Jim
My portfolio is up by a grand total of $13034/year in the last 22 years, which is about as close to a perfect zero as I could manage. Since I have been retired since then.

Your post prodded me into spending a few hours reevaluating my last 22+ years.
I too have been retired for 22 years, actually 23 ½ years. I've plotted my portfolio after living expenses, compared to the S&P500, VWENX (Vanguards 60 to 70/40 to 30 fund) and inflation since retirement.
The excellent from 2000 to 2007 a combination of first day trading major market short term predictions and mechanical investing my investments after living expenses and inflation increased at 21.6% per year.
The bad from 2008 thru 2011 limited the sharp downturn in 2008 but was over cautious form '09 thru '11, portfolio returns after living expenses and inflation were down 11%/year!
From 2012 till present, I've only outperformed the S&P after living expenses taxes and inflation by slightly less than 2% per year.
Over the entire 23 1/2 years my total investments have increased 6% per year after living expenses, taxes and inflation.

RAMc

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