[utahagen]

The only sure thing in the US economy — once you concede that western civilization is in steep decline, so we all are doomed anyway; and I am not being sarcastic — is that, over the long haul - meaning a 20 to 25 year period - the US stock market is the best investment. So, who cares if there should be a 40% drop next week, so long as you are not intending to cash-out 100% of your holdings next week? Choose ten-to-fifteen stocks in which to make small purchases automatically every month; make most of those stocks blue chip; ignore the daily stock market; and live your life.

Research DRIPs. Did you read that? Go on the web and research DRIPs.

[Colinsky]

Sure, the stock market indexes always regain after a crash...eventually...but different companies are selected to be in the indexes all the time. if a company does poorly, it’s ejected from the list. Only the risers stay on the list.

[SamAdams76]

That's exactly what I do. I've been in the stock market since 1982. I invest a certain amount each month in select "blue chip" companies and just let it ride. You only lose in the stock market when you sell for lower than what you paid for it. Otherwise, any stock downturns are only "paper" losses. Then you use dollar cost averaging to bring your portfolio back up quickly.

I never did understand the fascination with gold. Do people really expect to buy milk and bread by slapping a gold bar on the counter? Give me a break.