 Even with thousands of dollars turned into vapor, the common advice is to keep what's left where it is. They say, don't worry, it'll come back. Many older Americans won't live long enough to see that money come back. Some of us have adjustable rate mortgages. That card falls face down to an unknown future. People have shortfalls because of the high cost of goods. And there's a record number of repossessions. In an effort to keep up the lifestyle, there's an overuse of credit cards. But that, my friend, is a financial wild card. And the house always wins.