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.

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.

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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’…

Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

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