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PaperclipPerfector  3d ago (text post)   2182 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for February 9, 2025

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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You really, really shouldn't put your money where your mouth is on this one. You are gambling away your future for something which not only probably won't happen soon, but you don't even get any rewards from the gambling! There's no upside for you here, only downside.

I appreciate your concern, but if it helps, I'm willing to explain my stance.

I strongly expect widespread technological upheaval and even widespread unemployment by the turn of the century. If that does not come to pass, and human skilled labor retains its value, then a more standard portfolio that sacrifices returns for stability would be something I would be willing to pivot to. In hindsight, that would represent half a decade of suboptimal investment.

I don't intend to YOLO onto tech stocks, I seek to invest heavily in American index funds, which I am happy to hear is more or less sensible according to the responses. I intend to spend only a few thousands, per year, on more volatile actions like stock picking.

Even if I suddenly realize, oh shit, I need to save for retirement and college for my (future) kids, that realization would take hold in my early 30s. I would only need to liquidate some of my holdings and reinvest them. I'm not advocating for taking short timelines as an excuse to put * all* financial planning out the window, but I think that a 5 year cutoff is reasonable according to my beliefs about the future of technology and its ramifications on industry. Some might want to withdraw into unchecked hedonism, content in hopes that a post-scarcity civilization will bail everyone out, but I acknowledge that as a possibility while not forgetting that hey, it's good to hold onto your money and grow it for now.

Ok, I misunderstood. I thought you were going for full on YOLO hedonism/risky high payout bet as a strategy, but if you're hedging your bets that's fair.

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