America Is Back!

[Porter]

10 hours ago, LumRaiderFan said:

That certainly isn’t the fault of the 1%.

 

Yeah I guess you could easily say it’s not the fault of the middle class either. Just thought it was a surprising stat. 

The biggest transfer of wealth to the super rich was through the Covid era. The largest surge in billionaire wealth since records began. Since the start of the pandemic, the world's richest 1% increased their wealth by 21 trillion.

Politicians always go to the highest bidder and unfortunately if you’re in the middle class you don’t get to do much bidding.

[LumRaiderFan]

23 minutes ago, Porter said:

Yeah I guess you could easily say it’s not the fault of the middle class either. Just thought it was a surprising stat. 

The biggest transfer of wealth to the super rich was through the Covid era. The largest surge in billionaire wealth since records began. Since the start of the pandemic, the world's richest 1% increased their wealth by 21 trillion.

Politicians always go to the highest bidder and unfortunately if you’re in the middle class you don’t get to do much bidding.

What are you talking about, don’t get to do much bidding?  I would consider myself upper middle class, have a 401K and company stock that has done well, regardless of what the 1% has done.

The top earners drive the economy, that’s why it makes no sense to overtax them.

[Porter]

10 minutes ago, LumRaiderFan said:

What are you talking about, don’t get to do much bidding?  I would consider myself upper middle class, have a 401K and company stock that has done well, regardless of what the 1% has done.

The top earners drive the economy, that’s why it makes no sense to overtax them.

You’re making my post out to be more than it is. It was just a simple eye opening stat that I posted. I am aware mostly everyone’s 401 is doing well. 
 

Over the past 50 years, $79 trillion in wealth has been redistributed from the bottom 90% to the top 1% according to that "bastion of socialism" the Rand Corporation.
 

And a large portion of that transfer of wealth has been since Covid. There were hundreds of thousands mom and pop businesses that were put out of business because of the plandemic. 

[Porter]

 

[thetragichippy]

On 2/22/2026 at 8:19 AM, LumRaiderFan said:

What are you talking about, don’t get to do much bidding?  I would consider myself upper middle class, have a 401K and company stock that has done well, regardless of what the 1% has done.

The top earners drive the economy, that’s why it makes no sense to overtax them.

I'm doing fine. I have the same a 401K as a small pension but I will be fine. 

I think the majority of the problem with America is we are not taught how to save. Since I was 25 I have worked in Banking and Retail. If I would of started saving in my 401K (everywhere I have worked has offered 401K) 10-15% instead of what the company matched (and never touched it) - I would not be working right now.  The problem is I didn't and most don't.  I started in time, but a lot don't and depend on SS. 

I had a conversation with a 27 year old electrician who had 75K in his checking account. He also has a 401K that he only contributes the match and a Roth. I gave him some sound advice and I hope he takes it because he is doing well, bought a house 6 months ago. He is on track to retire at 50 if he keeps it up.

For some people the economy will never be good.  I have an old friend that has made 150K to 60K a year - and no matter what, he is always broke......BUT, always a hoot to party with ,,,,,LOL

 

[DCT]

3 minutes ago, thetragichippy said:

I'm doing fine. I have the same a 401K as a small pension but I will be fine. 

I think the majority of the problem with America is we are not taught how to save. Since I was 25 I have worked in Banking and Retail. If I would of started saving in my 401K (everywhere I have worked has offered 401K) 10-15% instead of what the company matched (and never touched it) - I would not be working right now.  The problem is I didn't and most don't.  I started in time, but a lot don't and depend on SS. 

I had a conversation with a 27 year old electrician who had 75K in his checking account. He also has a 401K that he only contributes the match and a Roth. I gave him some sound advice and I hope he takes it because he is doing well, bought a house 6 months ago. He is on track to retire at 50 if he keeps it up.

For some people the economy will never be good.  I have an old friend that has made 150K to 60K a year - and no matter what, he is always broke......BUT, always a hoot to party with ,,,,,LOL

 

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world and loose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul.

Mat 16:26

[LumRaiderFan]

37 minutes ago, thetragichippy said:

I'm doing fine. I have the same a 401K as a small pension but I will be fine. 

I think the majority of the problem with America is we are not taught how to save. Since I was 25 I have worked in Banking and Retail. If I would of started saving in my 401K (everywhere I have worked has offered 401K) 10-15% instead of what the company matched (and never touched it) - I would not be working right now.  The problem is I didn't and most don't.  I started in time, but a lot don't and depend on SS. 

I had a conversation with a 27 year old electrician who had 75K in his checking account. He also has a 401K that he only contributes the match and a Roth. I gave him some sound advice and I hope he takes it because he is doing well, bought a house 6 months ago. He is on track to retire at 50 if he keeps it up.

For some people the economy will never be good.  I have an old friend that has made 150K to 60K a year - and no matter what, he is always broke......BUT, always a hoot to party with ,,,,,LOL

 

Out of likes, good post and good advice.

Max out any available matching fund and invest in Roth IRAs, and leave it alone.

Easy to say at my age and I’m fortunate that I somewhat followed this path, but it’s tough to look 30-40 years down the road and realize the importance.

[OlDawg]

45 minutes ago, thetragichippy said:

I'm doing fine. I have the same a 401K as a small pension but I will be fine. 

I think the majority of the problem with America is we are not taught how to save. Since I was 25 I have worked in Banking and Retail. If I would of started saving in my 401K (everywhere I have worked has offered 401K) 10-15% instead of what the company matched (and never touched it) - I would not be working right now.  The problem is I didn't and most don't.  I started in time, but a lot don't and depend on SS. 

I had a conversation with a 27 year old electrician who had 75K in his checking account. He also has a 401K that he only contributes the match and a Roth. I gave him some sound advice and I hope he takes it because he is doing well, bought a house 6 months ago. He is on track to retire at 50 if he keeps it up.

For some people the economy will never be good.  I have an old friend that has made 150K to 60K a year - and no matter what, he is always broke......BUT, always a hoot to party with ,,,,,LOL

 

Bingo.

In America, we are taught to spend. Retailers want you to spend. Government implements policies to encourage spending. Your value is defined by your spending through your credit reports.

What many don't realize is--pending income bracket--contributing to a pretax 401k or similar can actually lower your income enough that you're contributing without even noticing a noticeable difference in take home pay. Max that sucker out, and when Octoberish comes around & you need Christmas money, you get a "raise" because you've met the max contribution for the year.

Compounding is a wonderful thing.

[thetragichippy]

50 minutes ago, DCT said:

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world and loose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul.

Mat 16:26

Lol

My soul is fine, just fine. 

[DCT]

10 minutes ago, thetragichippy said:

Lol

My soul is fine, just fine. 

Never questioned your soul.   Lol

[thetragichippy]

5 minutes ago, DCT said:

Never questioned your soul.   Lol

Explain your post

[DCT]

Just now, thetragichippy said:

Explain your post

Study the words!