Investing can be frustrating and depressing at times, particularly if you don’t understand how markets work and don’t have the right mindset. This is especially true given the rollercoaster ride we are currently experiencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The following investment quotes are extremely relevant and provide a great foundation which stays true regardless of market volatilities and uncertainties.
“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” – Benjamin Franklin
Having a clear understanding of your investment goals and a plan on how to get there when saving for a home, retirement or generating income to live on is critical. If you don’t have a clear plan you will be subject to all sort of distractions which can impact where you want to get with your investments. Having a financial adviser assist in setting up a plan and ensuring that you stay on track is a great way to help you achieve your financial aspirations!
“If you have trouble imagining a 20% loss in the stock market, you shouldn’t be in stocks.” -John Bogle
Successful investing is all about knowing yourself. Smart investors have an awareness of their weaknesses and seek to manage them. One way to do this is to take a long-term approach. If you want to trade day to day then you need to recognise that this requires a lot of effort, a rigorous process and a willingness to go against the crowd. Having an understanding of your own tolerance to risk and aligning your investments to that risk level ensures that you don’t get lost in all the noise and stay confident in your long term financial decisions.
“Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful” – Warren Buffett
Beware of the herd! Buffet warns of buying irrespective of prices during a bull market and selling out of fear during downturns. When others are greedy, prices typically boil over, and one should be cautious lest they overpay for an asset that subsequently leads to anemic returns. When others are fearful, it may present a good value buying opportunity. Prime examples of substantial returns include; post Global Financial Crisis (GFC) in 2008/09 and the recent market recovery post the March COVID-19 sell-off. It is often emotionally difficult to make these decisions and act in contrary to the broader market which is why having guidance from a professional adviser can assist in making the tough yet profitable decisions in the long run.
If you can truly understand and take the above investment philosophies to heart then you should have no problem sticking to our own investment strategies, embrace risk and invest in alignment to our own risk appetites and last of all take advantage of short term market mispricing by going against the crowd which would have the greatest chance of securing fruitful returns in the long run.
Please note this article provides general advice only and has not taken your personal, business or financial circumstances into consideration. If you would like more tailored advice, please contact us today.