Learn How to Become a Better Investor

A TV, a bottle of soap, a frying pan with flames spouting out of it, and a turtle and a hair illustrate a headline that reads, "Easy Tips for Becoming a Better Investor"
Photo:

The Balance / Lara Antal

Better investing doesn't happen accidentally. Good investors consistently work at it. They study and they learn. Start with 10 ways to become a better investor, and once you start learning, never stop.

01 of 10

Turn off the News and Watch More Star Trek

Invest Like a Vulcan
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I grew up watching Star Trek. One of the main characters is Spock, a Vulcan who, unlike us humans, is logical to a fault. You can learn a lot by watching his cool, unemotional character make rational decisions in the face of great stress. Old economic theory thought that humans were like Spock, always making rational decisions that would lead to maximizing wealth. The newer field of ​behavioral finance tells us otherwise. To be a better investor, study behavioral finance, and watch more Star Trek.

02 of 10

Treat Your Money Like Soap

White bar of soap in water
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Eugene Fama is a famed academic in the field of finance, who once said, “Your money is like soap. The more you handle it, the less you have.” Moving money entails transaction costs, sometimes tax consequences, and most often, you may move it at the wrong time. Evidenced by the fact that, year after year, research shows that average investors underperform the market primarily because of their poor timing abilities. To fare better than the average investor, when you move money, it needs to be part of a well-designed investment plan, not a last-minute reaction.

03 of 10

Learn the Term "Dollar Cost Averaging"

Hundred dollar bills
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Dollar cost averaging is a strategy used to reduce market risk by automatically investing a set amount of money at regular intervals. It forces you to buy more shares when the market is down, and buy less when the market is up. Smart savers automate their savings plans and let them run for years and years at a time. Be a smart saver, and if you don’t already, start dollar cost averaging

04 of 10

If You Can't Handle the Heat, Steer Clear of the Fire

man running away from burning papers
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Stocks are not for everyone. You can build a solid financial plan using only guaranteed, safe investments. If you don’t understand the stock market or what a mutual fund is, probably best to avoid these investments altogether until you learn more. If you do understand but get too nervous, then stay out of the market. 

05 of 10

Read the Turtle and the Hare

tortoise with snail on its back
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Your colleague just doubled his money because he bought Apple stock at the right time. Does that mean he was smart... or lucky? Slow and steady savings with a disciplined plan delivers results, much like the Turtle, who steadily plods along. Bet on luck or skill and it may turn out okay, or you may get an unpleasant surprise. 

Seriously, read The Turtle and the Hare

06 of 10

Get Comfortable With Cash

hundred dollar bills sticking up out of grass
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If you feel like money sitting in cash or money market accounts is wasting away, think again. Cash can be a great place to store money while you research, study and learn how to make smart decisions with it. People with cash have the ability to take advantage of great investment opportunities when the real estate or stock markets go down. Those who were fully invested don’t have those same opportunities. 

07 of 10

Know What You Own

woman at computer
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A stock is not the same as a stock index fund. A bond fund is not the same as a stock fund. It is amazing how many people who own large-cap equity mutual funds react to an irrational fear that they can lose all of their money. Do they have any idea what they own? Do they really think all the 500 largest companies in the U.S. are going out of business at once? There is a distinct difference between what I call a Level 5 Investment Risk, where you can lose all your money, and taking on a Level 4 Investment risk, where you can’t. ​

08 of 10

Read Books, Not Just Websites

different colored books
Read more books, not just websites. Phil Ashley/Stone/Getty Images

I love the internet. The amount of information available is astonishing, and at times, overwhelming. However, to get the depth of knowledge on a topic, I still think nothing beats a good book. It stands to reason that educated investors may improve their chances of earning higher returns. Commit to learning first and you'll become better at investing.

09 of 10

Study Your Shopping Habits

man comparing products in grocery store lines
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When is the last time you went to the mall, saw something you really wanted that was on sale at half price, and thought, “No, I am afraid the price might go down more. I am not going to buy it now.” When stocks drop substantially in price that means your future financial goals are on sale. Better investing means acquiring the knowledge and discipline to recognize when things are on sale and buy low. 

10 of 10

Remember, They Do Not Know You

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Who is “they?” All the people (including me) who offer advice and financial commentary to the public. We don’t know you or your situation. We are offering advice that is applicable to a broad population. Does it apply to you? I don’t know, and neither do “they." Only you, and if you have one, your personal financial advisor can determine if the advice is applicable to your situation. 

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Sources
The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Randy Billingsley, et al. "Personal Financial Planning," Page 478. Cengage Learning, 2016.

  2. Index Fund Advisors. "Market Timing: More Evidence Why It Doesn't Work."

  3. Merrill Edge. "Using Dollar-Cost Averaging to Make Scheduled Investments."

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