Investing mistakes are easy to spot after the fact. An inverse ETF that moved the wrong way, $12,000 sitting idle for years, a tax decision with expensive knock-on effects, or shares that went from $70,000 to $5,000. But trying to avoid every possible mistake can create a problem of its own.
So which investing mistakes are worth worrying about, and which ones are simply part of learning?
In this episode, Tash and Ana unpack five investing mistakes they see people make, along with a few of their own. They look at waiting until you feel ready, misunderstanding how an investment is structured, buying things you don't really understand, expecting investing to feel comfortable and wanting long-term returns far too quickly.
In this episode we'll discuss:
๐ What happened after buying an inverse leveraged ETF during Covid, expecting markets to keep falling, only for the recovery to keep going.
๐ธ How $12,000 ended up sitting in a near-zero-return account for years, and why opportunity cost can hurt even when you haven't technically lost money.
๐งพ How selling company shares in the wrong financial year had flow-on effects for tax, paid parental leave and childcare subsidies.
๐ฒ Why waiting until you feel completely ready to invest can leave you stuck, even after you've read the books and watched the videos.
๐ฆ The difference between investing through super, custodial platforms and CHESS-sponsored holdings, plus why trusts and SMSFs can create complexity of their own.
๐ฎ How experiences with GameStop, crypto, day trading or individual shares can convince someone that all investing is far riskier than it actually is.
๐ Why one company, one industry and one country carry a very different type of risk to a broadly diversified ETF, and why time horizon matters too.
๐ฌ What it feels like to invest a large lump sum, watch the portfolio immediately go backwards and resist the urge to keep checking the app.
โณ Why seven to ten years can feel very different from six months, and why dividends, market growth and the snowball effect rarely arrive on demand.
The big takeaway? Investing mistakes don't all look like losing money. Sometimes it's waiting, misunderstanding the structure, taking more risk than you realised, or expecting a long-term investment to prove itself almost immediately. Making better decisions starts with understanding what you're doing, while accepting that some lessons only become obvious once you've actually started.
Disclaimer:
Any advice is general and does not consider your financial situation needs, or objectives, so consider whether itโs appropriate for you. You should also consider seeking professional advice before making any financial decision.
Pearler is an Authorised Representative 1281540 of Sanlam Private Wealth Pty Ltd AFSL 337927. Read the FSG available from https://pearler.com/financial-services-guide
If you are considering any of the products we spoke about during the show, be sure to read the Product Disclosure Statement & Target Market Determination available from the product issuerโs website before deciding.
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