Just stumbled upon something pretty interesting about market cycles that might actually explain some of the patterns we've been seeing. So there's this old theory from Samuel Benner back in 1875 where he was trying to map out periods when to make money in financial markets, and honestly, it's kind of wild how relevant it still feels today.

He basically broke it down into three phases that keep repeating. First, there are the panic years – those brutal times when financial crises hit and markets just collapse. Think 1927, 1945, 1965, 1981, 1999, 2019, and if the pattern holds, 2035. These typically show up roughly every 18-20 years. During these periods you really want to sit tight and avoid panic selling, even though everything feels chaotic.

Then you've got the boom years – the golden periods when to make money by actually selling. Markets are recovering, prices are shooting up, and sentiment is strong. This is when you take your profits. The list includes years like 1928, 1935, 1943, 1953, 1960, 1968, 1973, 1980, 1989, 1996, 2000, 2007, 2016, 2020, and interestingly, 2026 appears on there too. If you're sitting on gains right now, this might be something worth thinking about.

The third phase is the recession and decline periods – when prices are low and everything feels slow. These are actually the best periods when to make money in a different way: buying. Think 1924, 1931, 1942, 1951, 1958, 1969, 1978, 1985, 1996, 2005, 2012, 2023. This is where you accumulate assets – stocks, land, commodities – and just hold until the boom years arrive.

So the basic strategy is pretty straightforward: buy when things are cheap during recessions, hold through the chaos of panic years, and then sell during boom periods when prices are elevated. The whole concept of understanding periods when to make money isn't about timing every single move – it's about recognizing where we are in the broader cycle.

Now, important caveat here: this is based on historical patterns and cyclical thinking, not some law of nature. Markets are influenced by so many variables – geopolitical events, technological shifts, policy changes, wars, unexpected crises. So while Benner's framework is fascinating and has held up surprisingly well over time, it's more of a guide than a guarantee. Still, if you're thinking about your long-term strategy, understanding these macro cycles could give you a useful perspective on where opportunities might emerge.