Handling the market volatility

With the markets in freefall today (and likely for a few next days at least) I figured I'd create a thread to remind every rational investor how to handle volatility:

1. Know your investment thesis for a company and keep focused on it at all times. Never sell just because the price went down and never buy because it went up. Re-visit the investment thesis as you get new information and sell if it does not apply anymore.

2. Know the fair value of a company you own or follow, figure out a margin of safety for a stock and as soon as the price dips below that margin of safety - buy. You will never get the exact dip, do not worry about it.

3. After buying forget about the stock until the next price sensitive announcement. If you do not intend to grow your position in a stock - forget about it until the next price sensitive announcement.

4. Be greedy when the others are fearful - this is a good time. But use your brain and do your research first.

5. Think long term and realise that the volatility is just noise when compared to the long term gains of a well performing business. You are buying a business - not a ticker.

6. Report any unsolicited advise from downrampers who try to spread the FUD. Report anything from downrampers as much as you can. Play your part in keeping the forum clean.

Good luck to holders.