conversation: User (AutoModerator): "\n### New members, please read through the [New User Orientation.](http://www.reddit.com/r/personalfinance/wiki/newuser)\n\nThis a continuation of Moronic Monday. Anybody can post a PersonalFinance-related question in a Moronic Monday thread and not get made fun or downvoted of for it. It provides a safe spot for asking questions you fear may come off as "moronic."\n\n*Make a top-level comment if you want to ask a question in a safe space! Don't downvote "moronic" questions!* If you have not received your answer within 24 hours, you can feel free to [start a discussion](http://www.reddit.com/r/personalfinance/submit?selftext=true).\n\n**A big thank you to the many PFers who take time to answer other people's questions!**\n\nFor past Moronic Monday threads, please search the [Weekly Archive](https://www.reddit.com/r/personalfinance/search?q=Triumphant+Thursday+author%3AAutoModerator&amp;sort=new&amp;restrict_sr=on&amp;t=year#res-hide-options).\n"
  Self: "I am a 24 yr old male who is still living at home to save money. I opened my Roth with Vanguard last year and met my 5.5k contribution. I am on my way to contributing my 5.5k this year.\n\nMy question is dealing with my returns. I have lost $500 in the past year and a half and it looks like I am going to lose more. What should I do? The whole reason I started my Roth was to take advantage of the compound interest and instead I'm getting bent over by the market.\n\nAny advise?"
  welliamwallace (welliamwallace): "You will be withdrawing this money in approximately 30-40 years. Throughout that time, there will be *many* *many* periods where you lose 10% or more of your holdings, which may very well be tens of thousands of dollars. This volatility is the price we pay for the huge average expected gains of being in the stock market. Long term, it will go up ~9% a year. Short term, it may lose 10% or gain 15%.\n\nAdvice: Do nothing special. Continue to contribute regularly. In fact, a "down" stock market is one of the best things that can happen early in a young person's saving career, as it means you are getting more stock cheap."
  