Buy now or wait?

[Duck]

I'm finally at a point where I have enough extra money to invest in an index fund.  A lot of people, including my friends at ibanks, think that there is going to be a significant market correction in the near future.  Is now a good time to buy, or should I wait for some of these funds to "go on sale"? 

[nereo]

the answer is always "buy now".  If you wait you are trying to time the market.  Sure, it could drop next month, or next quarter, or next year.  Or it could go up another 10% before dropping back 10%.  or it could go sideways.  or it could...

what matters is how much *time* you are in the market.  And to get the most amount of time, you should invest today.

[surfhb]

Of course there will be a correction.    The problem is we just dont know when.    :)