4 Common Investing Strategies That Almost Never Work for Middle-Class Beginners
Written by
Lydia Kibet
Edited by
Jenna Klaverweiden
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When you’re getting started with investing, it’s easy to be drawn to strategies that sound smart or seem to build wealth fast. But many popular investing strategies aren’t built for long-term success. They’re risky, complex or simply not aligned with the financial reality of most middle-class investors.
Here are four common investing strategies that almost never work for middle-class investors just getting started and why you should avoid them.
Investing In Individual Stocks Alone
Buying stocks of companies you love might seem like a good place to start. But putting all your money in individual stocks or one asset class is risky. Stock prices can swing wildly based on news, earnings reports and industry shifts. Even big companies can suffer major losses in case of a negative sentiment.
A better approach is having a diversified portfolio with individual stocks, index funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and even bonds. The goal is not to put all your eggs in one basket.
Day Trading
Day trading — buying and selling stocks and other securities the same day — gets a lot of hype. Many people on social media say it’s the fastest way to double your money. But it’s also the fastest way to lose your money.
In reality, day trading is more of gambling than investing, especially if you don’t know what you’re doing. It requires years of experience and emotional discipline. Even those who have been in the game for decades are still losing money.
If your goal is to build wealth over time, you’re better off buying stocks and index funds than day trading.
Timing the Market
Trying to buy low and sell high sounds like the best investing strategy. However, doing so will cost you more down the road.
The idea behind timing the market is to wait until prices drop, then buy. When prices go up, sell and lock in profits. However, no one knows when those drops and spikes will happen. Even hedge fund managers struggle to get it right.
According to data from Hartford Funds, 78% of the stock market’s best days happen in a bear market or the first two months of a bull market. Additionally, it explained that if an investor had missed out on 10 of the market’s best days over 30 years, their returns would’ve been reduced by half. This is the reason to stay invested during market ups and downs.
That’s why consistency beats timing the market. A strategy like dollar-cost averaging — where you invest the same amount of money at regular intervals regardless of where the market is going — helps take the guesswork out of the process.
Chasing Trends
There’s always “the next big thing” in the headlines. Whether it’s artificial intelligence (AI), crypto or robotaxis, it’s tempting to jump in because of fear of missing out (FOMO). But chasing trends is often a losing strategy because by the time a stock or sector is hot, much of the upside has already been priced in. Buying at the peak could lead to painful losses if those who jumped in early sell.
Instead of chasing trends, create an investing plan around your goals and risk tolerance. And remember that trends come and go, but a disciplined strategy is what builds real wealth.
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