<prompt> Human: I think Im a little confused by this. When people say they lost everything what does that mean? Other than having a variable rate mortgage, in which case in 2008 shit went wild for you, what does that mean in relation to investments? Is it that people were literally investing their life savings in the market and when it crashed their portfolio was 0? Is it wise to keep every penny you save in the market? Im asking because I see the term thrown around a lot and Im not sure other than losing stock value or maybe a job depending on your profession how everything was lost. Im sure I am missing something.  <response>: Im one of those who lost everything in 2008 crash. First it was my job, then my savings and finally my house. I didnt touch my investments as I was young and taking a hard look, they would only have delayed my foreclosure. Its more of a feeling of losing everything you have than actually losing it all. 