The carnage of the past two years in the stock market is giving investors a clear warning; learn a new way of doing things or get ready for more of the same. The money clock never stops ticking and the longer you wait to make the necessary changes to stop the bleeding in your accounts the less you’ll have when you retire. Every day you put this off increases the chance of being broke in retirement.

The market has gone up 41% since March 9th. Lots of investors are wishing they could have pocketed that 30% gain so they are jumping in now, hoping the ride will continue.But for three irrefutable reasons, the three-month-run up virtually guarantees a correction. Those Johnny-Come-Latelys won’t profit in the near future, they’ll get crushed.

The market is in the most troubling of all possible situations.  We have a split decision by the experts; a pull back with a W chart pattern or an extension of the amazing bull run since March. I’m here to tell you, it doesn’t matter. Let’s put this market into perspective.

The American auto industry, GM and Chrysler in particular, have been tumbling since the last real financial collapse in this country in the 1970’s. They were in trouble then for the same reason they are in trouble now; bad business decisions, bad taste and an inferior product.

While the market surges and the herd stumbles around trying to decide if this 30% run in the market is real, there is another scenario unfolding that could very well be the single biggest driving force in our economy and the rest of the world.

Since the first day I started working in the stock and bond business, the old timers, who I have always sought out as a great source of advice, have said almost without exception, “The markets don’t change.”

This is the third article I have written since March imploring people to buy oil, and now gas. Time is running out. This is the first time I have ever repeated a subject in one of my articles, but this is such a great opportunity it deserves one more shot for those who may have missed it.

Making money in investments requires backbone. We call it risk taking. If you are willing to take an acceptable level of risk, you can usually make money. If you think you can somehow magically invest without risk you are banking, not investing.

The price of oil has to at least triple in the next few years. This could easily be your ticket to an earlier or richer retirement.