Kiplinger

The Practical Investor Packs It In

When I first saw the Disney movie The Little Mermaid, I was captured by a line uttered by the villainous sea witch, who taunted the heroine to give up her prized possession (her voice) in exchange for the legs she yearned for. "Life's full of tough choices, isn't it?" she said.

I recently found myself at just such a crossroads. I love writing . We launched this column in 2011 as an experiment in whether a buy-and-hold investor (me) could meet or beat the performance of the market by buying individual stocks. The answer: no. Since inception, I'm way behind the market, despite performing better in most years. My undoing: 2015, when my portfolio lost 20% and the market held steady.

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Kiplinger

Kiplinger5 min read
As the Market Falls, New Retirees Need a Plan
Anyone newly retired or nearly so must feel like they have the worst timing in the world. A portfolio tends to be largest near retirement, just before those savings are about to be drawn down. These days, however, most portfolios have lost value; the
Kiplinger2 min read
Tax-Savvy Charitable Giving With QCDs Can Benefit Both Giver and Receiver
Plenty of retirees like to give back to their communities through charitable donations, but questions often arise over the best way to do that. What approach is efficient, provides the tax benefits you’re after, and also is advantageous for the chari
Kiplinger3 min read
I’ve Inherited a Lot of Money. Now What?
It’s no surprise that many people who inherit millions of dollars are uncertain about what to do with their newfound wealth. The possibilities of becoming a multimillionaire overnight can be overwhelming, especially during a period when most are grie

Related Books & Audiobooks