What does it mean when someone says good investing is boring?

Introduction: The Counterintuitive Wisdom of Boring Investing

In the world of investing, there’s a common saying that often catches people off guard: “Good investing is boring.” At first glance, this statement might seem counterintuitive. After all, we’re bombarded with images of fast-paced trading floors, flashy stock tickers, and the allure of making a quick fortune. However, when someone says that good investing is boring, they’re tapping into a deeper truth about the nature of successful, long-term wealth building.

In this article, we’ll explore what it means when someone says “good investing is boring” and why this seemingly paradoxical advice is the key to achieving your financial goals. We’ll delve into the principles of boring investing, examine the evidence supporting this approach, and provide practical tips for embracing the power of simplicity in your investment strategy.

The Allure of Excitement and the Pitfalls of Active Trading

To understand why good investing is often boring, it’s essential to first recognize the psychological allure of excitement in the investment world. Many investors, especially those new to the market, are drawn to the thrill of active trading, the promise of quick profits, and the rush of adrenaline that comes with making bold moves. Media outlets and financial pundits often fuel this excitement by highlighting success stories of investors who made a fortune through well-timed trades or by picking the next big thing.

However, active trading and chasing hot stocks rarely lead to long-term success. In fact, studies have consistently shown that the vast majority of actively managed funds underperform their benchmark indexes over the long run. According to a report by S&P Dow Jones Indices, over 15 years ending in 2020, 94.6% of U.S. large-cap funds, 88.4% of U.S. mid-cap funds, and 90.6% of U.S. small-cap funds failed to beat their respective benchmarks.

The reasons for this underperformance are numerous, but they often boil down to the high costs associated with active trading, the difficulty of consistently timing the market, and the emotional pitfalls of letting greed and fear drive investment decisions. As legendary investor Warren Buffett once quipped, “The stock market is a device for transferring money from the impatient to the patient.”

The Power of Simplicity and Long-Term Thinking

So, if active trading and chasing excitement often lead to subpar results, what does it mean to embrace boring investing? At its core, boring investing is about simplicity, patience, and a long-term perspective. It’s about recognizing that slow and steady wins the race and that the most reliable path to wealth is often the least glamorous.

One of the key tenets of boring investing is the use of low-cost, broadly diversified index funds. Instead of trying to pick individual stocks or time the market, index investors aim to capture the returns of the entire market by holding a basket of securities that mirrors a particular benchmark, such as the S&P 500. By doing so, they minimize the costs associated with active management, reduce the risk of underperformance, and harness the power of compounding returns over time.

The evidence supporting the effectiveness of this approach is compelling. In a seminal study by Vanguard, researchers found that from 1926 to 2019, a simple 60/40 portfolio of U.S. stocks and bonds, rebalanced annually, would have turned a $1 investment into $10,937, representing an annualized return of 8.8%. While this might not sound as exciting as the latest hot stock tip, it’s a powerful demonstration of how consistent, disciplined investing can lead to substantial wealth creation over the long haul.

Behavioural Advantages of Boring Investing

Beyond the empirical evidence, boring investing also offers significant behavioural advantages. By embracing a simple, long-term approach, investors can avoid the emotional rollercoaster that often comes with active trading. They’re less likely to fall prey to the common pitfalls of investing, such as buying high and selling low, chasing past performance, or letting short-term market fluctuations dictate their strategy.

Moreover, boring investing can help cultivate patience and discipline, which are essential qualities for successful long-term wealth building. By focusing on the big picture and trusting in the power of compounding, investors can tune out the daily noise of the market and stay the course, even during periods of volatility or uncertainty.

As Morgan Housel, a renowned financial writer, explains in his book The Psychology of Money, “The more you want something to be true, the more likely you are to believe a story that overestimates the odds of it being true.” By embracing boring investing, you can avoid the siren song of exciting narratives and instead focus on the tried-and-true principles of long-term success.

Practical Tips for Embracing Boring Investing

If you’re convinced of the merits of boring investing but aren’t sure where to start, here are some practical tips to help you embrace this approach:

Develop a long-term investment plan that aligns with your goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon.
Focus on low-cost, broadly diversified index funds that provide exposure to a wide range of asset classes.
Automate your investments through regular contributions, such as setting up automatic transfers from your paycheck to your investment accounts.
Resist the temptation to constantly check your portfolio or make changes based on short-term market movements.
Rebalance your portfolio periodically to maintain your desired asset allocation, but avoid doing so too frequently.
Educate yourself on the principles of long-term investing and behavioural finance to help stay the course during market ups and downs.

Conclusion: Embracing the Beauty of Boring

In a world that often equates excitement with success, the idea that good investing is boring can be a tough pill to swallow. However, by understanding the wisdom behind this seemingly counterintuitive advice, you can position yourself for long-term financial success. By embracing simplicity, patience, and a long-term perspective, you can harness the power of compounding, minimize costs and risks, and avoid the emotional pitfalls that often derail investors.

So the next time someone tells you that good investing is boring, take it as a compliment. It means you’re on the right track to building lasting wealth and achieving your financial goals. As the famous quote often attributed to Paul Samuelson goes, “Investing should be more like watching paint dry or watching grass grow. If you want excitement, take $800 and go to Las Vegas.”