Avoiding Investment Mistakes

Intro

We like to think that we are logical, rational beings. We want to believe that we weigh the pros and cons of each decision and choose the most effective course of action before we act. However, when it comes to money, our brains haven't evolved much beyond those of our furry animal friends.

A recent survey indicates that an increasing number of high net worth investors are willing to pay for solid, unbiased, fee-only investment advice and financial planning, which is not surprising considering the challenges of today’s markets and economic environment.

““…inbred human propensities to swing from euphoria to fear and back again seem permanent… generations of experience do not appear to have tempered those propensities…”

–Alan Greenspan, Economist and former Chairman of The Federal Reserve

“Most of the time common stocks are subject to irrational and excessive price fluctuations in both directions as the consequence of the ingrained tendency of most people to speculate or gamble… to give way to hope, fear, and greed… The investor’s chief problem and even his worst enemy is likely to be himself.”