When Investing for Retirement, Be Like Rip Van Winkle
Spend 20 years in a stupor, rather than getting anxious about daily stock market fluctuations, and reap the rewards of retirement investment returns adding up.


I love a good children’s fairy tale. Those stories have a way of teaching us a message without us feeling like it is learning. We simply get lost in the story, and the next thing we know, boom, message learned. I thought I would take a shot at making a parallel to one of my favorite children’s books with Rip Van Winkle.
Now, I know what you are thinking, and no, I don’t love this story because it is about a drunkard who goes hunting to avoid his wife’s nagging only to meet a friendly Dutchman who offers him booze, causing him to pass out for 20 years. Funny, as I recap the story, it seems odd that this is a children’s book, no?
The investing analogy
Rather, I tell clients this story quite often as an analogy to investing. You see, much like Rip Van Winkle, the world goes on with or without us. Things evolve, economies mature, and markets grow. More pertinent, the markets continue to ebb and flow in an upward trajectory.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
I’ll often tell people that if they look at the stock market every day and dwell over its gyrations, they will go insane, and trust me, I’ve tried — why else do you think I’m writing an article about Rip Van Winkle? The only thing accomplished by looking at and putting so much emotion into the daily swings of the markets is increased anxiety. What happens when you have increased anxiety, one may ask? Simple, we tend to do something ill-advised or emotionally charged, when the markets just don’t care.
While Rip Van Winkle was away, his village grew, his kids had children, and his wife passed away. These things happened irrespective of the fact that Rip was in a drunken stupor for 20 years. Much the same happens whether you freak out over the stock markets, pay no attention at all or get your CFA designation — the markets simply don’t care. They will continue to ebb and flow with or without your investment. That is why I often give this advice: Be Rip Van Winkle — you’ll be happier, less stressed and, magically enough, get 100% of the market growth that you very much deserve.
Let’s go back in time
Let me take a moment to drive my point home. If we looked back 20 years — yes, to a time before iPhones when BlackBerrys ruled — and studied the markets, we would learn some very important data. The Dow Jones was at about 10,315, while the S&P 500 was at about 1,100. Over those 20 years, we have witnessed an insane number of happenings in the world around us and, subsequently, the stock markets. We saw the Great Recession, the global pandemic, multiple wars, Brexit, hyperinflation and like 50 rounds of quantitative easing, just to name a few.
Think back on your own life of what happened during those 20 years — it is quite humbling. Now, if we fast-forward to the present, we have a Dow Jones close to 40,000 and an S&P at about 5,300 — about four to five times their values 20 years ago. Astonishing, right? It was far from a straight line, of course. Heck, in 2008, these indexes were both below their 2004 values, again causing mass panic to those who were tuned in. As a matter of fact, I still have new clients come in who are feeling the aftermath of those years, refusing to believe in the markets ever again. Which, as you can see, is a real shame since if they’d listened to Mr. Van Winkle, they would have multiples of their assets by simply doing nothing.
You see what I just did there, folks? You were reading a nice little story about a children’s book, and boom, you learned a hugely important investing lesson without you even noticing. I can’t stress enough that trust, faith and 20 years in a stupor will do wonders for your investment portfolio!
In the words of Rip Van Winkle, stay wealthy, healthy and happy, everyone.
Diversified is a registered investment adviser, and the registration of an investment adviser does not imply any specific level of skill or training and does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the SEC.
A copy of Diversified’s current written disclosure brochure which discusses, among other things, the firm’s business practices, services and fees, is available through the SEC’s website at: www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
Diversified, LLC does not provide tax advice and should not be relied upon for purposes of filing taxes, estimating tax liabilities or avoiding any tax or penalty imposed by law. The information provided by Diversified, LLC should not be a substitute for consulting a qualified tax advisor, accountant, or other professional concerning the application of tax law or an individual tax situation.
Nothing provided on this site constitutes tax advice. Individuals should seek the advice of their own tax advisor for specific information regarding tax consequences of investments. Investments in securities entail risk and are not suitable for all investors. This site is not a recommendation nor an offer to sell (or solicitation of an offer to buy) securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction.
Related Content
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

In March 2010, Andrew Rosen joined Diversified, bringing with him nine years of financial industry experience. As a financial planner, Andrew forges lifelong relationships with clients, coaching them through all stages of life. He has obtained his Series 6, 7 and 63, along with property/casualty and health/life insurance licenses. Andrew consistently delivers high-level, concierge service to all clients.
-
Ask the Editor: Reader Questions on 529 plans
In our latest Ask the Editor round-up, Joy Taylor, The Kiplinger Tax Letter Editor, answers questions related to 529 plans.
By Joy Taylor
-
Americans Worry More About Going Broke in Retirement Than Dying, Study Shows. Here's What to Do.
Inflation, taxes and Social Security are the three top concerns for retirees, according to the 2025 Allianz Annual Retirement Study
By Kathryn Pomroy
-
Three Options for Retirees With Concentrated Stock Positions
If a significant chunk of your portfolio is tied up in a single stock, you'll need to make sure it won't disrupt your retirement and legacy goals. Here's how.
By Evan T. Beach, CFP®, AWMA®
-
Four Reasons It May Be Time to Shop for New Insurance
You may be unhappy with your insurance for any number of reasons, so once you've decided to shop, what is appropriate (or inappropriate) timing?
By Karl Susman, CPCU, LUTCF, CIC, CSFP, CFS, CPIA, AAI-M, PLCS
-
Before You Invest Like a Politician, Consider This Dilemma
As apps that track congressional stock trading become more popular, investors need to take into consideration some caveats.
By Ryan K. Snover, Investment Adviser Representative
-
How to Put Together Your Personal Net Worth Statement
Now that tax season is over for most of us, it's the perfect time to organize your assets and liabilities to assess your financial wellness.
By Denise McClain, JD, CPA
-
Bouncing Back: New Tunes for Millennials Trying to Make It
Adele's mournful melodies kick off this generation's financial playlist, but with the right plan, Millennials can finish strong.
By Alvina Lo
-
Early-Stage Startup Deals: How Do Convertible Notes Work?
Some angel investors support early startups by providing a loan in exchange for a convertible note, which includes annual interest and a maturity date.
By Murat Abdrakhmanov
-
SRI Redefined: Going Beyond Socially Responsible Investing
Now that climate change has progressed to a changed climate, sustainable investing needs to evolve to address new demands of resilience and innovation.
By Peter Krull, CSRIC®
-
Here's When a Lack of Credit Card Debt Can Cause You Problems
Usually, getting a new credit card can be difficult if you have too much card debt, but this bank customer ran into an issue because he had no debt at all.
By H. Dennis Beaver, Esq.