If this becomes the crash, (which of course the stock market will recover from), I had expected more of an extreme run-up first. As in, much more than we've seen already which has been a steady climb for several years.

The time to buy was after the crash in 2008-09, or any time since but especially then. And Tabs correctly predicted that crash, I tried to get some people to pull out before it happened but no one believed me. Tabs wrote a compelling argument for a coming crash and it was 100% right. Of course, the writing was on the wall w the mortgage crisis and banking collapses telegraphed but people still didn't want to believe it. :)

Bought Google/Alphabet last Friday when it dropped 100 bucks.

Yup--I'm adding another air-cooled 911 to my collection. That's a sure fired winner of an investment.

(At least, that's what I told my wife.)

The time to buy was right after the 25% one day drop in '87...;)

My broker called 2 weeks ago and we sold off most of my US equities... I guess that’s why we pay these guys... I’m happy to be sitting on cash right now.

Now you have to pay capital gains tax now. Yes, no?

Not if it’s in an IRA.

For sure. I remember my boss at the time turning white as a sheet, he'd just lost a substantial amount of his wealth. He was a young guy at the time, in his thirties, so he's more than recovered since if he stayed in the stock market, (along w getting a couple more haircuts along the way).

I've never been in it so I've missed the run-ups but I also get to sit on the sidelines and eat popcorn while all the carnage happens. :)

Now, thats one good advice! I’m in. :D

I think timing the market is an idea that never works out. A few trading days usually make the whole year.

I think there are certain events where people aren't thinking straight that makes dips that are good buying opportunities.

Now deciding when to sell, that is a harder one, just look for mass stupidity with money, that can't last forever, but it can last longer than you expect.

Got back almost 4% today.
I considered the panic and bail routine, glad I talked myself out of it.
(I usually don't talk to myself because I don't like his attitude.)

Meow?

You need to post that pic of the server racks again....they're buyin'...and sellin'...in panic mode ;)

Well durn, I've got fiddly feelins from $10.75 of unrealized gains on my Monday buying.

Maybe it will drop back again today.

I cashed in... 10.75 > Bitcoin > 12-13 bucks easy.....

I'll have a pony soon ;)

Starting to look like my timing was ok. Bought at the close day before yesterday. Back up 600 yesterday and 300 more as of now. Who knows where that will go. Legalized gambling. ;)

I actually go so far as to call it institutionalized gambling

Bought some yest

Yer better at it than I am, never been good at timing the market it so I just stay in and ride it out.

Exception to that was back in 2007/2008.
I stayed in way longer than I should have but bailed about halfway down the slide.
Got back in a little early but rode it all the way back up. Could have been much worse, got back all I lost and then some in a few years. Blind-arse luck.
Hope i never have to do that again.