Scary news out there, folks: Thanks to credit card debt and tapped-out home equity loans, roughly 18% of all American workers had 401k loans outstanding in 2007. 18%! That's up 64% just from 2006!

Let us burn this into your brain so you never forget - your 401k account is NOT a piggy bank! Think of it as kryptonite ... it needs to be UNBREAKABLE.

If you do borrow against it, be aware you're jeopardizing your financial future - that's YOUR stress-free retirement going down the tubes! How? Check out just a few of the many pitfalls that can happen ...

Next: 401(k) Loan Pitfall #1