The Flame of Excitement Burns

As a young, destitute college student, I managed to miss the dot-com bust of the 2000s (whew!). As a recent grad, though, I began dabbling in the market. I perused numerous financial publications and felt the flame of excitement fill me. I hastily opened up a brokerage account. Frothing at the mouth, I immediately plunked everything into one stock. Rest assured, I did my research. I looked at the stock's chart and saw it was on a tear upward and read an article labeling it as one of 10 stocks with the potential to double within a year. I knew it manufactured some kind of alternative energy products or power generators, something like that. I sat back, satisfied, and watched as the shares immediately plummeted in mere days. Horrified, I sold everything, taking a 25 percent loss. Chastened by my first investing experience, I soon found myself learning more at The Motley Fool and elsewhere. I can sincerely say that my stock picks have now been much more well informed and successful.

- Collin Beatty, San Antonio

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