Real-Life Investing: Introduction

Read about this Fool’s real-life investing experiences.

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

The question is asked of us at the Fool time and time again: “It’s all very well writing about shares and investments, but what are you yourself investing in? You may say that this company is a buy or a sell, but where are putting your own money?” After all, if I am not investing in the companies I am writing about, why should you trust my recommendations at all?

My personal investing strategy

These are very valid questions. So I thought I would write about my own personal portfolio. I will write about which shares I have been buying and selling, and why have I made these trades. I will write about my investing philosophy. I have often written about contrarian, value and growth investing — in this series I will write about what my personal investing strategy is.

 Of course, there is absolutely nothing wrong in writing about shares you don’t own, but writing about your own portfolio perhaps could add a more authentic and insightful touch to my articles — at least, that’s what I hope!

The thinking behind the trades 

And this would not just be about “I bought this company at this price, and sold at this price, making a profit of….” It will be about what I was actually thinking when I made these decisions. It will be the story behind the raw numbers.

I will write about my investing successes and also, perhaps more interestingly, my investing failures. I will write about blue chips, small caps, growth companies, value companies, dividend investing, retirement planning, international investing, investing psychology, and anything else under the investing sun which has affected my portfolio.

And, just perhaps, you may learn something about reaching your own investment goals, too.

Sound interesting? Worth a read? Well, the series proper begins next week. Welcome to ‘Real Life Investing’…

More on Investing Articles

A senior man and his wife holding hands walking up a hill on a footpath looking away from the camera at the view. The fishing village of Polperro is behind them.
Investing Articles

Is 50 too old to start buying shares?

Christopher Ruane explains why 'better late than never' is key to his thinking about whether 50's too old to start…

Read more »

Two male friends are out in Tynemouth, North East UK. They are walking on a sidewalk and pushing their baby sons in strollers. They are wearing warm clothing.
Investing Articles

Here’s what £150 a month in a Junior ISA could be worth by 2045…

You might be surprised to learn by how large a Junior ISA portfolio could become inside 20 years from modest…

Read more »

Investing Articles

This red hot equity fund in my SIPP returned 12.6% in the first 2 months of 2026

This global equity fund is delivering huge returns for Edward Sheldon’s SIPP in 2026, despite all the risks and uncertainty…

Read more »

Friends at the bay near the village of Diabaig on the side of Loch Torridon in Wester Ross, Scotland. They are taking a break from their bike ride to relax and chat. They are laughing together.
Investing Articles

Want to retire richer? Here’s Warren Buffett’s golden rule to build wealth

If you want to build wealth for a richer retirement, then following Warren Buffett’s golden rule might be the best…

Read more »

Black woman using smartphone at home, watching stock charts.
Investing Articles

Get ready for stock market volatility…

As conflict in the Middle East makes share prices fluctuate, what strategies can investors use to try and find opportunities…

Read more »

British Isles on nautical map
Investing Articles

Why the FTSE 100 fell almost 5% this week

Declines in mining shares dragged the FTSE 100 down after a strong start to the year. Is the pullback an…

Read more »

Middle aged businesswoman using laptop while working from home
Investing Articles

How much do you need to invest in US stocks to earn a £2,000 monthly passive income?

Is it possible to target several thousand pounds of passive income each month by buying US growth stocks? Absolutely –…

Read more »

A mature woman help a senior woman out of a car as she takes her to the shops.
Investing Articles

How big does your ISA need to be to earn £1,000 a month in passive income?

Andrew Mackie explains how a long-term ISA strategy can help investors build a chunky £12,000 passive income in less than…

Read more »