Missteps, mayhem, money mistakes, and other hard-earned lessons from my investing journey: Money Talks

When I first dipped my toes into investing, I had no idea what I was doing.

I wasn’t a financial expert, just someone trying to make sense of a confusing world full of charts and buzzwords.

I made mistakes (plenty of them), chased hype, ignored good advice and learnedsomelessonsthehardway.

That’s how Money Talks was born — not as a how-to guide from a pro, but as a real-time journal of my financial journey.

For over two years now, I’ve been documenting the ups, downs and in-betweens of investing. Every week, I share what worked, what didn’t and what I wish I’d known (or did) sooner.

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to fine-tune your strategy, you’re not alone. My hope is that by sharing my story, you’ll walk away with a little more clarity and confidence and maybe avoid a few of the potholes I hit along the way. Here are 10 missteps I made:

• Inaction/inactivity: Failing to take action and letting opportunities slip by can be just as costly as making the wrong moves.Ilearnedthisthehardway. Fear, procrastination and overthinking kept me on the sidelines while the stock market kept moving.
• Timing the market: I spent too much time trying to predict the perfect moment to buy or sell, only to end up with more misses than hits. In hindsight, consistency would have served me far better than chasing the “right time.”
• Not dollar-cost averaging: Skippingaregularinvestingschedule left me reacting to the market instead of sticking to a plan. Dollar-cost averaging brings peace of mind during volatility and helps avoid emotional, poorly timed decisions.
• Stock picking: Chasing hype stocks andbettingonthewrongcompaniescostmemorethanI’dliketoadmit. Picking winners isn’t easy — and it’s rarely consistent. I’ve learned that a diversified portfolio is a far safer (and saner) long-term strategy.
• Listening to outside noise: Getting caught up in headlines, hype and bad advice steered me off course more than once. I would’ve been better off tuning it out and doing my own research.
• Not having a freedom/emergency fund: I learned quickly that without a cash cushion, evensmallsetbackscanfeellikemajorcrises. Whenever a surprise expense arises, having a fund gives you breathing room.
• Consumed with consumerism: I used to spend freely on everything — from dating anddiningout tosubscriptions andsports — without a second thought. It left me with little to invest. While chasing the next purchase brought fleeting satisfaction, it pushed my long-term goals further away. Shifting my focus from spending to saving changed everything.
• Neglecting tax-advantaged accounts: Ignoring accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s means missing out on crucial tax benefits that can accelerate wealth-building. Prioritizing these accounts is one of the most efficient ways to grow your money while minimizing taxes.
• Not increasing income: Relying on just one income stream won’t get you far. To build lasting wealth, focus on increasing your earning potential, whether through career advancements, side hustles or developing new skills.
• Not maintaining sufficient cash reserves: Without extra cash on hand, I missed out on opportunities when the market dipped. Liquidity isn’t just for emergencies — it’s what lets you strike when the time is right.