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You might have noticed that Get Rich Slowly has been conspicuously silent about tomorrow’s Presidential election. There are reasons for that. I try to keep politics and religion out of this blog, except for in the Big Picture sense. Personal finance transcends that stuff. Everyone needs help with their money, Republican or Democrat, Mac or PC, Christian or Muslim or Jew.
Plus, I happen to think that both McCain and Obama are fine men and fine candidates, each with the best interests of the country at heart. I hate the vitriol that’s spewed from each side toward the other. It’s mostly senseless posturing and falsehoods. Thus, I’m pleased to break my political silence to present a single article on the subject: If you can’t say anything nice… I love this piece. (And in the spirit of the article, I ask you to avoid negative politicking in the comments.)
Leaving politics behind for another four years: JLP at All Financial Matters has done some amazing number crunching that might prove instructive in light of recent stock market turmoil.
- The 50 worst months in S&P history (and what followed) — JLP looks at what happens to the stock market after a bad month. 60% of the time, the one-year returns following a bad month were positive. The five-year returns were positive 84% of the time. “Stocks for the long run!” says JLP. Amen.
- Next, he looks at what would have happened had you invested on the last day of September 1929, just before the stock market crash. It would have taken you 15 years to recover your money. Not good.
- But wait! There’s more! Finally, JLP demonstrates what would have happened if you had used dollar-cost averaging throughout the Depression. Based on his parameters, an investor could have achieved an 8% return, even during the worst market of the last century.
One reason I love JLP’s blog is that he has the knowledge and the skill to run the numbers like this. It’s great stuff.
That’s all for now, except for a final reminder for U.S. citizens: Be sure to vote tomorrow!
This article is about Spare Change Monday, 3rd November 2008 (by J.D. Roth)
November 3rd, 2008 at 4:12 pm
…or atheists, or hindus, or anyone else you didn’t bother mentioning thereby alienating them. This is why you shouldn’t even mention having an aversion — you only prove why the aversion is a good thing!
November 3rd, 2008 at 4:22 pm
I really appreciate that you have avoided the politics. In this day and age, anytime we say something with a strong political leaning, we risk alienating almost half our readers (assuming that pf blog readers represent political demographics similar to the country).
Like most of us, I have strong leanings towards one party. But I am (I hope) respectful of views on both sides.
The one thing we can all say without risk of alienating anyone is how important it is to exercise our civic duty by voting tomorrow!
November 3rd, 2008 at 4:29 pm
There will be always ups and downs in the market but in the long run nothing beats stock market. Stock market has averaged an annual 11% rate of return over the last 120 years. Cash has managed to return only 4% annually for the same 120 years. So it pays off in the long run to stick to the market.
A Dawn Journal
http://www.adawnjournal.com
November 3rd, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Hi J.D.
Just thought it was kind of funny after you had mentioned that you like to keep politics and religion out of your blog, your google ad underneath the title was for Prop 8 in California, which is a huge proposition about legalizing gay marriage that’s up for vote tomorrow.
I know you can’t have TOTAL control on what google ads are showing. I was getting the same ad on my blog about architecture - it was just kind of ironic..hehe!
Hi I am a MAC and I love GetRichSlowly.
November 3rd, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Heh, I needed that. All the yelling has been depressing.
November 3rd, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Great article link! I’m a strong supporter of one of the candidates and it’s easy to get caught up in the race to win and basically say bad things about the other one. It was really simple but I felt very happy after reading the article.
thanks!
November 3rd, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Thanks for posting the link to the “If you can’t say anything nice” article. That was truly refreshing. Not only is civility a rare thing in today’s political discussions, but the exercise of finding something to respect and admire in someone you disagree with has got to be good for your soul!
November 3rd, 2008 at 5:19 pm
It’s a breath of fresh air not having to read about politics sometimes lately. I mean, I’m really into it and all, but it just gets to be too much at times.
November 3rd, 2008 at 5:54 pm
It’s refreshing not to have to read about politics here. If I want to read about politics, I’ll go find a place. Thanks for keeping this place conflict-free!
November 3rd, 2008 at 5:54 pm
It’s a shame that a lot of people can’t discuss politics without attacking the politicians themselves (who, to be fair, also attack one another).
Both major party candidates obviously love their country.
November 3rd, 2008 at 6:17 pm
The anticipation of tomorrow’s election is killing me. I think either way it goes, things are going to start changing big time.
November 3rd, 2008 at 8:12 pm
i mailed my balot in last week… and yes your right on this i dont care who you vote for, if you are registered, GO VOTE. and great link.
November 4th, 2008 at 5:22 am
I say thank you to JD for spending so much time policing comments. Last night on ABC news they had a piece on Facebook as an election tool, but all you have to do is look at Youtube comments to see how toxic the internet discussions can be.
I have 2 links to share
Factcheck.org, always a great place to sort through the rhetoric.
I also highly recommend the PBS Frontline special, Choice 2008. Great look at the candidates without getting into polarizing issues. It simple follows the path these 2 men took to get here.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/choice2008/view/
November 4th, 2008 at 6:29 am
It is nice to come to a site that avoids politics. It is everywhere. I never noticed the political ads.
What advise would you give to someone spending billions of dollars to get a job that pays $400,00 a year for four years?
November 4th, 2008 at 6:31 am
we just got back from voting (nos. 19 and 20 at our precinct) where a friend working as a poll watcher said “oh, voting early” to which I replied, “no voting late” since over half of our county has already voted early…
But I think that whenever/however one votes, it’s still a great feeling to be part of the most basic political process.
November 4th, 2008 at 6:53 am
Damn elisabeth you must be in a small area. I cast an absentee ballot in MD last week and there must have been 50 people in line just to pick the ballots up on Friday. Everyone at the board of elections was saying that turnout looks like its going to be ridiculous this year.
I hadn’t noticed the politcal ads either, but in all honesty I don’t really look over the page when I’m reading the posts.
November 4th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Thanks so much for the article link! Very much needed at this time. And I appreciate the non-political aspect of your posts (and also really don’t notice the ads). I hope to reach my financial goals regardless of who the President is.
November 4th, 2008 at 9:50 am
It’s great to be in a place where we can be thoughtful of one another and just agree to disagree on some things. Or just agree to not bring them up in the first place! This year’s election has been a real eye-opener for me, and I look forward to moving on from it.
November 4th, 2008 at 10:43 am
I was going to write down a long rant over how much I hate politics and how whoever is voted in will not fix anything but will just maintain the ’status quo’.
This Mises article sums up my opinions perfectly: http://mises.org/story/3170
I need an asprin, this political process makes my head hurt.
November 4th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Hi - It was really nice to read a refreshing political article that did not go into the negatives. Thanks for the link.
November 4th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
I want everyone to vote, not just the people who happen to agree with me. the more people involved, the more responsive and accountable our representatives have to be.
Plus, if you don’t vote, you aren’t allowed to bitch.
I really look at voting as a responsibility to the body politic, not as a right. It is something i have to do, not that i choose to.
Thanks for keeping a clear head, and an honest coarse set, Captain JD!