2/22
Investing means different things to different people - Be it health/ career/external assets with an intent to reap benefits in future.
So then is everyone an Investor ?
No.
When people do different things with even same investment products we give it a different name.
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3/22
Investing is a PERSONAL Plan .
It's NOT a product . NOT a procedure.
One needs to have a clear picture of one's financials BEFORE making an investment plan.
Investment products comprise of items with distinct characteristics DESIGNED to satisfy a particular need.
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4/22
Nothing is permanent except CHANGE.
Same applies for market cycles.
Different Asset Classes help us in that.
By smart movement one can increase the velocity of one's money.
It is NOT about timing the markets.
It's ABOUT the trends in an asset class.
Few pointers
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5/22
Many folks acquire Speculative habits mistakenly thinking they are Investing. โ ๏ธ
L.T Investing is central for optimum returns.
Markets will be volatile.
But in long run shall only go โฌ๏ธ
Some notes on Cash Flow & Capital Gains Model , Speculation & Law of The Farm
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6/22
Difficult to say which strategy is good. Even good speculators make money.
It depends on the individual's attitude, discipline , risk taking ability & patience.
Too much UNCERTAINTY is making markets the bedrock of speculation & HENCE the volatility.
7/22
3 paths to achieve superior results.
๐ธ The Intellectually difficult path - Admired in HINDSIGHT
๐ธ The Physically difficult path - SELF complicated
๐ธThe Emotionally Difficult path - Deceptively Straightforward & Best suited for most
More explanation here
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8/22
Onto the most important part : *Behavioural Finance*
Most investors make decisions with their hearts.
Our WAVERING emotions (FOMO/Panic/Greed- IPO investments etc) define us.
Our logic & rationale takes a backseat & only retrospectively justify these decisions.
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9/22
๐ธCheck if you are a victim of Loss Aversion & Sunk Cost fallacy.
Work upon it to make wiser investment decisions in future.
๐ธDiversify wisely WITHIN assets ACROSS asset classes to avoid reacting impulsively.
๐ธAvoid looking at gains & losses in isolation.
More here ๐
10/22
Deciding not to take a decision is ALSO a decision.
Maintaining a Status Quo in times of continuous change is unwise.
It is a natural tendency to resist change which amplifies Decision Paralysis. ( The book has many examples as illustrations ) 1
More on this here๐
11/22
V.imp
Mental Accounting affects our behaviour in different ways.
The tendency to place DIFFERENT values to the SAME sum of money depending on HOW it was acquired & the EFFORT needed for this.
Such an underrated concept !
12/22
Some eg of Mental Accounting errors
๐ธHolding onto losers unwilling to accept mistake & believing losses are notional & price will โฌ๏ธ
๐ธBonus shares considered as Freebie & bought post announcement ( Eg IEX ) . Stock โฌ๏ธ๐ Companies gives Bonus shares to capitalise reserves.
13/22
๐ธ Trading repeatedly with narrow spreads failing to consider transaction costs & brokerage.
๐ธBeing okay with high interest in margin trading & off setting it by a lower interest of bank F.D aka - 2 mental accounts.
Safe money & Risk money for SAME money.
14/22
Personal favourite : Mental Heuristics.
We reach conclusions by Trial & Error usually leading us to develop Thumb Rules which aren't always accurate.
Identify the principles underlying these thumb rules & the ERRORS. associated.
The book then discusses various heuristics.
15/22
Investing is a game of patience.
But Keynes is often quoted - " In the long run we are all dead" to justify our speculative urges.
We try to time the markets.
Sometimes we go RIGHT & MAKE a quick buck.
Many times we DON'T & LOSE HEAVILY.
16/22
The book talks on how Mutual Funds TALK about Long Term investment strategy but most often ONLY look to TIME MARKETS & fund managers being forced to act in a way NON CONFIRMING with basic investment principles owing to competition.
It's all a circle which repeats as human nature is predictable.
Understanding the psychology of market participants helps.
A video of Parag Sir on this.
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18/22
The book then talks about :
1) Create Reinforcing Loop 2) Bubble Swells 3) Bubble at its peak 4) Bubble Pricked 5) Bubble Bursts
I couldn't help but nod for most part of reading this !! ๐๐คท๐ปโโ๏ธ
Sharing just the illustrations here.
19/22
Ultimately the Bubble bursts and we realise it only AFTERWARDS.
We pay heavily for our greed.
The govt orders the regulators to conduct an inquiry , and we all know what happens later ..........
:))
Investors must understand the workings & anomalies here.
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20/22
We need to change our paradigm.
Passion should drive us , not Greed or Fear.
Learn the Money game.
HARNESS THE POWER OF MONEY.
Understand Asset & Liability Cash Flow patterns.
What differenciates middle class from wealthy is the lack of financial literacy.
21/22
Moving onto Why stocks?
๐ธEither keep cash in bank F.D which doesn't beat even inflation & erode money.
๐ธOr take SOME risk & invest money sensibly in assets that have a reasonable chance of increasing value over time & become FI.
Choice is yours !
Choose wisely.๐๐
22/22
To sum it all up.
Read this deceptively simple book.
Watch the old videos of late Parag Sir , the founder of @PPFAS on YouTube channel & also their current videos.
* Look at long term volatility of Cash Flows ( assuming Financial Statements paint a fair picture )
* Check if business generates Free Cash Flow ( FCF). This ensures company is unlikely to be wiped out at the bottom of the cycle.
3/20
๐ธManagement Integrity matters.
You notice good governance only when it is gone !
Hence unless one has demonstrable proof on a long term basis that people are honest , consider them to be crooks .
Cynical approach but helps save us from losses !
2/25
Invest in yourself. Read.
Self educate. Think in isolation !
Everything in life can teach you when you possess the right mindset.
Read across a wide spectrum,for the scenes change but the behaviours & outcomes don't.
Few young adults asked me ways to improve focus.
Sharing what I follow.
To begin with :
* Turn off all gadgets
* Sit in a room & read hard copies of books / newspapers
* Primarily try to focus & absorb the content
* Read aloud if necessary
2/5
* First read with an intention of consuming content . Read slowly
* Gradually shift to reflecting upon it
* Then memorising points
* Finally writing takeaways
* Don't use mobile / laptop for reading when developing attention span . Mostly they are counter productive !
3/5
* It takes time to develop focus.
Won't happen overnight , especially given the addiction to mobile & social media.
So begin consciously & slowly !
* Gradually increase reading speed & time & retention
* Switch to kindle only when comfortable level of focus is reached
Few of my takeaways ( with random 2 min doodles).
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Firstly,
What is Zen ?
#Zen is a Japanese word that is derived from the Sanskrit word Dhyana meaning "Meditation" .
2/21
Zen is a journey of exploration & a way of living that , in and of itself doesn't belong to any one religion or tradition as such.
Zen doesn't teach. It merely
points, enabling us to wake up & become aware.
Ever noticed how zen stories rarely have predefined morals? ๐ค
3/21
The zen of doing anything is doing it with a concentration of mind , a calmness & simplicity of mind, that brings the experience of enlightenment and, through that experience , happiness.
It could be something as mundane as sweeping or peeling potatoes !