I’m back! But in my case, I don’t just have “only one thing to say”… Actually, I have many, many, many things to say and share with everyone…
All in due time.
Unfortunately, due to unresolved matters and current circumstances (that are ongoing still), out of respect for other people who are traversing through the same shitstorm as myself presently (yes, I’ve been away due to investing related deals gone awry) and for my own sake, I will refrain from revealing too much information just yet…
You win some, you lose some… That’s reality and life…
When you strike out big, sometimes you just need time away from everything to reflect and re-assess…
Over the last two months, I’ve had a lot of time for reflection, and I’ve had many epiphanies… What I’ve gone through and am still going through, it’s stuff you would never wish upon even your worst of enemies…
Losing even a little bit of money sucks ass… Losing a lot of money, man, words can’t even begin to explain the devastation…
As I’ve always alluded to on this blog:
“Human psychology and emotions are such that losing $10,000 will sting, hurt, and leave a much more profound impact than say making $50,000… For some people, you could even argue that you need to profit $100,000 in a separate trade to compensate for a $10,000 loss…
In other words, the other side of the trade of losing $1 is needing to make $5 (or more) to offset the severe burn of striking out…”
For myself, losing money investing is all part of the game, and I’ve been very open and public with many of my losses in the past (particularly pertaining to mining stocks)…
From 9/13/17.
That’s not an issue for me at all…
What does rattle my cage, though, is when I’m losing money hand over fist and I feel completely powerless and unable to rectify the situation… To be more succinct — It’s knowing that you’re being fucked over and realizing that you have no way of getting yourself out of the mess in a timely manner… at a minimal loss…
Worst yet, having to throw “good money” after bad… knowing that this wretched (and rekt) ship is going down like the Titanic and cannot be saved…
In the investing game, we call these investments gone terribly wrong “money pits”…
If early FI is the name of the game and ultimate end prize, these money pits, or landmines (as I prefer to call them) can set back your progress a good 5, 10 years… or more…
Just the thought of these fuck ups has kept me up many sleepless nights…
I’m not out of the woods yet, which is why I’m being entirely too vague…
But I will say I genuinely appreciate all the wonderful support I’ve received along the way these past few months as I’ve had to endure my own personal hell…
One day (hopefully soon), when the time is right, I plan to reveal to the world everything that went on… Like always, I’ll give it to you all straight up, raw, and with no sugarcoating… I have never been shy/embarrassed/ashamed to admit my faults, limitations, and most importantly investment fuck ups…
I prefer telling the truth.
Trust me when I say this — Although I’ve had relative success with investing through the years, my biggest mistakes (and lessons learned from them) are so much more valuable and informative to you readers than anything else I post on here…
In any case, I’m about done reflecting… and I realize there’s really nothing more that I can do to better the situation… It is what it is…
It’s about time I got back to doing things that I love… and blogging is definitely at/near the top of my list.
In a world where too many people expect/demand perfection from imperfect people, I’ll be the first to admit to you all:
I am a very flawed individual who has made many terrible decisions in life that I later regretted… Striking out repeatedly isn’t going to deter me to quit and give up on life.
I’m back!
And will keep on pressing on… cuz “sky’s the limit!”
Besides, I’ve missed you all…
Photo Credit: Clutch.hk
Yay you’re back 😀
Sharon,
Yup and so are u! Tag team back again… haha
Cheers!
Good luck FiFighter
Time to go black to basics: lift read eat sleep well
Our mistakes are a gift from the Universe: no mistake, no growth
Take care
David
Lorko,
For sure, and that’s a great list of things to focus on in life.
Absolutely agree, although this huge mistake/burden is a drag right now, I know deep down that it’s happening for a reason and that’s to push me towards growth…
Life lessons (tuition) can be damn expensive at times, but it’s probably a good thing it’s happening to me so that I can spread the word later so nobody else ever has to walk down this same treacherous road that I did.
All the best!
Yay!!! You are back.. Hopefully now we will see more updates from you.
I have had profound impact of your preachings so really glad you are back. Waiting to learn again through your insightful articles…..Welcome back!!
FIRE_Inspired,
Yup, I’ve got a lot of things to say so look forward to updating regularly again.
Thanks for the warm welcome back! 🙂
Take care!
Welcome back Jay. Win or lose, don’t give up!
You’re my favorite blog, you always tell it like it is!
Joe,
Thanks for the support! Will definitely keep on going and not give up.
This tough situation is only going to make me better and stronger.
All the best!
I definitely know what it’s like to lose big, but I’m still a fighter. I had $300 million in my grasp slip away after slaving away for many years. Not something I can ever forget but I try to leave it in a corner now. One doesn’t come across $300 million every day though.
More recently, I’ve had 2 deals blow up that cost me mid 6 figures.
Whatever crap happens, it could always be a lot worse right? I figure I’ve lived a pretty full life so far.
Hey Jay,
It’s good to have you back and I’m sorry to hear about the troubles you’ve been going through. You’ve been a huge inspiration to me and I hope continue hearing from you…when you’re ready.
KP,
Thanks very much for the support! Life has its ups and downs and we just have to learn from our mistakes and avoid making the same ones again in the future.
I’m about ready to flip the script and get back to blogging and life. 🙂
Cheers!
Yay! We were worried about you!
Laurie,
Thanks for the concerns! I appreciate the support.
All the best!
welcome back! But can you actually provide any clue on what you’re talking about? It seems like perhaps a partnership in real estate went bad? Some hand would help us not make the same mistake or figure out what to look for before doing something.
Real estate is the only thing I can think about.
Sam,
You’re a very astute guy so I would never put it past you to connect the dots and figure out what is going on…
I’m being intentionally vague b/c the matter is still a work in progress and not fully resolved just yet… but you catch on quick and can deduce what is causing me all this anguish.
Cheers!
Welcome back Jay! We were all worried for you. I am sure you will learn a ton from this experience and become a much better investor and person.
You have taught us so much through your writings and we have always been appreciative of the time you put in to help us become better investors.
Skred,
Thanks for the support! Definitely, this experience has been life-changing… and now I’m pretty certain I’ve seen both ends of the spectrum when it comes to investing… This failure was about as bad as it gets…
When the time is right, I will have much to say about this fiasco so that hopefully future investors can avoid the same landmines that I stepped onto… I’m fortunate to be in the position that I am in, because no doubt, such a mistake could wipe a lot of people out for good…
Cheers!
” Definitely, this experience has been life-changing… and now I’m pretty certain I’ve seen both ends of the spectrum when it comes to investing… This failure was about as bad as it gets… ”
As long as you didn’t bet the farm on “it”, you will survive, and be wiser, while trusting a bit less “human” nature. That is why I don’t put all my eggs in the same assets, categories, and geographic areas, even when this means I will never get as rich as you are now. But I sleep well, now, after having received many punches myself due to greed getting ahead of reason. As Buffet said “most people want to get rich fast, I became the second richest man in the world by getting rich slowly”. He made his first billion at 65 years of age, and now is worth many ten of billions at 87. Since you are only in your thirties, you still are thristy, but you should pause on the Buffet logic, after you got yourself back up and dusted off. May you continue to blog, it is a refreshing breath of fresh air amid a stale sea of Orwelian Newspeak from the mainstream media that I do not read much anymore. And I might learn a thing or two too, myself, which is why I subscribed to your blog.
Al,
Great reminder and thoughts there…
For sure, I have learned a lot of things over the years… and I definitely feel the need to slow things down and “gamble” less and less… Granted, this disaster “investment” was not necessarily contrarian and very much a celebrated path many newbies take unassumingly thinking it will get them to early FI… It’s not what it seems, which I’m looking forward to clarifying in the future…
Thanks for the support!
Cheers!
Hey Jay,
Glad you’re back. I missed ya bud. Sorry to hear about the bullshit and I’ve made a lot of mistakes myself…maybe not as rough as what you’re going through….but at least you are all right my dude. Sending love and good vibes your way.
Bryan,
Glad to be back! Appreciate the support and good vibes.
Will do my best to keep fighting on! 🙂
All the best!
Thanks FI fighter. I’m glad you’re back, your blog is so different from all the rest.
Jan,
I’ll take that as a complement! Being labeled “different” is awesome in my book.
Cheers!
Welcome back Jay, I understand your feelings because I’ve been deceived for 150,000 $. Waiting to learn again through your insightful articles… Thanks…
Jan,
Damn, I’m so sorry to hear that! That’s a hefty sum… but I gotta say, I know exactly what that feeling is like 🙁
Wishing you a speedy recover and a lifetime of wisdom and knowledge gained from the unfortunate situation… As they say, we gotta make lemonade when life throws lemons our way…
Best wishes!
I believe I know how you feel. I’m partners with 3 of my brother in-laws and one other person, recently we had to ask one of my brother in-laws to step aside for starting a company which sells the same products as us behind our backs. Family gatherings will never be the same. Unfortunately the company is still a bit of a money pit but we are hoping to turn it around. Best of luck working thru your issues and moving forward.
Nick,
Sorry to hear about the “money pit”… It sucks, and I sincerely hope you can turn things around soon.
All the best to you as well!
Man…sounds like you’re going through some tough shit, but with the great attitude you’re taking going into it, I’m sure it’ll all work out in the end and if nothing else, great life lesson.
Also welcome back!!
Sundeep,
It’s real rough times, even now, but I’m gonna keep the faith and hope for a turnaround soon…
Just looking for that light at the end of the tunnel… I’m optimistic for the future and am strong in my belief that things happen for a reason…
All the best!
Welcome back amigo.