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Thursday, 26 December 2013

Simplifying Your Investment Strategy And Love What You Do

By Andrew Block


Are you making investing more difficult for yourself than it needs to be? Do you find yourself scrambling to make a decision about an investment or are you unsure of whether you should get into something or not? Following the latest trend or piece of advice that you heard about makes things more difficult than they need to be. Life is filled with enough work and where to put your money should not be a chore. Often it is the fact that we are way outside of our comfort zone that causes us to hesitate and either wind up missing the entry point on an investment or we miss the chance all together.

A more simple approach and one that is more natural in both planning and execution might suit you better. By stepping too far outside of your comfort zone with an investment you waste a lot of time. When you first find out about an opportunity it is going to take time to research the market, company or type of investment. You could just jump in with both feet but often this is a foolish move and money is lost. Researching and becoming knowledgeable about a certain type of investment wastes time and often once you are comfortable with the investment, that opportunity has passed.

To simplify investing, find a niche or market that you have some interest in. This will cut the learning curve and as you spend some time in the market, your knowledge of the nuances of that which you are investing in will grow. Investing is much easier when you are spending your time researching and deciding upon different options if you actually enjoy what you are investing in.

As an example, let's just say that someone tells you that it's a great time to buy gold. You know nothing about the gold market. Unless you have always had a desire to invest in gold then you're going to be slow to make a decision and you're going to hate all the work involved in this one simple decision. Looking at charts and trends and forecasts will bore you to death and you will lose interest rather quickly. Even though it is often recommended that you invest without emotion, the decision to go in or pass on the investment is where the emotion should be absent. You should still have some passion and desire to learn more and become knowledgeable about those things that you are putting your money into. If the knowledge and interest is already there then that is great. Your portfolio will reflect your interests and passions.

While investing in a hobby or something that you're interested in is all well and good, ensuring that your interest has some monetary value is important. Also, knowing the market and being able to spot a bargain is where you can capitalize on your passion and interest in the particular market or object. Being an expert or at least more knowledgeable than your typical investor is your edge. It enables you to spot an opportunity more quickly than the general public and act decisively while others either can't see the potential value or they are wrapped up in researching and making a decision.

Finding a painting by a famous artist or a collectible car parked outside a barn in the countryside are examples of having knowledge that most people don't have. Seeing a trend in the stock market or understanding the dynamics behind gold investing are a few other ways that having an understanding for these markets can benefit you.

Everybody knows that a true investment is one that you can buy at discounted price and then sell later at a higher price. This is the whole focus of investing and it is the only way that we make a profit. You have knowledge of the market and you know the value of things so you will know when you have found a good deal or not. While it might be tempting to become emotionally attached to something like a painting or a car, you should try to remove as much emotion from your decision as possible. If the price is simply too high and you are doubtful that you will be able to turn a profit then you have to pass on that opportunity. Wait until a later date and a better opportunity will come along. Also, removing emotion when it's time to cash out is another place where you need to remove emotion when it comes to your investment. Don't worry. There will be another opportunity coming along before you know it.

Knowing when to sell is every bit as important as knowing when to buy. Knowing when to cash out and move your dollars from an investment that has served you well into a new opportunity is the sign of a wise investor. You did good. You found a bargain and knowing when the value has peaked is also a part of the game. Long term investing is great and it is how you should look at each opportunity but when the time comes, don't allow your emotional attachment to a stock or a part of your portfolio to overcome your sense of reason. You can even set a goal beforehand and once that goal is reached you will execute the sale without emotion or doubt.

Simplifying investing is all about finding a subject that interests you and placing your money there. Feed your passion and surround yourself with those things that interest you and allow them to make money for you every day. If you understand yourself and what you love then you will have the best of both worlds. Investing isn't always simply about acquiring wealth. Even a bad investment in something that you love, such as a piece of art or a classic car, winds up being a good investment in the end even if you never get your money out of it.




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