[Fr. Frank]

I cashed in my two IRA's a month ago, one had lost 24% of total value in the first six months alone, the other lost 41% of total value over a year's time. In both cases, I got out LESS than I had actually paid in out of pocket. Then this morning I hear that my brokerage bank (Lehman Bros) has filed for Chapt. 11 bankruptcy protection.

Looks like I got out just in time.

I still have my house for sale, listed now for $30K LESS than it cost me to build it. Real Estate values here in Citrus County Florida fell by 15-17% in the month of June alone. If I don't sell between now and Dec 30, on Dec 31 I'll have to ask the bank to accept deed-in-lieu of foreclosure.