For most people, 2008 will not be looked upon with fond admiration. The average investor likely suffered their largest portfolio loss in 2008, if not in dollar terms, certainly in percentage. However, if we stop and reflect, we just might find some good in 2008. With that in mind, let's consider the following:

A New Dose Of An Old Reality
Prior to every dramatic market decline is an unrealistic optimism, usually coming from the media and fed by inexperienced investors. Remember the "paradigm shift" from years gone by, where "we are now operating in a new economic environment and it is now normal for the S&P 500 P/E ratio to approach 30." The paradigm shifted back to its historical normal then, as it did now.

The old timers understand this and say things like, "when your barber and butcher start talking about the stocks they are invested in, it is time to get out of the market." The gut wrenching decline suffered last year will help purge those that really should not have been in the market. Over time this will reduce volatility.

Opportunity To Strengthen Your Portfolio
Dividend investors are sometimes guilty of adding more risky stocks during a bubble. As blue chip dividend stocks rise in value, their yield shrinks to levels that make them unattractive. to maintain a reasonable portfolio yield.

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