But what if there's NO sports wagering in FOOTBALL this year ? Well there's always something else, I hope !?

[DieHardBrownsFan]

Oh stfu.

[SdBacker80]

a few here...
 

The stock market has some opportunities during this pandemic.  
 

Horse racing (which is usually always a losing proposition) 

[Unsympathetic]

@sdbacker80 said:

The stock market has some opportunities during this pandemic.

How much actual stock do you own?  Top 10% of wealth in the US owns 87% of all stock, 11-20% own the next 9.5%, 21-30% own the next 2.7%.

It's almost like "The Stock Market" isn't a proxy for how everyone in the country is doing economically...

[mjp28]

@unsympathetic said:

How much actual stock do you own?  Top 10% of wealth in the US owns 87% of all stock, 11-20% own the next 9.5%, 21-30% own the next 2.7%.

It's almost like "The Stock Market" isn't a proxy for how everyone in the country is doing economically...

Pensions, bonds, IRA mutual funds, banks, 401(k) and other TSA and other plans and investors from around the world also are invested in the USA markets which millions of the lower 90% have a big interest in.  I know I do.  It's really the only game in town.

Sadly roughly 50% or more people in our country have no savings for retirement some just never get started or just don't care about it.  

[SdBacker80]

@unsympathetic said:

How much actual stock do you own?  Top 10% of wealth in the US owns 87% of all stock, 11-20% own the next 9.5%, 21-30% own the next 2.7%.

It's almost like "The Stock Market" isn't a proxy for how everyone in the country is doing economically...

this was a common argument back In 2017 when the market shot up.

Here are some facts...

Last census reported that 33% of Americans have a 401K of course performance health of this is tied to the market.

if you work in State or local governments chances are you have a Pension directly tied to the stock market.

it is true that 70-80% of traditional stock purchasers are institutional buyers (Buying large blocks of stock) and not you or me opening up a TD Ameritrade account and buying stock - although you can today and make trades today too. There are actually some GREAT buys over the past four months.

I’d venture to say some folks can check off some of these and maybe all of these.

Not to go down the Economics rabbit hole here but I also tie Unemployment rate into economic health.  Out here in good ole California where we have had large minimum wage increases Over the past four years and a city wage ordinance increases and still relatively low unemployment that’s also a sign of economic prosperity.

[mjp28]

Yes and since the feds rate plummeted to near 0% and has barely climbed up at all the cash market is pretty much dead (CDs, savings accounts, savings bonds, etc.).

The federal funds rate controls the cash game, fed's rate + 3% = the prime rate and almost everything is derived off of that like mortgages, credit cards, most other consumer credit.

That's why almost everyone has moved to the risky and not guaranteed stock market......a dangerous place for your life savings!   

Remember the days of 10-18% CDs?  The prime rate hit a record high of about 21% in 1978-1979 the Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and Ronnie Reagan years. Runaway inflation?

That's why now more than ever almost everyone needs a good financial planner......and not your uncle Fred.

The days of just pensions and CDs are pretty much gone now.