So, is anyone buying stocks this week?

[Kal]

Jim Cramer ("Mad Money" show on MSNBC) is recommending buying well known companies that produce recession-proof products, pay dividends between 3-7%, and have large cash reserves to ensure that the dividend payments will continue.

On Dec. 30th I purchased a nice position in Phillip Morris. Their primary source of income is tobacco products so that's fairly recession-proof. They also pay a high dividend and have extremely good cash reserves. From the time of purchase to present the stock is up about 10% in a little more than 2 weeks.

This is pretty much in line with Cramer's recommendation.

 

[Icc5]

I've been murdered but still holding

I have been a buy and hold all my life. Hard to change.
My biggest holding used to be BAC until the past 2 weeks, now it dropped to my third biggest.
Dividends paid to me each year went from $18,000 a year down to less then $6,000 per year.
If you include all my investments (stock portfolio, IRA's, Roth, 401K's we are down more then what my last 2 houses cost.
The funny part (if any of it can be) is I am diversafied.
Bart

 

[maddaug]

We are holding and it is painful. Haven't changed a thing and continue to buy with our 401k's at work. We have 8 years to work and had always thought we'd start pulling out of stocks at 5 or 6 years from retirement. I just pray that things turn around before we get to that 5 year mark.
I told hubby I refuse to work any longer. We have saved, have no debt and have done everything right as part of the middle class. We will take what we have and live wisely as we alway have and if the money runs out, it runs out. If we still have our pensions then we should be ok. If not, so be it. I just hope we stay healthy and see retirement.
I could easily move to a tropical island and live the simple life too.

 

[Born2Travel]

Still holding

Still holding - the only change has been to stop auto deductions to 401K and apply the $$ toward a 2nd home mortgage - at least it's something we can enjoy now. Got tired of putting money into the 401K and losing it immediately. Eventually will get back in, but for now we need something tangible to enjoy.