As I have detailed in a few of my earlier posts, I am attempting to generate extra income through the stock market. Specifically, I am purchasing very small amounts of individual stocks with the current goal of earning more on that money than it would make in a simple savings account.

My knowledge buying and selling individual stocks has improved over the last 10 months, but I continue to learn new lessons the hard way.

Lesson #1001: Even When You Pick Right, You Can Still Lose

I research the stocks I buy. I check to see if there is a consensus among analysts that it is a good buy. I look at the charts going back several months to see what direction the stock’s price is trending. I read news coming from the company to see if anything good or bad is coming out about them.

And still I have lost on some stocks.

There’s plenty of blame to go around. Some of it is due to my timing. I simply bought in at the wrong time. Some losses are due to this very choppy period of uncertainty we are in at the moment. Some losses are still a mystery to me.

I know these are good companies with bright futures that will make money. But, right at this moment when I need them to appreciate in value, they have lost value or stayed basically flat.

Meanwhile, I watch other stocks make great gains day after day. It’s very frustrating.

To be clear, I’m not giving up. If anything I am more determined to figure out what I can do better so these mistakes don’t happen again.

I’m reminded of the old saying, “If it were easy everybody would do it.”

Let me assure you, buying and selling individual stocks isn’t easy. I knew that going in, but life keeps reminding me just to be sure I don’t forget.