If you’ve been investing in stocks or bonds for a while, you may feel like you have an understanding of this precarious trade. You may even be making plans to diversify your portfolio or research more complex investment strategies. But even if you’re a seasoned investor, there’s never a bad time to get back to basics.

Reviewing essential principles of productive investing are evergreen in a sense, allowing you to remain on the up and up in both bull and bear markets. Though there are lots of basic investment tips for you to review, here are just a few I’ve found useful to remember: 

Learn from Your Mistakes

Let’s admit it – we all make mistakes. Maybe you had a drink too many while out with your friends. Or maybe you plunked down money on a stock before doing your diligent research. Mistakes happen, and that’s okay. What is not okay is failing to learn from those mistakes. In fact, failing to learn from mistakes is possibly the single biggest Achilles heel of investors the world over.

Learning from your investment mistakes can take on several forms. But one I like to use is called “Roses, Thorns, and Buds.” This method allows you to break down an investment based upon its positives (Roses), its negatives (Thorns), and its opportunities for growth (Buds). If you reliably utilize this personal review method, you may find yourself growing in the wake of your mistakes.

Don’t Bet the Farm

When a major investment opportunity lands in your lap, it can be easy to go overboard and put a lot of money on the table. That may be a fine option to pursue, so long as you have the money to back up your investment in case something goes awry. In consideration of your available capital, however, you should factor in your existing living expenses before ponying up money for an investment.

In other words, make sure you are still saving enough money to continue living productively from day-to-day. That means always leaving enough money to pay the bills and cover personal medical expenses. You should also maintain essential savings accounts, such as a child’s college account, in their entirety. Also, don’t invest money you need to pay down personal debts, as their interest can quickly exceed your means if your investment does not pan out.

Invest in Yourself

While investing in your preferred stocks and bonds, you should also be investing in yourself. That means seeking out routine education to keep your senses sharp and aware of the current marketplace, and even attending conferences or seminars to grow your investment acumen. While this kind of personal investment comes with a price tag, that price can potentially pay for itself when you come out on the other side as a more educated investor overall.

Bringing It Together

If you stick with your investment strategy through many moons, you’ll experience your fair share of ups and downs. But with the tips described above, you’ll be better equipped to handle the highs and lows productively. Keeping the basics in mind helps you stay grounded as an investor, and better prepares you to make the most of each new opportunity that comes your way.

*This content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information provided is not written or intended as tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for purposes of avoiding any Federal tax penalties. Individuals are encouraged to seek advice from their own tax or legal counsel. Individuals involved in the estate planning process should work with an estate planning team, including their own personal legal or tax counsel. Neither the information presented nor any opinion expressed constitutes a representation by us of a specific investment or the purchase or sale of any securities. Asset allocation and diversification do not ensure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets. This material was developed and produced by Advisor Websites to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. Copyright 2021 Advisor Websites.