Conventional wisdom says you can't time the market. Yet everyone agrees "timing is everything." Bitcoin has fallen 34% from October's $126K peak. And 71 years ago tomorrow, we learned which paradox actually matters.
November 23, 1954: The Dow Jones finally closes above 381.17, its September 1929 peak.
Most corrections recover quickly. We saw it in 2020 (months). In 2022 (a year). But sometimes, like 1929, recovery takes 25 years.
Picture a 40-year-old investor who bought at the 1929 top. By the time they broke even, they were 65. An entire generation watched their savings sit underwater through the Depression, World War II, Korea. Most sold decades before recovery.
The brutal math that destroyed families: • 1929 peak: 381.17 • 1932 bottom: 41.22 (down 89%) • Years to recover: 25 • Investors who held through: A tiny fraction
But those who bought during the darkness? Different story entirely. Anyone who invested in 1932, 1942, even 1952 made fortunes. While everyone waited for the "all clear," the market quietly tripled from its lows.
💼 What This Means for Your Wallet:
Bitcoin down 34% from $126K can feel catastrophic. In 1942, with the Dow at 100, well below its 381 peak but well above its 41 bottom, investors were paralyzed by uncertainty. Too scared to buy, too unsure to sell.
The 1929-1954 cycle teaches two timeless truths:
𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵 #1: 𝗕𝘂𝘆 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗸
Those who bought at 41 (down 89%), at 100 (during WWII), even at 280 (still below 1929 peak) all made fortunes. The best opportunities come disguised as disasters.
𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵 #2: 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺
Not months. Not years. Sometimes decades. Those who bought at 381 and held to today? Up 126x plus 71 years of dividends. But only if they never had to sell.
Your modern playbook: • Never invest money you need within 5 years • Dollar-cost average through the decline • Diversify across assets, not just one • Keep emergency cash so you're never forced to sell
The 25-year recovery wasn't just about patience. The survivors owned businesses, not just stocks. They collected dividends. They reinvested. They had staying power.
Most recoveries are quick. But preparing for the worst while hoping for the best? That's how you survive either scenario.
Inspired Money
Conventional wisdom says you can't time the market. Yet everyone agrees "timing is everything." Bitcoin has fallen 34% from October's $126K peak. And 71 years ago tomorrow, we learned which paradox actually matters.
November 23, 1954: The Dow Jones finally closes above 381.17, its September 1929 peak.
Most corrections recover quickly. We saw it in 2020 (months). In 2022 (a year). But sometimes, like 1929, recovery takes 25 years.
Picture a 40-year-old investor who bought at the 1929 top. By the time they broke even, they were 65. An entire generation watched their savings sit underwater through the Depression, World War II, Korea. Most sold decades before recovery.
The brutal math that destroyed families:
• 1929 peak: 381.17
• 1932 bottom: 41.22 (down 89%)
• Years to recover: 25
• Investors who held through: A tiny fraction
But those who bought during the darkness? Different story entirely. Anyone who invested in 1932, 1942, even 1952 made fortunes. While everyone waited for the "all clear," the market quietly tripled from its lows.
💼 What This Means for Your Wallet:
Bitcoin down 34% from $126K can feel catastrophic. In 1942, with the Dow at 100, well below its 381 peak but well above its 41 bottom, investors were paralyzed by uncertainty. Too scared to buy, too unsure to sell.
The 1929-1954 cycle teaches two timeless truths:
𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵 #1: 𝗕𝘂𝘆 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗸
Those who bought at 41 (down 89%), at 100 (during WWII), even at 280 (still below 1929 peak) all made fortunes. The best opportunities come disguised as disasters.
𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵 #2: 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺
Not months. Not years. Sometimes decades. Those who bought at 381 and held to today? Up 126x plus 71 years of dividends. But only if they never had to sell.
Your modern playbook:
• Never invest money you need within 5 years
• Dollar-cost average through the decline
• Diversify across assets, not just one
• Keep emergency cash so you're never forced to sell
The 25-year recovery wasn't just about patience. The survivors owned businesses, not just stocks. They collected dividends. They reinvested. They had staying power.
Most recoveries are quick. But preparing for the worst while hoping for the best? That's how you survive either scenario.
Are you investing with these truths in mind?
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 5