That's the spirit.
Honestly, what I find interesting about the folks around here (older, nearing or well into retirement) is that a lot of them did not seem prepared for the “disaster.”
Having lived through the Dot Com bubble, working in a large bank—through the financial crisis owning my own business...and then watching the ten year expansion, I wonder how you could look at that and NOT assume it could turn in a second.
Sure my 401k is taking a hit, but my “investments” for the coming emergency have actually grown. Bonds, bullion, and bitcoin. And cash. A little at a time, and the cushion is good for up to two months until “retirement” at today’s levels.
I am not rich, but I’ve lived through 9 months of short and and long term disability...and we haven’t missed a beat or a payment.
I am not bragging or “showing off.” But if you live conservative values (live under your means, pay yourself first, and think long term—and plan for the worst) how could you be “freaking out” over the stock market.
In fact, if you were “paying attention” to the facts and data, you would have started selling the market in December and at least in January. The VIX was in single digits. It was the more obvious trade in my life time.
Financial health is as important for your families success as personal health. No one seems pissed about how the market was propped up for a decade with cheap money. No one seems pissed about the Fed’s zero rates for a decade (or close to it.) No one seems outraged that the FED is reinflating the market with direct market purchases, or how they have expanded their balance sheet by TRILLIONS.
Instead, they are freaking out about having to wear a stupid mask or not being able to eat at a restaurant for another month.
The entire economy is shot. Any gains you see in the next month or so are directly from cash, and products that were already in the pipeline. Its as if you picked up your garden hose and held it up. Water is coming in...but if the faucet is not turned on...it is not going to last very long.
People need to pick up their heads and SEE what is coming down the road.
In January I was posting that this was not going to kill you. But it was going to F up the works...I posted that there was dust on the horizon. We did not know if it was the enemy or our own tanks coming. Guess what...there is more dust on the horizon. And we do not have the forces to fight it.
And for most people its too late to do anything but run away.
That's the spirit.