I Lost $40K and am *Still* Ahead

[oldtoyota]

Since the stock market tanked, I lost $40K.

Some thoughts:

1. I would have lost more had I not improved my portfolio balance.
2. I've reduced expenses and increased savings so much we're still ahead.
3. I left my job to start a business and will still put away my target amount.

It feels nice not to be freaking out about this. =-) I would not have even HAD this money to lose if not for MMM.

[DaveR]

Did you sell all your investments? If not, you haven't "lost" anything. The market just took back some of your "winnings." And the beauty of it is stocks are on sale now: more shares for your dollars!

But any way you look at it, truly the best part is you're not losing any sleep over it. That's a envious position to be in for sure--one that makes you rich.

[Kaikou]

congrats

[oldtoyota]

Did you sell all your investments? If not, you haven't "lost" anything. The market just took back some of your "winnings." And the beauty of it is stocks are on sale now: more shares for your dollars!

But any way you look at it, truly the best part is you're not losing any sleep over it. That's a envious position to be in for sure--one that makes you rich.

Nope. Didn't sell. I see your viewpoint, but I view it as I "lost" that much since my NW is down.

[Avidconsumer]

Did you sell all your investments? If not, you haven't "lost" anything. The market just took back some of your "winnings." And the beauty of it is stocks are on sale now: more shares for your dollars!

But any way you look at it, truly the best part is you're not losing any sleep over it. That's a envious position to be in for sure--one that makes you rich.

Unrealized losses are still losses.

[2Birds1Stone]

Well you should be back up quite a bit of that $40k as of today =)

[Gone Fishing]

The other day, I looked back to see what I "lost" in 2008-09.  Even at the bottom, it was peanuts...

[zephyr911]

I was down close to $30K at one point... most of my holdings seems to have recovered substantially. For me, the best thing about that drop was teaching me to stop fretting over my balance so much. During the last run I got addicted to watching the gains, which is pointless since I won't be selling anything for years. Now I don't worry... I only got on to check some administrative stuff and noticed the rebound. :)

[fonzy_cat]

Yes China and the threat of raising the federal lending rate caused my stocks to dip and then Hillary mentioned additional regulations on Bio Tech and my health care and biotech holdings took a major dump(financially speaking).  I am still doing better than the Dow and S&P 500 but just barely. 

Two things make me feel better about this situation:

• I am counting on year end dividends which are just a  percentage of the principal so this minimizes the negative affects.
• This correction provides a more solid foundation for future growth

[Bajadoc]

Investments always go up and down, it is normal. Day to day value is of no importance. Asset allocation and a cool head will win the day.

[grettman]

Yes China and the threat of raising the federal lending rate caused my stocks to dip and then Hillary mentioned additional regulations on Bio Tech and my health care and biotech holdings took a major dump(financially speaking).  I am still doing better than the Dow and S&P 500 but just barely. 

Two things make me feel better about this situation:

• I am counting on year end dividends which are just a  percentage of the principal so this minimizes the negative affects.
• This correction provides a more solid foundation for future growth

What do dividends have to do with minimizing affects?  It has no impact.  Maybe I just don't  understand your point but when dividends are paid out (and everything else being equal) your stock value drops commensurately.  Unless your point iis you need the dividend cash flow so this helps u cover bills but then again you could just sell stock to do that.