What runs through your mind when someone mentions the stock market? Do you immediately think of a complicated machine that has the potential to bankrupt you? Alternatively, do you think of a casino where you can make millions?
Despite what you may hear from uneducated voices, the reality isn't close to either of these extremes. The stock market is a great place to build long-term wealth, but only if you make the right investment choices.Between 1994 and 2013, the S&P 500, the index of the 500 largest public companies in the US, returned an average of 8.99% per year. But those who invested in individual stocks didn't fare as well. A study by Bernstein Advisors found that in the same time period, the average retail investor buying individual stocks made a return of just 2.1% per year. Which means during this 20 year period, the "man on the street" underperformed every single asset class, including cash (as 3-month treasury bills).So why does this happen? Why do so many individuals make below-averagereturns?
Much of it involves education or lack of it. When people are first exposed to the idea of stock investing, it's often presented as an excellent opportunity to make quick money. This is why, for many investors, their first experience is a bad one. They are enticed by a tip from a friend or family member. Or worse, they see a post on social media about a "once-in-a-lifetime buying opportunity" and don't want to miss out on potential profits. You may have had this exact experience in the past. If not, you likely know someone who has.
You may also have been lured by the prospect of making quick money by day trading stocks. Day trading is to investing, what visiting a casino is to starting your own business. Sure, you could win big at the casino, but you're very unlikely to, and over the long run, you'll go broke. But if you do your research and work hard, starting a business will make you way more money in the long run and way more reliably too.
