The issue with saving it yourself is you do nothing to counteract inflation. So you're effectively losing money over time if you aren't smart or active enough with how you choose to use it. A lot of Americans jobs really take up the majority of their energy and life. On top of that they have children to take care of when they are home.

On top of that you're arguing about real estate investment but we know real estate bubbles have popped and caused serious loss. I'm worried about investing in such an overly speculated market. I also have ethical issues with how real estate investment causes a ton of negative consequences on my fellow Americans.

Where? Where in the US is a lot worth less than it was a 10 years ago?

Inflation and debt help the real estate business.
(Let’s be clear I’m talking land. Not structures. NEVER invest in structures. Only land.)

As for morality. Meh. That’s you. I can’t argue with ideology.

This post was edited by MadMan87 on Feb 3 2025 11:31am

I meant saving alone specifically. The problem with the real estate investment claim is it heavily relies on not too many people flooding the market. This is why I believe the 401k is a more viable strategy for most Americans. A lot of these alternatives hinge upon their exclusivity, and the same stability you were mentioning that a 401k can lack.

Except anyone under 40 is going to get screwed on it. Like I said I can only go by what my wife tells me but she has been in administration with a bank and multiple branches that have holdings for a long time and they do borrow out of them the same way the US borrows from Social Security.

Are they “protected” and legally obligated? Yes. But so is social security and the delays on benefits are already longer than they used to be because of the influx of retirees and lack of money to cover them. What used to take 30 days can now take (up to) 9 months for some.

This post was edited by MadMan87 on Feb 3 2025 11:39am

It is WAY too soon to judge. You can't judge this situation until after all of the effects have been seen.

It is possible that the tariffs are just a bargaining tool and better settlements will be reached within 3 months.

I'm waiting before I judge this as good or bad. Give it a few months.

That's what I am hoping. I still think there are more stable and diplomatic options than threatening tariffs on our allies though. Especially since the very threat of their implementation directly affects Americans who are already paying too much on everything. What Trump is doing to multiple markets though is a bit disturbing: it genuinely feels like it is an attempt at market manipulation.

EDIT: Not just Trump but Elon.

This post was edited by uskittles on Feb 3 2025 12:35pm

thank goodness! i refrained from investing max into my 401k last year but since we're pre-tax day i still can now at a big discount.

anyone under age 60 that's worried about their 401k account is an idiot who doesnt understand math. or a gambler who doesnt have an index fund, aka an idiot who doesnt understand math.

right so just fuck all those people who are over 60 right?

Trumpers are seriously the worst.

Also please tell me how I don't "understand math" or how math is even that relevant here. And supposedly if your 401k is safe in the future why wouldn't you invest more into it? You don't seem to understand your own logic. You are a moron.