In all, most of what I hold has maintained or gone up, but I tend to buy for income - not necessarily growth. This year, a handful of my holdings are going to pay out a nice year-end dividend, about equivalent of about another half a month's pay. I'm going to take those 6 holdings and elect for the cash instead of reinvestment. I feel fortunate that I've been able to put a little away and get something for that frugality. It's nowhere near enough to live on, but it's going to replenish funds I had to use this year for some home and car repairs. I'm going to take a little for myself, get a couple of nice steaks and have a few friends over as well.