My 2 cents and just what I am comfortable with.... I've done stocks, mutual funds, 401k's and IRA's for over 20 years now. I'm 37 and yes, I started when I was a teenager on a very small scale, buying little bits of this and that. Been doing 401k since working full time outta college at 22. Maybe a few investments have done OK over that time, a FEW. My 401k has done well in last couple years BUT that's after it went down the tubes. Yes, it's a little ahead now, sure. To ME, only me, I simply have no "faith" in stocks, mutual funds, etc. Digits & $ signs on my computer screen, whoopidy-do!!! Goes up and crashes down every few years and not a lot I can do with the PIECE OF PAPER I get in the mail or the digits I see on a screen. I think a decent chunk of the funds are a scam as well with stupid-high management fees & rip off's. I'll keep doing them and I recommend others do em - especially with matches & tax advantages. But, I'm "not a fan", I'll just say that. Crap really hits the fan..... Have fun with your "piece of paper" or even your "GOLD BARS" - I'd rather have something I can grow things on, hunt, fish, log, live on, etc. So of course I don't want this to at all come across like advice, cause it shouldn't and isn't BUT - if my wife would be ok with cashing all in for land, I could care frigin less to lose 10% in a penalty & pay the taxes I'll end up paying sometime anyways. Ya, it's a STEP ABOVE Social Security but I think all that stuff is just a bunch of garbage. Not advice here & I know folks do really well with investments and worst thing you can do is NOTHING but just throwing my 2 cents out there.... Which is likely 2 cents more than I'll be receiving from the Bankrupt Social Security fund OR what will remain when the Clinton's & Bernie's of the world decide to change the laws & leave me with around 2 cents remaining in my 401k after they get their fair share to spread out to others who deserve it more.
