Debunking 7 investing myths

Whether you are new to the world of finance, or a seasoned investor with years of experience, you’ll have to agree that investing and finance have always been intriguing subjects, capturing the imagination of people who might be looking at ways to build their wealth, to start a career and to secure the bag while securing their financial future.

What might be holding you back from investing? Fear, negative experiences, emotions, lack of knowledge. There are many factors that might be stopping you from diving into the world of investment, and no one is to blame. Investing involves entering a world that can be extremely unfamiliar to many, the lingo and the amount of information constantly flowing your way can be deceiving and confusing. Without access to professional advice and to the “right” information you might find yourself following random online advice left and right, ultimately going nowhere.

Without the right source of information and knowledge, you might end up believing and perpetuating some of the “investing myths”. Falling for these might lead you to some very costly mistakes, and could possibly put you off investing forever, scarred by this negative experience and scared to repeat the same errors over and over again.

Let’s go through the top 10 investing myths, shed some light on them and try to put things in perspective

Myth 1: You need to be rich to invest

The first myth is quite self-explanatory, you need money to make money. Or do you? Starting off might be easier with a bigger starting capital, but starting small could be an option as well. Investing doesn’t have to be reserved for the super wealthy, it is accessible to everyone regardless of their income level. Try to look into online investing platforms and fractional investing. Your bank probably offers some kind of online trading on its app, but you might have overlooked it. A few euros a week should do the trick.

Myth 2: It’s the same as gambling

Gambling is about luck and being at the right time at the right place, investing is (or at least should) be driven by analysis and research. You’ll need to assess the risks, gather as much information as possible and diversify your portfolio in order to be a successful investor. Opening an investing app on your phone and “betting” a couple of euros here and there hoping to get some money back will backfire.

Myth 3: The more money you invest, the more you’ll get back

Trading all of your extra money every week will not guarantee higher returns, unfortunately. Excessive trading can lead to high transaction costs, more taxes, and might lead you to enter into a “investment craze” that will ultimately suffer from the biases of emotional decision-making. Patience and discipline are important, allowing yourself to grow and mature alongside your investments.

Myth 4: Only stocks offer high returns

Stock might be the safest choice, since they have historically always delivered a bigger return, but there’s more to that. Bonds, real estate, commodities and crypto are all valid options and can provide balance to your portfolio. Different goals call for different means.

Myth 5: Timing is key

Buying low and selling high is a myth that has been perpetuated by many and that seems difficult to kill off. First of all, predicting market movements consistently is almost impossible. Second, this myth perpetuates the idea that “missing the right moment” will lead to failure. Instead of trying to time and tame the market, a successful investing strategy centers around long-term market movements, using compounding as a way to push through the market cycles.

Myth 6: Money will come fast, or never

Investing is a long term wealth building scheme, not a get rich fast one. It’s not a shortcut to a beachside villa, nor will make you rich overnight as you sleep. Patience and perseverance and the ability to keep your cool while the market fluctuates are key to success. Set realistic expectations for yourself, don’t believe what the clickbaity Youtube videos promise you.

Myth 7: It’s already too late to start

Bingeing too many videos online, shot by young men in their 20s living in Dubai, might lead you to associate investing with young professionals planning for their retirement. Individuals of all ages can benefit from an investment strategy, doesn’t matter if you’ve already retired or you’re fresh out of high school. Growing wealth, beating inflation and securing your future have no time limit.

It goes without saying, investing is an incredible tool for wealth creation and securing your finances, but given the virtually endless amount of information available online you might find yourself being misled by old rumours and stereotypes. By debunking some of these myths and by doing the appropriate amount of research and analysis, you’ll be able to start your journey without falling into these common misconceptions.