The term “investing” is interpreted differently by different people. Even different investors view investing differently. Investing can mean placing money in stocks, bonds, real estate, funds, and many other things. There is lot of brainstorming, research, and permutations and combinations at the core of investing.

Investing is about being at the right time and the right place. One thing to remember while investing is to keep your emotions aside and your brain at work.

Four investing rules to live by
As an investor, you will get a lot of opportunities to invest, and tapping the right opportunity and making the best of it should be your aim. Here are the four rules of investing that market experts believe and live by.

Ignore the herd
Sometimes, market experts’ predictions can go wrong. If you go after the herd, you will be lost. Many companies use investors as their marketing strategists by spreading rumors about companies. No matter what everyone claims, it is not possible to double your investment overnight. Things take time to pick up. Stick by your convictions and believe in your planning. There will be corrections and upward swings in the investment world. Follow your own path and ignore the herd.

Diversification is the key
It is not advisable to put all your eggs in one basket. Investment is not a one-size-fits-all thing. Some want liquidity, whereas others want high returns and dividends. Invest in any varying investment of your choice, such as real estate, stocks, bonds, and funds, but do not put all your money in one type of investment. Spread out your risks, so that one investment makes up for the other in case the market tumbles. One strategy does not work for everyone. Every individual will invest as per their needs. A pre-retiree will want to safeguard their savings for retirement. A retiree will want to invest in a health plan. Likewise, everyone’s goals are different. One may need to diversify as per their situation/goals.

Keep an eye on costs
More than returns, it is the cost that many investors worry about. Try to invest in funds that are low on cost but high on returns. Save on costs by investing in index funds like Vanguard, which charges 0.1% fees. Moreover, it is advisable to invest online as the charges of investing online are lower.

Have a proper financial plan
The investment world is a bit like a maze, wherein it is easy to get lost if there is no financial plan in place. Pick an investment option that you are aware about or a company that has a solid background with good historical performance. Just making a financial plan is not enough. Following the performance of your stocks is necessary as well.

Investing your hard-earned money is not difficult and you do not need to hire a financial manager always. If you live by the four rules of investing, you can avoid mistakes that cost you dollars.