Intellectually, I know I’ll survive this and that with time, my investments will recover, and although I have cut back on my expenses, I’m still making more than I spend.

However, I have no faith in myself, resulting in constant anxiety that impacts my performance at work, and creates more anxiety.

My doctor gave me a prescription for alprozolam (generix Xanex), and that’s all that gets me through some days.

I have been very concerned about the financial and economic state of the US for a while. Therefore, I have moved my retirement portfolio into a more conservative mode which has protected me somewhat. But at the moment it does not matter which way you turn, since every investment is bad. Take the most “conservative” one, the money market. Aside from actual losses on holdings, a return of 2 or 3% (before taxes) leaves you in the minus once you take the official consumer price at around 5.5% into consideration. At times like this you just buckle down and wait it out. Hopefully you will be in a good enough financial state to take advantage of the rebound which will come along at some point again. It may be a couple years or more away, but things will get better again.

This maelstrom is unpleasant and wreaking a bit of havoc on my retirement portfolio but I’m not going to start dumping funds in panic.

I’m very glad that I’ve been working so hard to save and reduce expenses, it seems very much more worth it now in this uncertain environment.

I THINK that my job is secure but you never know.

I highly recommend staying fully invested and continuing your investment plan whatever that might be. The current economic problems are definitely far worse that any I’ve seen previously, but blind panic will not help.

If you can, build up your cash cushion and continue any automatic investment plans. If you feel the need to tinker with your investments, consider limiting the changes to your allocation percentages. To help build up your larder consider stocking up your freezer and pantry with items you would normally use that go on sale.

Brian ~aka Glymmar
http://adollaradayquest.blogspot.com/

I think one’s financial position always effects every aspect of life. One should act in accordance with his particular position. I recently got a prediction from someone that gas would rise to $8 per gallon by the end of October, and other prices could triple. Since I respect the person, and also have nothing to lose, I am stocking up on whatever I can. Back when there were dire predictions related to the year 2000, I took no action in response to those who said to stock up. I suppose I’m not alone in feeling vulnerable right now. I’m not really worried about our current financial position, but my husband is worried about all the talk of layoffs from the media. Personally, I have never believed in job security when one has an employer, and I’m not overly anxious about it now.

I don’t know if the media accurately portrays people’s attitudes, as I haven’t watched all that much of what they are putting out.

Take your mind off the economy by watching the two babes on the left in the video if you haven’t already. Who are they?

About to have my drivers license suspended due to non payment, simply because i haven’t had the money to pay them, and i am a month behind in rent and will have to move out to God only knows where if things don’t improve real quick like.

So then the anxiety sets in and clouds the mind, affecting decision making in turn making things worse.

I need help.

I definitely think the news sensationalizes everything….panic sells!