[thematt]

There absolutely are always opportunities, but those opportunities are not always available to those that won't or can't treat the investments as a full time job.

Perhaps, but more often than not I hear this excuse given by people who don't spend any time researching their investments. According to the BLS, the average American spends 2.7 hours per day watching TV. If that time were instead spent on investing people would be surprised at the difference in the financial situation.

As long as there is inflation, all you need to do is buy assets to make money.

If you're only keeping pace with inflation I hope you plan to consume a lot less in the future, otherwise you're just treading water. I don't consider that "making" money.