The Real Reason Your Investments Fail (or Never Start)

With limitless opportunities and a vibrant environment, the UAE brings you exceptional lifestyle choices. This, however, also makes investing important. Think of it as your forever financial companion that benefits your financial well-being.

However, what’s concerning is that many fail to save and invest enough, or not at all. So why do so many people fail to invest or do it poorly? Let’s understand what leads to poor investment scenarios and how you can deal with them!

Having Unrealistic Expectations or ‘Dreaming Big..Way too Soon!’  

Many investors, mainly the new ones, try to speed up their investment process. Without proceeding step by step, they tend to jump into high-risk investments. What they don’t realise is that moving faster ultimately results in destruction.

Start with small things, which eventually lead to something significant over time.

💡 Tips to Tackle💡

✨ Target a long-term return for a diversified portfolio 

✨ Avoid scams that promise high returns within a short period

Expecting Instant Returns — ‘Need My Money Now!’

“Patience is the key” — this is true for investments too. Investors, especially beginners, are usually impatient about making big returns. This, however, could be a big mistake as well. After all, to truly witness the power of compounding, you need to let the investment grow for a while.

💡 Tips to Tackle💡

✨ Maintain consistency — don’t be scared of market fluctuations 

✨ Choose long-term investments for better returns 

✨ Patience beats impulsive decisions any day

Seeking Bad Financial Advice — ‘Taking Tips for That “One” Guy’

Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok are nowadays flooded with finance and investment tips. While such influencers have a good following, many may spread wrong/ incomplete information. In fact, even if true, investment advice isn’t one-size-fits-all — it depends on your specific circumstances.

💡 Tips to Tackle💡

✨ Always cross-check information from other sources

✨ Follow only reliable ‘finfluencers’ on social media platforms

✨ Be aware of hidden agendas — some influencers collaborate with an investment platform for promotions

✨ Consult experts on platforms like Policybazaar.ae for tailored advice

Irregular Review Investments — ‘Set It, Forget It’

It’s absolutely important to check your investment portfolio at regular intervals. As the market changes over time, you need to keep yourself updated with the latest trends and information.

💡 Tips to Tackle💡

✨ Check your portfolio regularly and make changes, if needed

✨ Feel free to change strategies with changes in market conditions, goals, and more

Choosing Real Estate as the Only Investment — ‘Putting Everything in the Same Basket’

Real estate is certainly an excellent investment option. However, it’s not the only one. Moreover, if you only invest in properties, you can face high upfront costs, liquidity issues, and more.

💡 Tips to Tackle💡

✨ Diversify beyond real estate — think of mutual funds, bonds, and more 

✨ In real estate, also consider REITs, fractional ownership options, and so on

Not Having a Personalised Investment Plan — ‘Where’s the Game Plan?’

Cooking a dish is impossible without knowing its ingredients and process. Likewise, without proper planning, investing is not wise. Simply following a popular strategy may not prove good for your particular case.

💡 Tips to Tackle💡

✨ Know the purpose of your investment — be it retirement, children’s education, and more 

✨ Choose the tenure of your investment rightly

Missing the Currency Depreciation Risk — ‘Ignoring the Current Time Bomb’

Choosing the most profitable investment asset is not the end. Currency depreciation, for instance, can eat into your returns. Investing in a depreciating currency is not a good option, especially when better options are available.

💡Tips to Tackle💡

✨ Extend your portfolio to different currencies 

✨ Invest in global companies with exposure to currencies around the world

The Final Call 

While the UAE offers many opportunities, many still fail to invest wisely due to unrealistic expectations, impatience for quick returns, poor financial advice, and a lack of planning. It’s essential to start small, be patient, diversify your investments, and regularly review your portfolio.

With informed and consistent decisions, your investments can secure your future in the long run.