I’ve spent a lot of time trying to bring together my very best learning points from being a professional investor since 1993. I haven’t seen it all, but I’ve seen a lot. And much of what I’ve seen from the folks who sell personalized investing advice...well frankly, it angers me.
It is not any particular person or company. There have been too many billions of marketing dollars spent the past few decades to point a finger somewhere specifically. But that does not hold me back from being frustrated with how far it has gone.
The result is similar to what we all experience in politics, no matter what our beliefs are: identifying what is both factually accurate, and determining how to map that insight to one’s own personal situation, is not just harder than ever. It is close to impossible.
To use one of my favorite analogies (from me, a very light drinker), this is like drinking 20 beers at a party, then downing a 21st and downing yourself...you hit the floor, and wake up later on. And the first thought you have is “ah, it was that 21st beer that did it to me, I’ll stop at 20 next time.”
My concern in these strange times is that many years of mis-education from mainstream/big-budget firms about what DIY investing should be has created a fog that many cannot possibly see through. It leaves them vulnerable when, eventually, they leave themselves in a portfolio position that they would never have accepted if they had a full understanding. Of things like risk management, what drives markets today, and much more.
After spending 27 years being in charge of a set group of families, and making investing decisions for them, we sold our investment advisory practice in 2020 to focus on taking what I think works for those who have made it, want to make more, but above all else do not want to lose it. Because as Warren Buffett said, “when the tide goes out, you can see who was swimming naked.”
To help DIY investors keep their bathing suits intact, here is a comparison table on 20 critical investor topics I selected from all of my decades of writing, investing and coaching.
It’s their way versus your way.
We are here to use my experience, successes and mistakes to help you find your way.
