Making A Decision

When to buy? When to sell?

These are your fundamental questions, and they are impacted by a multitude of influences around you, not least of which are influencers (family, friends, analysts, news reports, the tarot cards). The reality is that the ultimate decision is yours and yours alone. So, when you make that decision, make it for reasons you are comfortable with.

For instance, I have recently sold off BOT shares. Now I am sure that this company will skyrocket, but I had already made 500% on my investment and I needed the cash to pay for some extraordinary expenses in my daughter's education. 

And there is no better investment that I can make than in my daughter's education.

So the shares went.

I am not too worried, I know there will be other opportunities, there's always another boat getting ready to leave. In fact, one of my co-workers put it very well: The opportunity of a lifetime happens twice a day on the share market.

Perhaps that should have been "share marketes" plural, but you get the general idea.

Also, I know a few others who bought BOT shares and they will have significant bragging rights and will let me know all about it. And that will be fine, I will absolutely (and without any regrets) celebrate their wins with them.

When to sell? When you are comfortable selling. Just remember one thing: every single stock is speculative. The Golbal Financial Crisis destroyed banks and entire sectors and raught us that there are NO absolutely safe stocks. 

When to buy? That is another judgement call on your part. And sometimes, (like me, as outlined in other posts) that judgement is slightly out and you will end up not buying at all.

Do plenty of research, into the company you are interested and into the workings of the stock market itself. Yes, it's okay to listen to well-meaning friends and to analysts and brokers, but don't act without doing your own homework. Just buying on a friend's tip could lead to you losing your cash. Buy for the right reasons, ones that your know about.

Learning more about how the market works will also help you with your buying and selling decisions. Perhaps you will see something that 90% of others are missing (trust me, that absolutely happens) and you are suddenly ahead of the game.

And remember to enjoy the ride and celebrate your wins.