Just came across this fascinating historical chart that's been making rounds in investing circles, and honestly, it's pretty wild how relevant it still feels today. It's based on work by Samuel Benner, an Ohio farmer from the 1800s who basically mapped out periods when to make money by studying economic patterns. The guy was onto something interesting about market cycles.

So here's how Benner broke it down into three main periods when to make money. The first is what he called panic years—basically the crash windows. We're talking roughly every 16-18 years when financial crises hit hard. Looking at the historical pattern: 1927, 1945, 1965, 1981, 1999, 2019... and according to his theory, 2035 could be another one. During these years, you want to be very careful or sitting on the sidelines.

Then there's the prosperity phase, the golden window when prices peak and it's time to exit. These typically roll around every 9-11 years: 1926, 1945, 1962, 1980, 1998, 2007, 2016... and the theory suggests 2026 could be shaping up as one of those years. Makes you think, right? This is when experienced traders usually lock in profits.

The third period is probably the most interesting for buyers—the hard times phase when prices crater and opportunity knocks. Every 7-10 years you get these windows. Years like 1924, 1931, 1958, 1978, 1995, 2006, 2011, 2023... These are the periods when to make money if you're playing the long game. You buy low, hold through the recovery, and then sell when the boom years arrive.

The pattern Benner identified is basically: buy during the downturn years, hold tight, sell when prosperity hits, then dodge the panic cycles. It's this repeating three-act play that keeps showing up in market history.

Now, I'm not saying this is some perfect crystal ball—markets are way more complex now than they were in the 1800s. But the underlying rhythm of booms and busts? That part seems almost hardwired into how economies work. If you're thinking about periods when to make money in the current environment, understanding these cycles might actually save you from some painful mistakes. Definitely worth keeping this framework in mind as we move through 2026 and beyond.