How much did your stocks drop in 2008? I figure I lost about 12% which isn't too bad considering what I have heard. But I am not an American and I have a conservative portfolio.

Jim's investment dropped 28%. However, that is not as bad as it sounds...he has a built-in floor as a safety net. So while the "value" has dropped 28%, the loss to him if he were to cash out today only dropped 4.5%. Whew! :)

You didn't do to bad. I had a broker invest $270K and he invested most of it in financials and the big 3 auto makers. My stocks are worth $155K now, that's 43% loss. One is gone for good, Lehman Brothers, $10K gone for good.

Only about 2%, but I am also a very conservative investor and have a very good broker who is also a personal friend.

I recently moved between jobs. While trying to rollover my 401k I learned a little secret. If your 401k has lost almost all of its value and it is now less than 500, they just cut you a check. I lost about 75% on one side, 55% on the over and gained 6% on my conservative stuff.

I admit I don't know a hell of a lot about the stock market. That's why when I was working at a job about 13 years ago that had no 401K, I rolled over my 401K from my previous job into another investment with my mom's financial advisor. Everyone has been hit hard. The little bit that I had invested (around 25K) dropped to about 14K...so, a lot more than 12%.

No loss is incurred due to a drop in share value unless one liquidates at the low value.