Smart Investing is Boring

The more I learn about investing the more I realize that the smartest investment choices for me are the boring choices.

Trading frequently is much more exciting than hardly ever trading, but I’m better off trading only a few times per year. I used to invest in individual stocks, but the more boring index investing is better for me.

I’ve looked at various forms of market timing, but I always end up concluding that buy and hold works better for me. I’ve studied currency hedging on foreign investments, but it seems that I’m better off without hedging.

Trailing stop orders to try to minimize losses look interesting, but I’ve concluded I’m better off without them. Investing in asset classes that are outside the usual choices such as commodities would add some excitement, but I think I’m better off without them.

I won’t say that I think everyone should make the same choices I’ve made, but boring works for me. I’ll find excitement in something other than investing.

Comments

  1. Jim TurnbullMay 19, 2011 at 1:50 PM

    Completely agree. I'll also get my entertainment elsewhere.

    ReplyDelete
  2. TaraMay 19, 2011 at 6:47 PM

    I heard/read somewhere: If finance is exciting, you're doing it wrong. That's my philosophy!

    ReplyDelete

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