Hi i am testing it out. doing $10 per month. some platforms can really go low amount. It's interesting to invest via robo as it is new. We will only know the results after a long long long time. i write about it in my blog http://www.engboonhow.com/robo-investing-july-2019-update/ By the way, "impending recession" sounds untrue. Not sure where you get the info. Anyway, if you do robo investing, you would most likely be very happy when the market drops. As you will be able to buy more, using the same amount.

Robo advisors quite simple and easy to understand. they are generally cheaper than many "expert human advisors" out there. their allocation can generally be found too. if you are comfortable with it, go for it. if not, then stay out. human advisors may tell you to stay out of robo advisor investing. but robo advisors wont try to talk you out of engaging human advisors. whats the logic behind this? its up to individual to evaluate this. personally, i put small tiny amount every month to try robo investing out. no harm trying.

reduce debt before investing. during this time, go to the library to borrow some books to read. if interest in to stocks/etf/real estate etc, find related books. get some basic knowledge first to prevent being scammed. too many people want to take your money out there.

personally, i dont use whole life plan as savings. insurance is not saving, use it as insurance. you can save your money in other forms.

If $100 monthly for the next 19 years doesnt affect your life, then keep it. Theres some sort of saving in it afterall. Take it as looooooooong term locked up savings.

100$ per month is a good amount to start. use extra cashflow to put up savings for reserves/emergency fund and capital for investment. meanwhile use this time to learn and explore suitable investment techniques

communicate this before it rolls into a bigger issue in future

if you see the market drop and you are worried about it, most likely you are not suitable in picking individual stocks. Stock price drops = cheaper, if you fear, maybe you should consider etf instead. If you still fear that the etf price drop, maybe you shouldnt invest in stocks and etfs at all.

if the reasons you bought them are still intact, then you should keep them. paperloss of 30% due to market downturn is not a "right" reason to cut loss.

i had a higher paying job when i was out of uni, about 100% higher worked long hours, always fall sick. spent most of my money at the doctors. i did like my job and worked hard. but now my pay is much lower, it is more fulfilling, more autonomy, freedom to explore ideas and to execute and i love it. maybe you have to go through both to really know which one is more suitable for you.