Anyone here buy shares?

[SimonMac]

My vodafone shares are finally back up to what I paid for them...

I am back up to the levels before last months blip, forgot I had dividends to reinvest automatically so unwittingly topped up some CLIG today, I know I should stop looking at this every day but damnit I just can't help myself

[ELBBUBKUNPS]

My vodafone shares are finally back up to what I paid for them...

I paid 164 few years back, but on the flip side I bought ASOS at 3300 sold at 1991 , so overall now I've got the same £ as I invested initially 3 years back, I don't think I'm very good at it to be honest

[mudskipper]

I paid 164 few years back, but on the flip side I bought ASOS at 3300 sold at 1991 , so overall now I've got the same £ as I invested initially 3 years back, I don't think I'm very good at it to be honest

No, me neither. Been 'playing' with my ISA - made a few hundred quid on some, lost it on others.
SIPP is sensibly invested in managed funds and doing better. Think I might sell up and move to funds. Or just go mad and spend it!

[Dallas]

Just prompted me to take a look at my Yahoo Fantasy Trader portfolio; set up about 4 years ago following motley fool recommendations currently sitting at -17%

Meanwhile I pay a chickie to manage my real stuff that is +15% (currently) (Edit: and is likley screwing me in fees.)

Its all a gamble.

[SimonMac]

Just prompted me to take a look at my Yahoo Fantasy Trader portfolio; set up about 4 years ago following motley fool recommendations currently sitting at -17%

Meanwhile I pay a chickie to manage my real stuff that is +15% (currently) (Edit: and is likley screwing me in fees.)

Its all a gamble.

The biggest tip I can give is around fees, and that is don't tinker!

I get a flat fee of about £12 per trade so now don't trade anything under £1000, also means you foster a more long term approach to growth rather than cashing lots of small wins

[lukemg]

This thread has caused me to almost shed a tear in frustration.
I consider the proper investments to be the best way for me to generate a substantial fund which removes the need for me to work.
It's approaching a state where this is possible, certainly full time work is optional.
And without any of the requirements to put in additional time e.g. that property would.

I have made all the mistakes illustrated here and many more and people are their own worst enemies to success but I have one characteristic that has saved me despite all this.
When the market stumbles or crashes (I have been through dotcom, bank crisis etc) I hold my nerve and try to continue buying (everyone thinks they can but very few do) - automatic monthly purchase helps this.
Oh - and forget individual shares, you don't have a clue and cant compete with the market.
BUT do buy the market - I would urge you to consider something like the Vanguard lifestrategy 80 global fund, low cost, very wide spread.
Trust me on this, you will be delighted you did this in 10 years time, pound-cost averaging and compound interest are your friend and FFS don't sell up when it tanks NO MATTER WHAT.