If you don't have a well developed trading system, honestly, you should buy and hold -- for years if necessary. Amateurs who attempt to be active traders are great for the pros, because it makes easy profits for them. The sooner a noob gets burned the better, because then he/she understands that trading requires planning and precision. With the current rally, no doubt, many new traders have jumped-in -- usually too late -- and they will only learn hard and fast how quickly markets can turn.