People Share The Investing Advice They Wish They Followed 20 Years Ago

When it comes to investing, mistakes can be costly. Many seasoned investors look back on their early years and wish they had made different choices.

Here are some reflections people posted on Reddit about the investing wisdom they wish they had followed 20 years ago. Learn from their regrets so you can get on the right track to build wealth.

The single most common regret among seasoned investors is waiting too long to begin. As RandyGareth puts it on Reddit, "I should've just started. Period."

They advise others to "start today, even if it's $20," adding that your "future you will thank you."

Small amounts invested consistently can grow exponentially over decades thanks to compounding. The key is to put your money to work now instead of waiting for a "perfect" time that never comes.

Impulse purchases can become missed opportunities for life-changing gains. Due-Freedom-5968 jokes on Reddit that "maybe buying Apple stock instead of beer would have been a good idea."

Redirecting even modest spending toward quality investments can help your money accumulate into substantial returns over time. Recognizing the long-term value of investing over spending is a habit that builds wealth one decision at a time.

Overconfidence and frequent trading can erode returns via fees and bad timing.

As Cute_Bandicoot_8219 confesses on Reddit, "I'm really, really dumb and need to never trade." Instead, they suggest buying, but not trading.

This is a reminder that patience often wins. Consistently buying and holding quality investments has historically outperformed most active-trading strategies.

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Discipline is easier when investing becomes automatic.

Heyhayheigh gives the following advice on Reddit: "Set to automatic weekly buy… Sell only when you have something urgent to pay for." They go on to say that "people make it more complicated than it needs to be."

Automation removes emotion from decision-making and ensures that you continue to make steady contributions. Over time, these regular investments can build a substantial portfolio.

Two decades ago, you often needed $1,000 or more just to open an account. Teachajim points out on Reddit that today, you can "start even with five or ten bucks."

Modern platforms make investing accessible to almost anyone, regardless of how much money they have to start.

Salt_Two6148 writes on Reddit: "I wish I'd known how important compound interest is and that starting early gives you the biggest advantage."

They add that not chasing trends "would've saved a lot of headaches" and that "slow and steady wins the race, not the latest hot stock."

The allure of trendy stocks or sectors is strong, but often costly.

Emotion moves markets as much as economics. martin-life-learner notes on Reddit.

They write that "the biggest challenge isn't picking the right stocks, but managing your own psychology," adding that you need to stick to a plan and not let emotions dictate decisions.

Fear, greed, and impatience can derail even the best portfolio. Controlling your mindset may be the most valuable investment skill of all.

Compound interest is the silent engine for building wealth, and starting early multiplies its effect.

Little_Payment5549 shares this real-life lesson on Reddit. They report that Twenty-two years of putting just $20 a month, as well as extra birthday money and bonus checks, into investments and letting the money sit has resulted in financial independence.

Incremental, disciplined investing can eventually mean "you don't need to worry about money again," Little_Payment5549 writes. It's a reminder that everyday habits sustained over decades can create enormous compounding power.

Delaying action is one of the most surprising financial mistakes you can make. Reddit user h33b says succinctly that the greatest lesson they wish they had followed 20 years ago was simply that "I really should start" investing right away.

Hesitation and waiting for perfect timing or more knowledge can result in missed years, or even decades, of growth.

Begin with what you know and adjust along the way. This helps you avoid missing out on the power of compounding.

When investors look back on their biggest regrets, the lessons they wish they had learned sooner are clear: be patient, stay consistent, and don't try to outsmart the market.

Small decisions, such as putting money aside instead of spending it and setting up automatic contributions, can add up in ways you might not notice at first.

Fidelity research has found that the portfolios that perform the best over decades often belong to people who barely touch them. Forgetting about your investments and letting them grow quietly over time can be one of the most powerful strategies for building wealth.

In other words, just start investing as soon as you can, and there is a good chance things will work out well.