Clark talked several months ago about the expectations people have regarding their stock market returns, and how unrealistic they are. People think they should be making more than 20 percent on their investments, and that it just happens automatically. The averages that happen over time make us think that the same thing happens in a short period of time. But that’s not the way it works. The stock market behaves very erratically in the short term. Yet people continue to invest, thinking they will make a certain amount. The consequences of believing that things work that way can be devastating, especially to older folks. You should be thinking about investing in the stock market long term. Clark likes you to be in it for 10 years or more. And you must diversify your money. Consider bonds, CDs and mutual funds in addition to stocks. And erase the idea that there is a guaranteed return in the stock market.