Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Listen Anglers, storytellers, bull shippers, and everyone else that regularly visits Fishing Forum/Stages, get a good grip, take a deep seat and get ready! Why? From the general tone of our fellow conversation on Stages, we seem to have a very optimistic expectation of 2021, right? But what are the odds?

Well, that is what I find as a general tone. And I sure hope we are correct, but there is certainly no guarantee! If for instance I had $200,000 in cash and was considering investing in the stock markets on next Monday, would I? Absolutely not!

Why? I personally have to many feelings of a lack of certainty. No one has looked on the dark side, why? I am too unsure of a lot of things, such as the height of the current markets, the incoming administration, the continuation of Covid-19, the possible mutations, it seems one never sees the direction misfortune overtakes him. The list goes on and on.

I’ve had too many years of taking care of other people’s money to charge ahead into such uncertain times. Does anyone else have these feelings of foreboding? Or is it just me?

Happy New Year, and a safe one I hope. I really hope I am wrong! Just Sayin….RJS

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

Damn RJS . What a buzz kill !!!

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Sorry Ben: But a gambler should always look at his hole card if he is playing 7 card stud. I hate being a wet blanket, but I have had too many years riding herd on other people's life savings!

Hell, just think if we get a new, better, and more virulent strain of Covid? When I look ahead, i cannot see very far! Just Sayin...RJS

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

Happy new year RJS. Hope to enjoy your stories for years to come.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

Again I agree with the our sage. This virus thing is way too unpredictable. Maybe this vaccine will get things under control and we can all start having some resistance to it. But until it proves itself effective and mutation proof (as much as possible) we can easily be on the brink of an even worse year. When we run out of beds and nurses we're going to be in for it. Stay safe folks. Best you can.

fishing rod Loc: Michigan

There is one sure thing we can invest in, thats time in the Bible, and faithfulness to what it says.
Everything else is un trustworthy.

ripogenu Loc: norfolk, MA

those of us who have been around long enough have a sixth sense of what may lie ahead, I agree with RJS not going to invest, actually pulled all of it out except two stocks. Having an education in Bio chemistry I have no faith in the covid "tests" as they have never gone thru the usual scientific protocols that validate them as acccurate. Nor do I have any faith in Pharmacopia vaccines rushed thru the usual protocols. I understand that several people have died after receiving the vaccine. while 2020 has been the year of nothing I do not expect 2021 to be "Grand"

Barnacles Loc: Northern California

RJ is absolutely right!
Remember the old advice to buy low, sell high?
The market is flirting with record highs right now, how you gonna buy low?
And as pointed out, these are very uncertain times.

I kind of wish that last March I'd have invested in a company that makes hand sanitizer, or maybe those outdoor heaters that all the restaurants are using to try to stay afloat. Unfortunately, I don't have a crystal ball. I hear that gypsies have crystal balls. Gosh, and I thought that mine were fragile!

Big TC Loc: Raytown, MO.

I read somewhere that they have 2 cases in the United States of a new strain of covid.

Able Man Loc: North Coast (Cleveland, Ohio)

My NON-wicked Step Mother once told me, that "the trick to it is": to PLAN like you're NEVER going to die & to LIVE like today is my very last day on Earth. ... Find some "middle ground" outta THAT; and carry on.

mbrillhart1957 Loc: Southeast Wyoming

Pessimism breeds pessimism. My plan is to proceed with confidence and roll with the punches. Covid has hurt me financially but I have adjusted and found ways to make up the difference. I refuse to live scared. I know an upbeat mood will get you a lot farther. There have and will be bumps in the road. Also if you are waiting for government to fix your problems you will be very disappointed. I plan on making this the best year ever.
As far as the stock market. I'm going to use my financial adviser.

dbed Loc: POMME DE TERRE LAKE MISSOURI

I agree with RJS RJS see nothing to be optimistic about in the new year

Ivey Loc: South Central Tennessee, Tim's Ford Lake

My suggestion: take one day at a time and be glad you woke up every morning. Living scared is no way to go into the new year but being cautious might just get you a few more days. Every day on the right side of the grass is a God send, use it wisely.

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

We think the same on investing RJ. I have my finance guy wanting me to release some bonds and pick up some stocks at higher yields. I told him not until i see what happens in the coming months. Playing it safe and even though the yield is low, at least it is on the plus side.

audigger53 Loc: Severn, MD

I never understood why one should/would trust someone else with their money.
I don't have a choice with my wife though. LOL

Seriously I agree with RJ.
Normally the low point for any stock is just before or at it's "Financial Year End". The stock market is mainly about "Hype". About 6-8 weeks before the year end is the "High" point of the year. Then the Brokers start to get wind of how the company is really doing and it starts to slide.
I use to repair terminals at brokers and would check 2-3 stocks as a final test of the repair. After doing that for a few years I noticed the trend. Also every year my company would offer the "Stock Option Plan", it was higher than the then current market price. The stock split twice and then when the bottom dropped out, it was back down to the original offer price. IE the value of it "Real Assets". The factory and land that it owned.
That taught me that the true value of a company is the worth of it's "Real" Assets. Everything else is Hype.

CD's, Bonds, are better. Gold has to go above 10% from when you bought it to make a profit. Gold is a "Hedge", not an investment. Why 10%? because you pay a 3% buy fee and a 3% Certify Fee when you buy it. Then when you sell it, you pay another 3% sell fee. Now if you had bought it back in 1980 at $360 an Oz., yes you would have made a lot selling now. Now even if you "Panned Gold" you will pay a fee to refine it and a fee to sell it. Remember my "Handle"? AU Digger? I looked for lost mines ect for 25 years on vacations and followed the gold market a lot back then. I wanted to know what I had to do to convert it to cash and learned a lot about it. Just like I learned a lot about the stock market.
I'll stop and get off my Soapbox. Stay Safe and have a Safe and Happy New Year.