"Risks always seem most acute when the headlines give you ulcers. Ignore the headlines. How do you tune out all the chatter and ink on recession, housing, subprime woes..." It's enough to make you sit on your thumbs and wait before making any big moves. But what, exactly, are you waiting for?

"There has rarely been a moment in history when you couldn't scare yourself into doing nothing.

"As for housing, certainly some skepticism is in order. But let's say you are emotionally ready to be a homeowner. You have good credit, plan to stay put for five years and have been waiting for the perfect entry point. It's time to get serious--before an inevitable rise in interest rates wipes out your advantage. Anything you gain by a further drop in prices might be offset by rising financing costs."