If you spend any time around finance content, it can sound like everyone is “crushing it” with fast moves and flashy trades. In reality, there are two very different approaches—and they work very differently.
Long-Term Investing
You buy and hold investments for years.
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Focuses on business growth and compounding
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Fewer decisions, lower stress
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Most consistent way adults build wealth over time
Trading
You buy and sell frequently to capture short-term price moves.
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Requires constant attention and discipline
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Higher risk, higher taxes, more fees
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Most people underperform long-term
The honest truth:
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Long-term investing rewards patience and consistency
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Trading rewards speed and precision and punishes mistakes quickly