My first big market drop was in 2012, sitting at my kitchen table in Denver.

I'd just put $5,000 into a tech ETF and it dropped 8% in a week. I remember staring at the red numbers, my stomach sinking, and almost hitting the sell button. I called my dad instead, who told me to just leave it alone for a month. It came back, and then some. What's the first time you guys remember wanting to panic-sell and what stopped you?

3 comments

3 Comments

rowan6581mo ago

Wait, 2012? That was a pretty calm year for stocks. You sure you're not thinking of 2011? That had a nasty summer drop. Either way, glad your dad talked you off the ledge.

the_max1mo ago

Yeah, the noise is the hardest part. I set up automatic transfers so I never even see the cash to spend, and I don't check my balance when the news is bad. Out of sight, out of mind works.

bell.felix1mo ago

Oh man, you're totally right. I was mixing up my years. I read this article a while back that broke down the 2011 correction, something about the US credit rating downgrade and the whole eurozone debt crisis spooking everyone. That summer was brutal. My dad just kept saying to ignore the noise and stick with my plan.