[mitchntx]

Since about 30, I've been saving, scrimping and hoarding pennies, working 2 jobs, 3 sometimes, all so that I could retire at 55.

Everything ... mortgage, debt, housing amenities, shop, tools ... everything was set up on this idea that I could retire with reasonable comfort and then work as I wanted, when I needed and do what I liked.

The last year has seen that dream slowly dwindle into the reality that I will have to work at this stinking job till I'm a hundred and 55. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

My job is great ... been there since March of 1982. I really like what I do. Unfortunately it comes with it's share of migraine headaches, mostly with the title of Manager attached somewhere.

I was talking with a very good friend yesterday and he made some really good sense. Might as well pull all the money from market accounts and buy a new car. The drop in value couldn't be any worse.

Oh well, just thought I'd rant a while ... kind of feeling sorry for myself. So I want all of you to feel bad, too. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/drink.gif)

[SStrokerAce]

Did today help??

Friday had all the signs of the bottom... only thing I can say is thank god I'm still not a broker, this would have been a tough few weeks of telling people that it will come back. Friday had a huge swing before close, in 9 hours of trading the DOW moved 17% up! When you sell at the bottom you never have a chance to get back in time for the swing back... this is exactly why even though it might look bad it's a short term deal. Even now with the S&P @ 1000, it's most likely going to be a good 2 year ride upwards. Go back and look at the S&P 500 from 1987 till 1990, same thing happened back then. Remember a year ago the S&P was at 1560! US stock sure look like the place to be for the next two years on a valuation standpoint...

[pknowles]

Did today help??

Friday had all the signs of the bottom... only thing I can say is thank god I'm still not a broker, this would have been a tough few weeks of telling people that it will come back. Friday had a huge swing before close, in 9 hours of trading the DOW moved 17% up! When you sell at the bottom you never have a chance to get back in time for the swing back... this is exactly why even though it might look bad it's a short term deal. Even now with the S&P @ 1000, it's most likely going to be a good 2 year ride upwards. Go back and look at the S&P 500 from 1987 till 1990, same thing happened back then. Remember a year ago the S&P was at 1560! US stock sure look like the place to be for the next two years on a valuation standpoint...

Wild swings in the market (up or down) are not good. The market had massive swings up and down in 1929 before finally crashing in October. We won't know we are out of the downturn for at least 2 quarters.

[SStrokerAce]

Did today help??

Friday had all the signs of the bottom... only thing I can say is thank god I'm still not a broker, this would have been a tough few weeks of telling people that it will come back. Friday had a huge swing before close, in 9 hours of trading the DOW moved 17% up! When you sell at the bottom you never have a chance to get back in time for the swing back... this is exactly why even though it might look bad it's a short term deal. Even now with the S&P @ 1000, it's most likely going to be a good 2 year ride upwards. Go back and look at the S&P 500 from 1987 till 1990, same thing happened back then. Remember a year ago the S&P was at 1560! US stock sure look like the place to be for the next two years on a valuation standpoint...

Wild swings in the market (up or down) are not good. The market had massive swings up and down in 1929 before finally crashing in October. We won't know we are out of the downturn for at least 2 quarters.

Actually the wild swings are one of the technical indicators of a bottom. The problem is the whole market is more volitle than it was years ago... thank hedge funds, day traders & instant information for that.

Considering today was in the top 5 percentage gains of all time in the S&P, the largest gain on the DOW in terms of points and the largest percentage move in the market in 76 years it's saying something.

Then again I don't much about all this, just studied this in college for one of my minors, worked on Wall street (in the WTC) and held all the licencses for doing it for a living.... but over here everybody is a expert on everything.

Bret

[pknowles]

Actually the wild swings are one of the technical indicators of a bottom. The problem is the whole market is more volitle than it was years ago... thank hedge funds, day traders & instant information for that.

Considering today was in the top 5 percentage gains of all time in the S&P, the largest gain on the DOW in terms of points and the largest percentage move in the market in 76 years it's saying something.

Then again I don't much about all this, just studied this in college for one of my minors, worked on Wall street (in the WTC) and held all the licencses for doing it for a living.... but over here everybody is a expert on everything.

Bret

Most of the time big swings happen at the extremes either before a crash or before a significant gain. Defiantly historical examples of both. What really messes up indicators is government intervention artificially inflating the market for the time being.

[sgarnett]

Defiantly historical examples of both.

That may not have been what you meant, but I like it!