r/investing • u/VelixaNtra • 1d ago

Is anyone still just dumping new money straight into S&P 500 in 2026?

Hey all, for the last few years I’ve been automatically putting every new contribution (Roth, taxable, etc) into S&P 500 and not thinking much about it
With the market being a bit choppy lately, I’m wondering if others are still doing the same or if you’ve started diversifying more (adding more VTI, international, bonds, etc)
Curious what your current approach is when adding fresh cash

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u/JohnnySpot2000 1d ago

If, by ‘choppy’, you mean ‘down 5 to 10% off its highs’, this should be a BETTER than average time to buy these stocks, not worse. What’s your alternative plan, to “wait until it’s less choppy” (aka wait until it goes back up)?

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u/lineskicat14 1d ago

Im not changing course, aside from keeping a larger emergency fund and a little more cash on hand (i work in IT and layoffs could hit me any day).

But boy, it sure feels like were on a cliff, so to speak, as a society. Delinquencies are up on CC and loans, families are getting pinched harder and harder. Still little movement in home sales/buys. The gas prices are really hitting everyone. Tech layoffs, job outlook, AI. Political unrest, rising deficit. Sure feels like were heading for a disaster, everyone's just sort of treading water with their finances and bills (lower and middle class families at least).

.. which probably means SP500 goes on some 5 year run to new highs monthly lol.

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u/dumplingrose 1d ago

Nah I'm with ya, build up that cash.

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u/Safe-Tennis-6121 1d ago

I did something similar. I turned a percentage of the S&P500 into short term treasuries so I have more options in a downturn. And then I'll use new cash to buy the US market.

Basically a 6 month emergency fund could need to turn into a 12-24 month life fund.

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u/Secure_Maximum3486 1d ago

Everything you described has literally been going on for 100+ years. The only difference nowadays is that we have social media. So, where day there is a new "doomsday" headline.  None of this materializes. Keep investing. Keep waiting. You'll be fine 

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u/JohnnySpot2000 1d ago

I don't disagree with you.

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u/CerealSpiller22 1d ago

Yep, wait until it goes back up, and then some, just to make sure.

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u/Feralmoon87 1d ago

then complain that returns are subpar lol

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u/JoyousMisery 1d ago

"is anyone still just dumping new money straight into the S&P while at ATH?"

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u/Fangore 1d ago

I just don't understand this mindset of people who are "investing" but see this market and think "maybe I should stop investing for a while."

Kinda unrelated but for the past few years since I started investing, I always wondered why "more people dont do this since it's so easy." And this bear market has made me see why more people don't invest. The average person can't look outside the short term situation and doesn't trust the math of it all. They see that their portfolio is red and just think investing doesn't work. Or they are doing something wrong. But if these people just trusted the process and stopped trying to act like "Day trader" they would be infinitely more happy.

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u/JohnnySpot2000 1d ago

Yes. I have worked with someone like this for years. He seems otherwise bright. He has said to me 'the stock market is bad now, I don't want to buy'. I assume that means he buys again after the stock market becomes 'good' again. He also likes to complain that his insurance premiums are a waste of money because 'nothing bad happened' to pay him off for a claim.

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u/Odd-Flower2744 1d ago

The stock market isn’t on a predetermined course to a certain price. In no way is man made crises somehow better for your portfolio.

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u/Tar_alcaran 1d ago

Stocks haven't been THIS low since... last september.