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Writer's pictureJoe Shedd

7 Common Investing Mistakes

Updated: Jan 7, 2023


There are a lot of different investing strategies that you can choose from when first starting out. Whether you want to focus on stocks, crypto, or dividend investing; the choices have never been more varied. However, this is also what makes it hard for new investors to know where they should be starting out! You don’t need to be a finance guru to invest successfully. You just need the right information. The first thing you should know is that the stock market isn’t as risky as you might think, and it can actually be easier than some other types of investments, like real estate or commodities trading. This means that if you are willing to take on some risk and do your research, investing in stocks could be a great way for you to grow your money over time with relatively low-risk and high returns. That said, there are still plenty of mistakes people make when they start investing and we want to help prevent that from happening to you – so here are 7 common mistakes new investors tend to make!


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1. New investors often invest without doing enough research

If you're interested in investing, there are a few things you should know. One of the most important is that stocks are not for everyone. You need to be patient and willing to take big risks because your money will fluctuate based on market fluctuations. If this doesn't sound like something you want to do, there are other options available such as dividend investing or crypto-currency trading which might better suit your needs. There's also an option called index funds which can help reduce risk while still providing some growth potential over time if chosen wisely. But before we get into any of these, let's start with one really important thing: research! Too many people invest without doing enough research and they end up making mistakes that could have been avoided. When you're investing, it's not a race to see how much money you can make as quickly as possible – that will end up being one of your biggest mistakes. Instead, take the time to learn about what you're doing and why before putting anything into place. To avoid making these common investment mistakes: Read more articles like ones found online or those from Investopedia. You should also check out books on personal finance which have been recommended by experts such as Warren Buffet and Benjamin Graham. Reading is absolutely essential if you want to become a smart investor! Just don't expect overnight success with reading alone. Putting in effort over an extended period of time is going to be key for anyone wants long-term value.


2. They don't diversify their investment portfolio

Diversification is a fundamental principle of investing. One of the biggest mistakes that new investors make is not diversifying their investment portfolio. Not only does this leave them vulnerable to fluctuations in any one market, but it also leaves them with less-than-optimal returns. Diversification reduces risk and increases potential for high returns. It's important to invest in different types of assets such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds and ETFs to get higher rates of return while minimizing risk. Cryptocurrencies are a great addition to any diversified portfolio as well. They offer high potential returns. And, with the explosive growth of the cryptocurrency market in recent years, they have become an important part of most investment portfolios. Another important tip for new investors is to invest in dividend-paying stocks. Dividends provide regular income and can help reduce volatility in your portfolio. Investing in dividend-paying stocks also has the added benefit of increasing your overall return on investment.


3. They take on too much risk for the amount of time they are willing to commit

Many new investors want to get in and out of the market as quickly as possible, but that can lead to a lot of stress and heartache. The problem is that you may not have enough time for your investments to recover if they go south. It’s important to do your research before jumping into any new opportunity so you know what type of risk you are taking on and how long it will take for an investment to pay off. This way, you can decide whether or not the potential payoff is worth the amount of time it will take before seeing returns. Remember: sometimes patience pays off more than quick thinking! Many new investors also try to time the market, which is a mistake. Instead of trying to predict when the market will go up or down, it’s better to invest for the long term and let the market do its thing. This way you can avoid stressing out about day-to-day fluctuations and focus on the bigger picture.


4. They choose a strategy that is not suitable for their level of experience or needs

Many people make the mistake of choosing a strategy that is not suitable for their level of experience or needs. For example, if you are new to investing in stocks, you might be tempted to invest all your money in one company when they seem like the best bet. This would be unwise because even good companies can go downhill, and bad companies can get better. You should start by putting some money into many different stocks so that when one goes up, it will help offset any losses in another stock. Starting out with a simple strategy is wise, as some people would say "A person who chases two rabbits catches none." For new investors I like to recommend ETFs so they can get instant diversity while learning the ways of the stock market.


5. They don't allocate funds properly among different asset classes (stocks, bonds, etc.)

It's very common for new investors to do things like put all their money into one stock, or take on too much risk with stocks that are not diversified. But these mistakes can be costly--especially when you're just starting out. It's important to learn the basics of investing before diving in head first. Read up on what different investment vehicles are and how they work, so you know which ones would be best suited to your needs. Then pick a strategy and start putting your money where it will have the most impact for you now and down the road. One way many people get started is by investing in a mutual fund or ETF (Exchange Traded Fund). These investments offer instant diversification without having to do all the research yourself. If you're looking to dip your toes into the stock market, start by investing in well-established, blue-chip stocks. These are companies that have been around for a while and have proven they can weather any storm. They also offer dividends, which means you'll be receiving a payment from the company on a regular basis just for owning their stock. Another thing to keep in mind when investing is to always remember, past performance does not guarantee future results! So don't go chasing after the latest and greatest investment without doing your homework first. The best investments are those that fit with your overall financial plan and risk tolerance level.


What are stocks?

A stock is a share of ownership in a company. When you buy shares, you can receive dividends from the company on a regular basis just for owning their stock.

Stocks have been around for centuries and have proven to be an excellent long-term investment vehicle. In fact, research shows that over the last 100 years, stocks outperformed every other type of investment (bonds, gold) by 10%. Stocks also provide some protection against inflation because they grow with the economy; as it grows so do your returns!


What are bonds?

Bonds are a type of investment vehicle that offer both safety and security. What is the difference between stocks and bonds? The most important difference is that stocks may be more volatile than bonds, meaning they can go up or down in value. Bonds tend to stay more stable in price, which makes them safer for long-term investments like retirement savings. Bonds also typically pay regular interest payments over time, while stocks do not usually provide any income until you sell them (which could take years). Another major distinction: when you buy shares of stock with your money, you own part of the company; if it does well so will you! But when buying bonds, what happens to the money after purchase depends on whether you bought an individual bond or a mutual fund. Just like stocks, there are hundreds of different types and styles of bonds--from government to corporate, short-term to long term. The best way to get started? Talk with your financial advisor about the type and amount you should be investing in each asset class for your specific situation.


What is an Exchange Traded Fund (ETF)?

Exchange traded funds (ETFs) are a type of investment that provide instant diversification without having to do all the research yourself. ETFs are funds that trade like stocks, but they typically track an index or sector of the economy. They give you exposure to hundreds of different assets in one single investment vehicle! Some investors swear by ETFs because it's easy and cost effective way to diversify your portfolio; all with just a few clicks on your computer (or phone). The best part? You can buy/sell ETFs anytime during market hours--just like any other stock! Another benefit is that there are no minimum purchase requirements for most ETFs either!


What are cryptocurrencies?

Cryptocurrencies, by definition, are digital currencies that offer a variety of benefits over traditional currencies. Cryptocurrencies are decentralized which means they're not under the control of any government or central bank. They work on public distributed ledger called blockchain, which is a type of database designed to create a permanent record of each transaction in chronological order. Unlike fiat currency, cryptocurrencies aren't backed by gold or any other commodity. Cryptocurrencies are becoming more popular because they offer a variety of benefits over traditional currencies, including being decentralized and working on blockchain.


What does it mean if someone says an investment is volatile?

Volatility indicates that the price of something can rise or fall very quickly without warning; this makes them riskier than other investments such as bonds. Many new investors mistakenly assume they will always make money when trading assets such as cryptocurrencies because prices seem so high on paper - but this usually results in big losses rather than gains! It's important not only look at an investment's potential returns, but also the amount of risk you're taking on.


6. They start investing before becoming debt free

If you want to be a successful investor, you have to get your finances in order first. As hard as it may seem, living within your means and paying off all debt is the foundation for success with investing. Once you've eliminated any financial obligations that might keep you from achieving this goal, start considering what type of investments are best suited for your goals and risk tolerance. Investing without eliminating debt will only lead to greater frustration and more debt down the road when inevitable market downturns occur.


7. New investors get emotional when trading

In the world of investing, emotions can be your worst enemy. It's easy to get emotional when you're trading and make a bad decision. The problem is that emotions often cloud judgment and cause you to buy or sell at a time when prices are high or low. First off, don't let the fear of missing out (FOMO) take over your decisions. When it comes to investing in stocks, FOMO could lead you into buying shares at an inflated price just because everyone else is doing it too. In order to avoid making this mistake yourself, set clear goals for what type of company you want to invest in before jumping on board with other investors who have no idea what they're doing either! You should also know how much loss you're willing to take before selling. If you only own a few shares, it's easy to forget about them and hold onto those stocks even if the price drops significantly. But keep in mind that your goal is to make money from these investments, so don't let emotions get in the way of making smart decisions!



In conclusion, remember, before you invest in anything make sure that your finances are in order. Pay off any debt and set clear goals for the type of company you want to invest in before making a decision. Once you've done all this it's okay to start investing--just keep emotions at bay! (Remember FOMO can lead investors into buying shares when they're inflated or selling them too soon). Lastly, ensure you spend time researching your investments before diving into the world of investing.


Happy Investing!





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