NOW, THE FIRST THING I ASK YOU TO DO is re-read the above quote, and look at the date it was quoted: January of 1929. The Wall Street Crash of 1929, also known as Black Tuesday or the Stock Market Crash of 1929, began in late October 1929 and was the most devastating stock market crash in the history of the United States, when taking into
consideration the full extent and duration of its fallout. The following 10 years brought the Great Depression, a time of which brought unprecedented pain and suffering in our United States. What I find most fascinating of this quote is that it was voiced by one of the most learned, influential people of the time, and the President of the New York Stock Exchange. The lesson to be learned is that even the obvious can be overlooked, regardless of how much insight or alleged knowledge of a situation you may have. I am sure that the farthest thing from Mr. Simmons mind was the 10 years that lay ahead, and the devastation that it would leave behind. At the time, people were throwing money into the market, with the supposition that the good times would never end- they didn't know about planning back then, or at least not the common man or woman. Today is a different story. We have the finest of computer programs and people to assist you with the key to helping to avoid as best as possible the above- advanced planning. Although we too cannot see into the future, we have the ability to be much better prepared for a sudden change in economic conditions. 2008 was our 1929 lesson- what are you doing differently, or did you go back to old habits? Sit back for a few minutes, close your eyes, and think about how you felt in 2008 when you witnessed the present day 1929. If it didn't feel good, don't be a part of the next part of economic historyplan, plan, and plan.