Quote:hmmmm so if I have $10,000 in a mutual fund and the market goes from 18,000 back down to 8,000 you're saying I'd still own the same amount of stock and once it hits 18,000 again I'd be back at square one?

 

Pretty much.  And if you put another $10,000 in while the market was at 8,000, it would be worth $32,500 (or 12,500 more than your investment).  Just like in 2009 when the stock market tanked.  Anyone who sold in 2009 got screwed.  People who kept their stocks just a couple more years or so are either even or ahead.  Anyone who actually bought in 2009 made a ton of money.   

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