05/05/2026
What $100 Invested in 1928 Would Be Worth Today
Most people think the biggest financial risk is losing money.
But history suggests something else:
Doing nothing may cost you more.
In 1928, $100 could cover a month’s rent—with money left over.
Today, that same $100 has lost most of its purchasing power due to inflation. The money didn’t disappear… but what it can buy quietly shrank over time.
Now consider three paths for that same $100 since 1928:
• Cash: Still $100—but with drastically reduced purchasing power
• Government bonds (~4.5% avg): Grew to ~$7,700
• Broad stock market (~10% avg): Grew to nearly $1.2 million
Not because markets were smooth—but despite decades of uncertainty, including recessions, crises, and global events.
The takeaway isn’t about chasing returns.
It’s about understanding risk differently.
Cash may feel “safe,” but over time it offers no protection against inflation. Bonds have historically provided steadier growth. Stocks have delivered higher long-term returns—but require patience through volatility.
What mattered most wasn’t picking the perfect investment.
It was staying invested.
Compounding doesn’t need perfect conditions—it needs time and discipline. Missing even a handful of the market’s best days can significantly reduce long-term results.
This isn’t about ignoring risk or putting everything into one strategy.
It’s about recognizing that avoiding the market altogether can be a risk in itself.
Because long-term outcomes have historically been shaped less by timing—and more by participation.
If your investment strategy hasn’t been reviewed in a while, it may be worth asking:
Does it still align with your long-term goals?
