A simple concept to better mental health.

I used to buy and collect comic books when I was a student, believing the shopkeeper that they make good investments. 

See? 

Another example of AK's foolishness as a youth.

After a year or so, my collection filled up two small boxes. 







Till today, I still have no idea how much they might be worth or how to dispose of them for a profit. 

They could be worth next to nothing and the only value they could have is one of entertainment whenever I take them out for a browse. 

An exotic "investment" indeed.

Of course, it is not as exotic as investing in fine vintage wines, for example. 

That is big money and I have read horror stories of people losing large sums of money in wine investments. 






Anyway, I digress but if you should be interested, here is a story I read before:

"...historically fraudsters have capitalised on people's ignorance of the wine market to offer substandard products or – because of the delay between ordering and delivery – simply taken money without securing the product in return."
Source: Investors lose millions in fine wine schemes.





One of the things I have been doing more is visiting the public library near my parents' home. 

I really like the comics section although it is rather small. 

Although the selection is more limited and the comics are not "fresh", I have been out of touch for more than two decades and whatever is available is fresh enough for me.

Here is a pic of a comic book I borrowed recently:

In it, the wizard, Alben, said:

"Nothing really belongs to us... Things come and go... Just like life itself which lasts a mere moment, disappears and is born again..."

Being more inclined towards Buddhism, this resonates with me. 





Reminding ourselves that nothing is permanent, we will love people who love us more while becoming more detached to everything else.

Being more conscious of impermanence could improve our mental health.

Learn not to be too affected by the price movements in the stock market, for example. (wink)




Related posts:
1. Three point turn.
2. Counting our blessings.
3. Be comfortable with being invested.

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A letter from a 24-year-old fresh grad.

About a month ago, I published a very bracing email from a 66 year old retiree. The email affirmed that I have done good with my blogging efforts and I felt very much encouraged.

Of course, there are people, including eminent bloggers, who have been quite outspoken that my emphasis on investing in S-REITs in the last few years is only suitable for people who are older because they probably require a consistent income stream as they near or are in retirement.

My own stand has been and still is that what we invest in depends on our motivations for being invested. There is certainly nothing wrong with the young investing for income if that should be their inclination.

Today, I received an email from a 24 year old who has freshly graduated from the university.  He gave permission for me to publish his email which shows how pleased he is to be investing for income.

Hi Ak,

 

I've been a really avid fan of your site. I'm a 24-yr old fresh grad, who started investing 3 years ago.

 

When i first started, I read your blog with much interest, but great apprehension, because I didn't know much about investing early on.

 

After building a core portfolio, centering on S-Reits, my investing journey has been nothing but awesome.

 

First REIT is my best performing investment, and I would not have even bothered to look at it, if it weren't for your perspective.

 

In fact, my 3 year annualised gains for my entire portfolio is 22.67% per year! (In most part, thanks to you!)

 

So from the bottom of my heart, I sincerely thank you for all the good work that you have done, and for all the time and effort for crafting such good analysis and entries. :)

Sincerely,

ZZ

 

There isn't a holy book that everyone has to follow to invest in the stock market as far as I am concerned. There is more than one road to Rome and because others walk a different path from us does not mean that they are walking through rubbish.

 

There is room for diversity in this world and if a road takes us to where we want to go, it is in the right direction. Of course, we must first be clear on where we want to go and that is something we have to decide for ourselves.

 

Related posts:

1. A letter from a 66-year-old retiree.

2. Wealth creation in the stock market.

3. Market gyrations, my portfolio and a sabbatical.