Living Out Of Debt

The melodramatic circumstances of the past few weeks have tested the portfolios and the conviction of investors around the world. As the markets persist to fluctuate, keep in mind: * Market volatility is normal, and is to be expected. * Your investments should reflect your risk tolerance and investment time frame. * Stay focused on your long-term goals.

If you are like the majority of investors looking at your 401(k) or IRA statements recently, events of the last few weeks may have you scared, agitated, raging, daunted . . . or some other similar reaction as the values of many stocks and mutual funds have declined.

All around us, people are contemplating if last Monday’s S&P 500 tumble of 8.8% combined with yesterday’s 8.3% loss at the lows and 3.8% loss at the close is the capitulation we need to call a bottom. Was the last-dish rebound yesterday a sign that the tide has turned?