The stock market isn’t for the average joe

This might hurt some feelings and crush some hopes, but the reality is that playing the stock market isn’t for the average retail investor.

Obviously anyone can open an investment account and participate in the market, day-trade, and even find some success, but if you’re not a professional in the industry, you are extremely disadvantaged.

An example: anyone can put out a fire, but firefighters are trained, and more importantly, better equipped to handle fires. Bankers, advisors, and portfolio managers are like said firefighters. They have access to tools and resources that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars that the average joe simply doesn’t – not including how much more money they have under management to trade. They also pay less taxes, fees, and commissions. They also have a better network and maintain close relationships with a lot of the company’s they trade/invest in. Without being conspiratorial, they stand a better chance at getting an inside scoop – and as a former analyst, believe me, enough of them will get the inside scoop when they want it.

This isn’t to discourage anyone from investing. There’s definitely immense wealth to be made in the stock market but it should be approached rationally. The allure of the Wall Street lifestyle, and fake trading gurus on social media blindsides a lot of people into losing a lot of money. There are qualified professionals and appropriate financial services around, use them.