Time Horizon
How long until you need the money. It is the most important input to every investing decision — more important than your opinions about the market.
By Findley's Finance · Last reviewed: September 2026
Why it matters
Time horizon determines how much volatility you can afford. Money needed in two years for a house down payment has no business in stocks — a crash right before closing is catastrophic. Money needed in thirty years for retirement belongs mostly in stocks, because decades smooth out every historical crash. Match the asset to the timeline, not to your mood.