It takes a really long time to cause an established oak tree to die from lack of water.

I hope so. 

Oak trees have deep taproots as an adaptation to drought. At least the species we have here does - YMMV I guess.

I just voted in our federal election. I don't care who wins, as long as our current governing party loses (opinion polls have been looking favourable). All the opposition parties are promising democratic reform, which would be outstanding.

I trust you were not unduly influenced by John Oliver ...

 

Just checked my 401k for the first time since June (I took a cash distribution then).

I kind of peered with one eye at my account in fear of what it might look like.

For the year, it's down .16%. So after the roller coaster ride, the difference is just noticeable.

Whew!

You're a braver man than I am Steve. Too scared to look.

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Yup, pretty scary Mike!

Predictably, once I knew that I realized that my account was almost unchanged, I pulled out my Visa card and went to town!

I guess I am a good American?

 

Just checked my 401k for the first time since June (I took a cash distribution then).

I kind of peered with one eye at my account in fear of what it might look like.

For the year, it's down .16%. So after the roller coaster ride, the difference is just noticeable.

Whew!

We're down about 3-4% still...

Edited October 20, 201510 yr by HeadphoneAddict

My understanding is over the last 10 years, no managed fund has out performed the S&P 500 after fees are considered.

That may or may not be true.  Even if true, that's only useful if you had no need to take a disbursement over that time period. Many managed funds were certainly outperforming it during the great recession.  My mother, for instance, lost about 12% 2007-2009.  The S&P lost over 50% of its value during that period.  She needed to take some disbursements during that time.  Having non-index funds was a good idea for her, then.

And I wasn't necessarily even talking about managed funds, in the traditional sense, when I talked about diverse investing strategies.  Having money split between index funds and bonds in various countries can make a big difference.  

I am not saying don't diversify, just that managed funds are almost always a bad deal.  I have a combination of S&P and whole market funds, plus  emerging markets.  I have 20+ years until retirement.  If I were within 5 years of retirement, it would be almost entirely government bonds.

even not covering inflation, I wouldn't invest money I need in the short term in the stock market.  

I would agree Reks.

I'm going to die before I retire, so I should probably only put in to get my matching.

Neighborhood was insanity last night. Apartment three buildings to our west caught fire [possibly via explosion] and the whole building engulfed pretty quick. Took all night for fire dpt to put it out. 

WAY too close for comfort. Not my picture, but you get the idea.

Whoa....glad you are OK, and glad to hear no injuries overall.....

Whoa....glad you are OK, and glad to hear no injuries overall.....

This.

Fires are some scary shit!

Glad it didn't reach you Bryan.

 

 

 

As others have said, glad you're ok Bryan.

Especially with all that high proof fuel around

Glad you are OK

Whoa. As others have said, glad you're okay.

Bryan, were the smores good?

Glad you and Allison are okay .... and no injuries.

 

Edited October 21, 201510 yr by Aimless1

Glad you and Allison are OK Bryan! Scary shit, especially when it is that close!

Thanks everyone. At first I thought this wasn't a big deal and then the more I read into it (5-alarm, 11 different towns sent people) I feel more and more lucky.

All over the local news here. So glad you guys are ok!

Whoa....glad you are OK, and glad to hear no injuries overall.....

This!!!!