It’s All Relative. Don’t Be So Uptight About It.

Money is a scary thing no matter how the stock market is gyrating. Since the stock market doesn’t care to act right all the time, it’s worrisome to try and tango with it. If it’s down a little bit like in 2018, it’s scary to think you “lost” money. If it’s up like crazy like in 2019, it’s scary to think you might have done even better than the market if you knew your way around money better. And if it’s a doom-and-gloom drop like this last month, there’s even more to be afraid about. What if the people around you lose their jobs? If YOU lost your job? Assuming you don’t get infected with coronavirus first?

Unspoken are more personal fears. What if this derails everything I’ve worked hard to save and invest? Or worse, what if this is confirming I’m wrong to try this and I should feel bad for trying to reach for something bigger?

I have exactly zero of these questions internalized, and you shouldn’t either; these questions scream of misaligned fear and deep insecurity. In fact, money tends to bring out the extreme in us while also being a taboo topic for discussion. Either way, however, it’s not meant to be something you constantly think about.

Weird news from a finance blogger, I know. Unless you literally make this your main hobby or career, you shouldn’t be thinking all that much about your investments or budget. Once your budget’s in place, your goals are set and you’re climbing to that mountaintop, all you should do is trust the process you’ve researched and judged to be valid.

But What About Extreme Circumstances?

My definition of “extreme” is likely different from your definition. But let’s talk about what you do if you believe this is an extreme event. It’s no secret that you need to invest now, no matter if the market’s up or down. Since you’re going to invest for the long haul (as in a 10+ year horizon) this stuff is just noise. The stock market doesn’t care. It’s going to continue to rise in the years to come; no virus fears or recession will permanently change that.

“What if something TERRIBLE happens you can’t predict?”

I dunno. Guess we’ll see.

“But won’t that make your ENTIRE PLAN fail?”

Maybe. Doesn’t mean I’ll stop pursuing it. If something catastrophic happens I’d rather have the money to throw at it than not.

“But then your hard work is for nothing!”

“Sure, but tomorrow isn’t guaranteed!”

“But you’re wasting your life!!”

But but but. There’s a lot of pushback and not enough consideration. Something terrible can happen for ANYTHING you plan for. The person you plan to spend the rest of your life with might turn into a monster. Would you still be with them, KNOWING that they can change into this beast down the line?

The children you’d like to have may have tragedy strike them, leaving you with pain so indescribable that it’s almost taboo to speak of it. Would you still try for them, KNOWING this is within the realm of possibility?

Hell, the town you love so much might be struck by some natural disaster so thoroughly devastating that nothing of your town is left – not your home, not your grocery store, not your favorite restaurant or park or library. Would you still live there, KNOWING something so terrible can destroy the community you so enjoy?

“But-!”

You can hold your buts.

The Stock Market Doesn’t Care

The world doesn’t care about your protests and will keep spinning regardless. Same thing goes for the money that powers the people that live there.

Keep in mind, the stock market doesn’t care about your fears or hopes or buts. It doesn’t feel anything and will operate the way it always has. Getting worked up about the stock market is the same as getting worked up about the weather. It’s not always going to act the way you want it to, but overall it’s a fairly predictable phenomenon and you only need to ride out the latest conditions.

In fact, disregarding others’ opinions on your financial planning is essential to your climb to wealth. If you love what I’m doing with my money, I’ll keep doing it. If you absolutely despise what I’m doing, I’ll keep doing it. Your feelings on the matter won’t move me. Your thoughtful and respectful rationale might, but don’t count on it. I trust the research I undertook to begin investing in index funds, and I still trust it when said funds are temporarily down. Your research should convince you of the same thing.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s get you the disposable income to put towards those investments. And show the haters how it’s done. 😈