This started out as a comment on (e:Vincent)'s post, but it got long so now it is a post of its own. (My comment grew up!)

Everytime I read (e:Vinvent)'s analysis, it makes sense to me, but I never follow its' advice.

Short selling seems too advanced for a guy who isn't really an "investor." Instead, I have picked a few mutual funds with the long term goal of not cashing in until I retire. (They are socially responsible funds, for the record)

Even though I haven't done anything gutsy like (e:Vincent) reccomends, I have been thinking about swapping my funds for an ETF (to cut my already low expenses, and because they have shown to get better returns.) Still, owning an ETF means owning companies that hurt people, and I don't want to be in that business too much (I say "too much," because as long as I pay taxes, some of my money will go to something evil).

Also, selling short seems like betting against your own team. I don't want to root for the economy to tank so I can make a buck.

Finally, conventional wisdom (which hasn't really helped thus far) says that when things look REALLY bad, then that is the time to buy, because everyone else sees that and prices are super low as a result. I guess I still believe the conventional wisdom, despite experience.

Sometimes, I think the best bet would be to buy a farm and some guns. That way, when it all goes down the tubes, I can grow my own food on my own land and shoot at anybody that tries to take it from me.

But I don't really like farming or shooting people.

I've thought about money more than I want to for one day. It's time to think about something important.