White Top Investor answers FAQs investors asked
FAQ Investors asked about No-Worry Investor advantages and choices have these brief answers each linked to related lessons for more details, discussion, and more FAQs. The lessons provide in-depth answers from White Top Investor courses.
FAQ about superior investment choices from the lesson,
Key investing success choices.
What are the investment choices?
Stocks, bonds, and cash are the big three, and the most popular include mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
Real estate, precious metals, other commodities, and private equity are also available, and options offer even more possibilities. But it takes research to select the best investments for your circumstances.
By researching the many choices, differences, advantages, and disadvantages, each investor can build a solid foundation of knowledge. That can set them up to make well-researched decisions for a lifetime of good investment returns.
Combining knowledge and good decisions separates exceptional investors from others to ensure they make the best choice for their circumstances.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in this lesson, Key investing success choices.
The journey to investing success has many lessons. This Key investing success lesson opens The Money Making Investing Success course. Each practical lesson in this course covers some knowledge and skills used by successful investors. A big picture course overview is followed by an outline and link to each lesson.
What are the keys to investment success?
Investing in knowledge is crucial. Educate yourself on markets, investments, and the behavior of successful investors. Cultivate your investor mind, make the lifestyle choices of an investor, and make informed decisions to ensure financial security and success.
Reinvesting returns compounds your financial growth as you continue investing with a long-term view.
Understanding and managing your risk tolerance is critical. And using smart diversification tailors your investment decisions to your circumstances.
Make monitoring and reviewing your investments a part of your investor lifestyle. Stay current, continue growing your knowledge, and take necessary action to ensure financial security.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in this lesson, Key investing success choices.
When should an investor sell?
Selling is for traders. A real investor in productive assets never wants to sell but acts to let profits grow. Selling early limits gains. That is why patient investors are the rich ones. They build wealth with more time in the market - by staying invested.
Early selling is a form of investor impatience that limits wealth-building opportunities. Instead, wise investors continue to ride winners that keep paying.
For any stocks that don't pay, they sell as soon as they can. That way, they hold only winners, keep collecting dividends, and patiently, steadily get richer.
While investments keep paying, they do not act in anticipation or on rumors, opinions, or fear. They wait and deal with facts.
For more details, discussion, and other FAQs see the lesson, Key investing success choices.
At what percent loss should I sell?
Traders quickly exit bad trades, but long-term investors holding quality dividend-payers ride out turbulence as these stocks keep paying and always recover.
Most successful traders use two loss-limiting strategies to protect capital: a trade loss limit and a portfolio loss limit. However, wise traders sell when they realize any trade is not working, irrespective of any loss limit.
To backstop their position, the most successful traders set a loss limit from 4% to 8%, with 6% as a typical pick. They sell without hesitation, question, or exception whenever the limit gets hit.
Traders also set portfolio loss limits. If a portfolio limit set at 6% gets hit in any month, they stop trading until the next month.
For more details, discussion, and other FAQs, see the lesson: Key investing success choices.
Should investors sell to take profits?
The answer depends on your investment goals.
To build wealth, informed investors sell losers or poor performers and patiently ride productive winners. It is only impatient investors or traders who sell early.
If a stock is producing, keep it. Long-term investors collecting income and capital gains from productive assets are always the winners.
Except in down markets, productive asset owners steadily increase their wealth. And even severely down markets are soon history.
To build wealth, invest in productive assets. Long-term that pays better than trading and is easy to learn and do. Trading well takes knowledge, time, and skill. It works best in markets when they strongly move up but less well in sideways markets, and except for short-sellers, little in down markets.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in the lesson, Key investing success choices.
What investment advice has Warren Buffett shared?
Warren Buffett shares wisdom in the annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholder letters, including these gems:
1. Investing is simple but not easy; it takes knowledge, discipline, and patience,
2. Buying stocks and investing is a business,
3. Shareholders should think like business owners,
4. Limit diversification to keep investment power concentrated,
5. Do the research homework before investing,
6. Invest for the long-term, do not trade in and out,
7. Economic and business fundamentals matter, not the stock market,
8. Investing psychology affects markets; use facts to manage emotions,
9. Growth and bottom lines matter, not forecasts,
10. Careful research finds investment opportunities.
For more details, discussion and FAQ see the lesson, Key investing success choices.
FAQ about superior investment choices from the lesson,
Join exceptional wealth builders!
What does it take to build wealth?
To build wealth, use a combination of investing well, avoiding debt, and taking in more than you spend.
Wealth-building investment habits include:
Lives well below means,
Strives to save 20%,
Values cash,
Debt gets used to buy producing assets but not consumption,
Does homework,
Research, science, and experts are trusted,
Works to contribute to progress,
Learns from mistakes,
Cares for themselves, their partner, and their family.
Happy wealth-builders have integrity, are trustworthy, dependable, with a caring service attitude, and share these investing success habits. They work to make a bigger pie rather than taking more of a smaller pie. See more details, discussion and FAQs in this lesson, Join exceptional wealth builders!
How do I start building wealth?
Becoming a successful investor requires a positive mindset towards wealth building. You can achieve it by investing time and effort into learning about stock market investments.
Invest in knowledge about making the stock market your wealth builder. Achieve this by adopting the habits and attitudes of successful investors who create well-researched financial plans and goals that help you maximize returns.
Save as much as possible, continuously educate yourself on investment strategies, and make lifestyle decisions that support your investment success. Such a lifestyle can lead to significant investment wealth growth.
For more details, discussion, and FAQs, see the lesson, Join exceptional wealth builders!
What are the keys to building wealth?
The most successful wealth-builders develop an investor mind and live by the three essential wealth-building keys,
1. Expenses must be below income.
2. Investments must produce returns.
3. Have no bad debt.
First, establish a wealth-building foundation on a well-researched goal-oriented plan, a realistic budget, and the security of an emergency fund.
Then build wealth on that foundation by maximizing income with multiple earning streams.
Finally, set up investments so every collection of a return or payment increases the diversified productive assets as returns continue to compound.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in this lesson, Join exceptional wealth builders!
How do I build wealth with no money?
Believe in yourself and commit to change to become a wealth builder. Begin by investing the time and effort needed to lower expenses, pay off debt, minimize living costs and begin saving. Seek and negotiate income from several sources. Think about how you can save on shelter and avoid consumption. Besides saving and working hard, continue investing in the timeless value of knowledge. Get in the habit of writing down your record and plan. Bring costs under control to begin your money management success. As expenses fall below income, pay off debt, then start building a 6-month expense reserve. When your reserve is established, use your savings stream to invest in productive assets like dividend-paying stocks. As investments grow, manage them to compound returns. See more details, discussion and FAQs in this lesson, Join exceptional wealth builders!
Why be normal when you can join exceptional investors building wealth? Learn to change normal investing into exceptional wealth building success.
What are the rules of wealth building?
Think of time like money to be used wisely. Begin by investing in knowledge to become financially literate and learn to invest well. Create an emergency fund, then apply the keys to wealth by spending less than you earn and acquiring productive assets. While you continue to manage risk, reinvest returns to compound your profits. Then, repeat for a lifetime of wealth-building! See more details, discussion and FAQs in this lesson, Join exceptional wealth builders!
What are the secrets of wealth?
The 10 Secrets of Wealth Builders are attitudes anyone can learn and apply, including,
1. Have value-based goals,
2. Understand value over cost,
3. Be an excellent cost controller,
4. Learn how to manage risks well.
5. Know salary is only part of the pay,
6. Believe investor patience is a virtue,
7. Understand how to use other people's money,
8. Research and write a goal-oriented investment plan,
9. Time in the market is well spent, but never try to time the market,
10. Have a 'work for themselves' attitude even when employed by others,
Investors with these attitudes can develop the necessary investment skills to become successful stock market wealth builders.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in this lesson: Join exceptional wealth builders!
FAQ about superior investment choices from the lesson, Investing time or advisor time?
Is it worth having a financial advisor?
Ask White Top Investor: Is it worth having a financial advisor?
Good financial advisors can add significant value, which gives investors a choice between using their time to invest or, at a higher cost, using an adviser's services to build wealth.
Investing on your own offers the best wealth-building opportunity for anyone who can invest well. Learning to do that takes time and effort.
If you don't take the time to learn how to build wealth by investing, the alternative is to pay the higher cost of using an advisor. The top clients achieve higher returns by learning from an advisor who helps them understand markets and investing.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in this lesson:
Investing time or advisor time?
Should I invest myself or use an advisor?
Invest in yourself; your future is worth it.
A hard fact of financial life is that learning how to judge an advisor's quality takes as long as learning how to invest well. Advisors take a cut of your capital in good or bad markets, significantly impacting net long-term returns.
When the advisor is good, the choice is investing time or money. The answer directly and significantly impacts your immediate financial security, retirement comfort, and future wealth.
No-worry investors follow a simple step-by-step process to develop into knowledgeable long-term investors. By investing in knowledge, they patiently build wealth with lifetime returns exceeding any alternative.
Choose time and effort, or find a reputable advisor for lower returns.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in this lesson, Investing time or advisor time?
When should you talk to a financial advisor?
When you don't know how to put money to work for your purposes, talk to a financial advisor. Regular contact with an excellent financial advisor can add to your wealth and investing knowledge.
Independent, fee-only financial planners can provide some of the best services for individual investors. Qualified assistance ensures investors develop a solid financial plan as the foundation of their wealth-building.
A financial advisor can also help increase financial literacy, investing, and market knowledge. For anyone willing to invest the time and effort, the payoff can be a lifetime of building financial security, wealth, and retirement comfort.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in this lesson, Investing time or advisor time?
What questions should I ask a financial advisor?
Ask White Top Investor: What questions should I ask a financial advisor?
Ask these Twelve Big Questions For Financial Advisors.
1. Are you a fiduciary?
2. What are your fees?
3. Do you report results net of fees?
4. What services are included in your fees?
5. What commissions or incentives do you receive?
6. What are your qualifications?
7. What experience do you have?
8. How many clients do you have?
9. How often will we communicate?
10. Will our relationship be long-term?
11. What is your investment philosophy and plan?
12. Has your firm or anyone in it faced disciplinary or legal action?
Their reaction, explanation, and discussion of each question provide insight into their attitude and character. Should they avoid, not answer, or make you uncomfortable with their response to any question, look for another advisor.
For more details, discussion, and FAQs, see the lesson: Investing time or advisor time?
How do I know if I have a terrible financial advisor?
Lousy advisor behavior and performance add risk and aggravation to your life and future like these examples of bad behavior:
Calls or emails not returned,
Fail to inform or update clients,
They ignore the client's partner,
Investments always underperform,
They prioritize their interests over clients,
Communication feels dishonest or unclear,
The relationship feels strained or uncomfortable,
They dismiss the need for third-party custodians,
Every contact is to sell something or charge a fee,
They don't resolve client issues or answer questions,
Advice changes when markets and situations change,
They talk down, intimidate, and use confusing financial jargon.
Leave these aggravations and poor performance by changing to a quality advisor to achieve financial prosperity.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in this lesson: Investing time or advisor time?
Time to invest or time for an advisor...is financial security important enough for you to spend the time to learn how to invest well?
When should I leave my financial advisor?
A financial advisor can help or harm your financial security, retirement comfort, and wealth building. While some financial advisors add value, others earn more from a client's capital than the client. If your advisor and their firm take more than you make in return, fire them!
Investors have two choices to invest well for a lifetime of returns: learn how to do it yourself or seek the assistance and guidance of a reliable advisor. Although learning to invest well pays far more in the long run, it requires time and effort.
Your alternative is finding an honest and able advisor who produces net returns. Still, the costs mean lower net returns. Before entrusting them with your finances, thoroughly research and evaluate any prospective advisor, as outlined in the lesson.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in this lesson, Investing time or advisor time?
When should I get a financial advisor?
Get a financial advisor when you need help putting money to work.
A fee-only financial planner is a good start for someone new to money management or investing. Such a meeting can be an excellent investment and a turning point in your financial future.
After all, money is lazy, has no loyalty, and is indifferent to you or your needs and wants. But money will do what you make it do, so you need to make it work for you!
The most successful investors are good money managers who take the time and effort to learn how to maximize their returns. A qualified financial advisor is an excellent second choice for those who need more knowledge or time.
For more details and discussion see the lesson, Investing time or advisor time?
How should I prepare to meet a financial advisor?
Preparing to meet a financial advisor involves detailing your income, expenses, assets, and liabilities.
This to-do list can help,
1. Research your financial advisor choices,
2. Have an accurate 3-month record of earnings and expenses,
3. Have up-to-date statements of your income and balance sheet,
4. Be mentally and emotionally open to change and ready to learn,
5. Research, think through, and update your long-term financial goals,
6. Reflect on how your plans, investments, strategies, and risk management fit your life and lifestyle.
You will get the most value from meeting a financial advisor when you prepare in advance by having your facts, thoughts, and attitudes aligned.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in this lesson, Investing time or advisor time?
Are there reasons not to use a financial advisor?
Don't keep an advisor that is not working in your best interest.
The right financial advisor can be beneficial, but many need more essential investment knowledge. Your wealth is at risk with any advisor without expertise or qualifications.
Very few trained investment managers are financial advisors. Most are salespeople following management directions. That can mean advice and recommendations favoring the company over a client's best interests.
Even the contracts and documentation clients must sign protect the companies from fiduciary obligations but don't protect investors.
Investors need an advisor who works for them and has the investor's best interests in mind. The alternative, learning to manage your investments, requires time, knowledge, and effort.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in this lesson: Media exposes advisor incompetence.
How do financial advisors get paid?
Financial advisors are paid a portion of sales or transaction commissions, a split of client account fees, and other fees. Those other fees are splits of a fund and financial service company payments made when their products or services are used. While investors also pay mutual and other fund fees, many funds also share those fees with advisors. And because they get a cut of mutual fund fees, many advisors recommend them over lower-cost ETFs that do not pay. As a result, mutual funds produce lower investment returns than comparable ETFs. That difference comes from investor pockets. Those and most fees are paid annually with good or bad results. And as always, any investment loss, any other cost, or risk is borne by the client. Fee-only advisors provide an alternative. See details, discussion, and FAQs in the lesson, Media exposes advisor incompetence.
How can brokers take client money?
Brokers seldom commit outright fraud or theft. But client money can get taken through increased costs without client benefit. Churning, inferior products, and mutual fund loading are more common.
"Churn to earn" is how inferior financial advisors generate commissions from unnecessary trades. The trades generate commissions but give clients little or no benefit.
Second, selling inferior products to clients as "suitable" when better ones are available does earn advisors' fees and commissions, but the client gets a subpar performance.
The third is the common practice of loading client accounts with high-commission mutual funds. Brokers and companies split high recurring fees when comparable ETFs can improve investor returns by up to 100%!
See details, discussion, and FAQs in the lesson, Media exposes advisor incompetence.
What are the signs of a bad financial advisor?
Trust your instincts when selecting a financial advisor. If you feel something is wrong, look elsewhere.
Avoid advisors who are not transparent about their fees or are unwilling to negotiate, as this is not in your best financial interest.
Effective communication means your advisor is available and responsive, and their explanations make sense to you. If not, consider other options.
While paying attention to negative rumors about an advisor is essential, verifying the information before making any decisions is equally important.
Never tolerate an advisor who intimidates, bullies, or disrespects you. If your advisor reacts negatively to your questions, find a new one.
Your money and future are at stake, so only settle for what feels suitable.
See details, discussion, and other FAQs in the lesson: Media exposes advisor incompetence.
How do I deal with a financial advisor problem?
Think through the issue. Simply losing money on an investment is not grounds for a claim.
But if abused or wronged, you have options. First, try to resolve the issue with the advisor.
Document everything because you need a well-thought-through plan if the advisor does not resolve the issue. Write down your problem or complaint and record every contact and action you take.
Any misrepresentation of an investment can be a serious issue. As well, any unsuitable investment is a big issue. Contact the branch manager.
If that does not resolve the issue, file complaints with the company, the standards body of any professional organization, and the security commission.
Finally, you can hire an attorney and take legal action.
See details, discussion, and FAQs in the lesson, Media exposes advisor incompetence.
Should I talk to a financial advisor before investing?
If you need more time or knowledge, seek guidance from an advisor to invest well.
Before making a decision, interview both fee-only financial planners and advisors to ensure the advisor you choose has experience dealing with clients like you.
Choosing an advisor with the expertise to create a plan and investment strategy that matches your circumstances, tax situation, and goals produces the best outcome. The best advisors help clients become more knowledgeable and successful investors.
See details, discussion, and FAQs in this lesson: Media exposes advisor incompetence.
FAQ about superior investment choices from the lesson, Small investors have advantages
What is the best investment for a small investor?
Knowledge is the best investment. Applying that to wealth building, a small investor should develop knowledge of markets, investments, and investing. Understand the differences between investment research facts and pundit opinions. Know that the quality of the source of any information matters. Learn how returns on investments matter and understand the numbers that are important to investors. Know what it means to invest, trade, or speculate as well as the differences between value, growth, momentum and income strategies. Learn when to buy, hold and sell, as well as how to use the rule of 72, smart diversification, and the differences between good and bad debt. Finally, know that investment success requires doing, as well as knowing. See more details, discussion, and FAQ in the lesson, Small investors have advantages.
Warren Buffett pointed out that small investors have advantages including return, size, growth, liquidity, pecking order and new listing advantages over huge funds.
Are investors more successful than traders?
Investing and trading can produce returns, but investments in quality and productive stocks consistently outperform short-term trading in the long run.
Although traders who play strong long or short trends can deliver exceptional returns, the much higher risks sometimes result in significant losses that negatively impact their long-term performance.
Traders do best when markets are strong but may struggle in sideways or reversing markets. On the other hand, investors tend to enjoy returns in all market conditions, face lower risk, and experience less frequent or severe losses.
While traders can significantly outperform investors when market trends are strong, compounded returns from productive investments have an unmatched long-term performance record.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in the lesson, Small investors have advantages.
Can retail investors beat the market?
As Warren Buffett highlighted, retail investors can beat the market and outperform large investment accounts by taking advantage of their advantages!
And there are many small investor advantages! Those advantages include the return, size, growth, liquidity, pecking order, and new listing opportunities not available to large accounts! By using these advantages well, small investors can outperform huge investment accounts!
Small investors can learn to play their advantages that huge investment funds do not have, although consistently doing this takes knowledge, time, and effort.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in this lesson, Small investors have advantages.
Why do small stocks outperform large stocks?
Small stocks grow faster because small numbers grow from thousands to millions faster than large caps grow millions to billions.
Investors can consider many small stocks' growth potential, flexibility, and agility. However, lower liquidity, higher volatility, and often weaker finances mean most investors pay attention only after developments increase share prices. Then, a merger or acquisition may reward shareholders with an excellent premium.
While there are inefficiencies and risks in the small-cap market, No-Worry Investors identify opportunities. They find small-cap stocks with high return potential using knowledge and thorough research.
Although significant profitability and cash flow risks exist, having small-cap exposure can mean considerable upside rewards.
See details, discussion, and FAQs in this lesson: Small investors have advantages.
Do small investors have advantages?
Yes, Warren Buffett pointed out that small investors have advantages that can be used to outperform huge investment accounts! The many advantages include rates of return, size advantages, taking on higher growth opportunities, using their relatively greater liquidity, many other pecking order advantages and having considerably more new listing opportunities. None of those are available to large accounts. Using these advantages, small investors can substantially outperform the returns of huge investment accounts! Any small investor making the effort can learn to do that. Learn more about developing into a superior investor, see the discussion in this lesson, Small investors have advantages.
What is a small investor?
The investment universe is a vast ocean where any account or asset valued under a billion dollars is considered small! As a result, virtually all individual investors are small investors, including beginners with a few dollars and those with many millions!
The good news is that the investment ocean has endless opportunities for small investors, including beginners. And the best news is that those small investors have advantages and opportunities not available to funds running billions of dollars.
So learn to use your small investor advantages to begin routinely outperforming markets and the managers of vast funds.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in this lesson: Small investors have advantages.
FAQs about superior investment choices from the lesson,
Secrets of no-worry investors
What does it take to be an investment success?
Successful investors develop an Investor Mind, with a commitment to investor thinking and learning. They take these six wealth-building steps.
1. Research by doing homework to know the facts before investing.
2. Think through the research, then choose, buy, and stay invested.
3. Stick to the facts to avoid emotional or opinion-based investing.
4. Patiently stay invested unless facts turn negative to necessitate selling.
5. Long-term buy and hold profitable investments but sell losers fast.
6. Be forward-looking to seek new opportunities for investment success.
Anyone choosing to do the same can be a successful investor.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in the Investor Mind article and in this lesson, Secrets of no-worry investors.
What is a successful investor?
Successful investors are those who achieve their goals. They learn about investing and markets, then apply that knowledge and research to write their unique goal-oriented plan.
Next, they faithfully follow that investment plan to build wealth, financial security, and retirement comfort.
No-worry investors use the five secrets of informed investors for the best results.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in this lesson, Secrets of No-Worry Investors.
How can a new investor be successful?
Follow the proven path to investment success by first learning how the successful investor mind works.
Then, build a smart plan, save, and continually research to make informed investment choices.
Continue doing that by developing a forward-thinking attitude and always doing their homework.
That works because investing in knowledge ensures an understanding of investments and markets. And learning from successful investors provides a strong foundation for new investors.
A new investor can embark on a journey of perpetual investment success by continuously learning, evolving, and embracing an investor lifestyle.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in the lesson, Secrets of No-Worry Investors.
What do successful investors have in common?
Being a stock market success requires a commitment to investor thinking, learning, and doing based on the knowledge of an Investor Mind.
The best investors are disciplined learners, do good research, and develop, write and follow a goal-oriented plan. They respect knowledge, learn about investing and markets, think of the future, and constantly research the facts before investing.
The most successful use five secrets of informed investors:
1. Have a written goal-oriented plan,
2. Build knowledge of markets, investments, and investing,
3. Able and willing to make and act on good decisions,
4. Have a patient lifetime view of investing,
5. Manage well to minimize risks and costs to maximize returns.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in this lesson, Secrets of No-Worry Investors.
5 secrets of no-worry investors include the traits of many successful investors. You can learn and do the same.
What are the rules of lifetime investment success?
These six rules of lifetime investment success are a combination of knowledge, discipline, and strategy, including,
1. Do your homework - good research pays forever.
2. Don't dabble; buy positions large enough to make a difference.
3. Let winning investments run.
4. Patience pays - investment success is a lifelong journey.
5. Keep risks and costs low - remain risk-averse and cost-conscious.
6. Look forward - forward-thinkers keep finding new opportunities.
Learning to actively research, create, monitor, and review your investment portfolio can lead to long-term financial success for patient and disciplined investors.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in this lesson: Secrets of No-Worry Investors.
What are the qualities of a good investor?
Successful investors adopt five common traits or secrets of no-worry investors:
1. Create and follow a goal-oriented plan.
2. Value investment and market knowledge.
3. Make decisions and take action based on research.
4. Continue to learn, research, and plan for the future.
5. Manage risks and costs to maximize returns.
Their continual learning keeps them current, informed, and ready to act. Some manage independent portfolios, while others use professional advisors. All are actively involved in their investments and have records of excellent results. Anyone doing the same can be a successful investor.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in this lesson, Secrets of No-Worry Investors.
FAQs investors asked about investment choices from the lesson, Avoiding costly investing mistakes.
What strategies should a new investor avoid?
New investors can save costs and avoid problems by learning about markets and investing before they invest. Knowledge is the key that unlocks No-Worry Investor success in stock market investing.
Successful investors continue learning, controlling costs, and researching. Their research is the foundation of a repeatable investment process only to buy what they know and understand.
That includes understanding that a financial and investment plan is essential to wealth-building. Plan considerations include the time value of investments, inflation, compounding, and learning to select the best wealth-building assets.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in this lesson, Avoiding costly investing mistakes.
Why do many investors fail?
Most failing investors have a record of emotional or unfounded belief-based decisions made in a fog of market noise. But when a pattern of failure begins, a self-check can make them aware change is needed to save their financial future.
Investors who skip their homework or ignore risks set themselves up for failure. Most mistakes fall into one of three stock market failure traps:
1. Following the herd or media opinions without doing their research,
2. Trying to time the market - something savvy investors never do,
3. Investing without market or investment knowledge.
To eliminate these failure traps, wise investors learn before trying to earn and do their homework to understand an investment before putting any money on the table.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in the lesson, Avoiding costly investing mistakes.
What are the most common investment mistakes?
Successful investors avoid these six common investment mistakes,
1 Only using news, social media, or rumors as investment research.
2 Investing before understanding or researching an investment.
3 Falling in love with a stock or refusing to sell losing stocks.
4 Investing in risky stocks like turnaround speculations.
5. Averaging down to buy more of an underperforming investment.
6. Not monitoring markets and holdings to maintain investment awareness.
Wealth-building investors avoid these pitfalls using goal-oriented investment planning and good investment management. That includes never trying to time the market, keeping costs, including fees, low, and using smart diversification for good returns and minimum concerns.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in this lesson, Avoiding costly investing mistakes.
How to avoid costly investing mistakes
How do I avoid investment mistakes?
No-worry investing principles help investors avoid the frustration and challenge that mistakes can bring to investing. After all, avoiding mistakes lets investors keep the money building their wealth.
To avoid the most common investing mistakes, follow these principles,
Trust research.
Never buy IPOs.
No short-term trades.
Invest rather than trade.
Use smart diversification.
Maintain a long-term view.
Don't sell at the bottom or average down.
Continually add savings and reinvest returns.
Buy and hold reliable, growing, productive assets that pay.
Carefully minimize costs to keep the money working for them.
Know and manage their emotional tendencies and behavioral biases.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in this lesson, Avoiding costly investing mistakes.
What investing mistakes are most common?
The most significant investor mistake is poor research that produces inadequate decision-making knowledge.
Six other significant errors include:
Fee blindness
Emotional trading
Short-term trades
Poor diversification
Risk tolerance errors
Investing without goals
Finally, the error list rounds out with seven more money-burning mistakes, including:
Averaging down,
Buying turnarounds,
Selling at the bottom,
Performance chasing,
Holding losing investments,
FOMO (fear of missing out),
Only using media reports for research
No-Worry Investors learn before they earn, plan, and manage emotions to avoid making poor investment decisions. They use knowledge to avoid diversification issues, control costs, manage risks, and never buy on margin or carry debt.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in this lesson, Avoiding costly investing mistakes.
What mistakes should investors avoid?
Knowledge is critical to investment success, so investing without knowing is the biggest mistake an investor can make.
Avoid that and other investment mistakes with these steps:
1. Invest to know investments, investing, and markets.
2. Manage thoughts and emotions and act with an investor's mind.
3. Develop an investment plan around your circumstances.
4. Be a long-term patient investor.
5. Reinvest to compound returns.
6. Never time the market.
7. Control and minimize costs, and sell investment losers.
8. Build your portfolio using smart diversification.
Use the Investor Mind article from White Top Investor as a guide to developing your investor mind. Then learn to research, find, and buy quality, income-producing assets as long-term holds.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in this lesson, Avoiding costly investing mistakes.
FAQ about superior investment choices from the lesson, Investment impatience destroys wealth
What do I study to become a successful investor?
Cultivate an investor mindset to become an investment success. That begins with knowing the mentality of informed, successful investors: their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
Use the Investor Mind article from White Top Investor as a valuable resource to develop your investor mindset. With this mindset, you lay the groundwork for acquiring investment knowledge and making informed decisions.
An investor mindset paves the way to personal growth and understanding needed to become a wealth-building investor. Find your investment success guide with more detailed information and engaging discussions in the enlightening Investor Mind article.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in the lesson, Investment impatience destroys wealth.
How do I become a successful investor?
To become a successful investor, start with the No-Worry Investor wealth-building process, which is beginner-friendly. The first step is to learn how informed investors think, feel, and act.
This knowledge is crucial in paving a clear pathway toward success in the long game of investing. Check out the cornerstone article, Investor Mind, on the White Top Investor site.
Successful investors understand the importance of patience, commitment, and education, which are the key factors that lead to phenomenal results over a lifetime of investing.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in this lesson: Investment impatience destroys wealth.
What makes someone a good investor?
Investors who succeed acquire knowledge and take action to achieve their long-term goal-oriented plans.
They start by educating themselves about markets, investments, and portfolio management. Next, once they have gained knowledge, these well-informed, self-aware, and patient risk managers research and write the unique goal-oriented plan that fits their circumstances.
Then, they do the due diligence to find and make investments that fit their plan.
By following these best investment practices, their informed investment choices produce excellent financial returns.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in this lesson: Investment impatience destroys wealth.
Patient investors build wealth riding dividend stocks. You can avoid selling early by continuing to ride the winners that pay dividends to grow wealth.
What are the habits of successful investors?
No-Worry Investors lead a successful lifestyle by incorporating learning, research, critical thinking, goal-setting plans, and taking action in their lives. These individuals are active savers and investors.
The most financially successful investors are practical, down-to-earth, and active managers of their time, finances, and lives. They follow well-researched and evolving plans to achieve their investment objectives.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in this lesson: Investment impatience destroys wealth.
FAQ about superior investment choices from the lesson,
3 Yeses or no investment
How do investors know when to buy stocks?
Investors must hear three yeses, or no investment gets made!
Informed investors need a yes from the economy and the market and company, or they do not invest their money! When conditions are unfavorable, they patiently continue to save and collect money while waiting for more favorable investment conditions.
The Three Times, yes or investors say no, is an easy way to pick only winners in winning markets! Start by learning how to ask and research the right questions.
For more details, discussion and FAQ see the lesson, 3 Yeses or no investment.
What are the three investment yeses?
Before investing, there must be a yes from the economy, the market, and the company. Without these three yeses, the money stays in our pockets!
The first yes from the economy happens when the economic signs are positive, with people feeling optimistic and doing well. The second yes is when the markets are trending up with a positive outlook.
That means to find the third yes, look for a growing, profitable company that we confidently invest in with the expectation we have a winner!
The combination of 3 yeses is a quality check that helps No-Worry Investors buy more winners and avoid losers.
For more details, discussion and FAQ see this lesson, 3 Yeses or no investment.
Before buying a stock, what questions should I ask?
No-Worry Investors read the financial statements and research these 12 questions before investing:
1. What business is the company in?
2. How does the company make money?
3. Where is the market, and what is the market size?
4. Where does the company operate?
5. What are the track records of management and the company?
6. How does the company compare to competitors?
7. Are there many satisfied loyal customers?
8. What are trends for earnings, revenue, and stock price?
9. Does the company pay dividends?
10. What is the market capitalization?
11. What are the revenues, earnings, and price-to-earnings ratios?
12. Does this stock fit my Smart Diversification plan?
Be aware that this research may find a competitor or other sector that offers better investment opportunities.
See more details, discussion, and other FAQs in the lesson: 3 Yeses or no investment.
3 times yes or investors say no. The economy, market and company must all be positive or superior investors say no!
What numbers should stock buyers check?
Wise investors research the company's operations and revenue streams before buying and consider the following.
The ten essential stock and market metrics:
Price,
Dividend,
Book value,
Debt-equity ratio,
Return on equity,
Price-earnings ratio,
Trading volume,
Chart trends,
Total return,
Volatility.
They also compare the company to its competitors to determine its relative performance and the best performer in their market segment.
After researching, investors know the best performer and can make informed stock purchase decisions. Besides identifying potential investment opportunities, they also know and avoid companies or sectors with issues.
For more details, discussion and FAQ see this lesson, 3 Yeses or no investment.
Is it better to buy stock when the price is low?
Informed investors must answer yes to three questions before investing in any stock, regardless of its price.
Savvy investors need a yes from the economy, the market, and the company, or keep the money in their pocket.
The "three times yes rule" is an easy way for investors to feel confident in their stock picks. Asking the right questions and seeking answers from reliable sources helps judge the potential of a stock and increases the chances of success.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in this lesson: 3 Yeses or no investment.
When should I buy a stock and when should I sell?
Investors buy when they hear three yeses from the economy, the market, and the company or say no. As for selling, investors hold income producers as long as they are secure and growing.
No-Worry Investors schedule six-month performance reviews for their portfolios and sell non-productive investments with no returns or any they have lost confidence in.
For traders to profit, they buy stocks rising in price or expected to increase in value, selling any that decline in value. The best traders research, set, and follow trading rules.
A popular trading rule is to sell as soon as a loss hits 7% or more with no hesitation and, most importantly, no exception. Serious, effective money-making and profitable investing start with an investment in knowledge.
See more details, discussion, and other FAQs in the lesson, 3 Yeses or no investment.
FAQ about superior investment choices from the lesson, Investing can be fun, interesting and slow
What makes the stock market interesting?
The stock market is a fascinating, dynamic, and vibrant display of marketplace behavior. It shows the perpetual supply and demand duel to determine prices.
Those price dynamics continuously assess the value of listed companies, revealing hidden gems or vulnerabilities.
The resulting price changes can lead to remarkable gains or catastrophic losses for traders. While for investors, it presents opportunities to achieve satisfying and steady returns.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the stock market is its accessibility to anyone willing to learn.
Those who master the art of investing take an enjoyable and exhilarating wealth-building journey to achieve financial security, retirement comfort, and a legacy possible from satisfying and substantial lifetime returns.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in this lesson, Investing can be fun, interesting and slow.
Why do you like stock market investing?
Researching, learning, and monitoring stock investments can be fascinating and provide exceptional returns. For over a century, stock markets have delivered returns of inflation plus 7%, a performance unmatched by any small investor alternatives.
Small investors who learn to use their advantages can regularly outperform the market, building wealth with compounded returns.
Every day, the market continues the endless bull and bear debate as buyers and sellers seek profits. Successful investors learn to understand investing and the market and adapt to whatever the constantly changing market does next. That is what fascinates and rewards me.
See more details, discussion, and other FAQs in the lesson: Investing can be fun, interesting and slow.
How is investing fun?
You can learn to make managing investments an enjoyable and sophisticated money-making experience!
Stock market investing is an opportunity to wealth-build while enjoying a productive, educational, satisfying, and rewarding mind trip! Successful investors get high psychological returns as well as good bottom lines!
Making money in the stock market takes knowledge and some effort, but anyone can make investing an enjoyable and beneficial part of their lifelong journey.
You can join in the excellent, positive, and profitable fun by learning to invest!
For more details, discussion and FAQ see the lesson, Investing can be fun, interesting and slow.
Learning to invest well is fun, interesting and manageable. Investing can be fun but not fast.
How do I make investing fun?
Beyond wealth building, investing offers a range of enjoyable, fun experiences, such as exploring new opportunities, networking at events, and sharing ideas at clubs.
Experimenting with strategies, staying informed, and achieving milestones is fun. Staying current with news and learning opportunities enhances investing.
Finding investment opportunities feels like solving puzzles. Investing supports causes, contributes to growth, and leaves a legacy. Financial freedom allows pursuing other interests freely.
Engaging with other investors provides camaraderie and shared insights. Celebrating milestones brings satisfaction. Investing blends financial rewards and wealth accumulation with intellectual stimulation, personal fulfillment, and enjoyable social connections.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in this lesson: Investing can be fun, interesting and slow.
Why is the stock market necessary?
The stock market plays an important role in capitalistic economies. Stock markets find and place capital to fund economic activity. To do that, stock markets have two traditional roles, first, they serve as a way for companies to raise money. That is the capital needed to expand and grow creating jobs and expanding the economy. Second, stock markets provide a way for investors to supply that capital in exchange for an ownership share of the company. It is a tradeoff. Companies get the money to grow and operate. And investors seek a share of profits once the company prospers. As the company grows, share values can also rise. Investors can trade at any time during stock market hours, so they can buy or sell shares positions as they please without disrupting markets. For more details, discussion and FAQ see the lesson, Investing can be fun, interesting and slow.
Why have stock markets?
Stock markets increase employment and prosperity by playing two critical roles in capitalism.
First, they help companies raise money or capital to grow, expand, and increase employment. Companies sell ownership shares, their stock, in exchange for the funds needed to finance, develop and grow the business.
Second, investors buy the shares to become shareholders in exchange for their money or capital. They hope for higher share values and the possibility of dividends when the business produces profits.
Companies win by being funded to grow, and investors win by owning shares that increase in value and potentially collect dividend income. Overall, stock market activity helps expand prosperous economies.
See more details, discussion, and FAQ in the lesson, Investing can be fun, interesting and slow.
Why do you like investing?
Making money is both enjoyable and profitable. The research is interesting, and the returns can help you create a better future for yourself and the people or groups you care about.
Investment success can provide financial stability and give you control over your time. You can enjoy a lifelong journey of growth and rewards by dedicating a few minutes daily to researching and monitoring an investment portfolio that can pay off with endless returns.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in this lesson, Investing can be fun, interesting and slow.
FAQ about superior investment choices from the lesson, Warren Buffett explains gold
Is gold a good investment?
No, gold is not a good investment. Warren Buffett explained it well to teach us that gold is a poor investment because it does not earn or produce anything. His lesson, in one of his shareholder letters, points out the difference between non-productive and productive assets. That explanation is quoted in this linked lesson. Instead of parking or freezing money in gold, do what smart investors do. Make money work for you. Do that by buying wealth-building productive assets that make more money. See more details, discussion, and FAQs in the lesson, Warren Buffett explains gold
What are the reasons to own gold?
Gold gets promoted as a store of value, a hedge against inflation, or insurance against the value decline of major currencies. However, any quality productive investment soundly beats the no-return performance of gold. Gold bugs do push rarity as a value of gold but it is always available. Gold also gets sold as fear and uncertainty insurance and diversification protecting against deflation and geopolitics. However, money used to buy gold falls into a deep unproductive sleep. And any amount of it is heavy, awkward, and difficult to handle. See more details, discussion, and FAQ in the lesson, Warren Buffett explains gold
What is the best way to invest in gold?
There are many ways to own gold, including traditional gold bars ranging from a few grams to 400 ounces. You can buy from gold and coin dealers, pawnshops, and major banks in Canada. Gold is available as jewelry, gold receipts, derivatives, gold-holding ETFs, mutual funds, or stocks of gold mining companies.
An ETF holding gold is secure, low-cost, and easy to buy, own, and sell.
Anyone considering gold bars or coins should know gold comes with complications. It is heavy and has handling, storage, and security issues. In some jurisdictions, there are tax implications.
It is essential to recognize that gold is an unproductive asset that yields no return, making it an unfavorable investment.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in this lesson, Warren Buffett explains gold
Why is investing in gold a bad idea?
Gold is a poor investment because it doesn't generate returns or contribute to productivity. However, traders can earn profits by speculating on the price movements of gold in active markets. In most markets, gold does little or nothing.
The linked lesson quotes Warren Buffett's advice explaining the difference between non-productive assets like gold and productive assets that build wealth.
Gold is expensive and difficult to store and handle, has a volatile price history, and has a poor record as a hedge. Since it's always available, there's no need to buy it for storage. Real long-term investors do not need it. Leave it for speculating traders and gold bug promotors.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in this lesson: Warren Buffett explains gold
How much gold should you own?
Serious investors seek productive assets that grow in value while producing returns. Gold is a non-performing asset, making it a poor investment.
Gold lovers keep between 5% to 10% of their portfolio in gold. As a result, they put that money to sleep! The records show that gold is a poor inflation hedge and has a spotty record as a store of value.
Investing in quality assets is better than keeping money idle in non-performing assets. Savvy investors want to keep their money working for them, so they give this romantic relic of history an investment pass.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in this lesson: Warren Buffett explains gold
What are the pros and cons of investing in gold?
Ask White Top Investor: What are the pros and cons of investing in gold?
The common pro-gold reasons include:
A potential inflation hedge.
An economic condition hedge.
Portfolio diversification.
However, in recent years, gold's price has not paced inflation.
As for the cons, as Warren Buffett said about gold, "It doesn't do anything but sit here and look at you."
The con-gold arguments include:
Gold produces no return.
Gold is a lousy diversification choice.
Gold has a long inflation-lagging price record.
Fear spikes gold's value, but buyers suffer poor outcomes.
Handling gold is challenging, awkward, and complex.
Gold is a cash-flow-sucking money sterilizer.
Storing gold has costs and risks.
Gold attracts taxes.
There are ways around the shortcomings of gold, but wise and informed No-Worry Investors give gold a pass.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in this lesson, Warren Buffett explains gold
What is a stock trading halt?
Trading halts are usually temporary suspensions of stock trades. They may occur for various reasons, such as news about the company, market issues, technical problems, regulatory concerns, or market-wide halts.
The halt typically lasts about an hour for company news, giving enough time to distribute or broadcast the information. For order imbalances or individual stock trading issues, halts are short pauses that allow orders to balance out.
Regulatory halts, however, can last much longer until late or inadequate filings get cleared or fraud or other severe matters get resolved. Market-wide halts are usually circuit-breaker events implemented to calm a market in turmoil.
See more details, discussion, and other FAQs in the lesson, Stock trading halt explained
What is material news for a stock?
Material news is any company news or information about the company that may move the share price up or down or influence investors' decisions.
Material news can report corporate events, developments, earnings or material financial change, merger or acquisition, C-level executive change, stock splits or share buybacks, trading activity in the company's stock, and any regulatory or legal action or settlements.
Material news is virtually any news that could affect the stock price.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in this lesson, Stock trading halt explained
Why are there stock trading halts?
Open and fair markets require all investors to have equal access to information. Halts enable all participants to access new or changed information before trading resumes.
Most halts are trading pauses requested by company management to release news that allows market participants, investors, and news media to receive and interpret the impact of the news on the stock price.
Other reasons for a halt in one or a few stocks can be excessive volatility or regulatory/compliance issues due to late filings. In rare circumstances, market-wide halts may help quell panic in plummeting markets.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in this lesson: Stock trading halt explained
Stock market investors must manage any stock trading halts in their investment portfolio
What triggers a stock trading halt?
Four factors can trigger a stock trading halt:
First, most halts are company management requests to stop trading for the release of breaking company news.
Second, exchange management can halt a stock for extremely volatile trading.
Third, regulators can halt a stock for late or inadequate filing of a company's required public filings.
Fourth, in extreme market downturns, regulators can trip a circuit breaker for a market-wide halt of all trading.
See more details, discussion, and other FAQs in the lesson, Stock trading halt explained
Is a stock trading halt good or bad?
Trading halts are time-outs for markets or a stock to distribute information or sort out trading issues. The idea is to give everyone time to access the same information on a company, trading, or market.
Usually, they are brief, but it depends. A trading holt usually means that a company has news to release.
Other times, market turmoil like extreme volatility or an order imbalance triggers a halt.
Occasionally, a late compliance filing or other regulatory concern will get a stock halted. A compliance halt can be serious trouble.
And very rarely, all trades on an exchange are stopped by a circuit breaker halt. Those are halts triggered by a market plunge hitting a preset value. Those exceptional events are attempts to calm a trading panic.
See more details, discussion, and other FAQs in the lesson, Stock trading halt explained
How do stock trading halts happen?
Most stock trading halts are for a news release from the company management. But regulators can halt trading in a single stock or across the market depending on the circumstances.
Including halts made by a company's management to share their news, there are four cases of a trading halt.
Overly volatile trading of a single stock can trigger a 5-minute pause of that stock, or a market plunge can trigger a 15-minute market pause to restore market order. In those cases, exchange management steps in to stop trading.
The last case is a compliance halt by regulators, usually over filing issues, concerns over trade manipulations, or evidence of fraud.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in this lesson, Stock trading halt explained
What is a stock market circuit breaker?
A stock market circuit breaker halts all trading on an exchange. Although rarely used, circuit breaker controls are available to calm trading volatility in steep market declines.
This powerful exchange management tool attempts to bring order when markets plunge.
Drops of 5% or more trigger a brief trading halt intended to restore orderly trading. When trading resumes, as long as markets remain orderly, a sell-off may continue and does not trigger further circuit breakers.
Currently, there are three circuit breakers in place. The first, implemented by a -7% decline, enforces a 15-minute pause. The second, activated at a -13% decline, also mandates a 15-minute break. Finally, the third circuit breaker, triggered by a -20% decline, closes the market for the day.
See more details, discussion, and FAQs in this lesson, Stock trading halt explained
White Top Investor course: Investment Choices of Superior Investors, Lesson links:
Key investing success choices Lesson 290.01
Join exceptional wealth builders Lesson 290.02
Investing time or adviser time? Lesson 290.03
Small investors have advantages Lesson 290.04
5 Secrets of superior investors Lesson 290.05
Avoid 6 investing sins Lesson 290.06
Investment impatience destroys wealth Lesson 305.11.
3 Yeses or no investment Lesson 290.08
Investing can be fun, interesting and slow Lesson 290.09
Warren Buffett explains gold Lesson 290.10
Stock trading halts explained Lesson 290.13
FAQ about money making investment choices Lesson 305.15.
FAQ about financial and investment advisors Lesson 310.09.
Comment or ask questions on: FAQ about investment choices of superior investors
You can email me at [email protected].
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Make money work for you by knowing how investors think, feel and act. Begin building your investor mind here: The Investor Mind.
White Top Investor site notes & page links
The White Top Investor site changes and updates without end just as stock markets and investing continue to change without end. For free access and email updates for notification of changes and additions. The key White Top Investor pages, the home page, and the cornerstone page are linked below. These pages have links to all other content on the White Top Investor site.
Home Page Link
Cornerstone Content – Investor Mind
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Lesson Code 305.15.
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