20-Somethings Who Invest Learn Lessons Early

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Sorry but if you did not buying stocks during the past few months, you never will make it as a stock picker. This was the absolute best time to buy stocks and make unbelievable gains. My index fund has underperformed all my stocks during the past couple of months.

Mike of MA 12:24AM September 13, 2009

Johanna- if you end up investing in individual stocks, let us know how it goes! Personally, I stick to index funds because I don't want to take the risk or put time into research.

Kimberly Palmer of DC 11:09AM July 22, 2009

my Dad helped me set up a Vanguard account. Unfortunately, I wasn't paying enough attention throughout my early 20s, and I missed the opportunity to "buy low" in the wake of the tech bubble collapse (not that I had all *that* much money to invest during those years anyway). Lesson learned: Now I'm investing as much of my income as I can.
I've only ever invested in index funds and other broad, low-cost mutual funds. But I'm starting to wonder if I shouldn't try my hand at buying individual stocks. I used to subscribe to the argument that amateurs like me stand very little chance in a market dominated by experts (and therefore I'd be better off guaranteeing myself an average return). But if these are the same sort of "experts" who had *no idea* that housing prices couldn't sustainably increase by 20% every year? Maybe I can take 'em on.

Johanna of MD 12:47PM June 12, 2009

one could even make the argument that wise and early investments might pay off more than a college education---especially if college for that person is going to require a lot of debt up front.

Muser of NM 11:52AM June 12, 2009