<prompt> Human: Based on the number of posts in the last two weeks about declining portfolios, it seems that a lot of our new members in rpersonalfinance are finally getting a taste of real stock market volatility. As I write this, the SP 500 is down about 30 points -1.58. 6 years ago to the day !, the SP 500 dropped 90 points -9.03. Days like this simply happen every once in a while. Getting caught up in the hysteria is what separates good investors from bad.A list of things you should do on days like these include: Review your asset allocation. If a 1-2 drop in the value of your portfolio has you shaking, imagine what a 2008-like bear market -40 to -60, give or take will do for your nerves. Ignore the noise. You can bet that roiling financial markets will absolutely explode on TV and certain corners of the interweb. Ignore the doom and gloom to the extent you can. Rebalance from bonds to stocks if you havent in a while. The past couple weeks performance means that you may be off your target asset allocation by a significant amount, depending on your method of rebalancing and triggers for doing so. Keep things in perspective. If youre investing correctly, either your time horizon is long or your asset allocation is one youre comfortable with. If youre young, even large market swings probably arent going to matter that much when it comes time to retire. If youre older, your investments should be more conservative in the first place and hopefully you arent as worried. Turn your worrying into something positive. Instead of worrying about your investments, turn your fear into motivation for something positive, like improving your job performance decreasing the likelihood of being laid off if things get really bad, reviewing your finances, or stocking your emergency fund.Remember, it is human to be averse to losing money, even if your losses are on paper. Smart investors keep those losses on paper. Staying the course is probably the most difficult aspect of successful investing. Use the markets recent performance as a barometer for how youll perform in a true crisis, and make the necessary adjustments before its too late.  <response>: While the post is solid, some of these comments are worrying. The recent move is not a good reason to go all-in on stocks over even necessarily to buy more - its only a reaon to think hard about your asset allocation and be sure it makes sense for you. The advice of having a percentage equal to 100 minus your age in stocks, with the rest in bonds, is generally good. And if stocks drop in half, then the bonds provide some powder with which to rebalance into stocks. This is an easy buy low sell high strategy. 