My philosophy is to invest only the moneys I can afford to be without. I look only to the long term as the market rises in the long term. So, I look at it as banking/savings and do not look for a quick return. But, I started 50 years ago or so and my income is supplemented quite nicely, thank you. I think untrained people "playing" the market are usually in for a rough go.
And, waiting for the "low" to buy and the "high" to sell is simply too risky for my mental makeup. I invest and do not gamble. I never, hardly ever, leave my comfort zone when buying and selling. There is absolutely nothing foolish about the market, it's deadly serious. Simply do not risk more than you are willing to lose and invest wisely. It's easy to do, it simply requires patience and research. It requires shutting up and listening to people wiser than you are, who make nothing from your investments.