Seeing how markets have plunged, should I hold back on investing now and focus more on savings? But I often also hear about the buy-low sell high concept. Any advice?

Price is what you pay, value is what you get.

Buy low sell high is more towards trading, buy low to get a higher dividend yield is investing.

What I have learnt in the past years is that focusing on price for gains... Is more of trading, and tends more often than not to lead to investing mistakes, the worst from your own emotions.

For lack of a better example, you have 17k. You managed to buy 1000 shares of stock xxxx at 16.97, +/- fees, your cost is 17 per share. If xxxx maintains dividend of 1.32 per year for the next 20 years, and doesn't collapse from the recession, you have received 20 x 1.32 = 26.4 per share in dividends, at a dividend yield of 7.76%, ignoring the possible dividend increases or cuts, price fluctuations or potential unrealized gain.

If you understand this example, the future price is only an illusion. You are exchanging 17 dollars for a future stream of 26.4 over 20 years and the possible sell price then.

It took me a few months to master this concept, and a longer time to forget what the world was trying to teach me for 30+ years.

note: this is not a buy / sell call for stock xxxx, only an example

Hi Anon,

Start today. Plain and simple. It's something I've done myself, suggested to family and to any private clients.

There is little benefit to procrastinate.

It doesnt matter what the market will look like next month. It could be much worse, a little bit worse, same, better... ?

What matters to you most is to be able to invest and not look at it for 5years. It is very likely (when you look back then) a great decision.

It is better to give up the idea of finding a market bottom because low can always go lower.

Bad news has always been around and may persist.

Avoid losses totally is not an investment goal and neither should you wait for "all clear" because it doesn't happen.

Have a plan like dollar cost averaging and stick to it

Read more from our article "Don't worry about the market bottom" here

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