Post-Pandemic Blues? – Indulge Yourself
The global pandemic has spawned grave consequences for many. Not only has it disrupted the lives of countless individuals, but it’s also had an adverse effect on travel, financial markets, employment, shipping, and a slew of other industries.
Yet, despite this disruption, have we not all felt part of something? We’re not saying that the pandemic has been good for us, but it did bring us together: as a community, nation, and global order.
Cooperation became key, and a sense of shared experience was paramount – we were, in a sense, all common human beings attempting to live in a world suddenly gone awry. And with the pandemic now in its later stages, one may find themselves feeling lost, or empty.
In fact, “post-pandemic blues” is a phrase you are starting to hear more and more. John Hughman, the editor of Investors’ Chronicle, notes that in the initial weeks of the lockdown there was a palpable spirit of anticipation: “for all the challenges [covid] brought, there was also much excitement”.
Thus, in the wake of all this turbulence and excitement, many are now talking about a feeling of languishing. Writing for The New York Times, Adam Grant expressed “languishing” as feeling “somewhat joyless and aimless”.
Working from home has provided us with some extra time, but we are without aim, or goals: what gives?
This could be a perfect opportunity to pick up a new, meaningful hobby. Not just something to kill the time, but to give your life newfound direction and texture. It could also be a time to indulge in pleasures you’ve too long kept at bay.
For example, take investing – the popularity of robo-advisors has made this a more accessible activity than ever. Plus, investing your money does not have to be just a hobby; with the right aptitude and drive, the sky is the limit.
Paired with a robust stock analysis solution like Atom Finance, novice traders are no longer stuck making picks in the dark. Technology has given us the means to perform like bona fide brokers.
Let’s take a look at a couple of the more popular trading platforms out there.
M1 Finance – an Algorithm That Works for You
Founded in 2015, M1 Finance introduced something called “pie investing” to the world. An easy-to-use system that will appeal to the greenest of investors, M1’s pie charts allow users to allocate their stocks and bonds into different sectors and industries all the while keeping the totalities of their respective portfolios in view. Modest Money’s review of M1 Finance notes that it’s a great platform for novice and grizzled vet alike.
Pie-Based Investing:
what is great about M1’s emphasis on pie-based investing is that it allows the novice user to visualize their investments. Their pie-charts let you see exactly how your money is divided up, whether in individual stocks, bonds, or exchange traded funds (ETFs).
Expert Pies:
In addition, subscribers of M1 Finance gain access to what are called “Expert Pies”. Expert Pies are steeped in quantitative analyses overseen by investment professionals. These predefined pies can then be adjusted to suit each individual’s needs.
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Goal-Oriented Pies:
M1 Finance should appeal to investors of all stripes because they offer such a variety of unique pies. For example, they offer pies emphasizing ethical investing, some which stress pure, untethered growth, and others which optimize long-term security.
Betterment – The Original Robo
Back in 2008, the term “robo” advisor probably conjured up images associated with science fiction and ghastly pulp narratives. Joking aside, Betterment is one of the original “automatic” stock picking platforms, and maintains itself as a leader in a now bloated field. Combining accessibility, low costs, and a plethora of portfolio options, Modest Money’s resident expert Bob Haegele describes Betterment as another great beginner option.
Investment Goals:
Betterment does not use pie charts in the way that M1 does, but, in like fashion, users can choose from a range of “goal types” which then allocate your funds accordingly. These types include retirement, safety net, major purchases, and general investing.
Custom Asset Allocation:
while not sporting the same kind of customization allowed by M1 Finance, Betterment does take into consideration your goal type and balances things against your personal risk tolerance. This feature ensures that every single user maintains a portfolio posed for success.
SmartDeposit:
this is a great feature for those with irregular incomes, like freelancers or part-time employees. A breeze to set up, SmartDeposit makes automatic deposits to your Betterment account only when your bank account reaches a certain balance.
Investing – Hobby or Trade?
This is not to say that investing is a cure all for the world’s spiritual problems. Many people will not be in the least bit interested in day trading, but the point we want to drive home is that a hobby can function as both a time killer and profitable enterprise. In other words, it’s possible to mix business with pleasure, you just have to get a little creative sometimes.
A hobby like stock trading opens up interesting new worlds; there is always something to research, another company to delve into, another market to conquer. In short, it is an expansive topic that takes you beyond the bounds of the market and into speculation about the world at large.