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Hello, I'm Suen Tan, business correspondent at The Straits Times. You're listening to Head Start on Record,
Suen Tan 00:00:17 - 00:00:23
our newly revamped podcast series by The Straits Times that gives you a leg up in money and career matters.
Suen Tan 00:00:26 - 00:00:29
Today, we are going to talk about investing as an undergraduate.
Suen Tan 00:00:33 - 00:01:27
Finance literacy experts keep saying, start early. But how early is early enough? Can an undergraduate without a full-time job start investing with just $100 a month? And if they choose that path, what should they look out for? Universities here even have clubs that help undergraduates to start investing. Over at NTU, the Investment Interactive Club helps to link students to the finance community and hone their practical investing skills. It was founded in 1999 and now has over 5,000 members. With us, we have a professor who spent 30 years in finance before turning to academia full-time in 2023. He is associate professor of finance, Matthew Dirth from NTU. We also have NTU undergrad and budding investor, Victor Tan, aged 20. He started investing at 18 and aims to be a financial analyst when he graduates. Welcome to the show.
Victor Tan 00:01:27 - 00:01:29
Thanks for having us. Thanks for having me.
Suen Tan 00:01:29 - 00:01:34
Great. So Victor, how do you start investing and why do you decide to begin while in uni?
Victor Tan 00:01:35 - 00:02:28
Sure. I actually started investing when I was 18. Without much financial knowledge and experience at the time, I was actually inspired after reading a book titled Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki, which really educated me of the importance of really building assets from a young age. So I initially invested $500 back when I was 18 years old, hoping to benefit from the compounding effect as soon as possible. So I actually consulted some friends and dove into resources like Investopedia and YouTube to learn about different types of securities and their characteristics, which I eventually decided to invest in funds. So how I invest is that I actually visited a local bank and learned about the products available. I chose mutual funds because I thought that having a professional managing my funds would be safer given my lack of experience. And I was lucky enough to meet a clerk who was helpful enough to guide me to the right products. Right.
Suen Tan 00:02:28 - 00:02:32
Okay. So you started with $500 a month. How much do you put in now a month?
Victor Tan 00:02:32 - 00:02:35
So right now I actually invest $400 a month. Okay.
Suen Tan 00:02:36 - 00:02:40
Wow. And have you? Have you changed your portfolio in any way since then? Right.
Victor Tan 00:02:40 - 00:03:15
So back then I actually only invest in like mutual funds. So right now I actually invest through the Moomoo app. So how I adjusted my portfolio is I actually started to invest in money market funds. It's a type of fund targeted at the money market. Although I feel that the return of money market is relatively low, but I decided to do that because I believe that having some returns while I continue to learn more advanced financial knowledge will be better. And also the other half of my portfolio, I actually invested in the Moomoo app. It's actually being invested at mutual funds targeted at tech stocks in the US, which I personally have interest in and I have done my research in it. Wow.
Suen Tan 00:03:15 - 00:03:17
Okay. So you diversify even so.
Victor Tan 00:03:17 - 00:03:19
Yes, that's right. That's right. Okay.
Suen Tan 00:03:19 - 00:03:27
And for Prof Matt, do you actually see more younger people investing these days? Because 18 years old is so soon, right? So early to start.
Matthew Dirth 00:03:27 - 00:04:45
It is. It is very early. But I mean, if you go back to when I was growing up in the US a long time ago, the world was very different. It was very hard to get information. It was very hard to get information on anything related to investing. So you'd have to get to the back of the newspaper. It would be a really daunting column of, you know, all the little numbers and you didn't know what anything meant. So the people that I knew that got into investing early and in university, so some people did at that time, they tended to have a family member who was in the business. That was usually the way that people started. But if you fast forward to today, I think it's a lot easier for people to start as we just heard from Victor. The access to information is orders of magnitude easier, better, broader than it was before. And we've got a lot of new technology and tools that are available. So I'd say, you know, whereas before it was harder to get information, now it's easier. Before it was expensive to trade. Now it's cheap or free, right? And you have things like Robinhood in the US. You have the robo-advisors that have come up. I'm sure we'll talk about those. You have crypto, you know, there are tons of things out there that are, I think, a little bit more accessible and of interest to younger investors.
Suen Tan 00:04:46 - 00:04:56
Yes, right. That's so true, right? Like with online, social media, there's just so much information that's out there. But do you think that there is an ideal age or recommended age that people should start investing?
Matthew Dirth 00:04:56 - 00:04:57
As early as possible.
Suen Tan 00:04:58 - 00:04:58
Wow.
Matthew Dirth 00:04:58 - 00:05:12
Honestly, just as early as possible. And Victor said it. Take advantage of the compounding effect. Albert Einstein actually was the one who described compound interest as the eighth wonder of the world.
Suen Tan 00:05:12 - 00:05:14
Well, I did not know that.
Matthew Dirth 00:05:14 - 00:05:52
So, you know, when you let your money keep generating returns, income, and it compounds through time, it's a magical thing. It's very powerful. So to be able to start early makes a huge, huge difference. The other reason why I'd say start early is because it's a magical thing. Because if you're going to make mistakes as you get started, make them with small amounts of money, right? It's better to do something dumb when you're not risking, you know, a lot of money that you've been saving up as a mid-career professional, right? So I think the combination of those two things makes me say, get started as soon as you can.
Suen Tan 00:05:53 - 00:06:03
Well, thank you for that. And for Victor, you are from an NTU investing club. So are your peers also investing? And how does this club help undergrads to start putting their money into something?
Victor Tan 00:06:04 - 00:07:11
Okay. So basically, I'm from the Investment Interactive Club from NTU. So how we help general investors is that we actually have educational sessions conducted weekly. So one of the sessions is usually for beginner investors who we will teach about basic economic and investing concepts, whereas the other is for more advanced investors, which we will teach about like valuation methods. So I believe these two types of courses, they help different types of investors based on their experience level. So. My peers in the club are actually, everyone is basically investing, but I will say that everyone has their favorite securities to invest in. So what I know, right, is actually most of my peers, they actually started to invest in fixed deposit because that is allegedly the safest security that you can invest in. While even some experienced peers are even trading stocks since a young age. So yeah, I agree with Prof. Matt, as he mentioned that investors are generally getting younger as a lot of information and also a lot of organizations are working. Hard to really instill financial literacy among the youth generation. So yeah, that really sums it up. Right.
Suen Tan 00:07:11 - 00:07:16
So when you started investing at 18, were your peers also at that age already thinking of investing or was it just you?
Victor Tan 00:07:17 - 00:07:35
I would say my peers during when I was 18 years old, we actually did not have much knowledge about what kind of securities are there to offer. We only know about the conventional bank fixed deposits. So I guess I'm quite early to really interact with this kind of new securities. These are bonds, stocks. And all these products. So yeah.
Suen Tan 00:07:36 - 00:07:43
Right. Okay. And for the NTU Investing Club, are there other activities that you do besides teaching people to invest? Like for example, business networking?
Victor Tan 00:07:44 - 00:08:27
Right. So for our educational events, we actually offer networking sessions with industry professionals. Not only that, we also hold like five financial events which targeted the entire community of Singapore. So we actually have five financial events, namely the National Cash Flow Competition, Singapore. Singapore Financial Conference, Alternative Investment Symposium, the Eurasian Asset Management Challenge, and also the Singapore Global Money Week. In essence, all these financial events, we aim to instill financial literacy among all generations in Singapore. And we actually work with government agencies, external companies, and also NTU clubs with the same goal to really further educate financial literacy.
Suen Tan 00:08:28 - 00:08:35
And just curious, Victor, because since you started investing at 18, like did your parents know about it at that time? Or did they have anything to say?
Victor Tan 00:08:35 - 00:09:09
My parents were actually quite conservative about investing because back at that time, I would say they only know about securities like fixed deposit. They would assume that there's the best securities to invest in. But I insist on my ground because I believe that, as Prof. Matt mentioned, the compounding effect is one of the magic of... Yes. So yeah, I insist on my ground that I just like convince them that it is a thing that I should do since a young age. And I pretty much just show them like what are the available skills. And just clarify their doubts on like maybe the risk that they assume in investing in like all these securities.
Suen Tan 00:09:09 - 00:09:33
Yeah, I think that is quite an interesting thing as well, right? Like different takes that different generations have on investing. Like now, maybe it is so accepted that we can start when we are 18 to 20. But for our parents' generation, maybe they would be 30 and they still would not be starting. So I think, Prof. Matt, this is also a question for you, which is that for young people who have not started full-time work, especially, what sort of products can they start investing in?
Matthew Dirth 00:09:33 - 00:11:24
Yeah, it is a great question. And it is interesting, Victor, to hear you say that you kind of started out with fixed deposits because I do believe that when you are starting out young, you have got time on your side. And that magic of compounding is really the incredible force that you are trying to benefit from. So what I... This is personal, like dad speak, you know, as I am talking to my 20-something-year-old boys, telling them that they should invest in the stock markets, broadly speaking. And they should probably invest through funds. You highlighted, Victor, that you are investing through funds. So these could be mutual funds or exchange-traded funds or ETFs. And, you know, honestly, I think the best thing to do is to use a robo-advisor. That is the advice that I have given my kids. And one of them took me up on it and he takes, you know, 15% of his monthly allowance and it automatically just rolls into his robo-account. And it goes into a portfolio of different ETFs. Representing different types of stocks, different segments of the market. And that portfolio construction used to be very expensive to get in terms of advice. You had to go through a financial advisor. And now it is free, essentially. I mean, you know, you just sign up for one of these and you can put as little as $10, $20, $50 a month into one of these accounts. So that is my advice. And I think that the temptation, if you will, to invest in individual stocks, trade some crypto, all that kind of stuff, it is not that it is wrong. But I think if what you are trying to do is really build long-term wealth, you need to build a foundation. And that is where I see a diversified portfolio of exposure to the equity markets through something like a robo to be a very effective way to start. Right.
Suen Tan 00:11:24 - 00:11:36
This goes really nicely into our next question, which is, you know, how do you describe your risk appetite, Victor? And then for Prof as well. Like, what is your risk appetite? What sort of risk do you think people should take on at this young age? Or how much should they even put in a month?
Victor Tan 00:11:37 - 00:12:16
So I actually consider myself as having a moderate risk appetite because I personally feel that I am not worried about like short-term price volatility in my assets. But I definitely will not invest in any securities without conducting thorough research myself. Hence, I will not defend myself as an aggressive investor in that sense. However, I believe like with my further course and modules in my university, and also I have taken personal courses. My risk appetite may become more aggressive in the future. So hence, with the increase with the financial knowledge, I'm confident that I will be more confident investing in riskier securities that may be stocks or commodities on securities like this.
Matthew Dirth 00:12:16 - 00:12:59
So I guess the question I'd throw back to you is, you know, how do you think you're going to beat the market? Right. So you're competing in the market is this amazing information exchange where all sorts of professionals and individuals are competing at this. And you're competing at the same time, essentially, to have the kind of the right outlook for security, if you will. And in my experience, consulting with professional investment managers, the very best of them are right about 60% of the time. That's it. So I always I always ask my students, so why do you think you're going to be great at picking individual stocks? Right. So I don't know if you've thought about it that way before, but. Okay. Right.
Victor Tan 00:12:59 - 00:13:31
So my investment goal. It's really not to beat the market, but rather I will say that my goal is really to take the same around average return as the market itself, because there are actually some broad indexes that you can go for. Maybe like the S&P 500, Dow Jones and all these. And in order to beat the market, you really have to be very skilled and which a lot of funds and a lot of asset managers also sometimes hard to beat the market. So personally, as a retail investor, as an amateur investor, I will say I personally do not aim to beat the market. Yeah.
Matthew Dirth 00:13:31 - 00:14:15
I think that's very, that's very wise because it's very hard to beat the market. When we read the financial news, we'll always read about some guy who, you know, ran a fund for 20 years and he beat the market every year for 20 years. Statistically, that is likely to happen because there are thousands and thousands of professional money managers. So if you just think about a getting a little, you know, kind of academic here, but imagine that there's a distribution curve of returns from the people that are really, really, really, really terrible losing all their money on the left to somebody on the right who's been able to beat the market every year for 20 years. We only hear about the right tail. We don't hear about the left of people who are just terrible at it.
Suen Tan 00:14:15 - 00:14:16
That's so true. Right.
Matthew Dirth 00:14:16 - 00:16:04
There's a wonderful book that I would recommend to your listeners called Fooled by Randomness. And the author is Nassim Taleb. He also wrote The Black Swan, which is probably as a concept better known, but Fooled by Randomness walks through some of these concepts. And I think it's absolutely a critical book for people to start out by understanding that a lot of what we think in the market is skill is actually kind of luck, right? And being able to disentangle luck and what happens in the market from what your true investment skill is, most professional investment managers don't actually know that as well as they might like to. And individuals would have a really hard time understanding. Was my success? Was my success driven by luck or skill? I don't know. So with that in mind, then thinking about, well, how are you going to invest and how are you like, how much money are you going to put in and things like that? It's kind of humbling, right? It's like, should I really think that I'm going to be this awesome investor? And so should I risk a lot of money? You know, I always say just, you know, start investing just to start investing, because now you've got money in the game, right? Now you're watching. Right. You're learning, you're incentivized to pay attention. And then over time, especially if you start out with something like, you know, robo advisors and a diversified portfolio of stocks and maybe some bond funds in there, that sort of thing, you know, then you can layer in some of the single stocks if you really like that. Right. And go into some of the riskier instruments, too. But to just jump right into picking single stocks and then going in and putting it all on crypto or something, I mean, it's like that's that's. There are going to be people who are successful with that, but it's probably more luck than skill.
Suen Tan 00:16:05 - 00:16:12
Okay. So we've talked a lot about the do's and don'ts of investing as a first timer, but what are the top investment mistakes that you have made?
Victor Tan 00:16:12 - 00:17:03
Okay. So I will say one of my biggest mistake is sometimes I feel myself as being a too conservative investor in times where, like, I have enough understanding on the market and maybe some companies, but I do not have the confidence to really invest in it because I've been a bit too conservative. I thought that it will be actually very risky. I might lose my money. So, yeah, for example, during the starting of this year, there's actually an AI trend that's very high right now. So back in January, I was actually very motivated to research into this market, but eventually I only invest like half of my portfolio in it because I really thought that it couldn't sustain longer. But yeah, as we know that all of these tech stocks are actually quite high in value now. So I will say my biggest failure was that I've been talking about the do's and don'ts, but I've been talking about the do's and don'ts for a while now. And I didn't have the courage to really invest a huge money in it.
Suen Tan 00:17:03 - 00:17:07
And for Prof. Matt, I think you have had many more years of investing experience.
Matthew Dirth 00:17:08 - 00:19:56
Time in the market gives me lots of mistakes to talk about. I'll highlight two because they're very different mistakes. One was probably in about 2000, I'm going to guess 2006 or 2007. I was talking to some folks in the business and we were looking at a little stock. It was an ADR. So it was a foreign stock that traded in the US. It was a Peruvian oil and gas exploration company. And the speculation was that they were starting a drilling routine offshore and they were going to find deep water oil. Okay. So I put, I don't know, not a lot of money, you know, $10,000 or something like that to be able to have some exposure to this thing and it didn't work. Now, what you should do if you go into a trade with a very specific objective is if it doesn't work, you sell it, right? Unless there's a new reason, new information, why you should continue to own the stock. I owned the stock even though the reason why I owned it was gone and wrong. And ultimately it went to zero. It literally delisted and I lost every penny. So that was the first mistake. That's a. Single stock kind of mistake. The second mistake that I would highlight is I think it was during the global financial crisis. I sold a bunch of stuff because I was getting really worried about the market. And so I had a lot of cash in my account. And I said, okay, I need to go, you know, have some cash here just in case. Right. And for a little while, it looked like it worked. The problem is I never put the money back in the market. And so then the market rebounds, recovers, it keeps going. And I'm just sitting there with all this cash. And then the market keeps going, ah, it's too late. I can't put the money back to work now. And then it keeps going. Right. And so I should have taken a bunch of money and like tripled it coming out of this volatility. Um, but I didn't. So knowing that if you have a reason to get out of the market, my learning loss, I think, I'm going to take a lesson out of that is write down somewhere what it would take for you to get back into the market. And that way you can go, you take the emotion out of it and you can just go back and refer to it and say, when I made this decision, this is what I thought I was going to do. And so then you're not relying on, you know, kind of your emotional state when it gets there to say, oh, yep, I said I was going to do this. So now let me go do it. And I would have made a lot more money as a result. Right.
Suen Tan 00:19:56 - 00:20:01
So it's more like setting the clear goals and targets, right? So you're not just ruled by your panic or your emotions.
Matthew Dirth 00:20:01 - 00:20:24
That was an emotional trade. Well, it was probably 50-50 emotional and thought behind it. But then to put the money back into the market, then I got lost in the emotions and I couldn't make the reinvestment decision nearly as effectively as I should have. So two very different kinds of mistakes. I got lots more. That's what happens when you spend time in the market. You will make mistakes.
Suen Tan 00:20:25 - 00:20:44
Right. Yeah. And I think that's an issue as well, right? Because on social media, they always recommend picking individual stocks and there are all these different, for example, the US tech stocks that people recommend as your first investment and people just go into that without really doing research. So, I mean, Victor, is that something that you have seen your peers do or is that something that you would ever do yourself?
Victor Tan 00:20:45 - 00:21:23
No, I actually don't observe this situation among my peers. Because I think what we have been believing is that we do not know what is the true intention of the content creators while making the investment recommendations. I mean, some, they could be doing the recommendations for publicity purposes, but I do believe that some are really for educational purposes. But I think in general, it's important for investors, especially for beginners, investors to really look into the reasonings of the content creator and make some research and determine whether their advice are true or beneficial to you.
Suen Tan 00:21:23 - 00:21:42
That's very wise, actually. Yes. Yeah. And for yourself, I mean, I think you mentioned like speaking to actual professionals and people who are investing professionally and speaking to fund managers as well, right? But where else do you get your knowledge from? Do you read, for example, analyst reports or, you know, how do you make sure that you stay on top of the market? Right.
Victor Tan 00:21:42 - 00:22:06
So, basically, I have a group of friends where we will actually take turns to read the market news and we will make a market roundup reports by ourselves, by weekly. So, we will take shifts to do that. Great. So, we will read through each other's work because sometimes you may not be free in some weeks. So, in that case, it's a good opportunity for us to really look through what is going on in the market every week in a consistent basis. Wow.
Suen Tan 00:22:06 - 00:22:09
So, you do your own homework that you assign to yourself? Yes.
Victor Tan 00:22:09 - 00:22:11
That's right. That's right. Okay.
Suen Tan 00:22:11 - 00:22:37
I'm really impressed. Yeah. Because I think this also happens, right? Which is people like to react impulsively or emotionally, especially if they are first time investor. I think in the last few weeks, we have seen like some market shocks and things happening that could have wiped. Most people like US equities, for example, if that's what their portfolio is heavily weighted in. So, how do you like kind of train yourself, Victor, so that you are not afraid or you don't panic and make impulsive decisions? Right.
Victor Tan 00:22:37 - 00:23:29
As you mentioned, for the last few weeks, it was really rough for a lot of investors. Yes, definitely. I actually got pretty anxious during that time. Yes. But eventually, I actually just sat down and reflected on the market trends. Then I just thought that it should be only a short-term volatility. Yes. So, all I believe is that you do not time the market, but what we should do is really let the time be your friend and just use the compound benefit because in the long term, the investment is definitely going to go up in value as what statistics has shown. So, yeah. I mean, how do I train myself to do this is that just sit down and just reflect on what is the current market trends and think back initially, why do you chose to invest in this? Because the reason you invest in this probably has gone through a lot of research and homework by yourself. So, you should stand on the ground and not let your emotions control you.
Suen Tan 00:23:29 - 00:24:01
Right. So, it's really just the age-old advice of taking a step back, having a cup of tea and deciding that life is okay. Okay. And for ProfMed as well, because we know that, especially uni undergrads, they're not full-time traders, right? And you were mentioning that it's very hard because even professionals don't always get it right. So, what sort of options are accessible to them in terms of where they can get their knowledge from? I think we've heard from Victor for some of the things that they do as business. Yes. School students. But I guess for the general mass of students, where would they actually go to for advice if it's not TikTok and social media?
Matthew Dirth 00:24:01 - 00:26:15
It's a great question. And one, I'm like, hey, boomer, it's a little hard for me to answer to a certain extent because these guys are so much younger and we didn't have any of these kinds of resources like Reddit groups and any of that when I was growing up. That said, if what you are going to do is try to build from a very stable base, if you're young, you should be getting equity exposure, not fixed deposits. You can afford more risk. You mentioned compounding again, like the expression is you want time in the market, not timing the market, right? Most of us are terrible at market timing. We panic and all of that. So, if you've kind of set yourself up to have something kind of go in an automated way, you're getting, you know, kind of consistent exposure to equity markets, you have time to do a little reading. You have time to do some homework. Don't look at the value of your portfolio every day, right? I have an app for my portfolio. I haven't opened it in months, right? Because I know that when I set it up, I set it up well to carry me through choppy markets, right? So, I don't have to look at it. So, what can you do? Where can you get your information when you're young and you're trying to learn? You know, I think that there are going to be some good basic books or websites like an Investopedia is a good one where you can learn about concepts like diversification of portfolios, compounding, dollar cost averaging as a way of putting new money to work, things like that. So, I think it's really kind of about stepping away from the social media sources. Again, it's hard to assess quality. It's hard to know what the motivations are behind the people that are making these and go to where you can see, you know, this is something that appears to be relatively professionally done. And just read. Be a sponge, right? As much as you can, if you're excited about it, that's where I'd start. If you're not excited about it, right, you don't really get energy from trying to think, oh, I'm going to pick the next Nvidia, then actually just do the basics. Just save, put the money in the market, and let time work. You don't have to be an expert. You don't have to try to beat the market.
Suen Tan 00:26:15 - 00:26:19
Right. Because things like robo-portfolios, they can just balance it for you. Exactly.
Matthew Dirth 00:26:20 - 00:26:23
Yeah. So, for me, that's where I would tell my kids to go.
Suen Tan 00:26:23 - 00:26:38
That's really good advice, actually. Yeah. Especially now when there's just so much information floating everywhere, right? Yeah. Yeah. So, for Victor, I think we've talked a lot about your investment journey. What lessons do you think you've learned and how do you think they can apply, you know, even in your future career, for example?
Victor Tan 00:26:39 - 00:27:01
Right. As mentioned, the rough markets have actually made me a bit anxious. So, I guess the most important lesson that I learned was that I should not let any emotions control myself, my actions, especially during investing and in my career. So, I think this lesson is really important. This lesson will definitely be useful in my future career and, you know, investing in general, as I believe discipline is what sets one apart from others.
Suen Tan 00:27:02 - 00:27:10
Okay. And what are your investment goals? Like, do you think of what you are investing towards, like a BTO or a car or even, you know, just a really big holiday?
Victor Tan 00:27:10 - 00:27:36
Okay. So, my investment goal is really to retire at a younger age. Oh, okay. So, basically, my thought process is that I hope to acquire enough assets that could generate, like, sufficient cash flow for me in the future. So, to the extent that I face less financial pressure in my career. So, I do not really think investment as an avenue for me to retire entirely, but rather to just reduce my financial pressure and just enjoy life in general.
Suen Tan 00:27:37 - 00:27:43
Wow. Okay. So, you're thinking of retirement age 20. That is very, very wise, I think. Yes, agreed.
Matthew Dirth 00:27:43 - 00:27:43
Yeah.
Suen Tan 00:27:44 - 00:27:58
So, I think, Prof, the last question for you is what skills or mindsets do you think are important when people get into investing? I think you've spoken about the practical things they should and shouldn't do. But in terms of, like, mindsets or even, you know, analytical skills, for example, what do you think is important? Yeah.
Matthew Dirth 00:27:58 - 00:29:54
I think from a mindset perspective, it's that desire to start small and learn. You got to start with this as a learning journey, right? So, that first step, you know, every journey of a thousand miles, right? So, if you start with a good first step, that gives you time to learn. And then be curious, right? Go out there and learn as much as you can. Read a lot. Again, I personally would say, you know, a lot of the stuff on social media is probably not where I would go for your fundamental understanding of investing. But at the same time, you know, where do you go and what kind of mindset do you bring? You know, don't freak out. Markets go up. Markets go down. You know, I remember I was 20 in 1990. We'd just come through, you know, the 87 crash. We were in a recession. Is that a good time to invest? Not a good time. You know, I started investing as soon as I graduated and had any income. Then, you know, dot-com bubble burst, you know, and if you look at where the stock market was at that point in time, people freaked out. The market's so much higher than that. Working at a hedge fund while the Lehman Brothers and the whole global financial crisis unfolds, the market's so much higher than that. So, just give it some space. Don't look at your portfolio every day. Recognize that there's a lot to learn. And don't think that it's all on you to be the most skilled investor in the world. You won't be. It's just, you know, that's the honest truth. You probably won't be. There's one Warren Buffett in this universe. His name is Warren Buffett. It could easily be somebody else in a parallel universe. It's probably not going to be you. But that doesn't mean that you can't do well for yourself by kind of being patient. And being thoughtful as you start your investing journey.
Suen Tan 00:29:55 - 00:30:05
Thank you. Well, that's a wrap for this first episode of Head Start on Record. Thank you, Prof. Matt and Victor, for your insights. It was a pleasure to have both of you on our show.
Matthew Dirth 00:30:06 - 00:30:07
Thanks for having us. Thank you.
Suen Tan 00:30:07 - 00:30:29
I'm Suen Tan. You can email us your thoughts on this issue or suggest another question you'd like to see me tackle next time on the show. You can also reach out to me on LinkedIn. And if you'd like to read my articles and the Head Start newsletter, all these links are in our podcast show notes. This podcast episode is edited by Amirul Karim. Stay tuned then. Thanks for listening.
Victor Tan 00:30:34 - 00:30:57
Send your feedback to podcast at sph.com.sg. Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or within our Straits Times app. Thanks for listening. Do note, all analyses, opinions, recommendations, and other information in this podcast are for general information only. We love to listen.
Victor Tan 00:31:00 - 00:31:20
If you have any questions or activities that we may need help with, Bye for now. Thanks for listening. Bye-bye. Bye-bye. Take care. Take care.
Victor Tan 00:31:46 - 00:31:49
of SPH Media.
AI Content
This podcast episode discusses the topic of investing as an undergraduate. The key points covered are:
Victor Tan, a 20-year-old NTU undergraduate, started investing at the age of 18 with an initial investment of $500. He was inspired by the book "Rich Dad Poor Dad" and wanted to take advantage of the compounding effect of investing early.
Victor initially invested in mutual funds through a local bank, as he lacked investment experience at the time. He has since diversified his portfolio, investing in money market funds and US tech-focused mutual funds through the Moomoo app.
Prof. Matthew Dirth, an associate professor of finance at NTU, believes that the earlier one starts investing, the better, as it allows them to take advantage of the power of compounding. He encourages young investors to start with a diversified portfolio, such as through robo-advisors, which provide access to a range of ETFs at a low cost.
The NTU Investment Interactive Club, which Victor is a part of, helps educate undergraduate investors through weekly sessions on basic economic and investing concepts, as well as more advanced topics. The club also organizes various financial events to promote financial literacy among the community.
Victor's parents were initially conservative about his decision to invest at 18, but he was able to convince them by explaining the benefits of starting early and the importance of compounding. He considers himself a moderate risk-taker and aims to achieve average market returns rather than trying to beat the market.
Both Victor and Prof. Dirth emphasize the importance of discipline, patience, and avoiding emotional decision-making when investing. They caution against the temptation to invest in individual stocks or speculative assets without proper research and understanding.
Prof. Dirth shares his own investment mistakes, such as holding on to a losing stock and failing to reinvest after the global financial crisis, highlighting the importance of having a clear investment plan and sticking to it.
Victor's investment goal is to retire at a younger age by building a portfolio that can generate sufficient cash flow to reduce his financial pressure in the future. He believes that the lessons he has learned from investing will also be valuable in his future career.
Overall, the podcast emphasizes the benefits of starting to invest early, the importance of building a diversified portfolio, and the need for discipline, patience, and a long-term mindset when it comes to investing, especially for young investors.
"Investing 101: Victor Tan's Journey from $500 to Financial Freedom"
"Compounding Confidence: Why Young Investors Should Start Early"
"From Books to Brokers: The Influence of 'Rich Dad Poor Dad' on Young Investors"
"Diversification Decoded: Building a Balanced Portfolio with Victor Tan"
"Navigating the Financial Frontier: Insights from Prof. Matthew Dirth"
"The Power of Patience: Discipline in Investing for Undergraduates"
"Financial Literacy on Campus: The Role of the NTU Investment Interactive Club"
"Learning from Mistakes: Investment Lessons from Prof. Dirth's Journey"
"The Future of Investing: How Young Minds Can Change the Game"
"Retire Young: Victor's Vision for Financial Independence Through Smart Investing
In this episode of Head Start on Record, we explore the topic of investing as an undergraduate. Our guests include Victor Tan, a 20-year-old NTU student who started investing at 18, and Professor Matthew Dirth, a finance expert who spent 30 years in the industry before transitioning to academia.
We discuss the benefits of starting to invest early, the various investment options available to undergraduates, and the importance of developing the right mindset and discipline when it comes to investing. Victor shares his personal journey, including the challenges he faced in convincing his parents and the lessons he's learned along the way.
Professor Dirth provides valuable insights on the accessibility of investment information and tools today compared to the past, as well as the common mistakes young investors tend to make. He emphasizes the importance of building a diversified portfolio and managing one's risk appetite, rather than trying to beat the market.
Throughout the conversation, we explore the role of university investment clubs, such as the one Victor is a part of at NTU, in fostering financial literacy and practical investing skills among undergraduates. The episode offers a comprehensive look at the opportunities and considerations for young people who are interested in starting their investment journey.
Podcast Episode: Investing as an Undergraduate: Insights from Victor Tan and Prof. Matthew Dirth
In this enlightening episode, we delve into the world of investing from the perspective of young investors. Join us as we speak with Victor Tan, a 20-year-old undergraduate at NTU who embarked on his investment journey at just 18 years old. Inspired by Robert Kiyosaki’s classic book Rich Dad Poor Dad, Victor shares how he began with an initial investment of $500 and the motivation behind his desire to harness the power of compounding from an early age.
Victor's initial foray into investing involved mutual funds through a local bank, a prudent choice given his limited experience. However, as he grew wiser, he diversified his portfolio, exploring money market funds and US tech-focused mutual funds using the Moomoo app. We also hear insights from Prof. Matthew Dirth, an associate professor of finance at NTU, who reinforces the idea that early investment is crucial for maximizing compounding benefits. He advocates for young investors to consider diversified portfolios—especially utilizing robo-advisors that offer a range of ETFs at a low cost.
The conversation shifts to the valuable role of the NTU Investment Interactive Club, which Victor is passionately involved in. He discusses how the club fosters financial literacy by educating students on both basic economic concepts and advanced investment strategies. With topics ranging from risk management to emotional decision-making, both Victor and Prof. Dirth emphasize the need for discipline and the importance of avoiding impulsive investment choices.
Victor's journey has not been without its challenges, especially when it came to gaining his parents' support for his investment endeavors. He reflects on how he managed to persuade them by highlighting the long-term benefits of starting early. Furthermore, Prof. Dirth candidly shares his own investment missteps, underscoring the significance of having a clear investment plan and the persistence required to stick to it over time.
Lastly, we explore Victor's ambitious goal of early retirement, driven by a desire to create a sustainable portfolio that generates cash flow and alleviates future financial stress. He articulates how the lessons learned through investing are not only beneficial for financial growth but also serve as invaluable skills in his academic and future professional life.
Tune in for an insightful discussion that champions the virtues of early investing, the necessity of a diversified approach, and the importance of cultivating a mindset geared towards long-term success. Whether you're an undergraduate just starting or someone seeking to understand the fundamentals of investing, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiring stories!
Here is a timestamped overview of the recording:
00:00:02-00:00:04 - This is a podcast by The Straits Times.
00:00:08-00:00:15 - Introduction by Suen Tan, business correspondent at The Straits Times.
00:00:17-00:00:23 - Overview of the newly revamped podcast series "Head Start on Record" by The Straits Times.
00:00:26-00:00:29 - Today's topic: Investing as an undergraduate.
00:00:33-00:01:27 - Discussion on the importance of starting to invest early, the role of university investment clubs, and the guests introduced - Professor Matthew Dirth from NTU and undergraduate investor Victor Tan.
00:01:27-00:01:29 - Victor Tan thanks for the invitation.
00:01:29-00:01:34 - Suen Tan asks Victor how he started investing and why he decided to begin while in university.
00:01:35-00:02:28 - Victor Tan shares his investment journey, starting with $500 at age 18 after reading "Rich Dad Poor Dad" and learning about different securities through resources like Investopedia and YouTube.
00:02:28-00:02:32 - Suen Tan asks how much Victor invests now per month.
00:02:32-00:02:35 - Victor Tan currently invests $400 per month.
00:02:36-00:02:40 - Suen Tan asks if Victor has changed his portfolio since starting.
00:02:40-00:03:15 - Victor Tan explains how he has diversified his portfolio, investing in money market funds and mutual funds focused on US tech stocks.
00:03:15-00:03:17 - Suen Tan notes that Victor has diversified his portfolio.
00:03:19-00:03:27 - Suen Tan asks Professor Dirth if he sees more younger people investing these days.
00:03:27-00:04:45 - Professor Dirth discusses how access to information and investment tools has become much easier for younger investors compared to the past, making it more accessible to start investing at a younger age.
00:04:46-00:04:56 - Suen Tan asks if there is an ideal or recommended age to start investing.
00:04:56-00:04:57 - Professor Dirth recommends starting as early as possible.
00:04:58-00:05:12 - Professor Dirth explains the power of compound interest and why starting early is crucial.
00:05:12-00:05:14 - Suen Tan expresses surprise at the fact that Albert Einstein described compound interest as the eighth wonder of the world.
00:05:14-00:05:52 - Professor Dirth further elaborates on the benefits of starting to invest early, including the ability to make mistakes with smaller amounts of money.
00:05:53-00:06:03 - Suen Tan asks Victor about the NTU Investing Club and how it helps undergraduates start investing.
00:06:04-00:07:11 - Victor Tan explains the educational sessions and events organized by the NTU Investing Club, which cater to both beginner and more advanced investors, and how the club aims to promote financial literacy among the youth.
00:07:11-00:07:16 - Suen Tan asks if Victor's peers were also investing at age 18 or if he was an early adopter.
00:07:17-00:07:35 - Victor Tan shares that his peers at the time were mostly familiar with conventional bank fixed deposits and had limited knowledge about other investment options.
00:07:36-00:07:43 - Suen Tan inquires about other activities the NTU Investing Club engages in besides educational sessions.
00:07:44-00:08:27 - Victor Tan outlines the various financial events and competitions organized by the club, aimed at promoting financial literacy across different generations in Singapore.
00:08:28-00:08:35 - Suen Tan asks if Victor's parents were supportive of his decision to start investing at 18.
00:08:35-00:09:09 - Victor Tan explains how he had to convince his conservative parents about the benefits of starting to invest at a young age and the importance of the compounding effect.
00:09:09-00:09:33 - Suen Tan discusses the different perspectives on investing between younger and older generations.
00:09:33-00:11:24 - Professor Dirth recommends that young people without full-time jobs should consider investing in diversified portfolios through mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), or robo-advisors, which provide affordable and accessible investment options.
00:11:24-00:11:36 - Suen Tan transitions to the topic of risk appetite and how much young investors should put into investments.
00:11:37-00:12:16 - Victor Tan describes his risk appetite as moderate, stating that he is not worried about short-term price volatility but conducts thorough research before investing.
00:12:16-00:12:59 - Professor Dirth emphasizes the difficulty of consistently beating the market and the importance of understanding the limitations of one's investment skills, especially as a young investor.
00:12:59-00:13:31 - Victor Tan clarifies that his investment goal is not to beat the market but to achieve average market returns, as he believes it is challenging for a retail investor to consistently outperform the market.
00:13:31-00:14:15 - Professor Dirth further elaborates on the challenges of distinguishing between luck and skill in investment performance, and the importance of maintaining a humble and disciplined approach.
00:14:15-00:14:16 - Suen Tan agrees with Professor Dirth's point.
00:14:16-00:16:04 - Professor Dirth recommends the book "Fooled by Randomness" by Nassim Taleb, which discusses the role of luck and randomness in investment outcomes, and the importance of understanding one's own limitations as an investor.
00:16:05-00:16:12 - Suen Tan asks Victor and Professor Dirth about the top investment mistakes they have made.
00:16:12-00:17:03 - Victor Tan shares that one of his biggest mistakes was being too conservative in his investments, particularly in the AI sector, due to a lack of confidence, which resulted in him missing out on potential gains.
00:17:03-00:17:07 - Suen Tan acknowledges that Professor Dirth has had more years of investing experience.
00:17:08-00:19:56 - Professor Dirth shares two investment mistakes he has made: holding on to a losing stock position due to a lack of discipline, and failing to reinvest cash back into the market during the global financial crisis, missing out on the subsequent market recovery.
00:19:56-00:20:01 - Suen Tan notes that Professor Dirth's mistakes highlight the importance of setting clear goals and targets to avoid being ruled by emotions.
00:20:01-00:20:24 - Professor Dirth emphasizes that making mistakes is a natural part of the investment journey and that it is important to learn from them.
00:20:25-00:20:44 - Suen Tan discusses the prevalence of social media investment recommendations and the potential risks for young investors.
00:20:45-00:21:23 - Victor Tan shares that he and his peers are cautious about blindly following investment recommendations from social media, as they understand the importance of researching the reasoning and motivations behind the content creators.
00:21:23-00:21:42 - Suen Tan asks Victor about the sources he uses to stay informed and make investment decisions.
00:21:42-00:22:06 - Victor Tan explains that he and his friends take turns reading market news and creating bi-weekly market roundup reports to stay up-to-date and share insights.
00:22:06-00:22:09 - Suen Tan expresses her impression of Victor's self-assigned homework.
00:22:09-00:22:11 - Victor Tan confirms that this is the approach he and his friends take.
00:22:11-00:22:37 - Suen Tan discusses the importance of not making impulsive or emotional decisions, especially during market volatility, and asks how Victor trains himself to maintain discipline.
00:22:37-00:23:29 - Victor Tan explains that he reflects on market trends and his initial investment rationale to avoid letting emotions control his decisions, emphasizing the importance of a long-term perspective and the compounding effect.
00:23:29-00:24:01 - Suen Tan summarizes Victor's approach of taking a step back and maintaining a calm, disciplined mindset during market fluctuations.
00:24:01-00:26:15 - Professor Dirth provides recommendations for young investors on where to find reliable information and resources, emphasizing the importance of building a stable, diversified portfolio and not trying to time the market or beat it, but rather focusing on consistent, long-term exposure to equity markets.
00:26:15-00:26:19 - Suen Tan notes that robo-portfolios can help balance investments for young investors.
00:26:20-00:26:23 - Professor Dirth agrees that robo-portfolios can be a good option.
00:26:23-00:26:38 - Suen Tan asks Victor what key lessons he has learned from his investment journey and how they might apply to his future career.
00:26:39-00:27:01 - Victor Tan shares that the most important lesson he has learned is to not let emotions control his actions, as he believes discipline is crucial in both investing and his future career.
00:27:02-00:27:10 - Suen Tan asks about Victor's investment goals and what he is working towards.
00:27:10-00:27:36 - Victor Tan explains that his goal is to retire at a younger age by building up sufficient assets to generate cash flow and reduce financial pressure in his career, allowing him to enjoy life.
00:27:37-00:27:43 - Suen Tan expresses her approval of Victor's forward-thinking investment goals.
00:27:44-00:27:58 - Suen Tan asks Professor Dirth what skills or mindsets he believes are important for young investors to develop.
00:27:58-00:29:54 - Professor Dirth emphasizes the importance of starting small, being curious and willing to learn, maintaining patience and discipline, and recognizing the limitations of one's investment skills, rather than trying to be the "most skilled investor in the world."
00:29:55-00:30:05 - Suen Tan concludes the episode and thanks the guests for their insights.
00:30:06-00:30:07 - Professor Dirth and Victor Tan thank Suen Tan for the opportunity.
00:30:07-00:30:29 - Suen Tan provides information on how listeners can reach out with feedback or suggestions for future episodes.
00:30:34-00:30:57 - Victor Tan provides additional information on how listeners can connect with the podcast.
00:31:00-00:31:20 - Victor Tan and Suen Tan conclude the episode and thank the listeners.
00:31:46-00:31:49 - Victor Tan identifies this as a production of SPH Media.
The topics covered in the text are:
Introduction to the Podcast- The Straits Times podcast "Head Start on Record"- Suen Tan, the business correspondent, introduces the podcast
Investing as an Undergraduate- The importance of starting to invest early- Investing with just $100 a month as an undergraduate- University investment clubs, such as the Investment Interactive Club at NTU
Victor Tan's Investment Journey- Started investing at 18 years old- Initial investment of $500- Current investment of $400 per month- Diversification of portfolio (mutual funds, money market funds, tech stocks)- Convincing parents about the importance of early investing
Professor Matthew Dirth's Perspective- Easier access to investment information and tools today compared to the past- Importance of starting to invest as early as possible- Advantages of making mistakes with small amounts of money when starting out- Advice on using robo-advisors and diversified portfolios for beginners
Investment Strategies and Mindsets- Importance of developing a moderate risk appetite and not aiming to beat the market- Lessons learned from investment mistakes (e.g., holding on to losing positions, missing market rebounds)- Developing a disciplined and unemotional approach to investing- Setting long-term investment goals (e.g., early retirement)
Sources of Investment Knowledge and Advice- Avoiding social media investment recommendations and focusing on reliable sources- Importance of self-education through books, websites, and investment clubs- Developing a curious and patient mindset when starting to invest
In this insightful episode of our podcast, we delve into the world of investing from the unique perspective of undergraduates, featuring the inspiring journey of Victor Tan, a 20-year-old student from NTU who took his first steps into the investment landscape at just 18. With an initial investment of $500, Victor reflects on how the bestselling book "Rich Dad Poor Dad" ignited his passion for investing and the crucial benefits of harnessing the power of compounding early in life. Join us as we explore Victor's evolving investment strategy, from his initial forays into mutual funds at a local bank to his current diversified approach using the Moomoo app, including money market funds and tech-focused mutual funds.
We are also joined by Professor Matthew Dirth, an associate professor of finance at NTU, who reinforces the notion that starting early is key to financial success. He shares valuable insights on building a diversified portfolio through innovative options like robo-advisors, which can offer young investors access to a range of low-cost ETFs. Together, Victor and Prof. Dirth emphasize the significance of discipline and patience in investing, offering practical advice for avoiding emotional pitfalls that can derail financial goals.
Listeners will learn about the supportive environment provided by the NTU Investment Interactive Club, where Victor actively engages in discussions on fundamental and advanced investment concepts. The club’s initiatives aim to promote financial literacy and empower fellow students to make informed investment choices. Victor candidly shares the challenges he faced, including initial skepticism from his parents, and how he turned their concerns into support by demonstrating the long-term advantages of investing.
As this episode unfolds, we highlight the importance of having a clear investment plan, learning from past mistakes, and the aspirations that drive young investors like Victor in their quest for financial independence. His goal to retire at a younger age with a robust portfolio serves as a reminder of the valuable lessons that investing imparts, not just for financial gain but also for personal and professional growth. Tune in to discover why starting your investment journey today could set you on the path to financial freedom tomorrow!
🧵1/8 🚀 Just listened to an eye-opening podcast episode about investing as an undergraduate featuring 20-year-old Victor Tan from NTU! 🎓💰 Here are some key takeaways that every young investor should consider: #Investing #FinancialLiteracy
2/8 📈 Victor started his investment journey at 18 with just $500, inspired by "Rich Dad Poor Dad." He recognized the power of compounding and wanted to start early. If you're a student, why not start now? #InvestEarly #Compounding
3/8 💡 Initially, Victor invested in mutual funds through a local bank. Now, he’s diversified his portfolio with money market funds and US tech-focused mutual funds on the Moomoo app. Diversification is key! #DiversifyYourPortfolio
4/8 🛠️ Professor Matthew Dirth from NTU emphasizes that the sooner you start investing, the better! He suggests beginning with a diversified portfolio, using robo-advisors for low-cost access to ETFs. Smart advice! #RoboAdvisors #ETFs
5/8 📚 Victor is a member of NTU’s Investment Interactive Club, which educates students on investing. They hold weekly sessions covering economic concepts and financial events. Surrounding yourself with knowledge is essential! #Networking #FinancialEducation
6/8 🧐 Initially, Victor's parents were wary of his investing at 18. But after explaining the benefits of starting early, they were on board! It’s all about communication & understanding the long-term vision. #FamilySupport #InvestSmart
7/8 🧘♂️ Discipline, patience, and research are vital! Both Victor and Prof. Dirth warn against emotional decision-making and chasing hot stocks. Have a clear investment plan and stick to it! #InvestmentDiscipline #StayTheCourse
8/8 🔮 Victor aims to retire early by building a portfolio that generates cash flow. The lessons he’s learning now will be invaluable for his career and future! 🌟 So, what are you waiting for? Start investing and building your future today! #FinancialFreedom #FutureInvestors
🔗 Listen to the full podcast to dive deeper into these insights! 🎧✨
As an entrepreneur and business influencer, here's a 30-second voiceover summary of the key points from the input text:
Starting to invest early can have a powerful compounding effect. Take the story of Victor Tan, a 20-year-old NTU undergraduate who began investing at 18 with just $500. By diversifying his portfolio and staying disciplined, he's on track to achieve his goal of retiring at a younger age.
The experts agree - the earlier you start investing, the better. But it's not just about timing. Building a diversified portfolio, avoiding emotional decision-making, and maintaining patience and a long-term mindset are crucial for young investors. With the right approach, you too can harness the power of compounding to secure your financial future.
What are the key benefits of starting to invest at a young age, as highlighted by Victor and Professor Dirth?
How does the NTU Investment Interactive Club help undergraduate students learn about investing and gain practical experience? What are some of the club's key initiatives?
Victor mentioned that his parents were initially conservative about his decision to start investing at 18. How can young investors convince their parents/guardians about the merits of early investing?
Professor Dirth emphasized the importance of diversification and using tools like robo-advisors for young, inexperienced investors. What are the advantages of these approaches compared to picking individual stocks?
Both Victor and Professor Dirth discussed the challenges of trying to "beat the market." What are some realistic investment goals that young investors should focus on instead?
What are some of the common investment mistakes that Victor and Professor Dirth have experienced or observed among young investors? How can these mistakes be avoided?
How does Victor stay informed about market trends and make investment decisions? What advice would you give to other young investors on building their knowledge and decision-making skills?
Professor Dirth mentioned the importance of having a clear investment plan and sticking to it, even during volatile market conditions. How can young investors develop and maintain this discipline?
What are the key mindsets and analytical skills that Professor Dirth believes are important for young investors to cultivate? How can these be developed over time?
Based on the discussion, what are the pros and cons of starting to invest while still in university, compared to waiting until after graduation and starting a full-time job?
🚀💰 Investing in Your Future: Why Starting Early Matters! 💰🚀
Imagine this: At just 18, Victor Tan, a 20-year-old undergraduate from NTU, took the plunge into the world of investing with a modest $500. Inspired by the classic "Rich Dad Poor Dad," he recognized the goldmine of the compounding effect—and he wasn't about to let that opportunity slip away.
Victor’s journey began with mutual funds through a local bank. A cautious start, but essential for building his knowledge. Fast forward to today, and he’s diversified into money market funds and US tech-focused mutual funds—all at his fingertips with the Moomoo app. 📈
Professor Matthew Dirth, an associate finance professor at NTU, couldn’t agree more. “Start young,” he urges, “and let the power of compounding do its magic!” He champions young investors to adopt a diversified portfolio strategy, encouraging the use of robo-advisors to keep costs low while accessing a variety of ETFs.
Victor didn't just dive in headfirst; he had to convince his conservative parents first. With clarity and passion, he shared the benefits of early investing. Moderate risk-taker? Absolutely. His goal? Achieve average market returns—no need to outsmart the market!
Both Victor and Prof. Dirth underscore crucial lessons in investing: discipline, patience, and steering clear of emotional decision-making. They reminisce about the common traps, like chasing individual stocks without proper research. Prof. Dirth recalls his own missteps—holding onto a losing stock and missing out on reinvestment opportunities post-crisis.
Victor’s mission? To retire younger, building a portfolio that generates cash flow and eases financial pressure. Each lesson learned today not only nourishes his investment journey but also enriches his future career.
So to all undergraduates and young professionals: Start investing NOW! The earlier you begin, the stronger your financial future will be.💪💼
Here's a compelling and informative email newsletter based on the provided context:
Subject Line: Start Investing Early: Unlock the Power of Compounding!
Header Image: A visually appealing image of a young person looking at a growing investment chart, with a caption "Grow Your Wealth with Time"
Welcome to Our Newsletter!
As an undergraduate, you're likely thinking about your future and how to set yourself up for financial success. In our latest podcast episode, we explored the topic of investing as an undergraduate, and we're excited to share the key takeaways with you.
Meet Victor Tan: The 20-Year-Old Investor
Victor, an NTU undergraduate, started investing at just 18 years old with an initial investment of $500. Inspired by the book "Rich Dad Poor Dad," he wanted to take advantage of the compounding effect of investing early. Victor's story is a great example of how anyone can start investing, regardless of age or experience.
Key Takeaways:
• Start early: The earlier you start investing, the better. Take advantage of the power of compounding to grow your wealth over time.
• Diversify your portfolio: Spread your investments across different asset classes, such as mutual funds, money market funds, and ETFs, to minimize risk.
• Be disciplined and patient: Avoid emotional decision-making and stick to your investment plan, even during market fluctuations.
• Educate yourself: Continuously learn about investing and personal finance to make informed decisions.
Insights from Prof. Matthew Dirth
Prof. Dirth, an associate professor of finance at NTU, emphasizes the importance of starting early and diversifying your portfolio. He recommends using robo-advisors, which provide access to a range of ETFs at a low cost.
The Importance of Financial Literacy
The NTU Investment Interactive Club, which Victor is a part of, helps educate undergraduate investors through weekly sessions and financial events. This community is a great resource for anyone looking to learn more about investing and personal finance.
Avoid Common Mistakes
Both Victor and Prof. Dirth caution against investing in individual stocks or speculative assets without proper research and understanding. They also emphasize the importance of having a clear investment plan and sticking to it.
Victor's Investment Goal
Victor's goal is to retire at a younger age by building a portfolio that can generate sufficient cash flow to reduce his financial pressure in the future. He believes that the lessons he has learned from investing will also be valuable in his future career.
What's Next?
If you're interested in learning more about investing and personal finance, we encourage you to:
• Listen to our podcast episode on investing as an undergraduate
• Join the NTU Investment Interactive Club or a similar community
• Start educating yourself on investing and personal finance
Stay Tuned!
We'll be sharing more insights and expert advice on investing and personal finance in our future newsletters. Stay tuned for more valuable content!
Best regards,
[Your Name]
P.S. Don't forget to follow us on social media for more updates and insights on investing and personal finance!
This newsletter aims to provide a clear and concise summary of the key points, ideas, and takeaways from the podcast episode. It includes contextual explanations and examples to enhance understanding, as well as visual elements to support the text. The tone is informative and engaging, with a focus on encouraging young investors to start early and make informed decisions.
Investing as an Undergraduate: A Journey into Building Wealth Early
Investing is often perceived as a complex and daunting task, particularly for those who are just beginning their financial journeys. However, as more young individuals embrace the idea of building wealth early on, discussions surrounding undergraduate investing become increasingly relevant. In this article, we will explore the insights shared by Victor Tan, a 20-year-old undergraduate at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), along with perspectives from Professor Matthew Dirth, who emphasize the importance of early investment, diversification, and cultivating a disciplined mindset.
The Genesis of an Investor: Victor Tan’s Story
Victor Tan began his investment journey at the tender age of 18, armed with a modest initial investment of $500. His foray into the world of finance was inspired by the book Rich Dad Poor Dad, which ignited in him a desire to harness the compounding effect of investing. The concept of compounding — where the returns generated on an investment earn additional returns — is often touted as a powerful tool for wealth accumulation, especially when leveraged early.
Initial Steps into Investing
As a novice investor, Victor initially placed his faith in mutual funds offered through a local bank. This choice was largely due to his lack of experience and understanding of the broader investment landscape. However, as he became more knowledgeable, he diversified his portfolio, expanding his investments to include money market funds and US tech-focused mutual funds through the Moomoo app. This evolution highlights the importance of continuous learning and adaptability in investment strategies, key elements for any aspiring investor.
The Wisdom of Experience: Insights from Prof. Matthew Dirth
Professor Matthew Dirth, an associate professor of finance at NTU, underscores the advantages of starting to invest early. According to him, the earlier one begins their investment journey, the greater the potential benefits derived from the power of compounding. He advocates for a diversified portfolio as a foundational strategy for young investors. A practical way to achieve diversification is through the use of robo-advisors, which provide access to a variety of Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) at a low cost, making investing more accessible to undergraduates.
Financial Education and Community Engagement
Victor’s involvement with the NTU Investment Interactive Club is a testament to the importance of financial education among peers. The club not only educates its members on basic economic principles and investing concepts but also delves into more complex topics during their weekly sessions. Financial literacy is crucial in fostering a community of informed investors who can navigate the market effectively. The club also organizes various financial events aimed at promoting financial literacy throughout the campus and beyond, creating a culture of informed investing.
Overcoming Parental Concerns: Convincing the Skeptics
Interestingly, Victor faced initial resistance from his parents regarding his decision to invest. Their conservative outlook on financial markets reflected a common apprehension that many parents have when it comes to their children engaging with investments at a young age. However, Victor's ability to articulate the benefits of early investing and the significance of compounding ultimately swayed their opinion. This highlights the importance of knowledge and effective communication in overcoming skepticism surrounding investment decisions.
The Importance of Risk Management
As a self-described moderate risk-taker, Victor’s strategy is to aim for average market returns rather than pursuing the quest to outperform the market. This approach aligns with the advice from both Victor and Professor Dirth, who emphasize the virtues of discipline, patience, and rational decision-making in investing. In today’s fast-paced financial environment, it can be tempting to chase individual stocks or speculative assets based on market trends or social media buzz. However, both Victor and Professor Dirth caution against such impulsive behavior, encouraging a more methodical and research-driven approach to investment.
Learning from Mistakes: The Realities of Investing
Investment is not without its pitfalls, and Professor Dirth candidly shares his own experiences of missteps in the market. His reflections on holding onto a losing stock and the failure to reinvest during challenging times post-global financial crisis offer valuable lessons. These anecdotes underline the significance of having a well-defined investment plan and the necessity of sticking to it, even in the face of adversity. Learning from mistakes—whether personal or through the experiences of others—forms an essential part of any investor's journey.
Setting Long-Term Goals: Victor’s Vision for the Future
Victor’s investment aspirations are clear: he aims to retire at a younger age by developing a portfolio that generates sufficient cash flow, thereby alleviating future financial pressures. His journey thus far has imparted invaluable lessons that he believes will be beneficial in his career. Understanding the intricacies of markets, the psychological dimensions of investing, and the discipline required to maintain a long-term investment strategy are lessons that transcend the realm of finance and resonate in personal development.
Conclusion: The Case for Early Investing
The insights shared by Victor Tan and Professor Matthew Dirth encapsulate the many dimensions of investing as an undergraduate. Their experiences emphasize the critical importance of beginning to invest early, cultivating a diversified portfolio, and maintaining discipline and patience throughout the investment process. For young investors, the world of finance may appear daunting, but with the right knowledge, resources, and mindset, it can also be an arena of incredible opportunity.
Whether you are a student just embarking on your investment journey or a more seasoned individual looking to refine your strategy, the principles highlighted in this article serve as a valuable guide. By embracing the power of compounding, engaging in continuous learning, and setting clear long-term goals, you too can forge a path toward financial independence and success. Investing isn’t just about money; it’s about creating a future where you have the freedom to pursue your passions and live life on your terms. Start today, and reap the rewards tomorrow.
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