nlbarber

yes - don't deprive yourself of a major cash cushion. OTH, advice like "don't pay off low-interest debt because...." assumes a market that is either steady, or that will rebound in the near future. I think it's wisest at this point in time to assume a fairly long-lasting bear market. I notice that the people around me - the everyday working stiffs - casually refer to "the Recession" as if it were a done deal while the talking heads are still sidling around it with "maybe we might be edging into a recession at some future time." Uh, talking heads, remove said heads from where they're at, wipe them off thoroughly, and hang out at the local donut shop.

Sorry. I'm bearish. My parents had tales to tell of the last time this happened. Beans & rice recipes on request.