What to do? Here is some expert advice

"Your biggest asset is your ability to work and provide income to create wealth. If you have a good job, do what you can to keep it. ... Value job security at a premium over job satisfaction for the time being. Hang in there for a while."

— James Dailey, Team Financial Services, Harrisburg, Pa.

"If you have cash to invest and have a long time frame — say 30 to 40 years — continue to make steady investments in the stock market over time, through such devices as a mutual fund or a 401(k). Don't invest money that you need for living expenses today."

— Robert Spangler Sr., independent financial adviser, Harrisburg, Pa.

"We all know you make money by buying low and selling high, but that requires investors to think for themselves and be patient. They need to stop reaching for the quick bang that inevitably backfires."

— Greg Evans, Raymond James and Associates, Washington, D.C.

"Rather than looking to the past to divine the future, hold an appropriate mix of stocks, bonds and short-term investments for your goal's time horizon."

— Stuart Ritter, T. Rowe Price Associates, Baltimore

"Don't go another day, week or month without a realistic household budget. You need to establish cash-flow needs, or a budget, and make sure you don't go beyond that. Or, if you do, have a plan as to how you are going to do that."

— Jerry McCutchen, The McCutchen Co., Mobile, Ala.

"Client calls are pouring in. ... They're asking what to do. And like most market professionals, I'm telling them to hold tight."

— Stanley Nabi, Silvercrest Asset Management, New York

"There's a better chance to make money now than ever before."

— Investor Floyd Odlum's motto throughout the market nightmare of 1929 to 1932, when he made millions of dollars putting his cash into battered stocks.

— Peter Lynch, legendary manager of the Fidelity Magellan Fund, in his book "One Up On Wall Street"

(Simon and Schuster).

Compiled from The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Newhouse News Service