In 2008, the average investor lost 25 to 30 percent of their retirement investment -- but this should not scare anyone away from the stock market. "Mad Money" host Jim Cramer encourages the average investor to formulate a personal recovery plan.

It is important to keep invested stocks that pay good dividends, and make sure that your mutual fund has beneficial dividends. There are companies that pay great dividends, and you should have them in your portfolio. Cramer is optimistic about our nation's economic recovery: Banks are done going under, and housing prices have stabilized, he emphasizes. In fact, there is opportunity in real estate right now, as mortgage rates are currently the lowest many have ever seen.

Resources
For more financial advice, check out "Getting Back to Even," by Jim Cramer.