For a long termer, entry price is still very important. Be aware this was a gradual process.
You must do the mathematics to estimate the fair value before you buy.
For example I could not have bought HFC at 32
, I bought it for the first time this year at 14.80. So you buy at different intervals to even out, if it is expensive you wait or buy something else that have high dividend yield.

I also introduced Kengen just this year by offloading my SCB to avoid overexposure to financial stocks, as my fingers are grossed as far as financial stocks are concerned no matter the returns and the traded volume. I bought Kengen at 8.90 bob, you are aware some years past Kengen was circa 20 bob.
If you buy any one at a high price you can equally wait and buy at lower price at a later date if the company is still promising or sell off to cut further loss if the fundamentals of the company are no longer promising.

I missed buying Safcom more at below 3.00 because I was not convinced and did not trust the company to have more exposure. I bought most of them at 5 bob, and it is gradually getting to my cost price, but I have received consistent dividends in the past 3 years.

The bottom line is while waiting for your stock to even out, obtain a good dividend as a
little compensation rather than lose out entirely.

Stocks will generally outdo inflation in both nominal and real terms. What I often do is carry out an annual analysis of my every stock holding (never more than three at any given time). If say I have made 42% profit I know I am ok, but if it is like -15% then I know I am making losses.

@ young. you are among the wisest investors in wazua. i would only tweek your criteria to include

buying stocks at p/e less than 10. healthy earnings growt. below price to book or 1.2 limit. moderate to little debt. and good management.
from here all is needed is patience and alertness to the challenges of the markets.