Seeking Advice

'Hope and Hold' ETF Portfolios Somewhat Worse for Wear

I think most of us who joined the buy and hold camp ("hold and hope") in the past few years are having their patience tested. It works best obviously if you have a rather long investment time horizon - at least 10 years. I've seen the wisdom of taking a modified approach over the past 2 years that provides me some flexibility to that strict approach though it has not saved me from losses. I worry about buy-and-holders who are hoping to retire in 5 or 7 years and grinning and 'bearing' it through this shaky economic situation. Many may find they will not have time to recover and will have to significantly alter their plans.