Tariffs, Tulips, and Time Off: What April Teaches Us About Holding Both
By Charlotte Volsch
Last week, I was in the middle of reading an article on tariff hikes when my neighbor dropped off a basket of oranges from her yard, and my friends phone buzzed with a text: “What time is spring break pickup again?” It all hit at once—April.
This is the month when life tries to be everything at once. Economically serious and personally lighthearted. The month where you’re wondering what the bond market means for your retirement plan and whether your backyard is too early for the first barbecue of the season.
It’s where many of us live right now: balancing real concerns with the moments that make life feel worth showing up for.
1. Dual Realities Are Just That—Real
April doesn’t ask us to choose between economic awareness and personal enjoyment. It forces us to live in the middle. You can be rethinking your budget in light of inflation and still smile when your kid tracks mud through the house on their way outside. Both are real.
What to keep in mind:
The goal isn’t to eliminate tension—it’s to learn how to live with it. The world might not slow down, but you can still take that walk, laugh at the mess, and move forward with your eyes open.
2. Reacting Is Easy—Responding Takes Practice
Tariffs, interest rates, bond curves—these things aren’t just for economists. They trickle down into gas prices, grocery bills, and your vacation plans. But letting headlines dictate your mood or choices? That’s where burnout begins.
You don’t have to become a financial expert overnight, but you can call your advisor, reassess your budget, or press pause on an unnecessary expense. Action beats panic every time.
Worth acting on:
Check your monthly spending. Ask yourself if your current habits still serve your future goals. Adjust calmly, without scrapping everything.
3. Time Off Isn’t a Luxury—It’s a Reset Button
Spring break shouldn’t feel like a guilty indulgence. Whether you’re taking a few days off or just slowing down your afternoons, this season gives you permission to look up from the grind and recalibrate.
It’s not about escaping your life—it’s about remembering what makes it meaningful. Sometimes clarity comes when your feet are in the grass and your phone is nowhere nearby.
Something to consider:
Take 30 minutes this week to unplug and reflect—not scroll, not plan. Just notice what you need more or less of in this next season.
4. Plant Something You’ll Thank Yourself For
Even if the economy feels unpredictable, that doesn’t mean everything has to be up in the air. April is a great time to plant something—literally or otherwise—that has a long-term payoff. That might be a raised garden bed, but it could just as easily be a new savings habit, a check-in with your CPA, or finally updating your trust.
Do one thing this week:
Pick one thing that helps you get ahead of future stress. It might not feel urgent, but that’s exactly why it matters.
In A Nutshell . . .
April’s unique. It’s heavy and hopeful, busy and breezy. But it’s also an invitation. An invitation to stop choosing between being serious and enjoying your life. We get to do both.
So yes, check the markets. Revisit your budget. But don’t forget to smell the orange blossoms while you’re at it.
If you’re not sure what to plant next—financially, personally, or practically—reach out. I’d love to walk through it with you.