Yes, the U.S. market always comes back. However, if you retired in 1929 ...not counting dividends...the market didn't break even with '29 until 1946. Sure, there were noteworthy ups and downs in the '30s, but the break even DOW was 1946.
Here's an interesting note re:Viking. On a Viking Amsterdam tulip cruise last year about 2/3 of the pax (including my wife and I) became incapacitatingly sick for one to two days...not all on the same days. Most stayed in their rooms close to toilet facilities. When the cruise ended, we were among the last to depart in late afternoon and we watched as new passengers boarded throughout the day. What stuck us was the fact that there was hardly time enough for each of the guest rooms to be thoroughly sanitized between people departing and new pax arriving! It was our last Viking cruise.
Food for thought. It took from 1930 to 1946 before the stock market was back to its 1929 level! So all your money in stocks in 1929 and a 1930 retirement date would have put you squarely behind the 8 ball!
I don't particularly like debt, but when 1st mortgages were 2.125%, I couldn't resist. Our house will be paid off when we're 90. I feel pretty confident that my return on assets will far outweigh 2% in the meantime. I certainly don't mind a mortgage!
Comments
Yes, the U.S. market always comes back. However, if you retired in 1929 ...not counting dividends...the market didn't break even with '29 until 1946. Sure, there were noteworthy ups and downs in the '30s, but the break even DOW was 1946.
Post: Time to Be Fearful
Link to comment from June 27, 2026
Excellently written. Thoroughly enjoy your writing style as well as your thoughtful points. Keep it up.
Post: Billy’s Certificate – 1937
Link to comment from June 27, 2026
Here's an interesting note re:Viking. On a Viking Amsterdam tulip cruise last year about 2/3 of the pax (including my wife and I) became incapacitatingly sick for one to two days...not all on the same days. Most stayed in their rooms close to toilet facilities. When the cruise ended, we were among the last to depart in late afternoon and we watched as new passengers boarded throughout the day. What stuck us was the fact that there was hardly time enough for each of the guest rooms to be thoroughly sanitized between people departing and new pax arriving! It was our last Viking cruise.
Post: Investment Wisdom
Link to comment from June 27, 2026
Food for thought. It took from 1930 to 1946 before the stock market was back to its 1929 level! So all your money in stocks in 1929 and a 1930 retirement date would have put you squarely behind the 8 ball!
Post: They’re Right, I’m Wrong, Sort Of
Link to comment from June 20, 2026
I don't particularly like debt, but when 1st mortgages were 2.125%, I couldn't resist. Our house will be paid off when we're 90. I feel pretty confident that my return on assets will far outweigh 2% in the meantime. I certainly don't mind a mortgage!
Post: Leverage
Link to comment from June 20, 2026
Sounds alot like Don Quixote.
Post: Just the facts about Social Security
Link to comment from June 13, 2026