The old saying that patience is a virtue is one that is commonly used, but it couldn’t possibly be more true in the economy and the market that we are now faced with. Over the next few weeks and as we get into the new year you will hear many different analysts trying to pinpoint exactly when things will get better for the economy and the stock market. I strongly urge you to take their calls of a bottom in the economy or the market with a grain of salt, because no one truly knows just how bad it could get.

When uncertainty reaches the levels it is currently at, there simply isn’t a quick solution to make things better. No matter what is done to help stimulate our economy or the marketplace it will take quite some time to work its way into the economic numbers. As more and more people lose their jobs at a faster rate, it is highly unlikely consumers will be becoming any more optimistic anytime soon.

You’ll hear many people saying that certainly our economy will turn around and the market will as well, which I believe is definitely the truth, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be anytime soon. These things don’t go away quickly, and you are kidding yourself if you think they will.

The point is you are going to have to be very patient with this economy and the stock market in the coming months and possibly even years. A recovery will definitely come, but probably not as fast as many predict and certainly not as fast as we would like. The economic data doesn’t lie, and things are simply getting worse instead of better. Your guess is as good as mine for when that trend will end, but be prepared to have your patience tested!