It is only the 2nd day of January in 2009 and there are already predictions coming in galore regarding the year that will be in 2009. It certainly isn’t uncommon at this time of year to get plenty of people playing the role of prognosticator, but the average individual should be careful of reading too much into these 2009 predictions.

How big is the prediction buzz already in 2009? CNBC has already started its own 2009 Predictions Special Report Page, where pretty much everyone who ever comes on their network is given the opportunity to play forecaster. Every industry reporter speculates as to what will come of that specific group in 2009, and how investors should play the stocks in the year ahead.

I thought with all the calls of a bottom in the economy or the stock market on a certain date in the coming year, today would be a good time to remember to take all these predictions with a grain of salt. Remember, many of these people who are now calling a bottom or speaking so highly of certain areas were very wrong in 2008. This stock market and this economy is one that no one who is currently analyzing the market has ever seen the likes of before, so I truly believe their predictions should weigh far less than normal on your personal finance and investing strategy.

The truth of the matter is that no one knows exactly what 2009 will bring for the stock market or the economy. As an investor and an individual in control of your hard earned finances keep in mind that uncertainty still rules in 2009 until proven otherwise. If you really need to follow some expert advice, watch what people like Warren Buffett do. Please don’t just listen to every so called financial guru or your head will be spinning and you’ll probably be losing money in the process.