as i became eligible in 2008. We can't actively trade in our plan. Set it and forget with changes that have to be approved by the trustee. A big hassle. Watched as the investments were pretty much flat in some mutual funds that the brokerage manages. Probably 1 to 2% per year in earnings from 2008 to 2015.

But I made out because of the employer match. So, free money to contribute to the plan despite the shit earnings. Finally picked up in a big way in late 2016. In 5 years my retirement has quadrupled. If i can make only 5% each year the next 10 years, I'll be retiring in my 40s. And when the kids were out of daycare by 2015 ($15k per year per kid), I finally had some disposable cash for my own investments. I'm doing pretty well. The wife can't wait to quit her teaching job.

Long story short, i couldn't afford to take the risks that you older and more well off people could back in 2008 because I did not have the dry powder that you did. And if i put it in something, i had to be damn sure i could get it out safely. In that market, there was no way i would risk the financial security of my family, especially with the 2 toddlers. There was no safety in 2008+ and no confidence in the market. So it's easy for you guys to say that it was easy to make money. You had the cash and could accept the risk.

I took advantage in a big way in Feb/March 2020 when it was my turn with the dry powder, but i would never tell a younger person who is just starting out their career to throw all their disposable income in at that time with the everything falling to shit like in 2008. I'd tell them to be smart and patient and wait for the right time. Regardless of 2020, everything from early 2016 and on screamed safety, the VIX was in great shape from 2016 - late 2019. Not so much before.