[drivingmenuts]

Well, yes, you can buy your insurance and then the company refuses to pay out because ... arcane reasons. Savings goes into a mega-bank that goes bankrupt in a scandal of home mortgages or something like. Securities ... run by sharks who would sell you your own mother given half a chance.

Seriously, if you're not paranoid, you haven't been paying attention for the last decade.

The grim truth is that there is no alternative.

[seanflyon]

> the company refuses to pay

This is a very real problem.

> bank that goes bankrupt

You money is still safe even if the bank goes bankrupt, which it won't.

> Securities ... run by sharks

Doesn't make them any less secure. You do have to do your research before investing and its not the most approachable process, but you can still invest in low risk securities. If you want to cautious you can always buy treasury bonds.

You can pay attention and still not be paranoid.