IF 2023 was the year of mistakes and 2024 the year of recovery, then 2026 will be the year of discipline.
This past year, my travels spanning Switzerland, the United States, and Zimbabwe reshaped not only my perspective on the world but also fundamentally changed how I approach investing.
Traveling across continents, experiencing different economic realities, and observing how diverse societies manage money and risk has deepened my conviction that investing is far more than numbers on a screen — it mirrors a mindset shaped by culture, systems, and patience.
In this article, I share the lessons travel has taught me and how they’ve informed the structure and discipline behind my 2026 investment portfolio plan.
My hope is that these insights inspire you to rethink not just your portfolio but your relationship with risk, time, and reward.
As a reminder, the views expressed here are for educational purposes only and do not constitute financial advice.
Investing involves risk, and it’s vital to do your own research or consult with a licensed advisor before making decisions.
From travel to trading: The psychology of risk
- Mthuli dives into Zanu PF politics headlong
- Driver ‘seriously injured’ after being run over three times by own car
- HealthTalk: Zim has potential to deliver quality health
- Switzerland helps to bring about climate-resilient agriculture in Zim
Keep Reading
Trading and investing have been part of my life for years, but 2023 was a humbling year. I faced a painful US$33 000 loss after overleveraging in volatile markets.
That experience brought home the reality that risk is not just an abstract concept — it’s money leaving your account when things don’t go as planned.
That setback forced me to pause and reassess everything. Starting anew with about US$15,000 and CA$300, I committed to discipline, strict position sizing, and focusing on high-probability setups.
As of November 1, 2025, I have grown that portfolio by 85%, a testament to the power of measured risk-taking.
When I reflect on risk now, my mind immediately connects to lessons from my travels. Switzerland’s punctual trains are a metaphor for systems that work reliably.
California’s thriving innovation ecosystem shows the rewards of calculated risk-taking. Zimbabwe’s resilience highlights the courage needed to persist amid uncertainty.
Together, these experiences shaped a balanced investor mentality — one that values patience alongside courage.
Lesson from the road: Cash Is your psychological cushion
No matter where you are — from a Swiss airport lounge to a bustling Harare market — there’s a quiet comfort in knowing you have accessible cash in case things go sideways.
This principle rings just as true in investing as it does when booking last-minute travel.
In 2026, I will maintain a cash reserve sufficient to cover six to twelve months’ worth of expenses, held in highly accessible accounts.
This buffer gives me the mental freedom to avoid trading out of desperation. I invest only when setups make sense, not from necessity.
Just as travellers keep emergency funds to weather delays or cancellations, investors need liquidity to ride out market volatility without panic selling.
This cash cushion is a cornerstone of my portfolio philosophy and mental preparedness.
The 2026 portfolio framework
I build my portfolio around three core pillars: (a) strong fundamentals, (b) options for income, and (c) patience.
Strong fundamentals
I only invest in companies I understand and that demonstrate resilience:
- Strong cash flow;
- Low debt relative to earnings;
- Competent leadership;
- Long-term growth prospects.
This approach leads me to stalwarts like Apple, Google, JPMorgan, Walmart, and Palantir — businesses crucial to their industries and able to weather recessions.
Whenever a quality stock dips 10–20% after good earnings, I see opportunity — not crisis. Like discovering a luxury hotel discounted last-minute, these dips are chances to add value.
Options for income
Options play a disciplined role in my portfolio strategy. I write cash-secured puts on stocks I want to own and covered calls on holdings already in my portfolio. These trades generate regular income premiums with manageable risk.
For longer-term exposure, I use LEAPS — 1-2 year contracts with high delta — allowing participation in gradual price appreciation without needing margin.
Crucially, options are not gambling tools for me. They are strategic instruments for managing cash flow and risk in a systematic way.
Patience
Markets don’t advance in straight lines. I avoid overtrading by adhering strictly to tested setups and commit only 30–35% of my capital at a time. The remainder stays in cash, ready for pullbacks or fresh opportunities.
In 2026, I’m particularly focused on undervalued sectors tied to:
n Artificial intelligence and cloud infrastructure;
n Energy transition and renewable technologies;
n Consumer staples;
n Financial firms with solid dividend policies.
Travel as an investing teacher
Every country I have visited offers a distinct lesson about money:
n Switzerland showed me precision: measure twice, invest once.
n California reminded me that innovation is risky, but rewarding.
n Zimbabwe reinforced resilience — that even during hardship, opportunity emerges.
Witnessing diverse economic realities helped me appreciate portfolio diversification from a global perspective. Just as a traveller’s trip is incomplete without multiple destinations, investors must seek value beyond borders.
That’s why I consider my 2026 portfolio “borderless.” I invest where value exists, not where geography restricts me.
Emotional discipline: The true alpha
The most undervalued asset in investing is emotional control.
Many traders can analyse charts expertly but panic at the first market swoon. Traveling across continents taught me to develop calm resilience — whether facing flight delays or lost luggage, patience becomes second nature.
In markets, patience pays dividends. I often tell my viewers: “Your temperament is your greatest investment.”
In 2026, emotional discipline guides me to cut losses quickly, take profits methodically, and never let excitement override analysis.
Time in the market beats timing the market
One of the best lessons from both economics and travel is that time compounds value.
Frequent travel teaches that meaningful journeys can’t be rushed. Similarly, wealth grows through years of consistent investing, not quick wins.
I think in decades, not weeks. While the S&P 500 has down years, disciplined long-term investors consistently come out ahead.
My 2026 goal isn’t rapid gains — it’s steady compounding.
Investing across borders: Building global context
Splitting time between Canada, Zimbabwe, and global markets has shown me the power of global diversification:
n The US remains innovation’s hub.
n Canadian financials deliver stability and dividends.
n Emerging markets like Zimbabwe offer growth for higher risk appetites.
A diversified portfolio protects capital and mirrors a broad worldview — money flows to value, not tradition.
Reading, research, and reflection
Most losing investors fail not because they trade poorly, but because they lack understanding.
My rule for 2026 is this: read more, react less.
I’ll keep studying company reports, global trends, and market behaviors — taking notes from Zurich to Harare, because every economy has wisdom to offer.
What travel teaches about opportunity cost
Travel taught me opportunity cost in the clearest way: choosing one destination means skipping another.
Investing is the same: picking one stock means missing others.
The key is not regret but informed choice. Sometimes, the smartest move is doing nothing — holding cash while waiting for clarity.
The journey ahead
Financial freedom isn’t a finish line—it’s a journey requiring balance, knowledge, and humility.
I’ve made mistakes and taken losses, but I’ve learned that success in markets, like life, is about staying the course — even when the route isn’t straight.
This December in Europe, I’ll be reflecting not just on profits, but on lessons learned. Because in investing and in travel, perspective is the greatest return.
Join the Journey
If this resonates, follow my journey at Streetwise Economics for deep-dive articles, coaching, and trading courses designed to help you build wealth with wisdom.
n Website: www.streetwiseeconomics.com
n YouTube: Streetwise Economics Channel here — your weekly source for market insights, trading strategies, and travel economics.
Let’s keep learning and growing together — one wise decision at a time.
- Isaac Jonas is a Zimbabwean-Canadian economist, trader, and founder of Streetwise Economics — a global platform blending real-world experience with financial education for emerging market investors. Based in Canada, he shares financial education through his YouTube channel and social media. His website: www.streetwiseeconomics.com and his email [email protected]. Disclaimer: Educational content only — not financial advice.
