The fragile market as we know it is what drives stocks up or down the scale. If consumers are provided a sense of comfort and flexibility from a strong or stable economy, the market will be up. If the economy weakens, which is what we have seen recently, consumers will hold their money. This however, is partially the very problem for continuing a recession. What drives a capitalistic economy is the circulation of the money throughout the nation. This hording of money when the economy stumbles is probably one of the worst things you can do, unless you have already invested big when the market was up. You're biggest opportunities though, lie within this very timeframe we're in now. Stocks are down, yes, but this also provides you the chance to buy stocks when they are priced low. If you want to really make some money, the best thing to do is buy low, sell high. This is a rare opportunity to buy low. The economy too has been on the rise, so the time you have to invest low is running short. Now, there are no guarantee's, but companies like Ford for instance skyrocketed after their huge decline. Had you invested when they were at their lowest, which was close to nearly nothing for a share, you would have made astronomical profits. Their stock is now at 11.60. If you would have bought 100 shares at $1 each, giving you 100 shares, you would now have made $1,160. Now that's investing! Remember, buy low, sell high. Ford has already had its glorious uprise, so don't think that it will happen again. It may, but most likely not. Look for companies that have new ideas and technology and are just starting into the business or coming out of a slump. This is where you'll make the real money you've been looking for.