<< Read More: Danger! Will Robinson Danger! - Part Two 

<< Read More: Danger! Will Robinson Danger! - Part Three

Today will be the first installment of a 3 article series,  Right now while we are all startled like a deer in headlights we should take a step back and ask ourselves: “Who am I and why am I investing in the stock market?”.  There are basically 3 types of investors: 1) Those in their wealth accumulation stage, 2) Those in their wealth preservation stage, and 3) Those in their wealth distribution phase.  These stages usually parallel with what age you are.

In this article, I'm addressing the wealth accumulation investor. You are probably between 25 and 45.  You have a good job, still paying off college loans, saving to buy that first home, thinking of starting a family and may even be postponing investing: DON'T!

I'd like you to look at this chart of the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). It contains over 3,900 stocks so it's a good indicator of what is really going on in the stock market.  It's a 20-year chart, showing the monthly price vs the 50-month moving average and the Barchart Trend Seeker adjusted for Monthly data:

(Click on image to enlarge)

If your dollar cost averaged into the stock market over the next 20 years this is probably what the balance in your portfolio will look like.

I know you have a lot on your plate and lots of financial concerns screaming at you and demanding your money but please listen to what I write next.

In your lifetime this is probably the lowest you will ever see in the stock market.  Every dime you throw into the stock market today is another dollar you will have when you retire.  You have 401Ks, IRAs, low-cost tax-deferred variable annuities, growth funds, private equity funds, and venture capital funds – so many investment possibilities that will compound many, many times over during your lifetime.

Postpone some of that consumption and invest in the market every die you can till it makes you hurt.

One of the biggest opportunities for you to become wealthy is knocking at your door but you won't become wealthy unless you answer the doorbell and open that door. 

Looking at this chart should convince you of the obvious place where you should be putting your money.  Not into paying down loans, buying more real estate, or that new luxury car you have had your eye on.

You have the opportunity to become that Millionaire Next Door. Only you can decide if that is your goal

Print this article and put it into your drawer and pull it out 40 years from now. You will either smile and be glad you invested or you will be mad at yourself and scream “Why didn't I listen – All the signs were there!”

Tomorrow, I will address those of you in the wealth preservation stage and probably between 45 and 65.  Hope to see you then.

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