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PaperclipPerfector  3d ago (text post)   2048 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for January 18, 2026

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

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Have any of you thought about moving spending forwards vs saving for retirement with seemingly numerous multiple crises coming down the pike in the next few decades?

Thinking: AI Global fertility Global debt (insert other left or right-coded flavored crises here as desired).

Just seems like my desire to put away money for 35 years from now versus making memories with family and friends now has started to decline.

I guess option 1 would be just to cut 401k contributions down to the match level instead of maxing? I've had trouble saying no to the immediate tax benefits, but seems like the move.

Would love cash out refi if interest rates were lower, but not looking to add several hundred beeps to my mortgage.

If AI happens, then then Mag 7 and S&P 500 will go to the moon. Keep money in stock market, and mint $$. China may rise and the rest of the US economy may suffer. But, tech companies will do well.

If AI fails and not much else happens, then world won't change. US hegemony will continue, 401ks will continue to be useful. If you are are worried about 401ks, then move them to RothIRAs. Pay tax now. But institutions won't collapse. If AI doesn't happen then China's population pyramid will doom them in 30-40 years. Assuming Trump doesn't single handedly destroy Pax-Americana, the US should be able to weather the Chinese onslaught.

US population pyramid stays well above where Japan is today till at least 2100. So, at worst, fertility collapse will look like 2025 Japan. Pretty good if you ask me.

making memories with family and friends now

Always a good idea. I regret not spending time with my grandad when he was lucid. I will likely regret not spending enough time with mom and dad when their health starts suffering. I am making more than my parents or I ever thought I'd make, and yet I am more stressed than ever. Money has no brought me happiness. The people around me have.

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