1. STARTING LATE
Compounding over time is powerful. Making early investments, no matter how small, is critically important when it comes to investing success.
2. UNDERESTIMATING TIME
Ask any older person how quickly time passes. Don’t put off to tomorrow what you can start today.
3. OVERRREACTING
Those with long-term horizons who stay the course may weather the volatile markets this year.
4. UNDER-REACTING
“Buy and hold” should not apply to every investing decision. If your investments have poor long-term prospects or no longer fit your strategy, consider selling them.
5. INVESTING TOO AGGRESSIVELY
If you’re in or near retirement, you may not have the time to recover from down markets. Invest accordingly.
6. INVESTING TOO CONSERVATIVELY
With enough time you may overcome market downturns, so invest for growth when you have time.
7. PAYING TOO MUCH
High investment fees and charges detract from net earnings, so make sure your returns are worth the cost.
8. STAYING TOO LOYAL
Loyal employees may like to own their employers’ stocks, but too much of a good thing is a bad thing. Diversify.*
9. DUPLICATING EFFORTS
Know how target-date and balanced mutual funds** affect your asset allocation mix.
10. FOLLOWING THE HERD
Jumping late on a hot investment’s bandwagon can become a costly investing mistake.
11. TIMING THE MARKET
Even the professionals can’t do it, so don’t try.
12. AVOIDING HELP
Talk to a financial professional for help with your investing strategy.
*Diversification cannot eliminate the risk of investment losses. Past performance won’t guarantee future results. An investment in stocks or mutual funds can result in a loss of principal.
**Investors should read the prospectus and consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the fund before investing. Because mutual fund values fluctuate, redeemed shares may be worth more or less than their investment. Past performance won’t guarantee future results.