<prompt> Human: would it be better to sell what i have now before it loses anything so that I can buy at a lower price when the stock market totally goes to shit as everyone seems to be predicting? Im not worried about stock Ive been holding a while, or anything thats made say 30 gains, but anything below that gain level I am worried about. It seems better to sell those stocks before I lose anything so I can use the money to buy the same stock when its at its lowest. Im not panicking about losing money, Im looking to be able to make money if the market falls. Im not trying to get out of the market, I know the best thing you can do is buy when the market is down. Selling what I have seems the easiest way to do that.  <response>: Time in the market timing the marketWhat you are suggesting can make sense, but there is an equal chance of it falling more as there is popping back up as soon as you sell. 