Guides / Common Investing Mistakes to Avoid

Common Investing Mistakes to Avoid

Updated October 2026 · Educational content, not advice

Most investing damage is self-inflicted. Avoid these and you are ahead of most people.

1. Panic selling in a downturn. Crashes are normal. Selling locks in losses.
2. Chasing performance. Last year's hot fund or sector often lags next.
3. Market timing. Missing a handful of the best days slashes returns, and they cluster near the worst days.
4. Paying high fees. See why low costs matter.
5. Over-complicating. Ten overlapping funds isn't more diversified than three broad ones.
6. Concentrating in employer stock or a few favorite companies.
7. Skipping the employer match.
8. Not having an emergency fund, forcing you to sell at bad times.
9. Checking your portfolio constantly. It feeds emotional decisions.
10. No written plan. Write an Investment Policy Statement and follow it.