Fear = Opportunity
When everyone's afraid of nukes, you'll want to do this – but do that instead
Simon Trask
April 08, 2026
Gif by cbbc on Giphy
It’s going to be ok.
Warren Buffett is famous for saying something to the tune of “when everyone’s greedy, be scared. When everyone’s scared, be greedy.”
I’ve heard the same quote
(he gave a lot of talks over the years, so they’re probably both right)
But yeah, he’s right.
I mean it’s easy to say that the most prolific investor of all time is right on something, but this notion certainly goes against human nature.
Take the S&P rollercoaster, for example:
(Red lines! Down arrows! We’re doomed!)
This chart tells a story. A story about one man with a big red button in a fight on the other side of the world.
It’s a story about fear.
Fear that one man’s actions are going to affect my portfolio, so SELL SELL SELL.
Oh wait, we have a peace treaty! BUY BUY BUY.
Now let’s zoom out that chart a little bit…
Here’s the real story: the S&P has DOUBLED in 3 and a half years! That beat the “rule of 72” by 2X. Incredible.
So here’s the real question… are in you in it for the long haul?
If so, your options are simple: either buy when fear strikes (and hold), or “dollar cost average” your life and don’t worry about anything at all (every again).
Notice… one of your options isn’t to sell when it seems like it’s about to tank.
Play the long game, my friend – and fear not!
 | Onward and upward, |
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