I established a mutual fund portfolio of 80% stocks and 20% bonds with my financial advisor in 2005, and invested modestly through 2007. In 2008, I invested heavily both before and during the worst of the downdraft and recovered my losses by October 2009.
At that point, I sold my entire portfolio and went 100% to cash. I felt that I needed to step to the sidelines and reevaluate my comfort level. After the sharp declines of fall 2008 and spring 2009, I simply was not comfortable with my money being exposed to so much risk.
I'm still in cash, and the market is down from where I sold, but I'm going to see how things unfold and start looking for an opportunity to reinvest because I know that's more reasonable for the long term. I still contribute to a SIMPLE IRA plan for retirement.
NEXT: Chris VanderBeek, 33
Where to invest now
