Hurley I agree that it's extremely important to have a plan of when to sell.  It's often suggested that a good test is to you ask yourself if you'd still buy each of the positions you currently hold in your portfolio.

rayden, I have played with FXF, MERKX, SKF before.  I know realize it is just not worth it.   I have come to the conclusion I am a lot dumber than the market.

rayden, "pretending that a loss is not 'real' until it's realized and hoping for a reversal" is one of the foundations of value investing.