What would you do differently if you could start over?

Great question.

I would avoid picking stocks and would pick boring simple diversified index funds from the start.

I would also liked to have started earlier if I could :)

Cheers, Dave

If I were to start over in investing from scratch, there are several key strategies I would focus on to optimize my approach:

1. Start Earlier: One of the most common pieces of advice from experienced investors is to start as early as possible. The power of compounding returns means that even small amounts invested early can grow significantly over time. Starting early also provides a longer horizon to ride out market volatility and benefit from the upward trend of the markets over long periods.

2. Educate Myself Thoroughly: Before making any investments, it’s crucial to have a solid understanding of what you’re investing in. This means doing your own research rather than following the herd mentality or tips from acquaintances. For instance, during the crypto craze, many people invested without a clear understanding of what cryptocurrency is or the risks involved, leading to significant losses for some.

3. Diversify Investments: Diversification is key to managing risk. Instead of putting all your eggs in one basket, spreading investments across different asset classes (stocks, bonds, real estate, etc.) and within asset classes (different sectors, industries, geographical areas) can reduce risk and smooth out returns over time.

4. Avoid Emotional Investing: Emotional decisions, such as investing out of fear or greed, can lead to poor investment choices. Developing a disciplined investment strategy and sticking to it, regardless of market conditions, helps in making rational decisions.

5. Regularly Review and Adjust: The financial markets and personal circumstances change over time, so it’s important to review your investment portfolio periodically and make adjustments as needed. This might mean rebalancing to maintain your desired asset allocation or shifting strategies as you approach financial goals like retirement.

6. Use the Right T

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