<prompt> Human: Im 36 and have managed to put a tiny bit away for retirement but its the thing I hate the most. I hate it because it feels like throwing money down into a black hole that Ill never see again. Sure, I can log into my investment accounts and see a dollar amount, but it doesnt seem real to me. Whatever gains my investments get will just get wiped out whenever the market has a downturn every 7 years or so. It seems like the only way not to lose your principle and make any return at all is to make investing your full-time job so you can monitor the markets and know what moves to make so your money actually grows. Its frustrating because I dont want to have to spend 3 hours a day just to make sure my money doesnt disappear or sit there uselessly. Financial advisors are useless as well; all they do is use terms I dont understand and dont clarify things for me when I ask. Ive scheduled a consultation with an advisor for tomorrow and am already dreading it. Ill make some decisions without really feeling good about them and wonder if my saving is doing anything worthwhile at all.I think part of the problem is that I always get asked what my goals are. I dont have any goals and wouldnt even know how to determine a goal. I guess my only for sure goal is that I dont want to be homeless and starving. I dont know how much I need to have by some arbitrary date or how much I should have.I apologize for whining and rambling, but I just feel so frustrated and demoralized whenever I think about this. If I could come up with the answers to the following questions Id feel better:1. How to I figure out a goal?2. Once I figure out what my goal is, is it possible to construct a strategy that doesnt require me to constantly babysit my retirement funds?  <response>: It seems like the only way not to lose your principle and make any return at all is to make investing your full-time job On the contrary. This approach is probably going to result in you ending up with less money overall. is it possible to construct a strategy that doesnt require me to constantly babysit my retirement funds?You are never required to constantly babysit your retirement funds. 