10 quotes that would help you invest better

Not everyone has the patience to read 640 pages of The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham, or John Bogle’s The Little Book of Common Sense Investing. However, a great quote can trigger something in us that can push us to achieve great things or avoid what can ruin us.

I have been gathering quotes over the years and some of them have been guides for me in everyday life struggles, teaching me valuable lessons along the way. They touch different facets, ranging from investing to relationships, spirituality, etc. Below are my favourite quotes on investing:

You never become wealthy by investing in savings

“How many millionaires do you know who have become wealthy by investing in savings accounts? I rest my case.” – Robert G Allen

It doesn’t make sense leaving your money idle in a savings account, with the number of bank charges you will incur.

A huge chunk of your money should rather be invested in mutual funds and Treasury bills which are guaranteed to yield more for you through the power of compounding, rather than losing money by putting it in a savings account which offers little interest rate.

This article explains how to start investing in Treasury Bills, while this article explains how you can invest in mutual funds.

Price follows value

“Price is what you pay, value is what you get, and in the long run, price follows value.” – Warren Buffett

The stock market will offer you a price on a given day which will depend on the market forces. But the value of that stock most times differs from the price at which you bought it.

The value of a stock, after you purchased it will be largely dependent on the performance of the management and the future profitability (future cashflows) of a given company.

Understanding the difference between price and value is valuable for any product or service, even beyond buying stocks.

Your spending habits can make you rich

“It’s not your salary that makes you rich, it’s your spending habits.” – Charles A Jaffe

Have you wondered why you end up broke just a week after getting your salary? Do you track your spending or follow through on a budget you set out for yourself? If you aren’t doing this, you will end up being poor.

Find a way to make money even when you are asleep

“If you don’t find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die.” – Warren Buffett

Try to put your money in various investment vehicles that would churn out profits, even while you are working to make more money for further investments.

Invest in yourself

“An Investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” – Benjamin Franklin

How do you build knowledge? Read books, annual reports, articles, business journals and magazines. Interview and talk to people in industries and companies that intrigue you.

Do not let your income rise faster than your productivity

“Do not let your income rise faster than your productivity, because you’ll eventually become uncompetitive.

“Do all that you can to raise your productivity, because in the long run, that’s what matters the most.” – Ray Dalio

Start saving early and regularly

“Put time on your side. Start saving early and save regularly. Live modestly and don’t touch the money that’s been set aside.” – Burton G Malkiel

Should I save money with each paycheck?

No, just try to make more money. That is easier than saving money. I find that whenever I try to save money I end up spending more. I don’t know why that is. Better to just make more with many streams of income so you don’t have to worry about going broke. And then saving will come naturally as you make more money.

Don’t forget that a salary will never make you money. After taxes and daily grind, and your exhaustion and the feelings of “I hate my job” and then inflation and then new expenses (kids), you will never be able to save.

“I say it glibly, try to make more money. I know it’s not that easy. But in the long run, if you have a constant focus on alternative ways to make money, then you will.” – James Altucher

James Altucher on his criteria for investing in a company:

“Someone smarter than me is investing.

“Someone smarter than me is running the company.

“I don’t put my hard money to work unless the CEO has been there, done that, and knows what he is doing even in the worst-case scenario.

“Being a good investor is about eating what you kill.

“You only make money when you understand the world correctly and have the psychology to go against the norm.”

Learn to be disciplined

“Some people plan on being disciplined as soon as they achieve something that cannot be achieved without discipline.” – Makokoma Mokhonoana

This quote is really deep. It questions so many things. What am I doing presently with what I earn? How much am I saving or investing now with the little I earn? If I can’t be disciplined enough to save or invest at this stage, what gives me the assurance that I would do better with multimillions or billions?