Russia invades Ukraine how does this affect your finances?

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I also have no appetite for war. I would prefer to hit economic sanctions and let run out. I hate all this "strength" and posturing and warmongering.

[QuarterMillionMan]

The stock market and gold and oil made my head spin today. And when bitcoin was at $35,000, I was intending to buy $500 but now it's $38,000, I missed my opportunity. Crazy day.

[corn18]

Don't do something, just stand there! This has saved me a lot of money.

[kork13]

The stock market and gold and oil made my head spin today. And when bitcoin was at $35,000, I was intending to buy $500 but now it's $38,000, I missed my opportunity. Crazy day.

Wait, what happened? Most stocks started down 3-6%, now they're up 4-7% ?!? Weird. Must be a recognition that the steep, immediate drop was overdone? That or I'm not the only one (whether intentionally or automatically) to take advantage of the temporary drops

[QuarterMillionMan]

Reminds me of the day oil went negative. At $8 I bought some of the oil ETF, but at $2 I panicked and jumped ship taking a $500 loss. Then it went negative but later bounced back. I don't know why I play these games (lol).

[corn18]

I'll be darned, I thought we were no longer oil independent, but it turns out we are according to the EIA website. Maybe we should stop importing oil and just use what we make.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Biden should take out Putin like how Obama took out Osama Bin Laden.

[kork13]

Biden should take out Putin like how Obama took out Osama Bin Laden.

That would be a TOTALLY different ballgame -- apples to oranges. Assassination of a head of state vs. the leader of a terrorist organization? Jeez, just the idea of that is appalling.

[disneysteve]

That would be a TOTALLY different ballgame -- apples to oranges. Assassination of a head of state vs. the leader of a terrorist organization? Jeez, just the idea of that is appalling.

Agreed. Not comparable in any way. Let’s not promote assassination as an option here (or anywhere).

[QuarterMillionMan]

Ok recant.

[ua_guy]

Well that got even darker quickly...

We spent money yesterday preparing for a very remote possibility of retaliation. Things that might help us through a week or two while the dust settles in the event of a cyberattack on the nation's power grid, financial networks, or disruption in services. Not hoarding by any means, but going through our checklist of emergency supplies and topping off where needed.

Otherwise I can't tune into the political or broader financial rhetoric right now, it's just too uncertain and part of me feels that by doing so, we're ceding power to a dictator. My heart breaks for Ukranians...all of this is so unnecessary. I'm TIRED of evil people.

[bjl584]

The markets are making me seasick.
Bad news is now good news it seems.
Dow up over 700 points

[disneysteve]

The markets are making me seasick.
Bad news is now good news it seems.
Dow up over 700 points

The market hates uncertainty. The threat of Russia possibly attacking was, from the market's standpoint, worse than the reality of them actually attacking.

[ua_guy]

If we could please avoid global thermonuclear war, that would be great. Russia seizing foreign financial assets is going to make for a lot of very angry people on all sides.
I can't help but love Zelensky. A former actor gone politician. He didn't flee on a plane with a briefcase full of money when the poop hit the fan. He's literally fighting alongside his people. And, they're actually kicking some butt.
Germany is sending weapons. Putin has his finger over the red button. The UAE just wants to keep making money. If we all survive this week, it will be a miracle.

[james.hendrickson]

If we could please avoid global thermonuclear war, that would be great. Russia seizing foreign financial assets is going to make for a lot of very angry people on all sides.
I can't help but love Zelensky. A former actor gone politician. He didn't flee on a plane with a briefcase full of money when the poop hit the fan. He's literally fighting alongside his people. And, they're actually kicking some butt.
Germany is sending weapons. Putin has his finger over the red button. The UAE just wants to keep making money. If we all survive this week, it will be a miracle.

To echo your point, there seems to be a serious rush to war here. Everyone is clamoring to take Russia off the SWIFT system, but there is little intelligent discussion about what conflict with Russia would mean for the US economy. Clearly inflation and deficit spending would go up. And who knows what the impact would be on European stocks or international trade.

A big part of DC is hot for more war. Lofty rhetoric about protecting Europe from Russian aggression sounds good on the internet and in comfortable offices in Capitol Hill, however the human cost and billions spent is far more ugly. Our country just spent a trillion dollars in Afghanistan with thousands dead and wounded - to zero result. As someone who has had some exposure to the reality of conflict, I think we can sit this one out.