Learning Investing by Fire
Several years ago I learned about ‘day trading’ on the stock market and how much money can be made doing so. I figured I could learn how and do the same. They forgot to mention, in the article I read, that 98% of those who try, fail. I am sorry to say that I am one of those 98%. I admit that I am just a regular, average person and it did not work out well. I tried for several years but I am too emotional or whatever, to make a success of it.
But I caught the bug and have been trying to find an answer to how I might make money investing in some way or another.
There are many investment vehicles available, ranging from zero risk to significant risk. Putting your money into bonds, bank GIC’s (guaranteed investment certificates) and such are virtually zero risk for losing your initial investment. The problem often is that the interest rates in such investment vehicles are lower than the rate of inflation and in actual fact you may be losing actual buying power over time.
I tried mutual funds through an investment brokerage only to lose more money. I would have to rank mutual funds as a medium risk vehicle. Not as high as day trading, by any means, but still a risk and I do not seem to do well with risk. I was never very good at games that require luck with dice or cards or whatever.
Next I decided that maybe I would just try to make some extra money by having a website to sell something. I took a course how to get it set up but the course was not very clear or complete and I was not able to get it started or find anyone willing to let me sell their products. I have not given up on this idea yet but it is on the back burner at the moment.
While I was doing my learning and searching on the web, I discovered forex trading. I took some courses on that and tried it. The results were similar to my day trading efforts. They really mean it when they say that forex trading has ‘significant risk of loss’ and is not for all investors.
Then there are many websites that are HYIPs, otherwise known as high yield investment programs. Have not really had the courage to try these as I kind of think that they are here today and gone tomorrow but you never know when tomorrow is here.
Recently I learned about trading options. I think I have found one vehicle for my investing. Trading options can be both high and low risk. So far I have learned some of both. Currently I have 2 favorite strategies that have been successful for me for the past 4 months. I realize that that is not a long time to be able to really endorse them but I feel really good about them. I think the test drive is over and I am on my way to owning this vehicle. It is not a get rich quick plan but according to some rough calculations, I think I can take a $10K investment and turn it into $300K in about 15 years. That would make a nice retirement with the monthly earnings.
Unfortunately retirement is here and so I am still looking for more vehicles. Will keep you posted on what I find.
Cheers, Jenny Wren
Tagged with: investment • making money online • option trading
Filed under: Investment Opportunities
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Hi Jenny,
When you say that 98% don’t make it, I have been a member of that club for quite sometime now and have learnt things the hard way by losing money, mainly due to unteical marketers.
I was so fed up with being taken for a ride that one of the first articles and blog post I ever wrote had the title ‘A rant about thing so far’ which is self explanatory.
So here I am trying to do things the ethical way and I am glad to see that you are too.
Keep up the good work!
Panicos
Hi Jenny,
Very interesting post about your investing experience. So many of these online investment companies portray investing as easy to do, when the truth is, like you say, far from that.
I’ve been looking into Binary Options, but I’m not sure if this is the best option for getting started and if so, which company provides a good service.
Keep up the good work here on your site.
All the best
Philip
I would be very careful with Binary Options. There are a lot of scams involved with them. I have tried one and have been unable to withdraw any funds. I understand from a skype group that this is fairly common. Binary Options are not yet regulated like stocks and forex so there is not a lot of security in them. The platforms can also use whatever prices they want to manipulate your trade so please be very very careful.
Jenny Wren
Hi Jenny,
Many thanks for your advice on Binary Options. I had heard rumors about people not being able to withdraw funds from some sites. I suppose it’s early days and it takes time for regulations to come into force and keep a close watch on less scrupulous organizations.
Philip
Young lady you have not posted a blog this year, this is unacceptable! You are under no circumstnaces allowed to give up!!
Have a nice day
Panicos
Thanks for the young part, lol and you are right I can not give up. I have been sidetracked quite far but am determined to try again. Third time lucky? Thanks again for the encouragement.
Jenny Wren
No problemo and good to see your new blog post!!
Panicos