Did I start investing at a bad (good) time?

Question

I just started investing with a 401k back in late September 2007. Since then the market, of course, has been quite volatile. My 401k is a little less than the sum total of my contributions so far. I have 23 years to retirement, but you can see where this would be discouraging to a new investor. I keep telling myself the market is at a discount right now and that's a good thing...but this is a mindset that is going to have to develop over time.

Is there anyone else on here who began investing during a bear market?

Answer 1

You mindset is positive. When you want to invest in a certain company, you need to thoroughly investigate and study about that company before you invest in them.

Answer 2

you have come up with a very good question??

i do lot of stocks and most of the time i follow warren buffets rule . one of his great rules is not to follow the crowd,if did u end up in a financial disaster. i am 27 and doing stocks from 8years odd.one thing i came across the stocks is whether its boom time or bear time the markets tends to be low or high on average for a month or two.what most people do is buy stock when its sliding down or rising.its okay to buy when its rising but when its falling you loose the principal money that u invested.people just dont have patience to wait till it hits bottom rock.after its botttomed out use your charts and stuff to see how far have they bottomed.in my case i would buy stocks which has bottomed to 2,3,or even 4years low. as you have suggested that u have 23 years left to retire dont bother cashing your stock as this will convert paperloss into a real loss  and stocks will eventually pickup over the time (well after this u.s. subprime).i was planning to buy stocks from last 2odd years and it was too expensive all across the board but my patience paid me off and thanks to warren.now i have stocks that i never believed i would own them. and as u said this is right time to buy stocks on the market,thru ur super(unless u r in balanced option) and so.

Answer 3

I started investing in Febuary of this year, and i'm up APR 36% (540) on my portfolio.  Depends on the kinds of investing your doing.  This is a great time for stocks.  Stock up and enjoy the upturn.  401k's are iffy, i'd go for a strong ROTH IRA and invest the full 5,000 a yr (or as much as possible) and combine that with my 401k for retirement if I had less than 25 yrs to prepare.

Answer 4

You started investing at the right time, meaning when you could start investing. The earlier you start the better.

You have been asking a lot of questions here. Is this because you haven't done any research on your own, like reading books and using tools? If you do this and understand why you are investing, what you are investing in and how the market works you will have confidence in your investment decisions and you will know that market ups and downs are normal and not to be worried over.

Please read this:

http://news.morningstar.com/articlenet/a...

And, if you check comments under your question about loads being waived in 401ks you will find that loads can be waived.

Answer 5

INVESTING IS ALWAYS GOOD AND AS LONG AS YOU ARE IN IT FOR THE LONG TERM YOU WILL BE A SUCCESSFUL INVESTOR

Answer 6

In 23 years you'll be thrilled.  Look at all the stock you bought "on sale".

(Biggest problem with market timing...... knowing when to get out & knowing when to get back in............................).

I went through the same thing 30 years ago.  I'm a happy camper now.............  don't change a thing.  Add more money if you can.