Hey Steady,
The Bear market is a good thing for those that have time to recoup any losses if they've followed the sage advice of our TSP morons and are buy and holders, cause they are buying shares cheap. But with over $2 trillion of retirement funds wiped out across the country, some folks are really hurting, especially those that are already retired.
CB - This is worded very well. I am thinking only in the light of being a Federal Employee that has years to go. As a Federal Employee this is the very first time that Economic Circumstances have no bearing on my family's security - and I am incredibly blessed to be where I am.
But you're right CB - and I don't mean to sound calloused. Many jobs have vanished and many more will disappear and the real life stains of millions will be terrible. In fact the poorer countries have it way worse. SO I AM NOT CELEBRATING THE HARDSHIPS - I am just thrilled to no end that the Economy has finally responed in a manner that will allow real and sustained future growth.
No matter how hard me and another guy in my office, who hang out here, tried to explain the drawback to B&H, especially to those that are like us and close to retirement, they'd already drunk the TSP Kool-aid and are now $40 to $80K down in there retirement and are already saying they'll have to work longer than they wanted to.
And I'm sorry for this CB - I really am; but my original point is simply to highlight that eventually we reach a period where we can celebrate our conditions and for me that is -30% or greater. I would encourage your friends to recognize that sustained solid growth is inevitable and within a FEW YEARS most of their losses will rise to excellent profits.
I've been saving extra hard so I can get out in 4years, cause I work to live, not live to work and there are things I want to do, while I'm still young enough.
In 4 years you will do very well - the Economy has a life of it's own and there is no way possible it can keep going lower and lower. It will rise and it will rise very well.
So it all depends are your place in your time of life whether it is good or bad. My daughter whose is graduating colleg next spring, is buying as much stock as she can, at least some of my sage
advice has rubbed off on her.
I'm looking forward to the bull, because sitting in the G is kindly boring, though I'm positive for the year .79%, but I a little excitement to my life, cause I'm still buying individual stocks, as fast as I can, for mine and my wifes ROTH's.
YOU are already 30% ahead of the majority - so you are well prepared for the future.
Now bring on the bulls, so I can add some more $$$ to my TSP in the next 4 years
CB