Yup, a rising tide lifts all boats. We're in a 5-year long bull market so take all advice, testimonials, account statements with a grain of salt. Agree with the arbitrage vs punting thing too.
Applied to my friend the US Dollar, may he live a long life and keep going up as he deserves to ... Brings to mind how everyone was laffing at the US Dollar in the early to mid 2000s - even lowly currencies were mocking him as he sunk deeper and deeper into a dungeon of despair. But you can't keep a champ down for long, esp. not if he holds reserve currency status and the 2nd place contender is so far south as to be in Argentina. In the depth of despair he found hisssself and delivered a deadly blow to the Euro who thereafter despite the long long sideways move could not make the dollar relinquish the 2008 low. Look at the King go on a rampage lately Did he find some gems during his moments of despair in the dungeon? Yeah, he sure did.
Try focusing on finding few and far between golden opportunities, that you perceive as having outrageous odds of success. In the meantime sit on your hands.
You might not want to rent or dispose of the kids - there is a better solution - take them for an extended trip, preferably a work trip for you and the Mrs. to a 3rd world country - then watch the magical transformation as the totally ridiculous American child manners get transformed by simple association within super respectful societies - respectful of their parents and elders and other adults they might be around. Such kids are a pleasure to behold.
Close Sir, but no cigar compared to the fellow yesterday who was hired as a janitor at a university girl's dorm in Northern Thailand - he gushed to the Administrator, "gosh, I get paid too?