Fix It Friday - Flying, Driving, Investing….and Availability Bias

Welcome to Fix-It Friday, the podcast segment that simplifies financial strategies to help you make smarter decisions hosted by Jonathan Blau, CEO of Fusion Family Wealth. This episode explores how availability bias causes investors to confuse temporary market volatility with true financial risk. Using the familiar comparison of flying versus driving, Jonathan explains why our emotions often exaggerate highly visible risks while overlooking the slow, long-term impact of inflation. Learn why market turbulence is a normal part of investing, how behavioral biases influence financial decisions, and why staying invested in great businesses has historically been one of the best ways to preserve purchasing power and reach long-term financial goals.What You’ll Learn:✅ What availability bias is and how it affects investment decisions✅ Why market volatility is temporary—but inflation can permanently erode wealth✅ How the flying vs. driving analogy applies to long-term investing✅ Why focusing on long-term ownership instead of short-term headlines can improve financial outcomesWant to make smarter financial decisions grounded in clarity and confidence? Subscribe and share the Crazy Wealthy Podcast. To learn more about Fusion Family Wealth’s evidence-based investment strategies, visit www.fusionfamilywealth.com and request our current disclosure brochure.Key Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction to availability bias and today's topic01:30 – Would you rather fly or drive? Understanding perceived risk02:00 – Why market volatility feels scarier than it really is02:35 – Inflation vs. volatility: understanding the real danger03:10 – How availability bias influences investor behavior03:55 – The fix: Don't confuse discomfort with danger04:25 – Why owning great businesses helps preserve purchasing powerKey Takeaways:🔹 Our emotions often overestimate memorable risks while underestimating long-term ones.🔹 Market volatility is temporary; inflation quietly reduces purchasing power over time.🔹 Availability bias can cause investors to make emotional rather than rational decisions.🔹 Successful investing requires focusing on long-term probabilities instead of short-term headlines.👤 About the Host:Jonathan Blau is the President and CEO of Fusion Family Wealth, a fiduciary wealth management firm he founded in 2013 to help families achieve clarity, confidence, and purpose with their money. With a deep focus on behavioral finance, Jonathan teaches investors how to recognize emotional biases and make evidence-based decisions that support long-term success. A sought-after speaker in wealth management, Jonathan previously held senior roles in tax and estate planning at Arthur Andersen. He holds a BS in Finance, an MS in Taxation, and an MBA in Accounting. Based on Long Island, Jonathan is active in the local business community, supports organizations such as the Middle Market Alliance and Sunrise Day Camp, and enjoys boating with his family.LinkedIn – Jonathan BlauFusion Family Wealth WebsiteCrazy Wealthy Podcastavailability bias, investing psychology, behavioral finance, market volatility, inflation risk, long-term investing, financial planning, investment strategy, stock market, purchasing power, investor behavior, wealth building, Jonathan Blau, Crazy Wealthy Podcast, Fusion Family Wealth