The stock market has been on a wild ride the last few weeks, and many investors are feeling the whiplash from the sudden ups and downs.

Despite how stomach-churning market downturns can be, they can also be fantastic buying opportunities. Many stocks are essentially on sale right now, making it a smart time to buy. If the market has further to drop, you could snag stocks at an even steeper discount.

However, there are situations where it may not be the best idea to invest in the stock market -- no matter how attractive the lower prices may be. If any of these three factors apply to you, it may be wise to avoid investing right now to protect your finances.

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Source Fool.com