As a result of Trump’s latest round of tariffs, the U.S. stock market became very volatile. When I was watching the DJIA (Dow Jones Industrial Average) lose over 1000 points throughout yesterday, complete with photos of traders making gasping and other contorted faces on the CNBC news spread, I began to panic. I’m starting to close in on my retirement plans and those plans are hinging on two things: 1. the continuation of my marriage (though that’s not the reason I’m married) and 2. my 401K and other investments remaining solid.
My husband told me not to panic and he calming explained to me that we should be able to ride this out and let’s just stay put for the long haul. While I can’t find sense in the tariffs, his reaction makes sense. After all, he’s the smartest of the two of us so I calmed down and just vented on social media a bit.
Today it turns out that yesterday’s 1000+ point drop was just an appetizer. The DJIA closed down another 2200+ points today. Oof. My husband is out running errands, so I’m writing this blog entry to keep this all in perspective.
So, let’s recap with graphs: the DJIA is down 2231 points today.
And it’s down 2977 points over the last week.
And, the DJIA is down just over 4000 points since the beginning of the year.
However, when compared year over year, the DJIA is down only 589 points. Not great, but not horrid.
And when compared to two years ago, the DJIA is actually still up 4832 points.
Now, being up 4832 is not as good as being up 7063 points when compared to two years ago. I totally get that and I understand that our investments are riding on a downward trend with the economy and the stock market. This is all a result of the whims of a maniac that too many people have some weird fetish for. But as my husband and I discussed today at lunch, the market is not in ominous territory… yet. Who knows what TFG will do from the high chair before he leaves for another golf outing. That’s the lynchpin of this nutty Jenga game. I hate the uncertainty, I’m really sick of tolerating the rampant stupidity that has gripped this country, and I’m just flat out tired of the constant chaos.
Now, I’m not purposely looking for bright sides. I’m seeking and trying to keep things in perspective. As I continue my stoic studies (which I seemingly can’t consume fast enough these days), I’m reminded to keep things in perspective the best we can, for it could all end for me in the next moment (Memento Mori), and honestly, the world keeps turning.
Let’s not worry about what hasn’t happened yet. Why fear that which is not a certainty? Just be prepared to check receipts at the Walmart exit door until you can no longer stand up.