homeownership is that it’s a form of forced savings.” Waddell says, “There may not be that much difference in one’s ability to save during working years, but the effect of having home equity to draw on in retirement, coupled with hopefully having paid off your mortgage by the time you retire, could make a significant difference in later years.”

Danielle Harrison: “I just want a financial adviser to help every now and then — but most of them want me to pay them year round. No thanks. What’s my move?” MarketWatch, April 13. “Here Are the Top 10 Colleges to Attend if You Want to Get Rich,” TheStreet, April 6. Harrison says, “I find that hourly services work very well for individuals who don’t need ongoing asset management or planning assistance but would like help on a periodic basis.”

Mike Gibney: “Do I still need life insurance now that my kids are grown?” NJ Money Help, April. Gibney says, “This is where health, age, and cost may become a factor. Keep in mind, many websites can provide you an estimate of what a new policy may cost, but ultimately, this will be determined by the underwriting process.”

Bill Houck: “Should I use 529 plan or UTMA for my grandchild’s college?” NJ Money Help, April. Houck says, “The bottom line? Consider starting with the 529 and contribute ongoing to the 529. Check in with a financial planner along the way since the rules and strategies might change.”