> Then I was earning far in excess of my needs and investing much of the rest in index funds (e.g. VTI) when stock prices were low. The recession ended and stoc

> Then I was earning far in excess of my needs and investing much of the rest in index funds (e.g. VTI) when stock prices were low. The recession ended and stock prices soared. I feel scummy saying this about many people's suffering, but the recession worked out well for me. Don't feel too bad about it. You were using what resources you had to give yourself a more stable future. If you still feel bad, use the more-stable future you've made to help others in some way. Anyone with the money to invest and a long-term view can invest in a dip and come out strong. Buy when there's blood in the streets, etc. I doubled an investment's value (XOP, an oil index) because I bought when oil was in crisis a few years back, and sold for nearly 2x when the war in Ukraine kicked prices up. Technically war profiteering, but it's not like I planned it that way. If a recession comes during a student loan pause, I'll be putting that would-be loan payment into the market if I don't need it to survive. If my car is paid off by then, even better, as I'll have more available funds to contribute to my portfolio.