To The Moon

When I tell people I invest in the stock market, they sometimes assume I’m chasing millions or trying to “beat the market.” The truth? My portfolio is under $100K, just like many retail investors out there. And I’m perfectly fine with that.

For me, the stock market isn’t about becoming rich overnight. It’s not a casino, and it’s not a competition with Wall Street billionaires. Instead, it’s something I treat with curiosity, patience, and yes, even as a hobby.

With less than $100K, I have to approach investing differently. Not with dreams of sudden wealth, but with realistic expectations, smart habits, and a calm mindset. This perspective shaped the way I see both money and risk and made the whole experience much more enjoyable.

The Reality Check

I don’t believe in strict “rules.” The market doesn’t follow rules, so why should we pretend there’s a formula that guarantees success?

But I do believe in realism. If I’m starting with less than $100K, chances are slim I’ll get rich quickly through stock trading alone. Compounding takes time, and unless I luck into the next meme stock that shoots up 500% overnight, my wealth won’t suddenly explode.

Once I accepted that truth, everything changed. I stopped stressing. I stopped chasing quick wins. I stopped thinking of investing as this make-or-break mission. Instead, I treat it like a hobby. If I win, I’m happy. If I lose, it’s okay because it was money I was willing to risk. This mindset made me a calmer, better investor.

The Gut-Feeling Investor

Unlike some investors who live by spreadsheets and algorithms, I tend to follow my gut. Not recklessly but instinct plays a big role in my decisions. I’ll admit, I’m not glued to financial news 24/7 (time is money, after all). But when I do research, I look at the things that actually matter to me:

• Is the stock cheap or expensive compared to earnings? (P/E ratio)

• Does it pay me back with dividends?

• Where does the current price sit in its 52-week range?

• Is the company’s financial performance solid?

That’s it. No overcomplication. Just a gut call layered with a few basic fundamentals.

And honestly? That simplicity saves me from paralysis. I don’t overthink every tick on the chart. I just ask: Does this make sense to me? Am I comfortable holding it?

My Style: Short-Term vs. Long-Term

My strategy changes depending on what I’m buying.

If it’s a volatile, risky product—like leveraged or inverse ETFs—I’ll only try to touch them short-term. Those are wild rides, and I know better than to treat them as long-term investments.

Direxion Daily S&P 500 High Beta Bear 3X Shares (HIBS)

But if it’s something like bond ETFs (TLT, TLH) or a stock with reliable dividends, I’m more than happy to hold for the long run. Those feel less like gambles and more like patient money.

iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT)

iShares 10-20 Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLH)

In short: I let the stock decide the strategy. Not the other way around.

The Profit Game

If there’s one lesson the market teaches quickly, it’s this: don’t get greedy.

I’ve lost count of how many times I sold a stock for a small profit, only to watch it climb afterward. At first, I’d kick myself. But eventually, I learned to let it go.

A smaller profit is still a profit. Gratitude beats regret. I’d rather bank my win early than chase the absolute peak and risk watching it all disappear.

That mindset—being okay with “less than perfect” results has saved me from emotional rollercoasters.

Final Thoughts

I’ve made peace with something that a lot of small investors struggle with: I don’t need to “beat” Wall Street. I don’t even need to play their game.

What I do need is clarity about why I invest. For me, it’s not about chasing the fastest returns or proving I’m smarter than the market. It’s about being realistic with what I have, accepting the risks, and letting the process teach me as I go.

I treat investing like a long game and like a hobby. I try to play smart, but I don’t obsess. I celebrate the wins, I learn from the losses, and I never risk more than I can afford to lose. That mindset alone has made me steadier than I ever imagined when I first started.