All, somehow I've created the impression that I'm here to "lecture" everyone and tell you what to do. Was not in the slightest my intention. In my last post I was trying to answer "copyright1997reloaded" when he/she asked "where can I put my accumulated wealth." I clearly said "your opinion is as good as mine."
I find the hostility from some,"why is it your concern," very curious. Isn't this an investment/retirement forum where people come to throw out ideas and have them discussed amongst others who are educated and experienced in investing and retirement?
I'm not selling anything, I'm not affiliated in any way and I don't get one cent from the articles I linked. My only purpose was to discuss an idea I've had reading the forum for the last year. I had no intention of offending anyone.
So I finally posted. My mistake.
If you can't post up ideas, even if some consider them outrageous or stupid, and discuss them openly and in a non-hostile manner, what is the purpose of this forum?
Thanks to those who contributed to the thread.
Life is too short, I will go back to lurking. Sorry for upsetting everyone. Best to all in your retirement and investing future.
JimBob, since you referred to my post:
First, I hope you don't go back to lurking.
I learn something new every day on this site, including from other posters whose investment philosophy is dramatically different than mine.
It is also important to note that I have had people tell me "The sky is falling" since my very first day of investing. In the late 70's during stagflation, that the nations best days were behind. In the early 80's, the death of the stock market (1982). In 1987 the crash to end all crashes. In 1998 the Asian credit crisis. Year 2000. The attacks on the USA on 9/11. The bust of the dot com bubble. The bust of the real estate bubble in 2007 and the resulting great recession. The folks who said the economy would never recover. So on and so on.
Could we be there now where the dark days will be soon upon us? I guess so. One of my viewpoints is that we as humans have an interesting short run/long run bias. In the short run, we are too optimistic and frequently over estimate progress. In the long run, we are are too pessimistic, we think about the things that can go wrong, and can't see the things that can go right.
In my posts to you I wasn't trying to say that the market is overpriced, under priced, or in between. If pressed, I think we are deep in the cycle, but not quite at the peak. What I was trying to get across is that even if it was over-priced and a drastic downturn was coming, that peoples perceptions of 'safe' investments should be questioned, and that relying on what worked in the great depression might not work should we reach the tipping point in terms of central bank levitation.
Since I asked you where I should put my assets (to try to get you to see that your plan might not be as safe as you think it is), I will lay out where I have mine:
I am approximately 62% equities, 37% Fixed, 1% other (precious metals). Almost 20% is in FDIC/NCUA backed CD's, TIPS, IBONDS. (20% of assets, not just 20% of the 37% fixed portion). I have a pension (somewhat backed by ERISA) and can start social security fairly soon if required. These two (pension + social) would provide 'enough' for a somewhat tight baseline budget if required. A 3% WR on my existing equities/fixed would also be enough for a baseline budget. Oh, I work, which at least for now provides another source of income.
If the S really does hit the fan, I have 40+ acres of woods and fields. An old school tractor. Enough wood to heat winters, perhaps enough land for food supply (but not the best farmland). I have enough long term storage of food to last a year or so. I have other similar supplies - not a prepper but also believe in being prepared in times of shortage.