We are not recommending big positions in speculative companies or funds, however speculating with smaller amounts of money may be okay if your taken care of other financial planning prerequisites. Roth IRA's are not dead. Conversion from regular IRA's to Roth IRA's still make since, even without the special tax treatment on the conversion. Calculate your conversion on this website. The financial problems of Asia and the political and financial problems of Russia, conbined with concerns that these developments will impact the rest of the world, have contributed greatly to the decline in many financial markets.
Inflation is dormant, interest rates are declining further and unemployment is historically low.
Both Yeltsin and Clinton are deeply wounded in their respective countries, although for different reasons, yet the summit is an important psychological boost for Russia to remain on a path to capitalism. Over the short term, stocks will remain nervous, yet we will have positive economic news on earnings, housing, and unemployment. Thus investors should remain fully invested and be patient. Do not panic. I still see the Dow reaching back above 9300 towards the 10,000 level over the next six months.