Over 50,000 at 3pm EST.

Did you buy anything yesterday? I took a few nibbles. Should have bit harder.

It's just like a volley ball game, one minute it's down the next it's up, mostly Fridays the worst but today is an exception !

No buying for me PF I see it ended at 50,115

But, but, but, I thought the sky was falling? I thought we were getting ready to be in a depression and have soup lines?

WTH!!!

Evaluations are still sky high.

I supect the fed will start printing/easing agin and inflation will climb along with assets. Reasoning in using is ita about the only thing he can do with our debt level since they won't cut spending, soiled programs or raise taxes. Enough due to being political suicide. History backs this up as well. I could be wrong just the theory of a heavy equipment operator so not worth much..

Stock market is nothing more than a casino, hasn't been based on reality in decades. Be ugly when it crash's the next time, not sure China has enough money to bail us out again.

Oh I don’t know about calling it a casino.
Stock market has a pretty consistent, demonstrating a long time pattern of up about every three years then maybe down one. Cycles right along with election years. Investing is a marathon not a sprint so I don’t get too excited over the swings up or down (records included) I just watch the long term patterns and direction. If you have a good diversified portfolio and a disciplined approach of feeding it, and patience, it’s hard to beat the stock market for average gains over the long haul.
The folks that go in/out tend to do the worst unless I course you are excellent with options and day trading. But that approach is also the fastest way to lose if you are not good at that.
Been very good me over past 35 years investing. You cannot beat the power of compounded earnings over time.
Even a couple good growth mutual funds with lost costs will generally get you an average of 12+ percent gains over time and I don’t know anything else that will push those returns out consistently over time with so little hands on needed.
Jim

I ain’t got the guts for the stock market… shoot I get nervous over holding ginseng too long

I own some stock but mostly just ignore it. I've tried to be more hands on with it, but just can't generate any interest in the game.

S&P 500 has performed well for years yes there is risk but it’s not a casino

Not a casino

Capital markets are the greatest wealth creator ever devised

Available to anyone/everyone,,,

It’s unfortunate how many folks have missed out, or are missing out

If you are young, invest and make it hurt NOW!!! The key to successful investing is time. Do it now and you can relax later. impossible to catch up if you wait too long.

Warren Buffett says to put your dollars into the SAP 500 and let it ride for the long haul. You can self invest through Fidelity, Vanguard, and Schwab.

Truer words have never been spoken.

A casino has consistent, known house advantage. The stock market listings reveal everything an investor needs to know to decide if he/she wants to be a part-owner in said company. Understand that when you buy shares in any company listed on the Dow Jones, Nasdaq, or S&P, as well as most over the counter stocks, you "own" a portion of that company.
Do your homework before laying out your hard-earned cash. The companies lay out everything you could possibly need to know about their business, and all of them are trying to make bank. Some businesses are better than others at doing so, and it's up to the individual investors to find out which ones are executing and which ones are not.
The day-to-day swings in stock prices are not for the true "investor" to trouble over. Day trading is a full-time job, and not for most people. Long-term investing should be for nearly everyone.

I’m still fairly young and trying to learn how to invest in stocks in addition to putting into my Roth IRA. I’ve mostly been taking advice from others, but now want to understand the why behind it. I understand looking at companies performance through revenue, cash flow, expenses, etc. Other than that I’m pretty clueless on how to pick a company. I’m interested in power companies and AI adjacent companies currently, because they seem to inevitably be poised to grow no matter what

Capitalism and the freedom to do so is what made this country great. You can be a part of it or not.

When my mother finally couldn't be at home by herself any longer my "smarter" older siblings sold her house and invested the money in the stock market for her long term care. That $170,000 turned into 89,000 in less than two years before it finally got pulled out.

For short term the stock market is a super risky option.

Following Warren Buffets advice. Invest in the S&P 500 and let it ride for the long haul. Just keep putting it in and make it hurt. Get you a brokerage account with a trusted investor and tell him how you want it invested. A brokerage account gives you all options of all stocks. Some of the IRA plans limit your investment choices.

Make sure they don't force you into a long term "plan" where they gradually decrease your risky investments to basically bonds over time. Ensure that you can put your money in what you want based on your individual risk tolerance regardless of your age.

If you are going to invest in the S&P 500 you don't need an advisor. No point in paying someone else to do what you can do at no cost.

True.

^^^^^this^^^^^^

Yes short term can defiantly eat your lunch especially if you don’t invest it right. That 170 k should have been split into money need over 5 years and the rest invested in 0 cost index funds. I run 60-40 60 percent stocks and 40 percent cash investments like rolling T bills or cds at 6 or 12 months.I keep 7 years cash investments to weather any huge down turns on my market investments. The key is to rebalance at least 2 times a year so you keep your investment balanced.

I forgot to add that I’m 3 years in retirement so if your younger and building towards wealth keep it all in the market until you approach retirement.

Spot on....compounding interest is the 8th wonder of the world. If you dont have exposure to the market, you are missing out...

My mom spent the past 9 years in the nursing home. My dad wrote a $10,000 check to the nursing home every month for 8 of those years. He passed away a little over a year ago, then I had the honor of writing those checks until she passed away last December. My pops never made over $25/hour in his life, had no nursing home insurance and paid mom's way every day she spent in the home. Had he not taught himself how to invest in the stock market some 35 years ago, Medicaid (we) would have had to foot the bill. I don't fault your siblings on the investment decision, if that was the majority of her life savings, the nursing home was going to get it all anyway, I think. At least by investing in the market there was a slim chance to prolong the inevitable.

No it was a dumb move. Should have keep the cash they would be needing in a high interest savings account cd or other safer investment. You never put money you will need soon into the market. If it drops when you need it you are forced to sell at the bottom. Keeping enough in safe investment you can access so you can wait out correction and are not forced to sell at the bottom. She was not in the position of having time to wait for the market to recover.

There are many books out there on investing, and some are very good. I have read quite a few, and some are very good, others, well, not so much. I would recommend a new book written by Jim Cramer called "How To Make Money In Any Market". For those new to stock investing, it is very good at explaining the words and phrases used on wall Street, what P/E means and how to use it, what to look for in various sectors, and probably most important, how to DO YOUR HOMEWORK. That is crucial to understanding your investment.
Unlike simply checking boxes for your 401K employers offering, you can learn about individual companies, industries, and more. This book explains very well how to invest knowledgably.
Don't be afraid to own stock. Just be smart about it, and understand that while the "Market" often doesn't make sense, it eventually corrects its mistakes, and with a sound investment strategy, and time, you will make money.

Nothing wrong with reading books on investing,,, everyone should

IMhO,,, it’s more important as an investor to understand basic economic theory

Understanding the system we are in,,,, and where we are headed(the future)

Helps greatly in investment decisions

How many have their SS retirement deposited with their wealth mamagement account instead of a checking account? A wealth management account can earn money and you can get paid monthly from the management account.

Can you explain the bold lettered quote. Are you talking Market Timing or Predicting Markets???
Just trying to understand that advise.

Even just the basic understanding of the differences between Keynesian(current system sorta,,,) and Austrian economics is very useful

Helps explain the effect the central bank has on everything (inflation/ interest rates/money supply) and many other things (wages/ supply / political influence),,,,what’s going to happen in the future

There’s other theories,,,,,

Could write entire essays on it,,,, but I’m not going too

It’s an excellent question for AI if you’re interested,,,, and you should be!

The more you dig into it,,,, the easier it is to predict what’s about to happen,,,,, and how equities are going to be affected

Which at the end of the day,,,,, as an investor you’re trying to do

Interesting!! With some of your quotes I would be very hesitant to follow your advise. Markets stock markets aren't for short term and predictions is worthless to an investor. You get in stay in ride the waves for the long haul. You win by staying the coarse and keep on through bad times. Selling shouldn't be a first option every for the die hard investor. So what happens tomorrow if it crashes you stay the course and after the war you become stronger and have a large pot/stash.

There’s plenty of examples of if you rode something to the bottom,,,, You’ld still be at the bottom

Blockbuster video/kodak/horse buggy/ etc

The life expectancy of most companies nowadays is less than 15 years,,,, and getting less by the year/day with technology

Just in the last 3 weeks. New AI technology has been developed that will crush the software companies,,,,clawbot/openclaw

All I’m saying is Understanding “economic theory” will help from getting wrecked,,,and profit

But u do u

Furthermore, the Dow hitting 50k, or the S&P at 6,800 ish, those don’t tell you the REAL return on your investment.
Those are only Price indications but give you no info on dividends or other return factors.

The actual returns are WAY higher than the price levels if you have been invested over a long period of time.

Dividends and the power of compounded earnings.

I’ll take that all day long over the long haul.

Jim

Stick some in every month so you are dollar cost averaging. If you anticipate needing the money in the next five years then don't invest in the market. To get wealthy you need to be making money while you sleep. Be greedy when others are fearful! Warren Buffet.

You mean the same Jim Cramer that has a inverse ETF that does the opposite of what he calls for on his show daily ?

Smartest investor on this forum spoke one sentence very important sentence and all but one of you missed it.


Also, learn options......

Wasn't it actually 2 sentences?

Options are certainly a game changer!

Options and leverage is where it starts to cross over into “casino” territory,,,,,,

“It’s not an option”

It amazes me how many people don’t take advantage of employers match to a 401k.

This was one thing I drilled into my kids when they started working as adults. If they invest as heavy as they can now, they could potentially retire in their 50’s.

100% return

As in most things it all depends on what you try to do with them.

Options can be far more conservative and safer than a simple stock purchase.

A very valuable tool to have in your box........IMO

Diversify your holdings and invest early in your career and contribute to your future with every paycheck. Live below your means. One of the great things about America is that everyone has the opportunity to be part of the economy. Very possible to be a multi millionaire on an average salary.

Forsure,,,,

a third party comes into play,,,, much like the “house” at a casino

That’s why we see cascading sell offs and short squeezes etc

You can't touch 401 till your 59 1/2 in most cases. I guess that's the 50's. Lol

Started the savings plan the first month of my job, 52 years ago. I don't consider myself a shrewed investor but by putting money away monthly time covers up for some of my investment short comings. Nice to be able to retire with a decent standard of living and especially in a volitile economy and one that does not favor fixed income earners.

Bryce

Rule of 55 or 72 (t) will get most people access to their 401k well before 59 1/2 without penalties...

You can get it before 59 1/2 but you pay a heavy penalty to do so.

Be careful of the AI's. Look at American Funds and then look at the ytd and 1 and 3 and ten year returns. Last year I did 21% with my American funds. You can do it on line. In my account I have five American funds in one account. Mutual funds companies have all these researchers per fund buying and selling. The S&P 500 find has five hundred companies in each fund invested. So somebody is looking at the s&p fund all day long.

Not all cases QuietButDeadly.

I am sure there are probably all kinds of rules and exceptions with all the different plans out there but I have seen it done.

I am not recommending anyone buy whatever he talks about on his show. I AM suggesting it is a very good book to read, especially for those who want to understand the real workings of the market, what the vernacular means, and how to research companies.

Due to diciplined investing for her 30 year career, my retired school teacher wife is one of those millionaires Dave Ramsey talks about.

The market has treated us well. We found a financial advisor, with a good track record, and let her steer us into dividend paying stocks. Dividends got plowed back into more shares. It’s been a good ride.

Ahh, is she outrageously generous ?

A million bucks ain't what it used to be.

No, but it's a good start. I think 2.5 million is about the point I would be comfortable with. Everyone has a different plan, I reckon.

Thinking it might be BOND time ...

All depends on your lifestyle and expenses. A million is not what it was yet its light years above what most people accumulate. If it earns 3% thats 30k 5% is 50. 3 to 5% is possible in dividends with out ever selling any positions. Add in a pension and any social security and most can squeeze by. Most get buy on way less.

2 mill would be better. But I think i would rather retire at 55 or 56 7 to 10 years sooner with a million. Than work tell 62, 65, or 67 and let those investments grow to 2 million. The 10 years sooner when health is better and we can get out and do more seems like a better quality of life. Still working on that first million in the investment account. Still have 10 years to build it. Maybe i will make it or exceed it, maybe I wont. Hopefully my health holds up and I can. Nothing seems to go as planed.



You can access it at 55 with the rule of 55. If you leave employment with your employer that 401 is with the year you turn 55 or after you can use the 401 from that employer but only that employer. So any others you had from previous employers you have to wait tell 59.5.

If you get enough in your 401 early enough you get to the right amount you dont need to add Any more to it and growth alone will build it to your # for retirement know as cost fire. . At that point contribution to taxable accounts to use to bridge those gap years tell you can access retirement accounts if you dont use the rule of 55.

If you become disabled you can also access retirement accounts without penalties. Lots of forms for the doc but you can access them.

Ultimately it depends on the lifestyle you want to live in retirement and your expences.

I guess I should retire, but then my job is pretty easy and it pays my health insurance and I get 2 months of vacation/PTO each year and more if I want it. Keeps me out of trouble. The vast majority of my retirement savings is in ROTH IRA and ROTH 401K, the rest is in non-qualified stocks and money market accounts. Alot easier to retire when you aren't forking over 20% of your income in taxes. I'm gonna go to 59-1/2 anyway, we will see after that. I will be 56 in a few days.

I gotta admit......
If I had a million dollars at any age, Ida been retired right then and thetr.

Sounds like a solid plan. All my contributions are roth 401,my roth ira, and my wife's roth IRA im right there with you on the taxes. Golal is hit the contribution limits for all 3 and put more in after tax and roll that over int my roth
Rolled over some from IRA to roth this year taking advantage of the over time tax credit to neutralize my tax liability on the conversion. If my health holds up I will be eligible to draw my pension at 56. So fingers crossed I will be able to work and earn enough to keep uo my savings rate and be able to retire July 1st 2036.

Im not going to hold my breath. The projections look great but nothing ever goes as planed. Its a nice fantasy and keeps me moving though.

Edit to add in left out the 529 savings plan. Absolutely wonderful way to save. Indiana give a 20% tax credit on a limited amount. Last year it was up to 7500 I know because I hit the limit on that. 20% return guaranteed with zero risk that grows tax free. Saved me/ gave me $1500 more back from the state= $1500 deductions on what my daughter school cost last year.

Healt savings accounts are triple tax advantages if you qualify to open one. My insurance is good enough I dont qualify to open one but would if I did.

I've put +15% away pre-tax for the first half of my career and then post tax for the last half and am on target to hit the high end of my goal at age 60. I'm currently 51. Looking at 90% pre-retirement income range through at least age 95 based on my current goal. The +15% coupled with my employers' contributions will allow me to retire a multi-millionaire after a 39-year career if I do work another 9 years and hit age 60.

My wife's salary went towards kids' 529s, vacations, etc., and the leftovers from both of us went into buying a 170-acre farm and building a rather large house, which has always been a dream of ours. Not until the last 10 years or so have I made into the six figures. Worked in Operations all of my career with 2 associates degrees as education.

I look at all of my accounts several times a week, rebalance everything every couple of years and don't try to time the market. All 3 of my boys have been well schooled in my approach and at 26, 24 & 19, all have IRAs and Roths that they actively contribute to and are in better shape than I was at their ages.

I understand that LIFE (divorce, job lay-offs, etc.) just happens sometimes and everyone has unexpected things come up, but if young folks will follow this simple gameplan, there's no reason that I see that the majority can't easily meet or exceed what is needed to live very comfortably in retirement.

I've got $1,548.37 in a savings account at the credit union.

I started with nothing and with some shrewd investing, I still have most of it left !!!

LOL

Show off!

How bout it?

I don't even have a savings account

Give us this day our daily bread . He didn’t say give us tomorrow our daily bread.

So don't plan and reap the rewards.

There are many more passages about wisdom that relate to reaping what you sew.

Nothing goes as planed have to be flexible. Those that fail to plan plan to fail. Or to live off the tax payers ther seem to be a lot of that.

X2 - if you had a million dollars and lived frugal you could gather the interest as income and never touch the principle. Live what life you have left while you are young and healthy - you may not ever reach your planned retirement age. Don't be greedy with money or life.

I suspect that most people couldn't make it on the current interest generated by a million bucks. 35-40000 per year..before taxes.

X2....million isnt what it used to be...

The market has gone crazy. Very little trading making any sense right now. What seems to be a screaming BUY continues to fall on fear. And most of it is imagined, IMHO.
Investors have demanded knowing what all the Capex spend is generating/building. which assumes they don't know, yet the market is selling off on potential AI disruptions of catastrophic proportions.

Its Trumps fault! Even the weather.

Stop adding math to the equation.

I see it’s dropped pretty good, where do you think the managed money will go to recoup their losses?

Get ready for all the “my wife said don’t sell” (while it was high), remarks, we heard about the silver market results. My wife never comments or rules on when or what I buy and sell.

That’s just something guys with a million bucks say so they can justify going for another million bucks. lol

Yep! lol