Anonymous wrote:lol, 11:03, please tell me you are joking.
No, I've done this for 20 years and some of the money has gone towards my downpayment for my house, my first few mortgage payments, extensive home repairs (like gutting the whole first floor and putting a new roof) and is now accumulating for my retirement. Some of it is Apple, which had a good run and is winding down slowly. I have a net gain every year, including during the recession. Successfully weathered a few crises, so I'm not worried.