Pretending to be an investor? Grow up!

When it comes to investing, adults confuse "make-believe" and reality all the time.

Don’t you think it’s time we grow up a little?

Here are 6 ways to tell the difference between real and pretend investors to help get started.

1. Pretend investors think that financial pornography is real, and therefore, the news ticker scrolling across the television screen represents actionable information.

2. Pretend investors think it makes perfect sense to change their investments based on what they hear in the news: There’s a new president, so act! He doesn’t like the Federal Reserve, so trade! He criticized bankers, so buy bank stocks!

3. Pretend investors think they need to monitor their investments all the time. (The little supercomputer they carry around in their pockets makes it so easy!)

4. Pretend investors talk about their investments—a lot. They say things like, “I’m long this, or short that.” They use jargon that often does not make sense, though it sounds kind of impressive if you don’t listen too closely...

...Sometimes they cheer for things like increased consumer spending, higher unemployment, or in some cases, even war.

5. Pretend investors worry endlessly about the news in some far-off part of the world and the impact that news will have on their portfolio.

6. Pretend investors complain endlessly about volatility in the markets, and focus on days.

Look, if it feels like I’m getting in your face a little, it’s because I am.

But I’m doing it for you!

Jumping off the roof because you think you can fly can have disastrous consequences… it just so happens, so can throwing around your money because you think you know how to invest.

If any of the six items above sound like you… you may want to think about what it means to be a real investor.

Or just jump off that roof, and see what happens.

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P.S....I know, I know...the Sun is a star.