Jon S, There you are!

I meant to reply to you about your advice about the S&P, 10%, 39 years.

While that may be absolutely true, I don't doubt it, I have some questions and concerns.

(No, finance and investment is not my strong suit, probably because for most of my adult life I was too busy worrying about paying rent and putting food on the table, you know, the "Hierarchy of Needs"? But anyway...)

First, is that 10% over 39 years, or 10% per year for 39 years?

Second, is that adjusted for inflation, in real dollars? If not, couldn't that end up as a net loss?

Third, I ain't got 39 years! I'm 43, in 39 years I'll be 82 if I live that long. How does that impact me, assuming I want to retire in 22 years, when I am 65?

(Yeah, yeah, I know I should have started saving and investing when I was 20, blah, blah, blah, like I said, Hierarchy of Needs, something I don't expect alot of people on this board to understand. We don't all start out equal, and we don't all have the same choices and opportunities, contrary to what the white right wing would have everyone believe.)

Fourth, when it comes to investing, (or gambling) isn't it true that:

It's not wether you're up or down, it's WHAT TIME DO YOU HAVE TO CASH OUT AND GO HOME! (?)

I'm not being sarcastic (completely) there is alot about this I don't know, and was hoping you might be able to help educate me a little, about rates of return, inflation, impact of time, seriously.

Thanks,

Jim