Flat is not flat in the stock market

Recent stock market moves constantly frustrate, and often confuse many of us. Hearing the market is "down 2% yesterday", then "up 2% today", often numb us into thinking that things are flat. Keep in mind...a 2% loss on $10k in investment, followed by a 2% gain actually results in a loss of ~$400. The reality is, we are stuck in a mode of needing higher returns to offset our losses just to stay flat during these choppy times. Nonetheless...spend less than you make, invest the difference, and stay in for the long term.