When do we start to panic?

I was talking with a few co workers about the economy. Another spouse laid off and another wife going to work full time, to make ends meet. Will he find a job? What will it pay? What about retirement? One of the PA's I work with told me he received his 403 B statement for 2008 and he had lost 1/3 of his investments. WOW, 1/3! I put money away in my 403B but will it be enough? I have refused to look at my statement. I figure if I don't know it won't hurt me. Will there be social security? Will I ever see any of the money I have put into Social Security? I'm guessing NOT!

I think that I have a good head on my shoulders. I tend to live for the now but my now isn't wild and crazy. I spend my money on my house, kids catholic education, and that new car we bought this year! I don't carry a balance on my credit cards, I live modestly and hope that I will not be on the streets when I am 70 years old. I think that I will always HAVE to work because I will never be able to afford health insurance. and b/c I never look at my 403B so I really don't know how much money I actually have in my retirement fund!

I wish our government would learn to live modestly. Do we really need to send money over sea's to help out other countries? I know I'm selfish but I think we need to balance our checkbooks before we send millions to others. Is a dollar really worth a dollar? How come people say to invest in Gold? I don't value gold!! I want to invest in a cow and chickens, now that is something I can use. Back to being practical.