I chickened out

[BlackCat]

I sold ALL of my stock fund shares today. Fortunately, I made a little bit of money.

Given that the market has been on a rapid decline for a month and since I don't believe the market will bounce back anytime soon, I got scared and sold out. I'm saving up for a house right now; the last thing I need is to lose money in the stock market. Keeping those stock shares for any time longer would be a risk that I'm not willing to take at this point in my life. I had well over 50% of my stock portfolio in the healthcare sector and boy did it save me! Thanks, Obama.

Knowing my luck, everything's going to be in the green tomorrow and the rest of the fall, winter, etc., but it feels good knowing that my money is safe now, free from volatility and in my savings account.

Stock market, I'll be back!!!

[Bullet Magnet]

I know nothing about the stock market.

[BlackCat]

The market is going up again. Oh well.

I think when you're sick, testosterone is lower which means you're less willing to take risks. I was sick all last week. This could be due to lack of exercise while sick, yielding lower testosterone levels. Bahh. If only I knew the stock market would go up again, then I would have just rode out the recent rapid decline.

An investor's best tool would be a time machine. They don't exist.

[BlackCat]

When selling my stock 2 weeks ago, I wasn't even thinking about the holiday season coming up! I could have had so much more money if only I were to wait 2 more weeks! I am such a loser. Looking back at my original post is pathetic! I couldn't even ride out one week of red? I sold at the worst possible time. Man, I'm such a bonehead.

I've learned so much from this, though. I wouldn't take anything back due to these lessons.

1) Never make important investing decisions when sick. When you're not feeling good, you're not optimistic. Everything is dark -- your health, mind, faith in other people, etc. It is therefore no surprise why this pessimism would translate into thinking the stock market will continue to go down after a sharp decline, the biggest decline in the market in 2 years.

2) When you're in it for the long-term, don't check your stocks every single day! You will go absolutely nuts in times of red. Just calm down and look at it quarter-to-quarter, not day-to-day or week-to-week.

3) Don't be consumed by fear from the media. The media thrives on negative situations, doom, gloom, and blows things way out of proportion. All I have to say is this: ebola schmola!

You know though, if the stock market were to continue to crash like I thought it would, I would be happy that I've sold my stock, but now I'm not. I still want a time machine.

[BlackCat]

I bought a ton of stock a few days ago and now today is the best day the stock market has seen all year. Finally! #greed

[Pause]

the stock market is actually super safe... they key is diversification aaaand long term. good on ya bc!

[BlackCat]

The stock market wasn't safe in September. But you're right! Long-term. ... I hope.