Just came across this fascinating historical framework that actually makes sense when you think about market cycles. Back in 1875, a guy named Samuel Benner was mapping out economic patterns and he identified something pretty interesting about periods when to make money.

He basically broke down market movements into three distinct periods. First, there are the panic years – roughly every 18 to 20 years – when financial crises hit and markets collapse. The theory suggests years like 1927, 1945, 1965, 1981, 1999, 2019 fit this pattern, with 2035 and 2053 projected ahead. During these periods, the advice is straightforward: don't panic sell, stay cautious, hold your ground.

Then you've got the boom years where prices are rising and recovery is in full swing. These are your selling opportunities. Think 1928, 1943, 1960, 1973, 1989, 2000, 2007, 2016, 2020, and interestingly, 2026 is mapped as one of these periods. This is when you take profits and exit positions.

The third category is the recession phases – the hard times when prices are depressed and economies are struggling. Years like 1924, 1931, 1942, 1951, 1958, 1969, 1978, 1985, 2005, 2012, 2023 represent these windows. Benner's logic here is simple: this is your buying opportunity. Accumulate when assets are cheap, then hold until the boom periods return.

The meta-strategy is pretty elegant if you think about it. Buy low during recessions, wait for boom periods, then sell high. Avoid getting caught selling during panic years. It's a framework for understanding periods when to make money based on historical cycles.

Now, here's the thing – and this is important – this isn't gospel. Markets are shaped by countless variables: geopolitical events, technological disruption, policy shifts, wars, unexpected crises. Benner's model provides a useful lens for thinking about long-term cycles, but it's not a guaranteed roadmap. Still, it's worth keeping in your mental toolkit when analyzing market trends and timing your moves.