Hi Sarvesh. Thanks for taking the time to send a detailed message. This has increased my conviction on how useful such a forum is for investors like me.
While I appear to be a novice, I have been investing for more than 10 years now but with much more limited funds. I have been through the last financial crisis, had the conviction to hold on to my stocks and sold in 2015 for more than double my investment which may only be a little better than bank interest. I am happy that I did not panic sell and loose my pants during the time although I regret not investing more (due to lack of funds). I also had to take out the money to invest in a house in 2015. During this time I have learnt the lesson of risks involved in equity investing. However I am still prone to mistakes retail investors make such as running after returns disregarding risks and buying and selling at wrong time while all I want to be is a long term passive investor who can beat the market both on upside and the downside with more than 15% return. This is where I am hoping my post in this forum would help me to fine tune my investment with the collective wisdom of other forum members.
Yes, I did ask for stock tips from strangers as it is becoming increasingly harder to find good stocks at decent valuations. I will also do my own due diligence before investing. For example a boarder mentioned ITC, Nestle which although great stocks I would not invest due to extremely rich valuations.
Also, about my risk profile, I have invested a little less than 20% of my personal worth in equity. I also hold real estate, debt fund, pension fund in mutual fund and gold like most other conservative investor. So I can afford to loose what I have put in equity in the worst case scenario which I hope does not happen.
I am averse to investing in mutual fund as they have their own risks who tend to take more risk to beat their competition and shave off a good percent of returns on fees. I am more comfortable managing my own money where possible.
You have mentioned to grow in my field in your post. For some reason, I have had a passion for equity investments for the last 12 years. I blame this (or attribute to depending on whether I succeed eventually) on Rich Dad Poor Dad and Warren Buffett. This is to the extent of changing my profession to finance after getting campus placed as a software engineer.
My aim is to achieve true financial stability with multiple sources of income rather than to merely follow most other middle class and achieve a single source of pension which may not be enough to cover emergencies. I believe merely investing in mutual fund who most of the times mimic the index funds with more than 50 stocks will not take me to financial stability.
I would be happier to have tried this, burnt my fingers, tried harder and at least partially succeed than to have not tried at all and invest in mutual fund.
I agree with you that equity investing is not for people who do not have time to dedicate and learn. I also agree with you that my portfolio is nowhere near perfect. I am committed to learn and grow in the investors community. Any pointers in this regard will be much appreciated such as book suggestions or stock screener tips.