Top Ten Things Not to do When the Stock Market Goes Nuts.

~ John W. Howell

Before we get into the Top Ten list, I want to let you know that I will be attending my oldest grandaughter’s college graduation in Indiana and taking a log break from Wednesday, May 11th until Thursday, May 19th. I will be monitoring e-mails but not posting and probably not visiting blogs. I have not taken a break since I started blogging in 2013. The inspiration for this break comes from my Mac is still in repair, and my Dell PC weighs more than me, so it is staying home. I’m really lousy at communicating on the iPhone, so I decided it was break time. I’m letting you know because at my age, when I stop blogging, most figure I died, and that is not the case. I will send another reminder with each post until Wednesday.

 

Photo by Jamie Street on Unsplash

This post was originally published in August of 2015. Since the stock market has had a wild ride this month I figure it is still good advice.

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The inspiration for this list is last week’s volatility in the price of stocks. Although I was tempted to do almost all of them, I refrained and kept myself under control. Hopefully, I will keep the list handy for the next time since I have a feeling there will be many more thrill rides this year.

Top Ten Things Not to do When the Stock Market Goes Nuts.

10 When the stock market goes nuts, do not go near an open window. If you do, at best, you will think about jumping out. At worst, you will take a jump and then realize the window is on the ground floor. (Pretty embarrassing dropping thirty-six inches)

9 When the stock market goes nuts, do not call your broker. If you do, at best, they will talk you into calming down. At worst, you and your broker will be calm as you lose 20% of your 401K. (Now, don’t you feel better after the call?)

8 When the stock market goes nuts, do not panic. If you do, at best, you will embarrass yourself in front of co-workers and family. At worst, you will need to seek a specialist on hair replacement when the panic is over. (That bare spot on the side definitely needs attention)

7 When the stock market goes nuts, do not sell anything. If you do, at best, you will feel in control but poorer. At worst, you will incur losses that will take years to replace, and now you waited too long to get back in, and the prices are already too high. (I know it’s complicated)

6 When the stock market goes nuts, do not listen to the analysts’ advice. If you do, at best, you will make a sudden move, and you will be already too late to save money. At worst, you will listen to the wrong analysis and do the opposite of the right thing. (After all, no two analysts have the same advice)

5 When the stock market goes nuts, do not let others know how bad things look. If you do, at best, you will have to deal with their concerns and advice and the problem of lost value. At worst, you will be compelled to make an unwarranted move to convince others you are in control. (This is true if you are the custodian of others’ funds)

4 When the stock market goes nuts, do not check your accounts. If you do, at best, you will be tempted to make a sudden ill-advised move. At worst, you will focus on the negative reports to the point where you will need shock therapy to make a comeback. (Positive reports are not valuable in the current situation.)

3 When the stock market goes nuts, do not read the financial news. If you do, At best, you will be convinced the world is coming to an end. At worst, you will need to have a cardiologist on speed dial to handle your recurring symptoms of heart failure. (Makes you want to be a trained EMS tech so you can self-administer defibrillation. Of course, you can take those paddles yourself, right?)

2 When the stock market goes nuts, do not go into the local pub. If you do, at best, the problem will still be there tomorrow, along with that gigantic throbbing head sharing your bed. At worst, you will get it into your mind to have it out once and for all with the stock seller person, and the police intercept you before you get to where they live. (Don’t worry about the DUI. As bad as it is, it’s easier to handle than what you were thinking about doing last night.)

1 When the stock market goes nuts, do not forget why you invested in stocks in the first place. If you do, at best, you’ll neglect your long-range financial goals. At worst, you will put all your money into a box under the bed with the possibility that it will be worth much less in the future or a burglar will find it. (Not to mention you arguing with the firefighters about getting back into your burning house.)

85 thoughts on “Top Ten Things Not to do When the Stock Market Goes Nuts.”

      1. John,
        David Letterman watch out. Your Top Ten lists are funny.
        Regarding the market, I’ve developed (over the years) a skill at Buy high and Sell low. I should write a book about it. It takes a “special skill.”
        Have fun at graduation. A proud grandpa. Hey, how far North in Indiana? See ya …….

        Liked by 2 people

  4. Thanks for the heads up on your break. You’re right, of course. We would all panic without it!
    As for the stock market going nuts, best not to keep looking at it!

    Liked by 2 people

  5. Have a good break, John. I know it’s well-earnt. To allay any fears, you could put up a brief post every few days confirming you are still alive. Advance scheduling is the most convenient way (I daren’t say how far in advance I’ve scheduled Sunday Serialisations posts) but may defeat the reassurance objective. Congrats to your granddaughter, too.

    Liked by 2 people

  9. Have a safe and enjoyable trip. And thanks for the heads-up. If you suddenly disappeared, I’d only think the girls finally had managed to take control of the household and hadn’t yet learned how to blog, but it’s good to know the truth!

    Liked by 2 people

  10. I was doing well until #2. The pub is my go-to answer in times of crisis, John. My back windows are six feet off the ground…probably not high enough. I guess I’ll sit tight.

    Enjoy your break, and pass along congratulations to your granddaughter from all of us.

    Liked by 2 people

  14. Hubby was mourning the stock market last week – should have shown him this list, lol. Congrats to your granddaughter, John! And you’re far overdue for a break. Enjoy!

    Liked by 2 people

  18. Congratulations to your granddaughter and her loving family! I’m so happy you’re attending, John. She’ll always remember this moment and love you all the more. As for the stock market, I’m afraid to look these days — so I don’t. Have fun and forget about all the pressures of life. 💗 🎉💗

    Liked by 2 people

  20. Great list, John. Filled with wisdom. Hard not to panic, but #1 really sums it all up. Congrats to the new grad (I’m assuming she probably already has a job … or plans to further her education?) Thanks for letting us know you’ll be taking a break — seems like a well-earned rest is overdue! Safe travels, too!

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  22. My husband stays on top of these things, but I don’t. We’re conservative, diversified investors. Greg pretty much arranged it so we can be comfortable in our retirement. Not wealthy, but solvent 😉 Congratulations to your granddaughter, John. I am SO happy you are taking a break. Just focus on family and fun. We’ll all still be here when you get back 🙂

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  24. I hope you really enjoy your well-deserved break, John! As re the stock market … my philosophy that what goes down, eventually comes back into balance. Best to leave it alone if you have the time to do so. Have fun in Indiana, enjoy the graduation, and relax! We’ll still be here when you return!

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  28. Thanks John! At best funny advice. At worst, frightening!
    I do like your top10,lists a lot.

    Have a great break and enjoy your grand daughter’s graduation! This trip may just be MORE IMPORTANT than blogging!
    I think so.

    Liked by 1 person

  31. That is great. And heartiest congratulations and best wishes to your granddaughter.
    Here are 11s and 12s and…OK I will stop at 12:
    11. Don’t forget what goes up comes down. And what goes down comes up (no this is not 12)
    12. Don’t forget that when you buy someone is selling. Don’t also forget when you sell someone is buying.
    There…clearer than deciphering the markets 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  34. Belated congratulations on the graduation and your well earned break. We were doing some financial planning for other purposes at exactly the wrong time. But it was age related prep and not reactionary. It is pitiful to see what’s going on though so I will take your advice and stop looking now that we’ve refined a few things.

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