Stacking Pennies . . .

I think there may be a slight self-righteous attitude about how to deal with market swings floating around. All the "smart" pf bloggers are buying now, or wishing they could buy at the very least. Or rather, most are staying the course. While I have yet to read anyone say they are pulling out of the market, or even cutting back, I have heard some nervous chatter. This nervous chatter seems to get bombarded with comments about how perhaps the nervous poster doesn't have the stomach for the stock market.

This is the first time I've ever been "in the market" during a dip, and it would be a lie to say that I don't notice and abhor the fact that my 401k contributions aren't even keeping it level. Of course it makes me nervous! No one likes losing money, even though I know, deep down, that I'll make money in the long run and that I'm not retiring for years and years. It is much more fun to see my accounts and net worth grow rather than stagnate!

Still, I think I am able to handle it. I'm not changing anything, and I'll keep investing as planned. Just because I'm nervous doesn't mean I am not suited for investing! It just means my net worth updates will be much less exciting to me.

I'm glad I frame my goals in terms of "contribute $x to this", so market conditions have little bearing on whether I can accomplish them!

Speaking of goals, a mid month spending checkup may be in order. I've nearly spent my "eating out" budget (don't I always!) but am on track for grocery and probably gas. I'll be buying a plane ticket soon (!) but I have been stockpiling small amounts of money in a travel fund that I can use for that, so it should be an almost transparent purchase. I haven't spent close to my budget on personal, entertainment, or clothes. Things are looking good.

I think there may be a slight self-righteous attitude about how to deal with market swings floating around. All the "smart" pf bloggers are buying now, or wishing they could buy at the very least. Or rather, most are staying the course. While I have yet to read anyone say they are pulling out of the market, or even cutting back, I have heard some nervous chatter. This nervous chatter seems to get bombarded with comments about how perhaps the nervous poster doesn't have the stomach for the stock market.

This is the first time I've ever been "in the market" during a dip, and it would be a lie to say that I don't notice and abhor the fact that my 401k contributions aren't even keeping it level. Of course it makes me nervous! No one likes losing money, even though I know, deep down, that I'll make money in the long run and that I'm not retiring for years and years. It is much more fun to see my accounts and net worth grow rather than stagnate!

Still, I think I am able to handle it. I'm not changing anything, and I'll keep investing as planned. Just because I'm nervous doesn't mean I am not suited for investing! It just means my net worth updates will be much less exciting to me.

I'm glad I frame my goals in terms of "contribute $x to this", so market conditions have little bearing on whether I can accomplish them!

Speaking of goals, a mid month spending checkup may be in order. I've nearly spent my "eating out" budget (don't I always!) but am on track for grocery and probably gas. I'll be buying a plane ticket soon (!) but I have been stockpiling small amounts of money in a travel fund that I can use for that, so it should be an almost transparent purchase. I haven't spent close to my budget on personal, entertainment, or clothes. Things are looking good.

I think there may be a slight self-righteous attitude about how to deal with market swings floating around. All the "smart" pf bloggers are buying now, or wishing they could buy at the very least. Or rather, most are staying the course. While I have yet to read anyone say they are pulling out of the market, or even cutting back, I have heard some nervous chatter. This nervous chatter seems to get bombarded with comments about how perhaps the nervous poster doesn't have the stomach for the stock market.

This is the first time I've ever been "in the market" during a dip, and it would be a lie to say that I don't notice and abhor the fact that my 401k contributions aren't even keeping it level. Of course it makes me nervous! No one likes losing money, even though I know, deep down, that I'll make money in the long run and that I'm not retiring for years and years. It is much more fun to see my accounts and net worth grow rather than stagnate!

Still, I think I am able to handle it. I'm not changing anything, and I'll keep investing as planned. Just because I'm nervous doesn't mean I am not suited for investing! It just means my net worth updates will be much less exciting to me.

I'm glad I frame my goals in terms of "contribute $x to this", so market conditions have little bearing on whether I can accomplish them!

Speaking of goals, a mid month spending checkup may be in order. I've nearly spent my "eating out" budget (don't I always!) but am on track for grocery and probably gas. I'll be buying a plane ticket soon (!) but I have been stockpiling small amounts of money in a travel fund that I can use for that, so it should be an almost transparent purchase. I haven't spent close to my budget on personal, entertainment, or clothes. Things are looking good.

I think there may be a slight self-righteous attitude about how to deal with market swings floating around. All the "smart" pf bloggers are buying now, or wishing they could buy at the very least. Or rather, most are staying the course. While I have yet to read anyone say they are pulling out of the market, or even cutting back, I have heard some nervous chatter. This nervous chatter seems to get bombarded with comments about how perhaps the nervous poster doesn't have the stomach for the stock market.

This is the first time I've ever been "in the market" during a dip, and it would be a lie to say that I don't notice and abhor the fact that my 401k contributions aren't even keeping it level. Of course it makes me nervous! No one likes losing money, even though I know, deep down, that I'll make money in the long run and that I'm not retiring for years and years. It is much more fun to see my accounts and net worth grow rather than stagnate!

Still, I think I am able to handle it. I'm not changing anything, and I'll keep investing as planned. Just because I'm nervous doesn't mean I am not suited for investing! It just means my net worth updates will be much less exciting to me.

I'm glad I frame my goals in terms of "contribute $x to this", so market conditions have little bearing on whether I can accomplish them!

Speaking of goals, a mid month spending checkup may be in order. I've nearly spent my "eating out" budget (don't I always!) but am on track for grocery and probably gas. I'll be buying a plane ticket soon (!) but I have been stockpiling small amounts of money in a travel fund that I can use for that, so it should be an almost transparent purchase. I haven't spent close to my budget on personal, entertainment, or clothes. Things are looking good.