How to find your own investment opportunities to win

If you are new to investment like me, you probably don’t know where to start. My suggestion for those people is to make yourself involved in the subject as much as possible. For example, I started with focusing on my education. I took education as my first step because I knew there was no such thing as ’safe investment’. As far as I understand, every investment has risk. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. If you cannot afford losing a single cent, you shouldn’t be investing. Keeping your money in the bank might be your only option. The problem is, the money in the bank won’t grow much. Even worse, the buying power of the same amount of money can weaken because of inflation. You might be able to buy a can of coke for $2 today, but the same $2 might not be enough to buy a can of coke in 10 years. So it is wise to prepare for the future by more proactive approach. Instead of finding out the weak buying power of money in the bank when I retire, I’m prepared to take risks now while I’m still young enough to work and have time to prepare for the future. I will probably lose some but I’m willing to win bigger to cover my loss (and hopefully make profits). I figured that the best protection you can give yourself to minimize loss is the knowledge from education. The education can be done by:

• Reading books
• Listening to Audiotapes and CDs
• Attending educational seminars, workshops and conferences
• Reading newspapers and magazines
• Subscribe to journals, blogs
• Talking with investors, real estate agents, stock and business brokers
• Taking with financial planners
• Joining a study club
• Researching on the internet
• Watch news on TV
• Subscribe to newsletters
• Bringing the topic whenever possible and asking questions

As you educate yourself, imagine how you would apply what you learned in the real life. In that way you train your brain to work for you when opportunities come up. And always keep your eyes open and look for possible opportunities. Driving around the town, asking family and friends about investment,,, you never know where the bargain is waiting for you. I had some pleasant surprises to find opportunities by just talking about investment to people around me. If you education yourself now, you will be confident to take immediate action for a sudden opportunity like that before it goes away. Bear in mind that the same opportunity might not come again for a long time.

Do you trust your instinct?

When I see an opportunity, I trust my instinct, my gut feeling. After all, it’s my life. I want to control it by myself. Don’t get manipulated by people around you. There are some people who *LOVE* to advise you on what you should do and what you shouldn’t do. If they tell you what to do, ask them if they have invested or are investing in what they are talking about. Very often, they have no investment experiences. If they do have experience, ask the reasons behind their advices. You might find a lesson or two to apply when you make your own decision. And don’t forget to be skeptical when you are talking to a sales person (i.e. real estate agents), their primary goal is to sell something to you, not your profits. You don’t have to believe everything they say. What they say a good deal aren’t always your good deal. Do your homework and make your own decision.

Today’s last tip:
It is always hard to take the first step. But that’s the most important step for the better future. Don’t be afraid to take it. Things will get easier.