We do have some indirect control in the stock market through our assets allocation to meet our current and near term liquidity need and to avoid selling our assets at market low through our portfolio management. Even with an old heart, Uncle8888 should be able to take and live without depression over a few percentage points of volatility in his net worth but not something in the magnitude of 30% to 40% drop. This type of drop can cause depression. Better don't try! When we are older; asset allocations and portfolio management is becoming very critical as we definitely want to avoid any severe shock with our financial affairs. Losing back paper losses of single digit loss to Mr. Market should be tolerable. Right? ......