When it comes to investing, asset allocation is one of the most critical decisions you can make. It defines the mix of stocks, bonds, cash, and other investments in your portfolio. But once you’ve set your allocation, how often should you change it? The simple answer is: not as often as you’d think. The Importance of Your Advisor’s Skill and Experience The skill and experience of your financial advisor or planner play a crucial role in setting an effective asset allocation. A knowledgeable advisor will consider your financial goals, risk tolerance, time horizon, and market conditions to create a balanced and strategic allocation. Their insights can help you avoid emotional decision-making and ensure your portfolio is built for the long term. Relying on an experienced professional from the outset increases the likelihood that your allocation will serve you well through various market conditions. Changing allocations to fit a portfolio model can penalize strong asset classes while rewarding weak ones. Because asset classes move between periods of dominance and weakness over cycles lasting several years, changing allocations too frequently can mean leaving strong assets before the