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Before the huge dow runup last week I was watching it collapse the week before. I found it interesting that the collapse made very little news but the run up was a big deal. At the end of the run up it was only a hundred or so points higher than it was before the big fall beforehand. And now the fall continues. I remember before the big collapse in 2008 the market was having wild swings in both directions. I was noticing a few weeks ago that it is happening again, and getting wilder. It’s kinda like a top just before it completely stops spinning. I REALLY would not want to be there right now.

I watched the volatility and it seemed insane that the market wasn't going to crash (again) a couple years ago. Moved all my stuff into safe, but next to zero interest, areas then and lost a lot by doing so. Still not going back in because I can afford a lack of growth far better than a substantial loss of worth.

The market reminds me of a downed high tension line - when one hits the ground it gives of sparks and flashes and big bangs and it jumps and thrashes like a wounded snake. It' makes me feel like the world really has gone insane and there is no foundation to rest upon - like Alice ...

I completely agree with both of your paragraphs. And I did the same thing you did. I lost a lot of “income potential” but I don’t want to be there when it collapses. I put the money in “useful” real estate and improvements, btw.

Still not going back in because I can afford a lack of growth far better than a substantial loss of worth.

“The first rule of investing is don't lose money; the second rule is don't forget Rule No. 1.” - Warren Buffet

I've also significantly reduced my exposure in the past few years -- currently 50% cash. After so many years of ultra-easy-credit policies, market valuations are so distorted now that it's really hard to make sound decisions.