If losing money is of great concern, then don't mine, this is a speculative activity.  Personally, I do it because it's fun. I'm a big economics/monetary theory nerd.  I also write software for a living, and bitcoin is probably the most profound use of technology/software in decades.

So my answer to you: if you think bitcoin is cool and you have fun mining and can afford the hardware, then go for it.  If you're in this purely for profit, well, i really have no advice for you.  Just know this isn't a guaranteed path to riches.