Resentment

This is a short story about a saver, an index investor, a stock picker, a crypto holder and their resentments.

A saver walks into a bar.

The Saver

It's empty and he thinks he's the king of the world.

His $10,000 one year fixed deposit has just matured and at 2% p.a. return, he has $200 of interest in his pocket.

Enough for him to buy his family a really good meal, and of course a few drinks at the bar.

He appreciates the system and the banks.

"A 2% risk-free return is the closest thing to a free lunch!" - The Saver

The Saver was enjoying his drinks and his life until an index investor walked in.

The Index Investor

He sees The Saver and he thinks he's the king of the world.

Squirrelling away half of his income, The Index Investor had amassed $100,000 before he turned 30. Investing all of his savings into index funds, he expects 7% p.a. returns in the long run.

In 25 years' time, he would have accumulated half a million dollars, supporting a comfortable retirement for him.

"A 7% total market return is the closest thing to a free lunch!" - The Index Investor espoused to everyone in the bar.

This invited cacophony from the audience.

• "The stock market is a scam! Half of all investors lose money in the stock markets! 7% p.a. returns are a heresy and an economic leech!" - The Saver

The Index Investor brushed away The Saver's concerns or shall we say, resentment.

• "We do pay a price for the returns. It takes patience and we sit through volatility. Not everyone can do it. That's the entry ticket to these wonderful returns." - The Index Investor

After putting The Saver down, The Index Investor was enjoying his drinks and his life until a stock picker walked in.

The Stock Picker

He sees The Saver and The Index Investor and he thinks he's the king of the world.

Enjoying a 20% p.a. return for the past few years, The Stock Picker is on track to become a young millionaire, if not one already.

Whether it's tech, EV, meme stocks or even SPACs or ARK etfs, he is heavily vested in them. The midas touch is real.

"A 20% stock market return is the minimum you need to aim for!" - The Stock Picker espoused to everyone in the bar.

This invited cacophony from the audience.

• "Stock picking is a scam! 95% of all fund managers underperform an index investor! 20% p.a. returns are a heresy and an economic leech!" - The Index Investor

The Stock Picker brushed away The Index Investor's concerns or shall we say, resentment.

• "We do pay a price for the returns. Besides patience and sitting through volatility, it also takes painstaking research, acumen and foresight. Not everyone can do it. That's the entry ticket to these wonderful returns." - The Stock Picker

After putting The Index Investor down, The Stock Picker was enjoying his drinks and his life until a crypto holder walked in.

The Crypto Holder

He sees The Saver, The Index Investor and The Stock Picker and he thinks he's the king of the world.

Enjoying a 20% per quarter return for the past few years, The Crypto Holder easily made multiples of his initial investments in crypto. He is a young millionaire and on track for 8 figures networth.

He hates the system and the banks.

"Fiat currency is the scam! Get out before it's too late" - The Crypto Holder espoused to everyone in the bar.

This invited cacophony from the audience.

• "Cryptocurrency is a scam! There will always be new Cryptocurrencies being invented. Remember the Tulip Bubble?! 20% per quarter returns are a heresy and an economic leech!" - The Stock Picker

The Crypto Holder brushed away The Stock Picker's concerns or shall we say, resentment.

• "We do pay a price for the returns. Besides patience and sitting through volatility, there's shitcoins that will go to zero. It also takes stronk hands. Not everyone can do it. That's the entry ticket to these wonderful returns." - The Crypto Holder

After putting The Stock Picker down, The Crypto Holder was enjoying his drinks and his life until......

I am not sure how this story will end. It's Feb 2021 and let's see how well this post ages.

Thanks for reading and here's wishing you and your family a Happy Lunar New Year!