Uncle8888 knows that most people are able to strengthen their war chest through their regular saving from their earned income; but NOT for Uncle8888. In Jan 2000 at his age of 43+, he seriously came to the stock market with all he already had. He couldn't afford to lose more than that as it is really a sizable war chest from his past 23 years of saving. Remember that he is from single household income with three children and five mouths to feed. No extra money to play play in the stock market! Till today in Aug 2015,  even after 15 years of more earned income; it is still the same amount of capital available for investing. No more and no less. This is all part of prudent risk and money management in practice - strict discipline; greed and fear control at the maximum!  The best outcome arising this practice is ......