To quote Sir John Templeton, “The four most dangerous words in investing are: this time it’s different.” Robert Peanuckle The year was 1930.  Robert Peanuckle had $10,000 invested in the stock market.  He thought to himself, “We are in the middle of the worst economic Depression this country has ever seen.  This time is different. The markets are dangerous.” Robert took the money in cash and buried it in his backyard.  Ten years later in 1940, his $10,000, had he had kept in in the stock market, was worth $11,925. John Canterbury The year was 1940.  John Canterbury had $10,000 invested in the stock market.  He thought to himself, “We are in the middle of World War II.  I better start learning German. This time is different. The markets are dangerous.”  John took the money in cash and buried it in his backyard. Ten years later in 1950, his $10,000, had he had kept it in the stock market, was worth $35,035. Earl Pickett The year was 1950.  Earl Pickett had $10,000 invested in the stock market.  He thought to himself, “The Communists have infiltrated our government.  I’m pretty sure my neighbor Bob is a Commie. This time is different. The markets are dangerous.”  Earl took the money in cash and buried in it his back yard. Ten years later in 1960, his $10,000, had he had kept it in the stock market, was worth $44,694. Paul Kowalski The year was 1960.  Paul Kowalski had $10,000 invested in the stock market.  He thought to himself, “The stock market has been going up for nearly 20 years.  We are due for a crash. This time is different. The markets are dangerous.” Paul took the money in cash and buried it in his backyard.  Ten years later in 1970, his $10,000, had he had kept it in the stock market,was worth $21,959. David Malkin The year was 1970.  David Malkin had $10,000 invested in the stock market.  He thought to himself, “This country is falling apart. Vietnam.  Hippies. Oil embargoes. This time is different. The markets are dangerous.”  David took the money in cash and buried it in his backyard. Ten years later in 1980, his $10,000, had he had kept it in the stock market, was worth $22,555. Tom Chadwick The year was 1980.  Tom Chadwick had $10,000 invested in the stock market.  He thought to himself, “The Cold War menace is looming. Nuclear tensions are at an all-time high.   Russian paratroopers could descend from the skies at any time. This time is different. The markets are dangerous.”  Tom took the money in cash and buried it in his backyard. Ten years later in 1990, his $10,000, had he had kept it in the stock market,was worth $36,813. Wolfgang Applebottom The year was 1990.  Wolfgang Applebottom had $10,000 invested in the stock market.  He thought to himself, “Saddam Hussein has us on the brink of war.  Stocks are overvalued. We haven’t had a significant recession since the early 70’s.  This time is different. The markets are dangerous.” Wolfgang took the money in cash and buried it in his backyard.  Ten years later in 2000, his $10,000, had he had kept it in the stock market, was worth $49,907. Bobby Bickleberry The year was 2000.  Bobby Bickleberry had $10,000 invested in the stock market.  He thought to himself, “The tech bubble is bursting. I’m hearing rumors of a long term recession.  This time is different. The markets are dangerous.” Bobby took the money in cash and buried it in his backyard.  Ten years later in 2010, his $10,000, had he had kept it in the stock market, was worth $11,500  (after two of the worst bear markets in U.S. economic history). Derek Johansen The year was 2010.  Derek Johansen had $10,000 invested in the stock market.  He thought to himself, “We just experienced a decade with two historically awful recessions.  I am spooked. No more investing for me!” Derek took the money in cash and buried it in his backyard.  Nine years later in 2019, his $10,000, had he had kept it in the stock market, was worth $32,016. Maybe this time isn’t different.  Maybe it’s time to embrace a financial vehicle that has an almost uninterrupted string of success for decades. Be Blessed, Dave The stock market = The S & P 500 Index. You cannot invest directly in an index.