source: Each point: one full backtest from Jan 1996 to Oct 12 2026 of Mike's mix (50% top 3-month gainer, 25% each in the top two 6-month gainers). At each month-end: if the S&P 500 is down over the past 12 months, cash (T-bills); else if it is up more than the threshold, re-pick monthly; otherwise six staggered 6-month pots; 0% = monthly whenever not in cash ($256). For comparison the S&P 500 itself turned $1 into $21; Monthly prices, 0.1% fee per trade, no taxes. Data: Yahoo month-end closes with dividends, dead S&P members patched in from free sources; most members before 2000 still missing • drawn 2026-10-12 21:15 UTC