I have mixed feelings when the market is doing well while people are losing their jobs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DH and I are currently high income but are living frugally and investing every single extra penny. I think we are going through a major economic shift due to AI and most people will be on the losing end. We will have super elites and then everyone else. Investing might be our only hope. W2 wage income is going to be harder and harder going forward.

Investing in what…if you believe this then read the Centrini report which just came out…the natural end to this is that the market craters like 35% because of the bloodbath of white collar workers which drive the economy.

You can’t believe what you believe and then just turn around and buy stocks…at the very least start loading up on bonds because interest rates will plummet.

We have all types of investments. High income people don’t just invest in one instrument. Current biggest winner was moving around ~18,000 shares of XOM in our roth when covid first broke. that is now paying 100k/yr in dividend back into that roth account-the compounding had been insane. We then have real estate, EFTs, Binds, and Alternatives & Commodities. However our dividend stocks and real estate are basically like having a 3rd earner in the house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DH and I are currently high income but are living frugally and investing every single extra penny. I think we are going through a major economic shift due to AI and most people will be on the losing end. We will have super elites and then everyone else. Investing might be our only hope. W2 wage income is going to be harder and harder going forward.

Investing in what…if you believe this then read the Centrini report which just came out…the natural end to this is that the market craters like 35% because of the bloodbath of white collar workers which drive the economy.

You can’t believe what you believe and then just turn around and buy stocks…at the very least start loading up on bonds because interest rates will plummet.

the market is not the economy and the economy is not the market. One only needs to look at what happened to Block this week to see that in action.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DH and I are currently high income but are living frugally and investing every single extra penny. I think we are going through a major economic shift due to AI and most people will be on the losing end. We will have super elites and then everyone else. Investing might be our only hope. W2 wage income is going to be harder and harder going forward.

Investing in what…if you believe this then read the Centrini report which just came out…the natural end to this is that the market craters like 35% because of the bloodbath of white collar workers which drive the economy.

You can’t believe what you believe and then just turn around and buy stocks…at the very least start loading up on bonds because interest rates will plummet.

We have all types of investments. High income people don’t just invest in one instrument. Current biggest winner was moving around ~18,000 shares of XOM in our roth when covid first broke. that is now paying 100k/yr in dividend back into that roth account-the compounding had been insane. We then have real estate, EFTs, Binds, and Alternatives & Commodities. However our dividend stocks and real estate are basically like having a 3rd earner in the house.

Again, if you believe this pessimistic thesis, then many of these asset classes will suffer. Real estate is expected to plummet because who is buying or renting the RE at anything approximating current values? Companies that are slashing their workforces will need even less RE (many urban markets still aren't back from Covid), and white collar workers who are not unemployed won't be able to afford anything at current rents or market rates.

Commodities will decline because overall economic activity collapses.

You are describing what currently exists, but not what you claim to believe will be coming from AI. I just suggest you read the report and decide if you believe in it or not, and then adjust accordingly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DH and I are currently high income but are living frugally and investing every single extra penny. I think we are going through a major economic shift due to AI and most people will be on the losing end. We will have super elites and then everyone else. Investing might be our only hope. W2 wage income is going to be harder and harder going forward.

Investing in what…if you believe this then read the Centrini report which just came out…the natural end to this is that the market craters like 35% because of the bloodbath of white collar workers which drive the economy.

You can’t believe what you believe and then just turn around and buy stocks…at the very least start loading up on bonds because interest rates will plummet.

We have all types of investments. High income people don’t just invest in one instrument. Current biggest winner was moving around ~18,000 shares of XOM in our roth when covid first broke. that is now paying 100k/yr in dividend back into that roth account-the compounding had been insane. We then have real estate, EFTs, Binds, and Alternatives & Commodities. However our dividend stocks and real estate are basically like having a 3rd earner in the house.

Again, if you believe this pessimistic thesis, then many of these asset classes will suffer. Real estate is expected to plummet because who is buying or renting the RE at anything approximating current values? Companies that are slashing their workforces will need even less RE (many urban markets still aren't back from Covid), and white collar workers who are not unemployed won't be able to afford anything at current rents or market rates.

Commodities will decline because overall economic activity collapses.

You are describing what currently exists, but not what you claim to believe will be coming from AI. I just suggest you read the report and decide if you believe in it or not, and then adjust accordingly.

White collar workers who are unemployed won't be able to afford much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DH and I are currently high income but are living frugally and investing every single extra penny. I think we are going through a major economic shift due to AI and most people will be on the losing end. We will have super elites and then everyone else. Investing might be our only hope. W2 wage income is going to be harder and harder going forward.

Investing in what…if you believe this then read the Centrini report which just came out…the natural end to this is that the market craters like 35% because of the bloodbath of white collar workers which drive the economy.

You can’t believe what you believe and then just turn around and buy stocks…at the very least start loading up on bonds because interest rates will plummet.

Inflation is up 30% since COVID and since 2019 the S&P500 is up 300% so a 35% drop isn’t that bad relatively speaking

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nothing prevents anyone from owning stock and from participating in the fortunes of the companies whose shares they buy. No reason to sympathize with people who choose not to be investors. You can open a brokerage account at some firms with $0, and some require maintaining a balance of only $100 or more. Many brokers allow tradiing with very small amounts, regardless of the minimum opening balance.

Mighty oaks from little acorns grow. Sow nothing, reap nothing.

A lack of money prevents someone from owning stock. Your analogy is spot on - you don’t have an acorn to grow into a mighty oak unless you have an oak tree in the first place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nothing prevents anyone from owning stock and from participating in the fortunes of the companies whose shares they buy. No reason to sympathize with people who choose not to be investors. You can open a brokerage account at some firms with $0, and some require maintaining a balance of only $100 or more. Many brokers allow tradiing with very small amounts, regardless of the minimum opening balance.

Mighty oaks from little acorns grow. Sow nothing, reap nothing.

A lack of money prevents someone from owning stock. Your analogy is spot on - you don’t have an acorn to grow into a mighty oak unless you have an oak tree in the first place.

Any amount of income allows for saving and investment, if expenses are restrained. Buy or lease the most expensive car you can manage, lease the most expensive apartment or buy the most expensive condo or house you possibly can swing on your income, have a bigger family than you can easily support, and you'll be so extended financially that you have nothing available for saving, investing, or for emergencies.

You may not be able to enjoy a very short and convenient commute if you want to build solid finances, but many people choose convenience and current gratification over prudent planning and delayed gratification.

Only a lack of discipline around personal finance stands in anyone's way, no matter their income, if they pay attention to their expenses. Many people live paycheck to paycheck, by choice, due to the expenses they take on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nothing prevents anyone from owning stock and from participating in the fortunes of the companies whose shares they buy. No reason to sympathize with people who choose not to be investors. You can open a brokerage account at some firms with $0, and some require maintaining a balance of only $100 or more. Many brokers allow tradiing with very small amounts, regardless of the minimum opening balance.

Mighty oaks from little acorns grow. Sow nothing, reap nothing.

A lack of money prevents someone from owning stock. Your analogy is spot on - you don’t have an acorn to grow into a mighty oak unless you have an oak tree in the first place.

Any amount of income allows for saving and investment, if expenses are restrained. Buy or lease the most expensive car you can manage, lease the most expensive apartment or buy the most expensive condo or house you possibly can swing on your income, have a bigger family than you can easily support, and you'll be so extended financially that you have nothing available for saving, investing, or for emergencies.

You may not be able to enjoy a very short and convenient commute if you want to build solid finances, but many people choose convenience and current gratification over prudent planning and delayed gratification.

Only a lack of discipline around personal finance stands in anyone's way, no matter their income, if they pay attention to their expenses. Many people live paycheck to paycheck, by choice, due to the expenses they take on.

Spoken like someone who’s never been broke or unlucky. Get cancer and come back and tell everyone how they can invest with no income and expenses that blow through a life’s savings in 6 months.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nothing prevents anyone from owning stock and from participating in the fortunes of the companies whose shares they buy. No reason to sympathize with people who choose not to be investors. You can open a brokerage account at some firms with $0, and some require

Mighty oaks from little acorns grow. Sow nothing, reap nothing.

A lack of money prevents someone from owning stock. Your analogy is spot on - you don’t have an acorn to grow into a mighty oak unless you have an oak tree in the first place.

Any amount of income allows for saving and investment, if expenses are restrained.

This is true. My parents were teenage parents. He worked a low income job while going to university at night. He said he put a dollar in a jar everyday. He graduated college around 30 years old, bought a tiny house, then had one built a few years later. 4 kids, homemaker wife.

It’s a different time but it’s still the same story.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nothing prevents anyone from owning stock and from participating in the fortunes of the companies whose shares they buy. No reason to sympathize with people who choose not to be investors. You can open a brokerage account at some firms with $0, and some require

Mighty oaks from little acorns grow. Sow nothing, reap nothing.

A lack of money prevents someone from owning stock. Your analogy is spot on - you don’t have an acorn to grow into a mighty oak unless you have an oak tree in the first place.

Any amount of income allows for saving and investment, if expenses are restrained.

This is true. My parents were teenage parents. He worked a low income job while going to university at night. He said he put a dollar in a jar everyday. He graduated college around 30 years old, bought a tiny house, then had one built a few years later. 4 kids, homemaker wife.

It’s a different time but it’s still the same story.

It was a different time- houses were half of what they cost now adjusted for inflation. Putting away $365/year won't get you shit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nothing prevents anyone from owning stock and from participating in the fortunes of the companies whose shares they buy. No reason to sympathize with people who choose not to be investors. You can open a brokerage account at some firms with $0, and some require

Mighty oaks from little acorns grow. Sow nothing, reap nothing.

A lack of money prevents someone from owning stock. Your analogy is spot on - you don’t have an acorn to grow into a mighty oak unless you have an oak tree in the first place.

Any amount of income allows for saving and investment, if expenses are restrained.

This is true. My parents were teenage parents. He worked a low income job while going to university at night. He said he put a dollar in a jar everyday. He graduated college around 30 years old, bought a tiny house, then had one built a few years later. 4 kids, homemaker wife.

It’s a different time but it’s still the same story.

It was a different time- houses were half of what they cost now adjusted for inflation. Putting away $365/year won't get you shit.

1/2? More like houses were 1/9th what they are today.

A recent neighbor in Upper NW laid out the price history of their home and it's enlightening:

- Home first sold in 1942 for $40,000
- Sold again in 1983 for $130,000
- Just sold home in February 2026 for $1,090,000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nothing prevents anyone from owning stock and from participating in the fortunes of the companies whose shares they buy. No reason to sympathize with people who choose not to be investors. You can open a brokerage account at some firms with $0, and some require maintaining a balance of only $100 or more. Many brokers allow tradiing with very small amounts, regardless of the minimum opening balance.

Mighty oaks from little acorns grow. Sow nothing, reap nothing.

A lack of money prevents someone from owning stock. Your analogy is spot on - you don’t have an acorn to grow into a mighty oak unless you have an oak tree in the first place.

Any amount of income allows for saving and investment, if expenses are restrained. Buy or lease the most expensive car you can manage, lease the most expensive apartment or buy the most expensive condo or house you possibly can swing on your income, have a bigger family than you can easily support, and you'll be so extended financially that you have nothing available for saving, investing, or for emergencies.

You may not be able to enjoy a very short and convenient commute if you want to build solid finances, but many people choose convenience and current gratification over prudent planning and delayed gratification.

Only a lack of discipline around personal finance stands in anyone's way, no matter their income, if they pay attention to their expenses. Many people live paycheck to paycheck, by choice, due to the expenses they take on.

Spoken like someone who’s never been broke or unlucky. Get cancer and come back and tell everyone how they can invest with no income and expenses that blow through a life’s savings in 6 months.

Stop trying to use reason against this privileged PP who keeps going on about how anyone can invest. They are not worth expending energy on. They are Epstein-level deluded about their own worth and wisdom and how everyone else just isn't as smart or worthy as they are. I guess some rich people have to delude themselves to justify their complete lack of decency and compassion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nothing prevents anyone from owning stock and from participating in the fortunes of the companies whose shares they buy. No reason to sympathize with people who choose not to be investors. You can open a brokerage account at some firms with $0, and some require

Mighty oaks from little acorns grow. Sow nothing, reap nothing.

A lack of money prevents someone from owning stock. Your analogy is spot on - you don’t have an acorn to grow into a mighty oak unless you have an oak tree in the first place.

Any amount of income allows for saving and investment, if expenses are restrained.

This is true. My parents were teenage parents. He worked a low income job while going to university at night. He said he put a dollar in a jar everyday. He graduated college around 30 years old, bought a tiny house, then had one built a few years later. 4 kids, homemaker wife.

It’s a different time but it’s still the same story.

The world has changed people. Stop with your 1950s bootstrap stories.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nothing prevents anyone from owning stock and from participating in the fortunes of the companies whose shares they buy. No reason to sympathize with people who choose not to be investors. You can open a brokerage account at some firms with $0, and some require

Mighty oaks from little acorns grow. Sow nothing, reap nothing.

A lack of money prevents someone from owning stock. Your analogy is spot on - you don’t have an acorn to grow into a mighty oak unless you have an oak tree in the first place.

Any amount of income allows for saving and investment, if expenses are restrained.

These are nominal prices. In real terms, the gain is still massive but much less.

This is true. My parents were teenage parents. He worked a low income job while going to university at night. He said he put a dollar in a jar everyday. He graduated college around 30 years old, bought a tiny house, then had one built a few years later. 4 kids, homemaker wife.

It’s a different time but it’s still the same story.

It was a different time- houses were half of what they cost now adjusted for inflation. Putting away $365/year won't get you shit.

1/2? More like houses were 1/9th what they are today.

A recent neighbor in Upper NW laid out the price history of their home and it's enlightening:

- Home first sold in 1942 for $40,000
- Sold again in 1983 for $130,000
- Just sold home in February 2026 for $1,090,000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nothing prevents anyone from owning stock and from participating in the fortunes of the companies whose shares they buy. No reason to sympathize with people who choose not to be investors. You can open a brokerage account at some firms with $0, and some require maintaining a balance of only $100 or more. Many brokers allow tradiing with very small amounts, regardless of the minimum opening balance.

Mighty oaks from little acorns grow. Sow nothing, reap nothing.

A lack of money prevents someone from owning stock. Your analogy is spot on - you don’t have an acorn to grow into a mighty oak unless you have an oak tree in the first place.

Any amount of income allows for saving and investment, if expenses are restrained. Buy or lease the most expensive car you can manage, lease the most expensive apartment or buy the most expensive condo or house you possibly can swing on your income, have a bigger family than you can easily support, and you'll be so extended financially that you have nothing available for saving, investing, or for emergencies.

You may not be able to enjoy a very short and convenient commute if you want to build solid finances, but many people choose convenience and current gratification over prudent planning and delayed gratification.

Only a lack of discipline around personal finance stands in anyone's way, no matter their income, if they pay attention to their expenses. Many people live paycheck to paycheck, by choice, due to the expenses they take on.

None of this will matter in the event of a total collapse.