I've been buying shares since the start of 2008, using fundamental analysis to try and pick shares that are priced below their true value. My aims are:
To achieve a far better return than I would from a savings account, over the long term.
To achieve a moderately better return than I would from investing in a simple index tracker.
To save enough money to retire early (preferably by the time I'm 50).
To fund my retirement through interest and dividends, leaving the capital untouched.
Since I started investing I have kept a blog that includes every trade I have made, and most of the research
and analysis I have done. I do this because:
I think it's important to set out my rationale in writing, so that I can refer back to it in the future. The human memory is inherently fallible, and
hindsight would colour my recollections so far as to make them useless. I need the certainty of having a written record of my thoughts, otherwise I
cannot effectively learn from experience.
By putting my blog in the public domain, I oblige myself to write coherently and convincingly. If I cannot make a lucid argument, then I am
probably acting too much on instinct, and need to do more analysis.
Some people may be interested in a "warts and all" blog that covers every trade I make, good and bad. Even if it is only useful to a handful of people,
then it's worth making public.
Some of my friends are interested to know what I am buying and selling, and why.