I’m 26 and just recently started taking investing seriously on my own, and I’m feeling a mix of excitement and regret that I’m trying to process.
I do have a 401k through work, so it’s not like I had zero exposure to investing. But if I’m being honest, I never really felt like I was investing for myself. I just contributed, picked a default option, and didn’t think about it much.
Over the past couple of weeks, I finally built a real budget, automated my savings, opened a Roth IRA, and started consistently investing outside of my job. For the first time, I actually feel in control of my money instead of just letting things happen. That part feels really good.
At the same time, I keep catching myself looking backward. I see certain stocks or ETFs with massive long-term returns and my brain immediately goes to “I had money back then, why didn’t I invest on my own?” I know logically that hindsight is 20/20 and that I couldn’t have known what would take off, but emotionally it still feels like FOMO mixed with being hard on myself for not starting sooner.
I guess I’m posting because I want to hear from people who’ve been through this phase. Did you feel regret or second-guessing when you started taking investing seriously outside of a 401k? How did you stop comparing where you are now to what could have been and just focus on building forward?
I’m committed to staying consistent and playing the long game. I just don’t want hindsight regret to mess with something positive I’m finally building.
26, finally investing on my own, and trying to let go of hindsight regret
byu/LonelyUse9306 instocks
Posted by LonelyUse9306
7 Comments
I’m 29 in the same boat, past is what it is take the right steps moving forward I started six months sgo
I started doing this on my own right before liberation day, I still have the same feelings…somedays not so much but it’s there…I’m 52 so my urgency is sky high to get it right. This is what I keep telling myself over and over. Knowledge is power and money follows. Set up alerts from cnbc, yahoo, X, etc in case you haven’t already. Find a discord group as well, ideas and feedback are priceless. The more you know the better choices you can make. It’s not easy. I actually don’t think that regret I feel will ever truly fade, but for me that’s fire to keep going. I have to win, I don’t have any other choice, I’m limited on time. Just remember one thing youngster ALWAYS MAX YOUR ROTH EVERY YEAR no excuses !!!!
Tax free gains for life. Don’t do a traditional Ira it’s bullshit. And kudos to you for taking control of your financial freedom! This shit ain’t easy…
There will always, always, always be bets you didn’t make and that would’ve paid off, not only in stocks, but in life, relationships, careers, everything.
Your #1 strategy should be to have a Plan. Make a solid plan that takes few inputs, isn’t complicated, and has risk appropriate to what you are comfortable with/how much you are investing. Execute your plan, evaluate, modify, and repeat. Do this, and remove worry or doubt from the equation.
Lastly, you can’t change the past and your life phase was way different. Know that just by doing this investing now you’re ahead of like 95% of the populace, so relax. Go outside, make love to a suitable mate, and life is more than your bank account.
I’m in my late 30s and started last year. You’re gonna be just fine, so will I (because I’m self employed as of last year and can max employee+employer 401k yearly contributions). I don’t feel regret at all, I’ve done and lived more during the best years of my life than most people will in their entire lives. But time to think about the future a bit more if I don’t wanna work forever. And tomorrow is not guaranteed, you could save everything, barely live, dreaming of retirement, only to drop dead before you get to do the things you really want to.
I was the exact same age when I started investing. Never had any mentor to advise me and I was too lazy and dumb to look it up. I had $50k in a checking account in 2023ish when I started moving it around to invest. Lost out on a lot of gains but it is what it is. I come from an immigrant family who didn’t have anything in their 40s.
Here’s some perspective that might help: most Americans live paycheck to paycheck
Almost everyone feels that regret when they finally start paying attention. Best move is what you’re already doing: focus on consistency, not missed chances. You’re early enough that future-you will be glad you started now