[softwarecreator]

if I see one more post about hoarding food and stocking on ammo

There's probably just as many posts saying "all is well", well, not to worry Sorry all is not well.  I'm not saying it's the end of the world (it's not) but posts saying it's just a natural cycle is of little comfort to those who are losing a LOT in this market. I know of several people who's 401K have dropped dramatically.

[ari-freedom]

there was a time not too long ago when nobody had 401k’s. Only very rich people were able to own a diversified portfolio and they did it with several dozen individual stocks through a high priced, full service broker.
We’ll have to live with a lot less but we won’t be going back to the stone age.

[ChocChipCookie]

I would love to believe that all is well and am purposely keeping an optimistic attitude. That being said, I transferred a lot of my investments into money market funds, temporarily, when I saw how much I had lost in less than two weeks time. I will be storing up enough groceries and supplies to last us at least a month if the civil unrest that Obama’s candidacy has been fomenting becomes a reality. We have a couple of guns and ammo but will be buying something smaller for me to use.

I’m 48 years old and have never known anything but the security that my country has provided me. If times have changed, as it appears they have, I don’t want to be the ostrich with its’ head in the sand. I’d rather have a freezer full of ostrich meat and be ready for good or bad times, whatever comes.

[Mr_Moonlight]

Well, my 401k probably *has* tanked dramatically, and has me a bit worried. On the other hand, years ago I set out to reduce or eliminate my debt by X amount, just simply by paying it off and not spending any more. I was in a position to do so, and did so. So instead of tens of thousand of debt some 10 years ago, its only a handful of thousand now, with the remaining being easily payable in cash if needed.

As a conservative, I don't care to be beholden to any fiscal entity other than myself, and so have shunned this 'credit market' which to me seemed out of control and not in my best personal interest.

Not to gloat about it, but I made the right decision 10 years ago.

MM