Bought AAPL in 2012. It immediately dropped around 40% and I got a margin call, but I added more money and held on. Still holding some shares today, and it pretty much paid off my house. Hoping for early retirement soon.
@Reese
Good call on adding more!
My best investment was in myself—finished a degree in economics, finance, and accounting. Now I work full-time and am saving for a house. Key takeaway: keep your goals simple, avoid debt, start a retirement plan, and ignore the folks pretending to know it all.
Moved from picking stocks to just holding VOO and QQQ.
Reid said:
Moved from picking stocks to just holding VOO and QQQ.
Ever thought of calculating how much you’d make by sticking to the top 7-10 stocks instead? Funds are safer, but it’s interesting to see the difference. I hold both funds and individual stocks, and in the long run, my top stocks are doing better than just the funds.
@Logan
Look at the genius over here! Who would’ve guessed that the top holdings are good?
@Logan
Username checks out lol
@Logan
It’s not just about returns, though. Tracking each stock was time-consuming and stressful. Funds like VOO and QQQ make it easy—you’re automatically diversified and can focus on other things. Less stress means more time for my work, which pays off in other ways.
@Logan
VUG is pretty much that.
Invested in Tesla in 2018. But my worst decision? Selling it in 2019.
The best choice? Getting started in the first place!
Ditching my ‘financial advisor’ from Edward Jones was my best move. Learned he was hitting me with fees, front-load charges, and all kinds of other junk. They made investing seem so hard to keep me from doing it on my own.
@Storm
Couldn’t agree more! Some of these advisors are robbing people blind. Financial protections need to get better.
Bought a ton of IOTA for $0.10 but didn’t sell when it hit $6.50. 20-year-old me didn’t understand the value of money. Could’ve been a $90k payday, but now it’s worth about $900. Learned a lot, though.
Never invested in China.
Rowan said:
Never invested in China.
I took a gamble on BABA and made a 10x return!
Rowan said:
Never invested in China.
The stock market there feels like a casino—prices don’t follow valuations, just whatever news the party wants to spin.
Rowan said:
Never invested in China.
Chinese tobacco companies, though… everyone over there seems to smoke, even kids.
Rowan said:
Never invested in China.
Honestly, in 10 years, investing in China today might end up being my best move.
Bought Bitcoin at $16 back in 2012.