Speaking of '97 . . .

Stocks at 12 Year Lows

4/11/97: S&P 500 = 743
2/23/09: S&P 500 = 743

If somehow you decided in 1997 that stocks were just too expensive and have resolutely remained on the sidelines ever since . . . you now have another buying opportunity (assuming you have the money and the stomach).

After today's 3.4% plunge, stock prices are back to where they were in 1997. Factor in inflation, and they're actually much lower.

I'll stick to housing, thanks very much . . .