The Investor Diary Entry #31: April 25, 2023
The question “Can I learn to invest in the stock market?” kept nagging; therefore I started looking for answers.
I tried to find companies who would invest for me, but at the time small capital was not allowed in the stock market. Suddenly I got introduced to the idea of trading Forex. It was the first time that learned about selling short, and I thought that this is something that can only be done in Forex and not in any other financial instrument.
Therefore, at that time, and because of the above reasons, the answer was negative. No I cannot learn to invest in the stock market because I don’t have enough money for it, and there were no brokers that would allow international small investors, and Forex was more exciting as I can trade at any time as well as being able to buy and sell short.
It was only recently that I drew the difference between investing and trading.
The Answer Changed
Although, I had an answer, but I was not satisfied with it. Then came the internet. Yes my search for the ability to invest in the stock market was before the internet. My eye was always on the US Stock Market.
At the time I thought trading is investing. I think I was lucky somehow that I did not find a way to invest in the stock market back then. Otherwise, I would have traded the market, not invested in it.
I learned the disadvantages of trading through my hands on experience with Forex. Yes I lost a lot there. A lot in my calculations.
A couple of years ago, I accidentally found YouTubers who were talking about investing. I kept watching them for months. It was then that I understood the difference between investing and trading.
This made me get more interested. The idea of long term investing suited me more than trading.
Now, back to the basic question; can I learn how to invest in the stock market?
Where To Learn About Investing
The first thing that crossed my mind is a website that I once found a long time ago. I remembered only one part of its name, and I found it.
I started reading articles on daily basis on that site; in addition to watching the YouTubers. I am emotional and hasty most of the time. Well, yes that was 18 months ago.
The next thing I did was to ask the YouTubers for a list of books. They gave me a list of books which I talked about in a previous diary entry. I completed the first book, and finished half the second. Later I realized that I was not reading to learn, I was reading to finish the books.
I decided to get back to first book with a new way of reading. I want to learn investment not finish investment books. Finishing investment books will not teach me anything.
Social Media Is Listening
Suddenly I started getting ads on the different social media platforms that I am using related to online training courses in investing and specifically on value investment.
For some reason this option was not to my liking, but for sure it is a very important thing to consider. I don’t know why I didn’t feel that those courses will not give me the education that I want.
For some reason, I feel that training courses are too academic. What I want to learn is the hands on experience of actual investors. While writing this, I feel that I am wrong in my assumption.
One cannot draw a conclusion without trying, especially that the area that we are talking about touches on a very important factor. Losing my money while not knowing what I am doing.
Learn To Invest Money
I said it before, 18 months ago I was still emotional and hasty. Once I realized that finally I am able to invest in the stock market, I started looking for an international broker.
This is not the right way to go about investing. The first thing that anyone should do is to learn about investing.
Learning investment does not only entail learning the technical part of investing, but also learning the different types of investment. Deciding which type of investor a person wants to be. Then leaning what type of mindset needed for the chosen type and start training to get that mindset.
To learn to invest money regardless of the instrument, means you need to get your hands on everything that can teach you how to become the investor you want to be before touching your money and sending it to a broker.
Conclusion
Can I learn to invest in the stock market? Yes, I can.
Where to learn to invest money? There are many channels;
- YouTubers: Choose ones that are real investors and not ones who are looking for more followers. Choose real teachers and real investors.
- Training Courses: Online or Offline, or even both.
- Books: Technical and mindset
Design your investment strategy after you educate yourself, and then look for a broker.
The Investor
Tuesday 25 April 2023
About The Author
I started to look into individual stocks in January 2022. I created this diary initially for myself to track my investing progress, and second as a place that I can share my ideas publicly hoping that others will share their ideas and learn from each other, and lastly as an online business where some links that I share are affiliate links, and if anybody bought anything by clicking those links I will get a commission based on that successful sale, which of course will not affect the price that you are buying the product or service at.
For a more detailed information on my affiliate disclosure please refer to the Full Affiliate Disclosure page, and if you are interested in building your own online business you can check this post here.
Furthermore, this site is in no way or form is giving any financial or investing advice, nor it is encouraging or discouraging people to buy or sell any financial instrument. This is a personal diary in which I track my own progress and share for informational, educational and entertainment purposes.