Errors and Checklist for Investors

June 25, 2012 7:30pm by Barry Ritholtz

I am working on a checklist of the most common errors investors make. I have my own top 10, but I would love to hear other people think are important.

Here is my short list:

1. High Fees Are A Drag on Returns
2. Mutual Fund Are Inferior to ETFs
3. Reaching for Yield is Extremely Dangerous
4. Asset Allocation Decisions matter more than stock selection
5. Passive is usually better than Active Management
6. You must understand “The Long Cycle”
7. Behavioral Issues Are Costly
8. Cognitive Errors as well
9. Understand your own risk tolerance
10. Pay Guys Like Me For the Right Reason

What other factors are — or should be — most important to investors?

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