A continuation from the previous first-hand account from our Founder, Harsh Shah on important money lessons.
When is the right time to start investing
Beginning to invest early is absolutely essential – time is the biggest advantage an investor can have. The earlier you start, the longer your money gets to compound, reducing the need for very high investments later. Early investing builds discipline, absorbs market volatility better, and makes long-term wealth creation far more achievable and stress-free.
Where to Read about Authentic Investment Advice
I would suggest that those wanting to begin investing should look no further than some classic good books. The first is The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham, Coffee Can Investing by Saurabh Mukherjea, and The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel. There are some more, but these essentials teach us that values matter and help us play the long-term investing game. One’s adaptability is very important, and how one actually handles money in real life shows how small investing builds large gains in the long term
My Failures in the Business of Money and Investing
Yes, I have made mistakes with money, especially in the early years. Like most investors, I took a few decisions driven by short-term thinking and expectations rather than long-term fundamentals, which led to setbacks. Those experiences taught me important lessons about risk management, patience, and discipline. I recovered by going back to basics—focusing on long-term investing, staying diversified, controlling emotions, and remaining consistent. Those failures ultimately shaped my investment philosophy and made me a more disciplined investor.
Who I look up to for inspiration
In the investing domain, I truly admire a few individuals for their philosophy and long-term approach.
Warren Buffett is a constant source of inspiration for his discipline, patience, and belief in long-term compounding.
Benjamin Graham, as the father of value investing, has deeply influenced my thinking around fundamentals and margin of safety.
It’s important to have someone to offer a hand of reassurance in difficult times, whether someone you know in person, or someone you can relate with. For me these two have been very influential.
The Best Advice I have received about Money Management
The best advice I have received about money management is to live below your means and invest the difference consistently. Controlling expenses, avoiding lifestyle inflation, and staying disciplined with long-term investments create far more wealth over time than chasing short-term gains.
Advice you would give youngsters on investing
My advice to youngsters is to start investing as early as possible and stay consistent. Focus on long-term goals rather than short-term market movements, keep your investments simple, and avoid trying to time the market. Discipline, patience, and time are your biggest allies in building lasting wealth.
And if you’re still confused about how and where to begin, get in touch with me directly here – info@investwise.finance, and we will have a chat and set you up.
The lessons are simple, but applying them consistently is what sets you apart.
Start today—review your investments, rethink your strategy, and take one smarter step toward your financial future.
