How bad did your 401K or retirement portfolio drop? (55, grandparents, grandpa)

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by casualobserver

Yes, Jersey Man, right you are.....2008 thus far is being besieged by pessimism. But who's suggesting anyone buy the 30 Dow stocks anyway.

Neither Asian nor South American stocks are dropping. "Buy stock in India and retire in Costa Rica" is the new formula for a prosperous retirement.

And I missed it!

I am such a fool!

"Buy stock in India and retire in Costa Rica" sounds like a great formula!

Much better than what I did. 20 years on submarines, while collecting apartment buildings and retire at 42.

[nancy thereader]

Nancy, if I may ask, what is the credit rating on those 7.5% bonds of yours? That sounds tremendous for investment grade debt.

I am not sure. The person who has my Annuity found them when I asked him to sell the stocks last summer.
Actually , I get 8.4 % with my TDA in my Teachers' Retirement plan.

I just am too nervous to get back into the market. I would always everyday dread hearing that bell on the news reports that reports on the Dow Jones.

[casualobserver]

Originally Posted by nancy thereader

Actually , I get 8.4 % with my TDA in my Teachers' Retirement plan.

I just am too nervous to get back into the market. I would always everyday dread hearing that bell on the news reports that reports on the Dow Jones.

If I could get 8.4 credited to a "fixed" annuity accumulator each year, I would be perfectly content as well.

* * * * *


"20 years on submarines"...........Well, at least you've proven you're not claustrophobic!

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by casualobserver

...
"20 years on submarines"...........Well, at least you've proven you're not claustrophobic!

LOL

No, it just means that I know under what conditions I can induce claustrophobia in myself.

I have seen men who have served onboard subs for six or ten years, when it hits them.

[gallowsCalibrator]

Hehe. My profile went up 16% in the last year.

It makes me happy.

[nancy thereader]

Gee, that's amazing . Good for you.

[casualobserver]

Hopefully, his/her "portfolio" went up as much as the "profile"!

[gallowsCalibrator]

Originally Posted by casualobserver

Hopefully, his/her "portfolio" went up as much as the "profile"!

I've always called it a profile since it's under my "Investment Profile" section of my banking. Same thing, different names.

[sheri257]

Originally Posted by nancy thereader

I would always everyday dread hearing that bell on the news reports that reports on the Dow Jones.

OMG ... I remember that gut wretching feeling !!!

I'm so glad I'm out of stocks right now ... just for that reason alone.

[JERSEY MAN]

Don't look, the dow dropped another 300 plus. Oh thats right my financial planner said I'm in it for the long haul. Just hope I don't run out of money before the long haul kicks in. LOL