2009 Net Worth + or - (percentage, real estate, pension, buy)

[jimhcom]

How did your net worth change in 2009? Include increases or decreases in real estate values, stock portfolios, annuities, and contributions or withdrawals to 401K, Pensions, Savings, and similar investments.

[pghquest]

Given the wide varity of incomes reading these threads, the questionaire really should have been an increase/decrease percentages.

If one makes $5,000,000 a year, a $50,000 increase in their networth would be a terrible net worth increase.

[jimhcom]

Originally Posted by pghquest

Given the wide varity of incomes reading these threads, the questionaire really should have been an increase/decrease percentages.

If one makes $5,000,000 a year, a $50,000 increase in their networth would be a terrible net worth increase.

Actually the question is not as important as the response to it. People are reluctant to admit failure, and so I would expect this poll to be shunned by the majority who just do not want to face the question. Had I posted this same poll in 2005 I would have expected strong response because people enjoy bragging about their success. Of the 50+ people who have read it, less than 10 at this point have chosen to participate, that speaks volumes.

[cdelena]

2009 is just ten months old and a pretty short history to be staking much on... I am positive 2009 YTD but so far down from 2007 it hurts. Real estate and market loses have me down from four years ago so eventually a dead cat bounce makes recent numbers look better.

[GeminiGal]

Decreased by small amount. Don't consider it a failure by any means, just the way things played out. I think the participation factor is interesting, I have always thought a lot of posters on this forum really have never had "a dog in the fight". JMO

[sterlinggirl]

Up about 15%

[treasurekidd]

Definetley up. I doubled my 401K contribution at the beginning of the year, and threw a bunch of money into stocks at the bottom in March, April and May and did quite well. It pays to buy low.

[little elmer]

Up a decent amount - I parked my 401k for all of 2008, then jumped back in the first of the year. Before you anoint me a genius, I let my brokerage account ride and lost a bundle.

[Teak]

I agree that a percentage increase/decrease would have made more sense. How could anyone not have seen an increase in 2009 with the stock market making such a strong comeback since the February lows? What did you guys do, pull your money out at the bottom??

[Teak]

Originally Posted by GeminiGal

Decreased by small amount. Don't consider it a failure by any means, just the way things played out. I think the participation factor is interesting, I have always thought a lot of posters on this forum really have never had "a dog in the fight". JMO

Agreed. A lot of play play portfolio stars out there maybe, but some of us have a LOT of dogs in the fight.

Just curious: what did you do in February and March, when the market was hitting its lows??

Hindsight is 20/20, but we were ALL in the same position, sitting on potential losses. The year 2009 has been very good to me because I added new positions when prices were low. I hope that we go down again; I have money saved up for another bout of buying.